winter install.....1979 mk2 Escort Zetec

**seventynine** · 12-08-2007, 11:41 AM

hi guys, been reading for a while and have been collecting a few bits and bobs to carry out the install. which i will be starting just after christmas.

the car is a 70' ford escort, 2.0 zetec, TB's, recaro leather interior etc, a build thread of the work so far can be found here:

http://retrorides.proboards86.com/in...6123021&page=1

anyway, the system isnt the 'usual' setup, i intend it to to be as hidden as possible, keeping a few retro touches so it fits with the rest of the interior, but having all the usual knobs and gadgets.

the interior as it stands now

i intend to make everything new from the woody bit downwards (including round the gearstick etc)

screen and a selection of VDO gauges (all been purchased) mounted behind a sheet of tinted perspex, just dark enough to hide the obvious fact theres a monitor behind it. but not too dark that itll mean i cant see it.

itll be backlit as brightly as possible.

completely custom extended centre console dash, with all the switchgear mounted into it........not too many with a 30 year old car.

an 8 track player (purchased) with a knob each side, one to control volume, the other to control the audio input to the amp (carPC/8track/line in etc) - should look like an old 2 knob radio if i can make it look right.

slot loaded USB CD player mounted in the dash, along with a USB slot and an audio in all mounted in the dash.

excuse the appaling drawing but i wanted to get an idea

trackball mouse mounted the doorcard, as the screen will be mounted behind the screen i cant touch it!

im running an aftermarket ECU (dunnell one) so i want to get the obd function in centrafuse working with that.

PC will be HP e-pc (with a 60gb HD) that ive had knocking about for a while running centrafuse XLE and mappoint.

general plan is to make it look retro as hell but with all the goodies!

id like to think myself as a sayer over a doer so there will be more pics of the build itself.

**seventynine** · 12-20-2007, 10:21 AM

got the PC up and running CF

screen i bought was RGB even though it had VGA in the listing......oh well, it didnt come with the remote either so it was an excuse to send it back

the E-PC has a 19v input, so for power supply i am going to use a 19v laptop car charger , unless anyone can forsee any issues with this?

in the name of mucho cheap screens.....i look afar from the carPC scene and bought this...........

touchscreen, runs off 12VDC........shame about the size

not to worry, i will be binning the casing, and mounting just the TFT panel and the touchscreen, it should be fairly hidden away behind the perspex like above.......will the screen be ok to run off the sort of voltage the battery produces?

**Grrrmachine** · 12-20-2007, 10:39 AM

Awww, I love the old Ford Escorts; so much rear wheel drive fun in them (although mine had the standard X-flow engines, not Zetecs

I recognise the Audi gauges as well! It'll be interested to see how it all comes together - with the wood, 80s gauges, 90s stereo and LCD screen, it sounds like a weird mix of stuff to me...

**seventynine** · 12-20-2007, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Grrrmachine

Awww, I love the old Ford Escorts; so much rear wheel drive fun in them (although mine had the standard X-flow engines, not Zetecs

I recognise the Audi gauges as well! It'll be interested to see how it all comes together - with the wood, 80s gauges, 90s stereo and LCD screen, it sounds like a weird mix of stuff to me...

the stereo is an 8Track straight out of the 70's, the VDO's have been painted so the rims are chrome so they look a bit older, the seats have been retrimmed from leather/modern pattern to leather and hessian! its basically going to be 70's with a completely modern twist

**R5Paulie** · 01-09-2008, 07:35 PM

hows this project coming on, any progress?

**seventynine** · 01-11-2008, 07:17 AM

yes a bit. bloody british weather and latecomings of student loans are hindering any progresses however.

id finished butchering the floor about, new gearbox mounts etc. so time for sound deadening, paint, and insulation pads....

sound deadening pads

painting til the late hours

insulation and then carpet.

then i finished some of the wiring for the new fusebox and alarm, heatshrinking and soldering......

no real carpc progress im afraid, im waiting for my screen so i can build the new console, and waiting for a hard drive so i can install all the software.

**seventynine** · 01-20-2008, 02:49 PM

got the carPC bench tested and running on 12v, the computer is a regulated supply but the monitor isnt, we will see how it handles a few more V's when I run it properly........

grand total so far - £74 (about $150)

**Lincolnman** · 06-06-2009, 07:57 AM

Aw - tell me that this project is still alive and going strong. This (the carputer part, anyway) mirrors closely the project that I was planning out all the details for with my 1973 Lincoln.
Very eager to see the two post solution worked out.
Update, please?