Thread: CarPC and Head unit intigration on my 2011 Toyota Prius

Hi folks.
thanks to all the amazing projects i saw here i atempted to install a carPC in my 2011 Prius.



I put the monitor in the top glove box and the computer in the lower glove box.

I considered buying a carputer but the price range was coming to about 400-to 500 (for a good one). So then I looked into making my own which is a better option but would take up extra time and still cost like 300 or so.
So I decided to go with a nettop ( for about $150). Not the best choice for a carputer because it does not have a regular ATX motherboard and not very rugged but I only need it for internet access.

Since the nettop does not have a motherboard power switch header that would normally connect to the push-button on the front of a personal computer case. I solder couple of wires to the on/off button which I used to place a small push button under the center consol.


My car does not have a conventional starter, there is no high amp spikes, so i dont need a DC to DC regulator.
I taped +12 from the lighter socket and ground near the bottom of the glove box. and installed a small push button to turn on the computer.



I Installed the nettop holder in the lower glove box and made some vent holes.



Found some space behind the lower glove box where i stuffed the computer power brick and the wires for the LCD touchscreen


I removed the stock CD player because it did not have and aux input and bought a cheap genaric chinese Headunit off of ebay. I output the audio and video from the CarPC to the new head unit.


Routed the wires and hooked up the CarPC.


Problem!! the 7" touchscreen was too big to fit in the upper glove box so I ended up cutting the bottom off, squished the electronics together and repositioned the buttons.


After hacking up the monitor it still did not fit the glove box so i had to cut up the glove box to make it fit.


put everything to gether .


Finally testing if it works and yes everything is up and running. and when the glove box is closed no one knows there is a computer there .