Ford Escape 2005 - Updated

**MacGuru** · 09-18-2004, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by mykolJay

Is there anyway to have your Lilliput automatically switch to one of the other inputs when you switch to reverse??

That would be perfect for me.

I believe the Xenarc does this automatically. If you go through the on-screen set-up you should see "auto detect". I have not tested this, but I'm hoping that the monitor will switch when it detects a new signal (AV1) with the shifter in reverse and then revert back to the PC (input) when the car goes into drive.

Anyone set this up with a Zenarc? How did you create the "contact" device for the shifter? Thanks in advance. -m

**LekanB** · 09-27-2004, 06:25 PM

Nav_Attack... sorry for not replying. The Xenarc is mounted on a "quick release" metalic mount. It's simply a metalic bracket, bended and screwed to the housing of the radio behind the dash. It is drilled to the monitor mounts with a screw as though it was on a ram mount. I am sure you can create something for your particular setup by modifying a http://www.ram-mount.com/
-Lekan

**Arathranar** · 10-09-2004, 02:08 PM

So yours isn't a ram mount?

**Bama5150** · 12-07-2004, 12:03 AM

Today I bought a 2005 escape and plan to add a car computer to it like I did with my mazda 626. I will probably have several questions, but the first ones are: How happy are you with the location of the car computer? Does it hamper you much in using the head unit? Also, have you had your windows tinted beyond the factory tint? And if so how is the glare in the position it is in?

**LekanB** · 12-24-2004, 10:10 AM

Lekan's Ford Escape 2005 - CarPuter

I all... It has been 3 months since I updated this page. It's funny that that the improvements that I made were all ones people seem to be asking questions about.

Let’s see...
1. I had my windows tinted to the legal limit for GA - That didn't do much for me at all when it comes to glare.

2. I travel frequently through Birmingham, AL on I-20. It seems they have been doing construction for ever now! Anyway, those roads get so bumpy, my "quick release" for the monitor mounted in front of the radio was not as stable as I would have liked it to be.

3. That also made using some of the buttons on the radio difficult to use.

... So... as the pics show: (1) Took out the ford factory radio (2din), replaced it with a clarion HU mounted in the arm rest console, (2) Placed the Xenarc in the Dash (80% complete... still need to tidy the fit-n-finish), (3) Added XM Radio (Will order a cable soon and replace with XM-Direct once I get a new case & carnetix ps).

Well... I hope that answered all the questions. I hope the pics help you Bama5150!

Click here to see the complete specs and pictures of the complete setup.
http://carpc.bashua.com/

**mattdisaster** · 12-25-2004, 02:55 PM

Awesome job, for the center console, is that some kind of carpeting cover? I'm looking to make an extention of the floor of my bronco and need tan stuff like that to match the floors tan carpet. I cant find it anywhere around here.

-matt

**Prindle19** · 12-26-2004, 09:20 PM

nice idea with the headunit in the center console, i think im going to borrow it so i can recess a xenarc in the stock double din spot, and then put the carputer alongside the headunit in the center console.

Couple Questions....

Did you use a wiring harness to bypass the stock amp?

If so, how did you run it from the stock HU in the dash to where your clarian is?

THanks,

Sean

**Bama5150** · 12-26-2004, 10:23 PM

I took the stock stereo out and put in a single din head unit (xm ready) and mounted the xenarc like you had yours before, except thats its above the radio. Seems pretty stable so far. I live in Alabaster (20 miles south of Birmingham) and know all about I20, I try to avoid if at all possible. Its hard to tell in your picture, but it kinda looks like you did the same thing that I did and scratched the dash below radio? Have you heard any good suggestions on how to repair that? It's not too bad on mine, but my eye keeps catching it. Anyhow, nice ride!

**mattisking** · 01-08-2005, 02:53 AM

That is quite the sweet setup. I have a 2003 Escape and am still in the planning stages of my CarPC but it will likely happen this year. My design, so far, is quite different, but I love what you've done so far. Great work! What software do you run?

I'm planning on implementing a touchscreen motorized retractable LCD with a slotload DVD drive mounted in-dash. At this point I have not decided whether to let the computer itself be the radio or take your approach and also mount a head unit. Admittedly it would be easier to get a nice head unit for playing radio, CD, etc. and then use the computer to play MP3's from my external drive and other devices through the radio (as well as for Navigation, etc.)... but I'm a bit stuck to the idea of the computer completely replacing the head unit and driving all functionality of my CarPuter through the touchscreen LCD. Playing music CD's is certainly easy enough through the computer, I can always get a FM module for the computer, and XM Radio even has an SDK so I'm pretty confident I can make that work.

Awesome project though. Keep posting the pics!