2004 G35 Coupe - custom mounts (lots of pics)

**Caelric** · 09-30-2005, 12:38 AM

aoLhaTer

Nice install, from what I can tell (can't see the pics, it might be my slow internet connection here in Iraq)

I plan on doing a carputer on my 2005 G35 coupe when I get back, and when DW gets the 2005 version of the dash screen done (around December, he says)

I still have my stock head unit, but with two JL amps mounted where the spare tire is, along with a Phatbox 40 gB MP3 player. In the left trunk corner, I have a 4080 sub box with a JL 10w6v2 sub. I plan on putting my carputer in the right trunk corner, and making some kind of enclosure to block it off from the rest of the trunk. Maybe with some sort of exhaust fan out the little vents on the side. Not sure on that. I plan on using the Opus case, probably, with some sort of Pentium M motherboard, and an actual graphics card rather than the integratedc graphics.

I don't plan on using the carputer for MP3's, I like the Phatbox I have now, but I plan on using it for nav/GPS, OBD-II monitoring, DVD's, and games. I'd like to put a USB DVD drive up in the space above the glovebox, for easier access. Should be possible, with a long USB cable.

Anyways, if you have an G35 specific tips, let me know.
Thanks for the help
Dave

**Dluvr22** · 09-30-2005, 01:46 AM

For those who do not know the G35 is the american version of the skyline. Therefore even though they are essentially the same you will never get a G35 that is right hand drive for the simple reason that we drive on the right side of the road. similarly as of now you will also never find a left hand drive skyline unless it was converted. If switching badges on either one is your thing then you can do that and get a RHD G35 of LHD skyline
Just my two cents.....

**optrice** · 10-03-2005, 02:01 AM

Dude, Mad props man. Your g35 is looking fine as hell! Put in a nice sound system and tune up the car, and you've got a monster!

**civic5zigen** · 10-10-2005, 07:03 PM

Nice install AOLhater, I am also in the process of building out a carputer for my G.

1. What do you think of the idea of putting the carputer in the upper glove box storage area? It seems like it will fit a EPIA board, M1-ATX, HDD, and possbility a slim notebook DVD-rom. I want to put a notebook DVD there since it's easy reach from driver side. Plus I dont have to run long cables to the back.

2. Do you have any type of steering control? I am trying to build one using God_of_cpu's instruction but as you know the EPIA board doesn't have USB and many user found the USB/GamePort adapter doesn't work well.

3. Where did you end up putting your GPS?

**aoLhaTer** · 10-10-2005, 07:14 PM

It will be a tight squeeze in the upper glove box area especially with a dvd drive. You most certainly couldnt use an off the shelf case like the ones from Travla since the depth isnt sufficient. With the new nano ITX boards and some minor fabrication you should be able to get something together
Its a good idea in theory and I thought about it but it will be difficult to fit (although nano ITX didnt exist when I built)

I havent dont the steering wheel control yet but I would like to. I havent got a firm answer on the subject either. Ive heard sometimes the USB adapters do work and then other times they dont. I dont know which one does

I put my GPS antenna on the rear deck lid sort of wedged against the glass. Im using a Garmin OEM 15L and consistently get 6-7 sats. Putting the antenna outside of the car would prove much better but I dont want something ugly on sticking out on the car. The stock GPS location is behind the temperature readout LCD array and I tried that location but recieved pretty bad signal.

**civic5zigen** · 10-10-2005, 07:31 PM

Yea, I took some messurement and it seems I should be able to make it fit in the upper glove box even with SP13000, an HDD and Slim DVD. I can relocate the M1-ATX in a near by space. The only problem is I dont have any fabrication skills, I am planning to build a box similar to existing storage box. I am thinking using pexiglass but I dont even know how to cut, blend or even glue it together?

BTW, I see that you are using GOC's screen. Here's a idea for you if you need easy access to DVD-ROM, you can disassemble the OEM CD-changer from the headunit and it'll give you rooms to fitted a slim DVD rom and use the existing CD insert opening. So it will look very OEM. Dont worry, the AC, tape and PAC will still work after CD-charger is taken out.

I asked around, it seems that the next best option other then the USB/gameport adapter would be to use a acutal USB analog gamepad.

**god_of_cpu** · 10-10-2005, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by civic5zigen

Nice install AOLhater, I am also in the process of building out a carputer for my G.

1. What do you think of the idea of putting the carputer in the upper glove box storage area? It seems like it will fit a EPIA board, M1-ATX, HDD, and possbility a slim notebook DVD-rom. I want to put a notebook DVD there since it's easy reach from driver side. Plus I dont have to run long cables to the back.

2. Do you have any type of steering control? I am trying to build one using God_of_cpu's instruction but as you know the EPIA board doesn't have USB and many user found the USB/GamePort adapter doesn't work well.

3. Where did you end up putting your GPS?

I tried to make a single DIN converter like thing for an ITX motherboard, but it just won't fit. It seems like it would and you might be able to actually get everything but the DVD drive to fit in that space, but there is no way that I could find to fit everything through the 2" high opening after it was mounted. Its really not that hard to get to the trunk if you run all your wires down the center of the car. It only takes me about 15 minutes to take everything off needed to run wires to the back now that I've done it once. Trunk mounting is definitly the simplest and quickest way to go.

It won't be as cheap, but you can use a girder plugin and the PAC SWI-X to use your steering wheel controls.

My GPS antenna is in my spoiler, I had to take it off and drill a hole through the bottom of it to mount it as well as cut and resplice the USB cable for it. Its not as good as when I just had it on my trunk lid, but the only time I have ever lost signal is when I am stopped under trees or through tunnels.

**atlharry** · 10-10-2005, 07:49 PM

Sweet install! As far as GPS locks go, I think the LCD somehow creates alot of interference. I put the receiver in the stock location in my altima, and got crappy locks when I had my lilliput on, but when I turned it off (the receiver was hooked up to a laptop to test different locations), it got great locks in the same location! It's currently sitting beneath the rear window.

**aoLhaTer** · 10-10-2005, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by atlharry

Sweet install! As far as GPS locks go, I think the LCD somehow creates alot of interference. I put the receiver in the stock location in my altima, and got crappy locks when I had my lilliput on, but when I turned it off (the receiver was hooked up to a laptop to test different locations), it got great locks in the same location! It's currently sitting beneath the rear window.

That certainly may explain it
I sorta wondered why the signal was so bad if it was the same location the stock antenna uses (although the stock system uses the speed signal and a gyro for better positioning)

**civic5zigen** · 10-11-2005, 12:24 AM

God_of_CPU, I can only found a 4 position Relay from Radio Shack instead of 3 PSDT as stated in your design. Will it work the same or I have to get an 3 position one?