2004 Mazda 6s 5-Door

**zoomzoom6** · 06-15-2005, 10:04 PM

So, Finally got this monster tackled. Only think left to do is get a better way to mount the case in the back, I will just attatch those pics when I get a good idea. Oh, and I also didnt get the DVD player in, but its simple Plug and Play USB. Heres how it all started...................................

If you didnt get re-directed from this post Hello , then you dont know that I have been a lurker/planner for a good year now. I finally was able to get the money and patience available to get started. Overall I spent about 1400 total after wires and equipment. Im glad I decided to tackle this myself cuz I cant imagine what a place would charge to install such a thing.

Here is a list of what all I used:

Carputer:
MP3Car Custom Car Computer (3688)
- Motherboard VIA EPIA MII12000 Mini-ITX Mainboard
- Hard Drive 2.5" Hard Drive 80GB Samsung 5400rpm
- CD/DVD Drive Teac 24x Notebook CD-ROM (refurb)
- Memory 512MB DDR RAM PC2700 184-Pin DIMM Memory
- Sound Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS (/w MII12000 only)
- Power Supply M1-ATX
- Windows XP Pro

Monitor:
-Xenarc 7" TSV Touchscreen

DVD Player:
-External SONY USB 2.0/Firewire/Combo 16X DVD-ROM

Keyboard:
-Logitech mini keyboard

USB Hub:
-Taugus 4 port hub

FM Modulator:
-Belkin TuneCast II

[B]GPS:[B]
-DeLorme Earthmate GPS w/ Street Atlas USA

Cables:
8g Fused Power cable
12g cable for keyed on signal to M1-ATX
10' USB extension
12' Monitor extension cable
4g Ground

[B]Misc parts[/G]
-Metal Stock for Monitor Bracket
-Thumb Screw for Montior Bracket
-Epoxy
-Connectors for Power/turn-on/grond cables
-Electical tape
-Heatshrink

Ok enough of what none of you really want to see, on with the pictures!

Here is my monitor and PC in its box fresh from www.mp3car.com/store Oh yea, and the tool NOONE shold be without, a Multimeter!

Here are the boxes out of the big box

Top of PC

Front of PC

Loading the OS, my 30 gigs of music, and 20 gigs of movies/vid clips

My home setup, yea just showing it off, and yes I know its messy!

PC powered up-close

**zoomzoom6** · 06-15-2005, 10:07 PM

Monitor up-close inside

Fused Power Cable in Engine Compartment

Where cables come out in the back from the front

ITS ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!

Xenarc hooked up to Cig lighter then hidden (thanks to whever had this idea in the Mazda6 community, I will give props if you tell me who you are)

Cables run through where cig lighter used to go(had to dremel a few MM to get VGA cable through)

Cables for xenarc coming out of center console

USB and Monitor Cable run behind glove box

Big ol' cable mess!

Monitor before mount

More monitor before mount

**zoomzoom6** · 06-15-2005, 10:09 PM

Monitor after mount v.2....... v.1 failed, it was just epoxy holding the tapeplayer cover(no tape player so no need to have access to it) however the epoxy couldnt measure up to the task with the roads around here.

Street Atlas USA w/ GPS working

Monitor mount closer

again

And finally the Logitech keyboard. I wanted the mini one in the mp3car store, but I think I like this better.

Ok, thats it for now, PLEASE PLEASE post anything as far as questions/comments/flames so that I can make this a better post.

**Stealth97** · 06-15-2005, 10:50 PM

My honest opinion... Kinda ghetto. wires everywhere, visble straps holding the monitor in place, etc.

Thats a nice car, it deserves better.

I suddenly have this bad feeling that my honest opinion isnt going to make me any friends.

**BoyNextDoor** · 06-15-2005, 10:57 PM

nice setup, and good effort on the monitor. A few remarks though. You will soon discover that the monitor is kinda in the way if you need to adjust the ac or something, and also, pleas, i beg you, try out iGuidance. It's million times better than SA. I started with SA, and now i'm only using Iguidance. Believe me, you won't regret. A nice car. I'm thinking on getting one of those. I really like the car. Please feel free to post any engine pix too if you modded things...

cheers

**zoomzoom6** · 06-15-2005, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by Stealth97

My honest opinion... Kinda ghetto. wires everywhere, visble straps holding the monitor in place, etc.

Thats a nice car, it deserves better.

I suddenly have this bad feeling that my honest opinion isnt going to make me any friends.

Not at all, I asked for anything anyone wanted to give me. This is my first install of a system like this. Usually just do subs/amps. The "beautification" process will take a while seeing as though I used all my money on the system. I love my car, and your right, it does deserver better. Thanks for the constructive critisizm.

Originally Posted by BoyNextDoor

nice setup, and good effort on the monitor. A few remarks though. You will soon discover that the monitor is kinda in the way if you need to adjust the ac or something, and also, pleas, i beg you, try out iGuidance. It's million times better than SA. I started with SA, and now i'm only using Iguidance. Believe me, you won't regret. A nice car. I'm thinking on getting one of those. I really like the car. Please feel free to post any engine pix too if you modded things...

cheers

As far as stuff in the way. The only things hard to get to are the radio controls, and I have steering wheel controls to remedy that. And I jsut forked out 120 for SA, so Im gonna use it for a while. lol but like a told stealth, thanks for the comments. keep em comint guys.

**SniperXX** · 06-16-2005, 01:31 AM

I actually like the LCD mount just because its not the same as everyone else's. It looks nice but I still would try to find a way to hide the wires better.

**123limo.ca** · 06-16-2005, 03:14 AM

Ditto on the LCD..

**RS3RS** · 06-16-2005, 03:48 AM

Looks slightly ghetto, but not all that bad, just needs a little wiring clean up.

**wei2cool** · 06-19-2005, 08:11 AM

This is a good start. I actually have the same car and this is my install
2004 Mazda 6 Carputer
I don't really like your LCD position, you really have to take your eyes off the road and look down to see it. It's very dangeous and tiring I think.
One quick question. How do you like the Belkin FM transmitter? I got a generic one and the sound is horrible. I'm waiting to get the AUX addon module for the stock HU.