Thread: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT - Complete

Well, I gutted all of my computer stuff out of my Denali and actually sold the truck late last year. I transplanted everything into my '96 Ford Explorer and here it is!

Specs:
-Motherboard: VIA M10000 Nehemiah Core
-Power: OPUS 150w - Optima YellowTop Deep Cycle battery - 4 awg cable
-Signal: Stock head unit running through stock amp/speakers via aux input conv.
-40gb laptop hard drive
-Wi-Fi: Netgear 54Mbps WG111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter
-Holux GPS USB unit
-7" Lilliput that I epoxied and molded into the dash.
-Sirius Audiovox PNP2 satellite receiver

Here's the general layout:


And here's a closeup of the Lilliput screen. I used epoxy, bondo and a LOT of sanding to get this to look right. I actually went through 3 different paint colors to get it to match the factory rubberized look. I got it to match pretty good:


The factory radio was relocated to the center console area so that I could utilize the factory sound system:


Here's the front bezel removed - you can see the system board mounted to the firewall. I was able to fit all of my carpc components into the front dash - including the OPUS power supply. I modified a metal tray that fit perfectly into that opening and mounted all of the components to it for a common ground. I still need to go through and clean up all of the wiring but it's not too bad...


Here's a different angle - you can see the laptop hard drive mounted to the air vent housing. You can also see the Holux GPS receiver on the right.


And a closer shot of the systemboard.


Here's the OPUS power supply wedged under the center console cover. It's a very tight squeeze but it fits!


No big deal but here the Aux input converter feeding the factory sound system. The Sirius radio fits nicely into this opening.


And finally, I ran a USB extension up to the console mounted to the roof. This gives me the ability to swap devices without having to disassemble anything. Here's my Wi-Fi adapter plugged in: