Complete bolt in Screen/CPU/HD/PS - indash - Page 16

blk02si · 01-26-2007, 10:55 AM

I got ya now, you meant the buttons for the LCD screen. They are hidden because I never use them, I have it set the way I like and it auto turns on when it gets juice. The square hardwood dowel sections work well. I used them because I didnt want to ground out the LCD board. It came ungrounded in a plastic case and I don't like ground feedback in my display. The hardwood sections are screwed to the aluminum from both ends with some small 1" long screws. Then the PCB boards are screwed to the top of the dowel with 3/8" screws. Its been this way for about a year now with no problems what-so-ever. Good luck on your build! It s an awesome feeling when you get it done and working.

MrJamieR · 01-27-2007, 11:42 PM

Great installation! Well thought out and fantastically executed. I am a big fan the OEM look and the fact that when it comes time to say goodbye to the 'Stang the original HU will bolt straight back in is icing on the cake. Have you made any progress on adding FM?

blk02si · 01-28-2007, 10:51 PM

Im buying the HQCT module as soon as possible. Ive got two vacations to pay for soon and an addictive snowboarding habit that ive been channeling funds too. I need to sell 2 more chassis and I can get the HQCT. Im building my paypal to buy it

blk02si · 02-05-2007, 10:15 PM

Just a little mini update - You may have seen on the news that were are in a deep freeze here in MI! Im talking like -10 degrees, schools were shut down today because of the cold. Just wanted to let ya know that the SanDisk is still booting perfect! System boots in about 20 seconds even in negative ten degree temps. Last year when I was running the OS on a normal harddrive I would see a increase in boot time in temps this cold. Not no more though

diosagain · 02-08-2007, 01:28 AM

Let me start by saying that your post has been my inspiration to build an in-dash carpc and I can only hope mine comes out half as good as yours did. I have years of experience building computers, but when it comes to car electronics I have none. I have spent countless hours just reading and researching this forum (especially your posts) and I finally think I am ready to embark on this adventure. I figure at the very least I can at least build the In-dash pc and could have a professional install it.

From what I have read I can basically buy everything I need to complete this project except the custom made aluminum case that is going house my indash pc based off of your specifications.

My question is how much do you charge for a custom made a in-dash chassis (frame) to match the specs of my motherboard for a double din slot in my 2003 Ford Explorer. I have bought the metra trim kit for my truck and it basically looks exactly like the one you purchased for your mustang. I am hoping a 7 inch lilliput (after I remove it from its casing) will fit right into the bezel, so I don't have to do any bondo modifications. I would appreciate any feedback regarding ordering a case like the one you made to match my motherboard and any other measurements or specifications you would need to produce it.

blk02si · 02-08-2007, 07:58 AM

Im glad the build is an inspiration for you! I appreciate the positive feedback. What motherboard are you running? Due to the chassis size, an ITX based motherboard is about as large as you can go. The chassis that i've sold to a few other members here will fit your application. If your running the same metra kit as me than your screen will fit perfect into the kit, no bondo. The chassis kit is $65 + shipping. If you have any more questions let me know.

DaveWilliamsTX · 02-09-2007, 02:30 AM

Great Job, just spent 1.5 hrs reading every post on here - learned about everything from pink foam to plastic epoxy - amazing.

From what I've read about booting to flash based media, I am under the impression that this is basically just a simply bios option that you change, was that the case on your mobo? I've got a spare 1gig thumb drive laying around, was imagining that might work for this application.

Once you've got your stripped down OS installed, and you've erased all the drivers, do you just install the hardware (FM tuner, wireless keyboard, whatever) that you're going to use, and then prevent it from being writable - and shazzam? Sounds too good to be true!

Great job, great thread, keep it up man!

blk02si · 02-09-2007, 04:04 PM

Well it is possible to boot XP from USB but XP was never really designed to do this and it takes a bit of hacking. The route im using is a compact flash module and a compact flash to IDE adaptor. It puts the flash module on the master slot of the primary IDE controller. XP still thinks that it is using a normal harddrive with this setup. When setting up the OS everything was done on a normal hard disk, when all the software was done then the image was transferred to the flash module.

Thanks for the comments and reading through the whole thread. Im glad that the information was helpful and informative, thats why i post

DaveWilliamsTX · 02-10-2007, 09:41 AM

Right on, good to know.

thanks

ignignokt · 02-13-2007, 10:53 AM

looks fantastic. I hope to be a happy customer also for my Xterra build soon

blk02si · 02-13-2007, 06:57 PM

Thank You DaveWilliamsTX for your order! I started working on it today. Got all the cuts done and am going to work on the bends tomorrow. There is a crazy winter storm going on here right now, like 6-8" of snow predicted. Hope I can even make it to work tomorrow!

blk02si · 02-14-2007, 03:25 PM

Well I decided to make an example out of Dave's chassis. Here are some pics of one of the smaller benders i use and some of the steps in bending. Also you can see the protective layer of plastic that is removed after bending.

vrwired · 02-15-2007, 04:20 PM

hey blk02si,
Great job.

I have read every single post in this thread. I have a new Toyota FJ Cruiser.. they have a double din Kit for it, but I am still wondering How I am going to be able to attach an LCD to it.

This is it..
here

Can you see of a way to do it? I was wondering if a metra kit could be made to fit in the hole... hmm.. what are the exact dimensions of the metra kit bezel?

I think I may be asking you to bend me up a cage for my pc.... thanks.. I will let you know.

diosagain · 02-15-2007, 06:42 PM

Joe,

OK, I am now ready to order my case. I ordered all of the necessary hardware and the last thing left is the case from you. I ordered a Jetway Mini-ITX motherboard. The only problem I might have is the bottom bezel on the metra kit for the 2003 Ford Explorer is not as thick as the one you used. I will attach a picture so you can see what it looks like without the side pieces attached. I think it should work though I don't see why not. Let me know what you think. Also, I attached a pic of my dash so you can get a look and maybe offer some advice when I get started. Again, I appreciate everything and let me know how I should go about making my paypal payment. I am ready whenever you are. Also, I was interested in how you were going to go about adding a external volume control to your PC. I am really interested as I would love to just have a knob I can turn. Do you run this directly from your amp or your pc?

Sincerely,
Ross

DaveWilliamsTX · 02-16-2007, 03:25 PM

Thanks for the pics, Joe, EXCITED to get it!

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