if you designed a vehicle's interior and wiring, how would you do it?

stapan · 12-15-2005, 01:48 AM

redoing most of my entire vehicle interior and wiring.

including full custom dash, center console, replace all carpet, redo rear cargo area, redo ac/ventilation system. the wiring harness will be replaced with painless wiring 18 circuit kit.

have a 12" 1024x768 touchscreen and pentium m based computer, which will need to be incorporated into the design.

would like some ideas. we have some great minds here who have looked at vehicle wiring and interiors. how would you make a vehicle's wiring differently? how would you make a dash, cargo area, or console fundamentally better? what never-before-seen way would you mount a 12" touchscreen?

no idea too crazy, no idea will be shot down. please post them here.

shotgunefx · 12-15-2005, 02:34 AM

Well my biggest suggestion would be to make it functional and ergonomic as possible. Everything should be at arms reach where you expect it to be and oriented properly. The more you could feel your way, the better for driving.

I'm big on stuff being functional. Quite happy with my mouse.

Though still haven't decided on the keyboard, I have three setups just about done, but none are quite perfect. I have the minidreamgear which is nice and compact, but for real typing, prefer something bigger.

I have a hacked up traveler keyboard that I was going to put inside the center double din, while nice and compact, it's kind of on the small side for typing.

Now I'm thinking of putting a rotating mount on the side of the center console, opposite the parking brake, that I can lift the keyboard out and hinge it so it's at the perfect angle. (For typing when I'm not driving.) I wouldn't use a fullsize keyboard, but a 10" or 12" one.

Also, If I were to do an entire interior, I'd have pockets or places for everything. Most cars are short on storage. I can't remember what car it was, but I saw a commercial for some car and it had an umbrella pocket in the door edge. I thought that was really great. Don't have much use for one, but the few times I do, I have to dig through the trunk.

kirbycope · 12-15-2005, 02:43 AM

Ever see the Alpine show car? Yeah, like that.

SnyperBob · 12-15-2005, 02:52 AM

Well, as most will ask for - do you have any pictures of your interior to aid in the planning? I searched the net for a bit, but really don't have time to find interior pics for your car.

You didn't mention what you were installing the system in. I'll assume its for the 93 typhoon? Lol, found this site: http://www.93typhoon.com/

Are all typhoons 2 door, or are some 4 door?

Quote: Originally Posted by stapan

how would you make a dash, cargo area, or console fundamentally better?

In regards to the dash, usually the display portion of your system works best there. In regards to the console, the best things to put there are stuff you need within arms reach. Cargo area all depends on what you want to do.

Dash ideas:
Screen, head unit (if using one), A/C controls (if you don't want to move them). Since your car is older, I don't believe it offers the luxuries of OBD(II). Otherwise I'd recommend replacing your guages with screens, and using OBD info to create a 'custom digital dash'. You could switch the guages to Navigation, etc...

Console:
Keyboard, mouse, touchpad, remote, gyration, etc... Power buttons, switches, etc. Recommend doing something like that BMW iDrive thing that people are making around the forums here. those look and function very nice.

Cargo area:
False floor with window, amps, subs, carputer, another screen, that 93typhoon.com site had a nice cargo area. Do you still want to keep your cargo area functional? do you want to use it for shows/competitions? Do you still need storage, etc back there?

Other ideas:
Bluetooth control of cellphone
Cup holders
Dc-DC power
pure sine wave inverter as well for other stuff???
External mounted GPS/Wifi/Cell antenna for best reception
GPRS?
If you are modding the car's existing wiring, I'd run the door locks, lights, windows, etc into a relay controller. Everything would be controllable via your touchscreen

You mentioned the painless wiring harness, is that for the stereo or the actual 'car's computer'? Why do you need to relocate the car's computer if so?

Have you thought about, or do you have an overhead console? I'd recommend locating your A/C controls up there if so. Implementing a compass, temp guauge, etc up there.

Is this vehicle going to be a daily driver?

I have tons of ideas and could go on forever. Unfortunately I'm at work right now

Do you have a sponsor or are you looking for one?

stapan · 12-26-2005, 12:13 AM

shotgun efx wrote:

Quote:

Well my biggest suggestion would be to make it functional and ergonomic as possible. Everything should be at arms reach where you expect it to be and oriented properly. The more you could feel your way, the better for driving.

I'm big on stuff being functional. Quite happy with my mouse.

that is *****ing sweet. thank you for inspiring me to also think outside the box more with this. I definitely want everything functional and I would like to hear more of your thoughts and ideas, please take a look at the pics of stock interior and post some..

Quote:

Also, If I were to do an entire interior, I'd have pockets or places for everything. Most cars are short on storage.

I like that... thinking a can/wine cooler in the passenger side dash if its not too heavy.. need more neat ideas remember this vehicle has a ton of cargo space so no worries there..

Snyperbob wrote:

Quote:

Well, as most will ask for - do you have any pictures of your interior to aid in the planning? I searched the net for a bit, but really don't have time to find interior pics for your car.

You didn't mention what you were installing the system in. I'll assume its for the 93 typhoon? Lol, found this site: http://www.93typhoon.com/

Are all typhoons 2 door, or are some 4 door?

I'm not sure how to attach a photo on these forums as I have some of my truck on my hard drive. I'll put together a page up soon w/some pics... yeah its for my 93 typhoon, and all are 2 door.

these pics aren't from my ty, but others with stock interior to give an idea of what we're working with..

http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/...3Ty0021_09.jpg
http://www.sportmachines.com/albums/...3Ty0113_07.jpg
http://ty4sale.tripod.com/pics/PICT0014.JPG (note: mine has no spare tire but battery mounted on right side of cargo area)

this page has old (2 year ago) pictures of my ty... I have since removed that system.. but still have the tvs in the front seats..
http://www.sportmachines.com/gallery/93Ty1789

Quote:

In regards to the dash, usually the display portion of your system works best there. In regards to the console, the best things to put there are stuff you need within arms reach. Cargo area all depends on what you want to do.

Dash ideas:
Screen, head unit (if using one), A/C controls (if you don't want to move them). Since your car is older, I don't believe it offers the luxuries of OBD(II). Otherwise I'd recommend replacing your guages with screens, and using OBD info to create a 'custom digital dash'. You could switch the guages to Navigation, etc...

Console:
Keyboard, mouse, touchpad, remote, gyration, etc... Power buttons, switches, etc. Recommend doing something like that BMW iDrive thing that people are making around the forums here. those look and function very nice.

Cargo area:
False floor with window, amps, subs, carputer, another screen, that 93typhoon.com site had a nice cargo area. Do you still want to keep your cargo area functional? do you want to use it for shows/competitions? Do you still need storage, etc back there?

Other ideas:
Bluetooth control of cellphone
Cup holders
Dc-DC power
pure sine wave inverter as well for other stuff???
External mounted GPS/Wifi/Cell antenna for best reception
GPRS?
If you are modding the car's existing wiring, I'd run the door locks, lights, windows, etc into a relay controller. Everything would be controllable via your touchscreen

good stuff man. I will definitely take this all into consideration. thanks!

how would you do that relay controller? I don't know how to do that.. but would love to try..

and I definitely want to keep as much functional as possible. the goal of the project is "ULTIMATE DAILY DRIVER"... so yeah having cargo space is important

Quote:

You mentioned the painless wiring harness, is that for the stereo or the actual 'car's computer'? Why do you need to relocate the car's computer if so?

Have you thought about, or do you have an overhead console? I'd recommend locating your A/C controls up there if so. Implementing a compass, temp guauge, etc up there.

the painless wiring harness is an entire harness w/fuse block. it replaces the stock fuse block and most of the wiring in the car. the factory HVAC controls were vacuum and poorly designed... screw that. all hvac behind the dash is gone including the heater core. all I have is a big hole in the firewall where cold A/c comes in. I need to make new hvac controls and some sort of ducts to incorporate into the design (but no heat for now). am planning to use computer fans and fan controllers to control the ventilation..

love the idea of incorporating stuff in the overhead.. attached a pic of what it looks like need more thoughts & ideas on what to do w/it..

Quote:

I have tons of ideas and could go on forever. Unfortunately I'm at work right now Do you have a sponsor or are you looking for one?

thanks again for sharing your ideas. I would definitely love to hear more.

I don't have a sponsor; this is all coming out of my sweat blood and shallow pockets.. I'm not even sure what a sponsorship means exactly, email or pm me if you would like to talk about it some more..

racerx3165 · 12-26-2005, 08:22 AM

Why not make a 1 piece dash/center console and make the whole thing allot cooler w/o all thoose sharp edges, id go for a nice smooth dash that is strait across the front and rounded down to the center console. Myabe ill draw a pic on PS later and post.

racerx3165 · 12-26-2005, 08:35 AM

Here i had 3 minutes to try and explain what meant.

shotgunefx · 12-26-2005, 01:56 PM

Thanks. I'm torn about your dash. You say you have a blank slate. In someways, I'd suggest you trying and make it a bit less angular, but on the other, you tons of flat, easily to fabricate for spaces.

I'd put a keyboard under the dash I think. That when extended, swung into position. Meaning the pivot of the arm would be near the steering column side, and the keyboard closer to the center, and when it pulled out, it would arc towards you. Ending up near the center console, angled towards you.