1998 Dodge R/T - Construction/Pre-Install

AJ Quick · 01-05-2004, 11:27 PM

Car
Its a 1998 Dodge Neon R/T, with performance parts and racing stripes. I have a cardomain page up about it:

http://members.cardomain.com/ajquick

Computer Parts
Epia 800mhz Mobo
PW-70a
ITPS
Lilliput Touchscreen
SMC Wireless
9GB Hard Drive (Probably upgrade to 20-40 later)
156mb Ram
Running Media Engine, with custom theme.
And Custom Windows bootscreen, and login page.
Windows XP Pro

I have mounted the mobo on a piece of pegboard, with standoffs and holes in it. I know pegboard probably isn't the best thing to use when I could have made it out of aluminum or plastic. But this is simple and easy.. plus the holes give it added ventalation.

Here is a shot of the board:

I am running Media Engine 2 with a custom skin I made that is dark with the feature I need, and my car featured on it.

I have gotten it set up exactly how I want it, and have done several hours of testing the program. To find its limitations and features. (I wished a new version with working visualizations came out, you have to exit out once the song is done to get visualizations back. I know you guys are working on it!) Here is a pic of the skin:

Now you may just be asking yourself where I am planning on putting this motherboard, hd, wifi and all that junk. Well my car had been in an accident with the previous owner and my airbags had been blown. So why have it sitting there taking up all that space? Thats right.. I'm installing it where the airbag should go. Am I crazy? YES!

The Lilliput will be going up on the ceiling, mounted on the angle that is up there for the Sunroof stuff. Yeah I have a sunroof, but it is still going up there. I have removed the switches for the sunroof, and will be relocating them. I will have pictures of that once I build a metal block to mount the screen.

Let me know what you think.. I will post more stuff once the project is further along in a few weeks.

AJ Quick · 01-14-2004, 09:41 AM

I guess this should actually be in some kind of Construction Show off Forum because its not done yet. So far I have my USB hub installed, and the Sony XA-300 installed. A bracket is currently being machined from aluminum to hold the lilliput to the ceiling of the car. I also have wired up the ignition wire from the Acc/On wire in my car.. I am planning on having a switch in my glovebox that will allow me to cut the ignition line if I choose so the comp isn't running when I don't want it to. It will still be a few weeks until I get this thing in and working. I'm not going to put it in the car until I have a working Wi-Fi card, I'm still having troubles wiht the 2 I bought.

Here is a wiring diagram I drew for you guys to look over, tell me what you think.

http://www.ajquick.com/cd.jpg

brrman · 01-14-2004, 10:00 AM

I dunno, not having airbags just makes me nervous. Looks cool tho. It's always cool to see custom stuff...

AJ Quick · 01-14-2004, 07:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by brrman

I dunno, not having airbags just makes me nervous. Looks cool tho. It's always cool to see custom stuff...

Yeah but the car didn't have airbags when we bought it. The drivers side has an airbag, but it is disabled. I would put a fuse in for it, but I am thinking the second I do that.. the thing will blow so I will try to live without it, as I have since I got the car.

AJ Quick · 01-15-2004, 10:24 PM

I spent about 5 hours today in 30 degree weather wiring up my car for the ITPS and Power Supply. I was going to quit after I had the ignition and grounds wired up.. but I just had to go all the way and run the line from the battery for the positive. After I had that all done.. I just had to throw the thing on top of its mounting area and give it a try.. EVERYTHING WORKED!

Here is a pic of it just sitting htere, I spent about 2 minutes removing it from the car afterwards.

And here is the Sony Head Unit all lit up with USB running into it!.

brrman · 01-16-2004, 09:33 AM

yeah man I hear ya - so hard to stop for the day when you are close to getting things working.

SiGmA_X · 01-17-2004, 02:54 AM

I use airbags, but some of my passangers don't use belts.. lol.. As they drive with me more, they see the reason to (MY SPEED, namely) and are starting to get better about it..

Nice install so far, and what HU, what all does it do w/ the USB?

AJ Quick · 01-17-2004, 05:31 PM

Everythings in! The screen is mounted to the ceiling and looks great. I am still needing to run the 2 cables to the lilliput from the puter but they're too short. Anyone make a 1-2 foot extension for the lilliput cable? (I don't want to extend the VGA and USB, unless they make short ones).

I will have pictures of the whole set up once I can.. probably monday. I still need to see if I want to use my Wi-Fi in there, but its good for now.

The HU is the Sony CDX-CA810X, coupled with the XA-300 (the required Aux in Sony unit) which has USB input, then converts to RCA. I think it sounds great, but I'm no Audiophile..

Pics coming soon!

AJ Quick · 01-18-2004, 07:05 PM

Picture! Mounted on the ceiling is the lilliput. I am still needing to run the 2 cables through the headliner, but its all up for now. I will have some computer and day shots tomorrow.

rgardjr · 02-20-2004, 04:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by AJ Quick

The HU is the Sony CDX-CA810X, coupled with the XA-300 (the required Aux in Sony unit) which has USB input, then converts to RCA. I think it sounds great, but I'm no Audiophile..

Pics coming soon!

I have a question about the XA-300 via the USB input. Do you have to do anything on the PC side besides plugging in the USB cable? Have you tried to see if there are any issues with the computer coming out of hibernation? Any information you have about the USB input would be appreciated.
Thanks-

Providence · 02-28-2004, 04:28 PM

Very nice. How did you attach the LCD to the ceiling? Did you screw into the metal or anything? As far as the PC, good luck, I'd recommend a case for you thought, instead of a sheet of MDF or particle board, whatever that is.

AJ Quick · 02-29-2004, 09:59 PM

I have no problems with Hibernation and XA-300.. although Media Engine doesn't show up again after hibernation.. that may be the problem. I just turn off the computer every time and start it up every time.. takes about a minute or 2.

The LCD is attached with a custom C bracket. It is mounted in the same hole where the sun roof controls where screwed in.

Why do you recommend a case for the mother board? It will be going in the trunk area in version 2.. but what could happen with it mounted on the peg board?

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