2001 Jeep Cherokee Limited

shakes · 04-05-2004, 11:58 PM

Well after finding this site back in October I started planning my CarPC ... Now about 5 months later I finally have a good part of my system in.

I guess the pics are more exciting so I'll list them first ... They're a little bigger than the requested max (about 50k @ 640x480) so hopefully it won't get pulled.

I have lots more pics on my site: http://gallery.jackshakes.com/carputer/

The PC is hidden in the center console:

I fabricated this dash piece using a spare from the junk yard ... I made a wooden frame for the LCD so I didn't have to ruin my lilliput casing:

Specs:
- Via M10000, 256MB RAM, 12Gig Laptop HD (it was free)
- PW-70a & Carnetix 1280
- Soundblaster Extigy
- Lilliput
- USB GPS Mouse from eBay
- Running MediaCar (in the pics, use frodoplayer now and centrafuse when 1.3 is released)
- Using Routis for GPS
- 7 Port USB Hub
- Bluetooth adapter
- 8 in 1 Memory Card Reader

The USB hub, BT adapter, & Mem Reader are under the front seat, forgot to take a pic.

Still to do

- Install DVD Player (in a temporary location)
- Get a better Power Solution and power the USB hub from it. (done, Carnetix)
- Get the bluetooth adapter talking with my T610 for internet access
- WiFi
- Hide the IR receiver for my keyboard and Lilliput. (done)

I'll add more as i think of it .... and I'll update this thread as my system evolves.

I could talk more about the setup but i figure i'll just let you guys look through the pics and ask whatever questions and give any comments you have.

thanks for the input!

And special thanks to the following users:

- coyote
- febsperanza
- Confused
- Ricky327

and anyone else who's given me help/advice!

Update 07-05

A few spec changes noted above. I've ditched the ITPS and now use the Carnetix 1280 with the PW-70a. It's a better solution by far. other than that and a few minor adjustments, the system's been going strong.

Freeman · 04-06-2004, 12:06 AM

awesome setup, i wish my arm rest compartment was a little bigger so i too could fit me pc in their

robiewp · 04-06-2004, 12:13 AM

that's one hell of a molding job on the screen/ trim there. Wish you could do my jeep

hanzacra · 04-06-2004, 12:19 AM

Very impressive, I'm doing almost the exact same thing in almost the exact same Jeep. I'm even using the same 12V power switch you are. Unfortunately, I'm only at this stage (see attached). Any cooling issues with the armrest? Thanks for the pics.

wizardPC · 04-06-2004, 01:26 AM

:drool:

nice molding job on the screen!

binary.h4x · 04-06-2004, 06:52 AM

nice and clean!

shakes · 04-06-2004, 10:30 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by hanzacra

Very impressive, I'm doing almost the exact same thing in almost the exact same Jeep. I'm even using the same 12V power switch you are. Unfortunately, I'm only at this stage (see attached). Any cooling issues with the armrest? Thanks for the pics.

if you haven't already, check the pics on my site to see the board i made to mount the PC to. I used bondo to mold some mobo mounts and the HD mount and it worked out pretty well.

as for cooling ... i was worried about that and originally planned on adding a fan in there ... but there is NO extra room. So I just let it ride ... in the armrest there is an air duct that runs below where the PC is to heat the floor of the backseat. Well where the duct stops and blows into the vents at the bottom of the console there's a small gap. What I've found is the gap is enough to force air in the console to circulate. So all I have to do is put the A/C through the floor as well as the dash and it wil keep the compartment very cool.

It even stays cool with the heat on as long as the air coming through the duct is colder than the air in the console.

as far as the screen ... i'm pleased with how it came out. I should point out this is my first attempt at bondo and before this project I had never even seen the stuff (other than the can at the store) ... patience is the key. You just gotta take your time ... sand more than you've ever sanded before ... and don't think you'll get it done in a day. The screen took me a few weekends and every evening of one week before vacation.

shakes · 04-06-2004, 10:32 AM

oh ... and I plan on doing a full writeup for the project ... so hopefully i'll have that on my site within the next few weeks.

transist0r · 04-06-2004, 12:25 PM

looks great! im making one for my zj

ML430 · 04-06-2004, 12:36 PM

Awesome job Shakes.. I am just about to bondo my Lilliput into my ML430 dash and was contemplating on how best to create a "clean" frame around the screen. The thought to use a nice wood trim as a placeholder never crossed my mind. I will be using this same exact method for my dash as well.

I would be interested in some more detailed steps on the bondo work.... Like what brand you used and where you bought it, etc... and what primer/paint you used to finish it off with...

Job well done, I am excited to get mine knocked out now...

shakes · 04-06-2004, 05:15 PM

the brand of bondo i used was ... well ... bondo

seriously tho I for the motherboard mount and the console cover I just used Bondo Home Solutions All-Purpose Putty. Most people just use the normal bondo putty that is used for automotive applications. It's the same stuff I think. I figured the home solutions stuff might be a little softer and easier to sand.

For the LCD, I used 'Bondo-Glass' ... which is bondo with long stranded fiberglass mixed in. It's a lot stronger so I layed a few coats of it down first to get the strength ... then used the all purpose putty to smooth it out.

there's a picture of the cans in the fabrication album of my gallery ... here's a link

i'll talk more about this in the write up too.

shakes · 04-06-2004, 05:18 PM

oh ... ML430 ... you could also use the front of the lilliput screen and just use bondo to cover up all the button holes ... i've seen a few folks do that. but then you're ruining your lilliput casing so you can't ever take it out or move it to another car ...

the wood frame turned out nice i thought ... but be careful if you go this route ... make sure you get the thing square before expoxying it in.

Twiek · 04-14-2004, 10:55 AM

That is one of the best installs I've seen...

Great job man.

riddle14 · 04-14-2004, 11:07 AM

great install!!! i wish i could put my setup in my armrest. i just don't have enough room.

one question though. i have the same keyboard, where do you plan on hiding the ir reciever for it?

Kupop · 04-14-2004, 12:06 PM

Very nice job shakes. One question I would like to ask about the wood LCD frame, does it make it seem too recessed in the dash? What I mean is you now have the LCD further back in the dash, only the thickness of that outter lip on your frame. But is that noticable? If you were to do it again, would you do it the same or try to get it more flush with the dash?

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