Toyota 4-Runner Car PC (first attempt)

RP28FLA · 04-05-2004, 11:01 PM

Hello all, This is my first attempt at a car PC, so go easy on me! My Install is by no means as detailed or elaborate as the setup's I see in this forum, but it does gets the job done. I chose a laptop mainly because of the battery. I bought a DC/DC inverter that converts 12vdc to 20vdc, and if the inverter cuts out during start ups, the laptop battery will take up the slack. I also had the bright idea to buy a docking station and mount that in the car so I can remove the laptop with a slide of a lever without disconnecting any wires. I modified the docking station by connecting wires to the "on" button of the docking station and ran it up to the dash so I can turn on the pc from the drivers seat. I also like the laptop because it is like having two screens in your car! If I'm tailgating, or camping, I can use the laptop screen to play music etc. When I'm done, just close the laptop, and the screen in the front takes over. I like the 10.4 " screen but think it taking up too much room, so I ordered a top of the line Xenarc TSV yesterday and will be selling the 10.4 inch screen. I also want to buy an aftermarket car stereo with the aux input so I connect the audio.

Here are a few photos and will post more when the Xenarc arrives. I bought a SWEET mount at a somewhat famous surplus electronic/ army store here in Orlando called Skycraft, which i'm hoping will fit the Xenarc.

Any suggestions, Ideas?? I would love to get some feedback on how to improve my setup!

More Photos

Freeman · 04-05-2004, 11:04 PM

nice setup,

what price u looking for the old screen?

RP28FLA · 04-05-2004, 11:16 PM

I was thinking around $200 dollars. it is a touch screen 800x600 262k color I think 250 cd/m brightness. It has a few light scratches on the screen and case. it is real heavy duty! metal case built in cooling fan etc...

Freeman · 04-05-2004, 11:19 PM

262K colour?

and would i be able to have the dimensions of the screen casing etc, cause i wanna see if it will fit into me dashboard,

ohh and BTW i live in AUS.

Cheers

RP28FLA · 04-05-2004, 11:25 PM

262,000 colors it is capable of displaying. I will take some measurements tomorrow and get back with you.

umsam · 04-05-2004, 11:57 PM

Just a suggestion, I put my GPS reciever under my 4runner dash. I had it for about 2 years and have no problem.

MatrixPC · 04-06-2004, 08:59 AM

Does GPS lock faster by mouting on the Rear view mirror like that?

RP28FLA · 04-06-2004, 08:47 PM

Freeman, the measurement for my lcd panel are: L=11" W=9" D= 1.5"

RP28FLA · 04-06-2004, 08:55 PM

MatrixPC - My GPS seems to lock just as fast on the mirror as it would sitting on the dash. This is my first GPS so I was unaware that you can mount the GPS antenna under the dash like another poster did to his 4-Runner. I should of checked with everybody is this forum before I started installing all this stuff!!

smanders · 04-12-2004, 02:16 PM

Do you have the laptop suspend when the car is off? Have you thought about how to integrate the suspend into the ignition? That was my main reason for not going with the laptop. However I think if that can be solved I would reconsider the laptop.

smanders

Jensen · 04-12-2004, 02:32 PM

Cool set-up. I might just use my laptop now until i build my mini-itx system. thanks for the inspiration

RP28FLA · 04-15-2004, 05:57 PM

My laptop just stays on until I shut it off! I hard wired the DC/DC convertor to the battery ( power switch in the dash) so if im just running in to the store,I just leave it running. Since I have not connected the laptop to the audio system yet, I only use it for GPS right now.