The Golden Mini ....... van :P

el bob · 09-25-2004, 07:22 PM

I got this van with 108,000 miles on it from my parents when I first got my license. For a little less than $400 I took it though an entirely entertaining and somewhat amazing transformation. The project was started in February and was disassembled in August (left for college).

I had the most fun in high school with this van. It was known everywhere and people loved to bum rides in it. One of my good friends commented that "Rob, you can't take it apart. That car is like part of the public domain."

A picture story:

Cutting a power wire due to bad advice.

Wire soldered together again after a brief fit of hysteria.

Wires run for inverter.

Inverter installed in bottom of center console.

Custom made 15' IDE Cable with Cat5.

It works! But songs were left with audible errors.

Power wires prepared and seats removed.

New battery installed and new inverter wires run.

Inverter installed in new position.

Data cables ready to be installed.

Data and power cables run.

el bob · 09-25-2004, 07:23 PM

Connections finished and tested.

Temporary 7" Lilliput VGA Touchscreen LCD install.

Dash removed.

LCD installed and wires run.

Dash restored with custom mesh job.

Cigarette lighter relay installed. Turn key, power inverter & vice versa.

Almost-finished install before relay.

Finished install after relay.

GPS receiver installed.

The golden mini at my high school auto show.

The golden mini itself.

Another angle.

Minivan offroading.

Tidder · 09-25-2004, 07:26 PM

haha! Sweet man! Love to see the abnormal...

jcdillin · 09-25-2004, 07:43 PM

Thats pretty cool!

kickercivic1 · 09-25-2004, 08:35 PM

man i have seen lilliput in all sorts of car,truck and VANS. nice install

sheerdark · 09-25-2004, 08:49 PM

looks good...I always wanted a mini van...I've always had a "thing" for them

jjh221 · 09-25-2004, 09:16 PM

No not the red one!!!

i like the ide cables nice install.

Xtreme2k2 · 09-25-2004, 09:47 PM

pimpin' the minivan I see

brooksware2000 · 09-25-2004, 11:48 PM

I have a dodge grand caravan the same year as yours. I'm putting carputer in mine also. But, I am putting in dash computer and touch screen where the crappy cd/tape deck is. Only thing is I have to replace speakers now because mine has that infinity system in it and the speakers have amps on them so the headunit is just a preamp. My pc will go in the hatch on the side where the jack goes. Great install by the way. Put some wheels on that minivan and ride out.

kandyman676 · 09-26-2004, 12:07 AM

i am just laughing to myself cause my parents own the SAME color and model mini van. hehe. good job!

lawrence · 09-26-2004, 01:14 AM

I am doing a grand caravan ( its red ) mounting the pc below the head unit and relocated the heater controls. I too have to do new speakers and aamps/crossovers. the round opening to the left of the radio is for the fan switch for the rear air.

brooksware2000 · 09-26-2004, 12:42 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by lawrence

I am doing a grand caravan ( its red ) mounting the pc below the head unit and relocated the heater controls. I too have to do new speakers and aamps/crossovers. the round opening to the left of the radio is for the fan switch for the rear air.

Oh man that looks like it's going to be wicked. How much trouble did you have with relocating the heater controls?

el bob · 09-26-2004, 12:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by lawrence

I am doing a grand caravan ( its red ) mounting the pc below the head unit and relocated the heater controls. I too have to do new speakers and aamps/crossovers. the round opening to the left of the radio is for the fan switch for the rear air.

That looks great!!! I was limited by the fact that I knew that everything had to be capable of being taken out again in 5 months.

Thanks for all the compliments!

lawrence · 09-26-2004, 04:20 PM

The heater controls are pretty easy to move just had to cut the bezel so I had a some what flat control face. And then extend the wiring about 10 inches to reach down to the lower mounting point.
As far as reassembling after install that to will be easy, junk yards sell the heater control for about 125.00. Just remember not to cut any dash pieces that will be seen on reassembly.
The rear fan was the hardest, had to get a rotary switch. The OEM slider was too tall to fit in my design. It came out of a ford van.

_666_ · 11-12-2007, 02:09 AM

any chance of resharing or re uploading the pics for this thread ?