2003 Focus Zetec Car-PC Install - Page 5

stevieg · 04-04-2005, 06:18 PM

I like that does it interfere with pulling up the handbrake?

wizz · 04-04-2005, 06:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by stevieg

I like that does it interfere with pulling up the handbrake?

To be honest "a bit". But you probably noticed that it actually tilts up out of the way if necessary, so it's only minor interference if that.

My stupid handbrake seems to reach the top very quickly after adjustment, but I'm afraid that's probably caused by the fact that the car sits on a downward sloping drive at home, as you can see by the opening photo on this carpc project. I don't think this is a typical trait of the focus breed.

One thing I must say is that the position and height is spot-on for comfort and don't forget that it is also a handy storage space. Bit on the pricey side at 50 odd quid, but I am still very pleased with it.

Wizz

PS: If you don't reply to my last PM ( hint, aerial photo's ! ) I'm going to let your tyres down, OR WORSE ( Yes, ask the council to put sleeping policemen in your street ! )

EDIT: Tried to PM you with Humble appologies, but your PM box has exceeded it's limit....please clear some crap out ( prob from ME !) The answer is 1meg....now what's the question ?

stevieg · 04-04-2005, 07:00 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by wizz

To be honest "a bit". But you probably noticed that it actually tilts up out of the way if necessary, so it's only minor interference if that.

My stupid handbrake seems to reach the top very quickly after adjustment, but I'm afraid that's probably caused by the fact that the car sits on a downward sloping drive at home, as you can see by the opening photo on this carpc project. I don't think this is a typical trait of the focus breed.

One thing I must say is that the position and height is spot-on for comfort and don't forget that it is also a handy storage space. Bit on the pricey side at 50 odd quid, but I am still very pleased with it.

Wizz

PS: If you don't reply to my last PM ( hint, aerial photo's ! ) I'm going to let your tyres down, OR WORSE ( Yes, ask the council to put sleeping policemen in your street ! )

EDIT: Tried to PM you with Humble appologies, but your PM box has exceeded it's limit....please clear some crap out ( prob from ME !) The answer is 1meg....now what's the question ?

LOL I replied just after replying to this, I read it before I left work and been out this evening visitng family

Honest not ignoring you!

Hmmm I think I wont get one I tend to er, yank the handbrake occasionally round corners

Hahaha they can put all the sleeping policemen they want down my road I don't mind them I don't ever exceed 30 in a 30, 20 in a 20 and so on... Leaving my spirited driving for the right place

Henry Winx · 04-05-2005, 06:46 AM

I know what you mean about intefering with the handbrake! I have to reach round it to apply the handbrake, if there is a fatty in the passenger seat I have to lift the armrest up!

However, great place for my extra buttons and storage underneath that panel, and also very comfortable!

Install is looking good now well done!

wizz · 04-05-2005, 08:36 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by stevieg

Hahaha they can put all the sleeping policemen they want down my road I don't mind them I don't ever exceed 30 in a 30, 20 in a 20 and so on... Leaving my spirited driving for the right place

Yeh, RIGHT !! That means your a GOOD MAN

(sick joke !)
Daren't ask where the right place is !

Wizz

wizz · 04-05-2005, 08:45 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Henry Winx

I know what you mean about intefering with the handbrake! I have to reach round it to apply the handbrake, if there is a fatty in the passenger seat I have to lift the armrest up!

However, great place for my extra buttons and storage underneath that panel, and also very comfortable!

Install is looking good now well done!

Thanks, Henry

Just thinking about the next Add-on. I have a USB2 TV card that I had setup and running fine before putting the flip screen in, but the grahics changes seems to have screwed it up ( pinched the overlay, I think ) so I might have another go at getting it to live in harmony with everything else.

Or maybe amps & speakers...I'm sure Stevieg with give me some pointers in that direction, if need be.

Wizz

Henry Winx · 04-05-2005, 11:46 AM

definately look into audio upgrades, when I first got my focus I couldnt see myself wanting to upgrade what I thought was perfectly adequate, having upgraded everything I am amazed at the difference, yeah it hits lot of bass when crancked up but there is loads more detail to it at moderate listening volumes, the sound is fuiller... blah blah!! Anyways I would deffo go for some subtle upgrades!

wizz · 04-05-2005, 11:57 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Henry Winx

definately look into audio upgrades, when I first got my focus I couldnt see myself wanting to upgrade what I thought was perfectly adequate, having upgraded everything I am amazed at the difference, yeah it hits lot of bass when crancked up but there is loads more detail to it at moderate listening volumes, the sound is fuiller... blah blah!! Anyways I would deffo go for some subtle upgrades!

Don't have a clue what to buy in amps, speakers etc

Any recommendations.

@stevieg Did you get your steering wheel stalk sorted ?

Wizz

Focus Dan · 04-08-2005, 07:38 PM

I'd like to know about the steering wheel stalk too.. I'm very tempted to go buy a new one from Ford so I can have a play with it.

wizz · 04-09-2005, 03:37 AM

There has been a lot of chat on the Forums about sunlight readable skins, particularly a replacement for BrushedMetal the MediaCar/RoadRunner skin which is the one that I use.

So I thought I'd go one stage further and get myself a removable sun shade for the car

Wizz

stevieg · 04-09-2005, 05:41 AM

Looks great wizz

That's the problem with the focus - dashboard is not at a vertical angle! Nice solution

Quote: Originally Posted by Focus Dan

I'd like to know about the steering wheel stalk too.. I'm very tempted to go buy a new one from Ford so I can have a play with it.

I'll have a guide on my website soon - mine's working. Any idea how much replacement ones are, I've sinc figured out a way that doesn't involve cutting apart the original

Henry Winx · 04-09-2005, 06:16 AM

not sure how much they are new but I picked one up from fms spares for £15 posted... Like the sunshade idea! I was looking at tinted windows but it wouldnt look right on a standard ish car!

wizz · 04-09-2005, 07:01 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Henry Winx

not sure how much they are new but I picked one up from fms spares for £15 posted... Like the sunshade idea! I was looking at tinted windows but it wouldnt look right on a standard ish car!

Hi Henry,
I was thinking of that too but I don't think it's legal now to have front side windows tinted is it ? It wouldn't look very cool to see one side window tinted and the other not, so I gave up that idea.

Wizz

stevieg · 04-09-2005, 07:03 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Henry Winx

not sure how much they are new but I picked one up from fms spares for £15 posted... Like the sunshade idea! I was looking at tinted windows but it wouldnt look right on a standard ish car!

Excellent - that sounds about right

Jmz from the FFOC (with the 5-door ST170 who was at the meet at the weekend) is doing it one-way, interfacing the unmodified interface through a circuit into a USB gamepad.

I am at the moment using the original which I removed the insides of, and connected 5 wires to a USB gamepad to press each button.

The original circuit uses a resistor network, so what I want to do, for the sake of perfection is get an original one and one of these:

http://www.velleman-kit.com/common/p...an=1&id=351346

and wire it up to one of the analogue inputs. It comes with it's own DLL/com component and Confused says it's very simple to write software for.

Of course the velleman USB interface board is useful for a lot lot more stuff, such as controlling analogue gauges, reading direct from say the speedo/rpm for instant statistics on screen and of course adding proper 'buttons' and knobs / controlling lights.

stevieg · 04-09-2005, 07:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by wizz

Hi Henry,
I was thinking of that too but I don't think it's legal now to have front side windows tinted is it ? It wouldn't look very cool to see one side window tinted and the other not, so I gave up that idea.

Wizz

I don't know about that... Seeing the impreza changed my mind about that:

If I was going to do it I was thinking about these:

http://www.torquesteer.co.uk/store/d...b745752bd36c81

Winx, you're most likely here to have seen these in the flesh - any good?

BTW, If anyone's wondering I found out about these through the UK ffoc.co.uk - couldn't remember where i'd seen them so spent last 10 minutes searching focus owners club for every conbination to find the link!

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