2005 Dodge Ram Quad Cab - Carputer #2

tbird2340 · 10-02-2007, 09:47 AM

Well I sold (well it's for sale) my 2003 Ranger and got me a big rig.. I have been struggling for about 4-5 months without a carputer as I didn't have time (or really the skills) to mold an LCD into my dash..

Well I scored yesterday on eBay. I decided to search for a "RAM Bezel" hoping to find a cheap one I can fiddle around with when I found this..

Now that the hardest part is done for me I need to plan out everything else.. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be putting the PC in the lower storage area (middle seat). I seen a few Ram projects that did this and it appears to be the way to go..

Few questions I have at this point are how to get the abundance of wires to this location neatly. In my Ranger I installed a full length center console that I was able to run all my wires in, this don't have that..

What is a MAJOR bummer to me is that I will no longer have a head unit. Hopefully someone can give me an idea of how to keep it / where to put it. I don't want to remove the faceplate and put it in the sunvisor so any other ideas would be great.

Good to be back!! Well.. Almost back..

tbird2340 · 10-09-2007, 12:57 PM

Exterior pictures of my truck:

tbird2340 · 10-31-2007, 06:45 AM

The storage compartment under the middle seat is the PERFECT location for the guts..

Here are the major components.. Motherboard (Biostar Geforce 6100-M7) with a Sempron 64 2600+ CPU, 80 gb HDD (Seagate Barracuda 80GB SATA150), and DC/DC PSU (M2-ATX). (USB GPS, USB Wifi, USB Soundcard, and USB Bluetooth not shown).

Test fitting where the motherboard will go:

Test layout of the bottom:

tbird2340 · 10-31-2007, 06:50 AM

Holes cut out for fans and cable routing:

Two 80MM Fans installed. One on the left blowing in and to the right, one on the right blowing out and to the left.

Two USB ports mounted for a total of 6 USB ports (4 on rear):

tbird2340 · 10-31-2007, 06:51 AM

Carputer mounted in plexi case:
Case made out of 1/4" Plexi glass. Four 6" Bolts separate top and bottom. Three LED's on front of case (Carputer power, PSU power, HDD activity). Toggle switch gives me the option of keeping the carputer from powering on (short trips or moving the truck), reset button.

tbird2340 · 10-31-2007, 06:56 AM

Wires ran..

These next two may be kinda hard to understand.. It is the board of a mouse.. Using a program called "VolMouse" that enabled you to control the volume of your PC with the scroll wheel of your mouse. I glued the board behind the lighter and rigged up a shaft (the hollow plastic tube of a pen) that attaches to the gear of the mouse and the other end is attached to my lighter. Now, I can turn my lighter and control the volume.

8" Touchscreen

Wifi Adapter

GPS

PC Installed

Startup Screen (Replaced Windows Logo)

MaiCody · 10-31-2007, 01:59 PM

very clean install!!!

One question, any heat issues with mounting the motherboard upsidedown?

tbird2340 · 10-31-2007, 02:05 PM

Thank you.. It's only been in for about a week so far and we are in the Fall season (live in Ohio)... So far zero heat issues but we'll see when Spring / Summer comes along.

venealis · 10-31-2007, 02:20 PM

Nice look, nice neet install job well done.

Not sure if you are interested or not but i was able to mount my GPS in the dash in the area where there would be a tweeter and works great. Just a suggestion.

venealis · 10-31-2007, 02:21 PM

where did you put your head unit or are you going the route of amplifiers?

tbird2340 · 10-31-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by venealis

Nice look, nice neet install job well done.

Not sure if you are interested or not but i was able to mount my GPS in the dash in the area where there would be a tweeter and works great. Just a suggestion.

Thanks for the suggestion! Someone on another board said the same thing and I will definitely try that out. Is it easy to get that piece off?

tbird2340 · 10-31-2007, 02:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by venealis

where did you put your head unit or are you going the route of amplifiers?

I am headunit-less.

Run an amp for my sub and another amp for my door speakers. The only thing I'll miss is on the rare occasion I need to tune into the Steelers when I can't catch the game at home..

Anyone recommend a USB radio device?

liftn · 11-03-2007, 03:59 PM

Get Sirius! You get all NFL games!

tbird2340 · 11-03-2007, 06:09 PM

You also get a monthly charge!

JpLelko · 11-06-2007, 01:36 AM

very nice install. i have a 06 ram qc. i hope to do a similar install. i also plan on placing the pc under the middle seat. its great place. i am planning on doing a 7" widescreen in mine. i think it will just fit. dodge changed around the bezel that year so its a little different, but i think its doable. did you do any audio upgrades (speakers, amps)? keep up the great work.