2008 Nissan Altima Coupe Carputer Install

CrackerStealth · 11-17-2007, 02:48 AM

[Previous Build]
1997 V6 Ford Mustang - In Stang Entertainment
Lesson Learnt: Bluetooth Keyboard melt in direct sunlight, LOL.

[Car]
2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5S 6 Speed (Charcole Grey)

[Carputer - Hardware]
Motherboard: Intel Desktop Board D945GCLF (July 3rd, 2008)
Processor: Intel Atom Proessor (July 3rd, 2008)
Memory: 2 GB Buffalo Tech DDR2-667 Ram (July 3rd, 2008)
Hard Drive: Western Digital 160GB SATA
Sound Card: Onboard
Power Supply: Opus 150W DC-DC
Wireless Card: Netgear WN311T Wireless-N
Sat Radio: XMD1000 Interface with Home Made Interface Cable
GPS: Holux GR-213u Sirf III USB
Phone: Palm Treo 700wx CDMA
GamePad: 2 * SuperNintendo controllers converted to USB
Bluetooth: ioGear GBU 321 Class 1 2.0 Dongle
Touch Screen: Mp3car MTSVO-SC Fully motorized VGA Touch Screen

[Carputer - Software]
OS: Windows XP Pro slimmed with NLite
Front End: Road Runner
FE Skin: Deciding
GPS Software: Microsoft Streets and Trips 2008
Phone Soft: Phone Control .NET

[Car Audio]
Head Unit: Pioneer Premiere DEH-P880PRS
Front Speakers: Stock
Rear Speakers: Stock
Subwoofer: Phoenix Gold X10D4 10"
Speaker Amp: Stock
Subwoofer Amp: Phoenix Gold X400:1 Mono Class D
Other 1: PAC-Aduio SWI-PS Steering Wheel Interface

[Install Plan]
Phase I: Dash Kit Integration
Phase II: Dash Kit Install
Phase III: Computer Case Design and Install
Phase IV: Software Install
Phase V: Physical Car Install
Phase VI: Sub Box Build
Phase VII: Sub Install
Phase VIII: OS to CompactFlash Conversion (maybe)
Phase IX: Speakers with Amp Ugrade (maybe)
Phase X: Extra Doo-Dads (maybe)

CrackerStealth · 11-17-2007, 02:49 AM

[Phase I: Dash Kit Integration]
Metra Dash Kit: 2007 Nissan Altima Kit (99-7423)
Metra Wire Harness: 2007 Nissan Harness (70-7552)
Metra Antenna Adapter: 2007 Nissan Aftermarket Radio to Factory Ant (40-NI12)

With all the metra products in hand, the head unit and touch screen were installed into the dash kit. The individual units were installed as two stacked ISO units. Although holes on the side matches the stacked ISO format, neither one would grab onto screws. Using a #10-32 thread tap, I enlarged and threaded holes that would allow the units to be mounted and screwed into the dash kit.

Action Video

The wiring harness was the next step. Thourough soldering was done. The metra wiring harness did not contain the wires for the steering wheel interface, so I had to add wires into the harness for this. This is what is looked like after the extra wires were added to the plug.

The final wiring harness complete after two hours of careful soldering. It includes the car adapter, screen wiring, headunit wiring and the PAC audio device. The spool of red wire is for the 12 volt switched for the carputer itself. The wire still looks like a bit of a mess, but I decided to keep all the wires as long as possible incase I need to modify this later on.

CrackerStealth · 11-17-2007, 02:50 AM

[Phase II: Dash Kit Install (2007/12/13)]

The new head unit and indash monitor was installed today. Things went smoothly and quickly taking only two hours. I was originally planning on installing the cables for the carputer as well (except for power cables) but I decided to wait until the carputer was ready to go in.

Taking the dash apart was easy, two panels hide the four screws and then the entire center area comes right out. I am pleased that the steering wheel interface programmed smoothly. My concern was the wires I put into the Metra wiring harness would not make a good connection, but everything went smoothly.

Once everything was back together, the headunit worked excellently and the screen is working as it should. The left side of the Metra Dash kit is sticking out a bit, so the edge is not clean, but this because something is in the way behind the headunit and I will fix this when I put the wires in for the carputer itself.

Here is a quick shot of the car turned on. Unfortunately, the AUX adapter I got off E-Bay might not be working, I can't switch to AUX in on the headunit, but it is defintely attached to my RoadyXT and sound was being sent to it, so I'm not sure if its something I need to configure, or if the adapter is junk. Either way, I will do more testing and research before I make any further decisions on this.

(Update 2007-12-13)
The AUX adapter is now working. It needed to be enabled in the DEH-P880PRS initial settings. To access the initlai settings, one pushes the left rotary dial in until the unit is "off", then you push the right rotary dial in until "Language" comes up on the screen. Using the dial, you turn it until AUX 2 shows up and then you press the dial in to turn on AUX 2. The XMRoady is now transmitting sound through the headunit, although this will be what I will connect the carputer to when it is finished.

CrackerStealth · 11-17-2007, 02:51 AM

[Phase III: Computer Case Design and Install (2007/11/20)]
I have attained everything I plan on having in the carputer intself.

I had a case fabbed up and its not the pretties thing, but it will work.

Over the course of the next month, my main focus will be putting the motherboard into the case and fitting everything inside. Originally I was hopping I would have enough room to place this in my glove compartment, but it was just too long. It looks like I could fit a Mini-ITX motherboard with all the trimmings inside, but I am not about to spend the money on it. The carputer will go in the trunk into one of the side nettings.

CrackerStealth · 11-17-2007, 02:51 AM

[Phase IV: Software Install]

CrackerStealth · 11-17-2007, 02:53 AM

[Phase V: Physical Car Install]

CrackerStealth · 11-17-2007, 02:54 AM

[Phase VI: Sub Box Build]

CrackerStealth · 11-17-2007, 02:54 AM

[Phase VII: Sub Install]

CrackerStealth · 11-17-2007, 02:55 AM

[Phase VIII: OS to CompactFlash Conversion]

CrackerStealth · 11-17-2007, 02:56 AM

[Phase IX: Speakers with Amp Ugrade]

CrackerStealth · 11-17-2007, 02:57 AM

[Phase X: Extra Doo-Dads]

PotatoMAN · 11-19-2007, 10:29 AM

My brother just got a 2007 hybrid. I don't expect him to do this (I dunno if it will even work) but so far your install looks pretty well planned out and not too tough (no custom brackets being made). I really should have documented my install for my 06 Mazda 3, but it is still a work in progress and I am too lazy =(

CrackerStealth · 12-13-2007, 07:57 PM

Hey, I finally updated after a month of Univeristy hell and a week on finals.

PotatoMAN, thanks. I try to plan most of my projects out as well as possible. I find that less problems arise when I plan things out and do much research. I'm hoping everything goes much better than my Mustang install. I mean it worked and looked alright, but I pretty much lost use of my trunk...

I'm also not a big fan of fabbing things into my car, primarily because I like to think ahead for that 10 years down the road when I decide to buy a new one, I want to be able to put it back to factory easily for selling or trading it in.

Hoping plans move faster now that I'm done University till the new year, although this will still not have my highest priority.

cpsubrian · 12-14-2007, 02:11 AM

DROOL... CVT.... DROOOL.

heh,
I have a 2004 altima 3.5 Loving it but man I want CVT.

Looks like ur making good progress. I'll be following suit with some install pics sooner than later.

kandyman676 · 03-06-2008, 11:20 PM

I just popped on here to see if anyone tried the 2008 altima coupe for a carpc since I'm looking to buy one end of month :-) glad to see someone has tried and that its a double din for the radio. how bright is that LCD in that car in the sunlight?