Volvo S40 - Laptop installation - 9" Dynamix Touchscreen in-dash

Jrz · 12-27-2007, 03:32 AM

Hi guys, i've been planning this for long! About 2 years now, since i bought my Volvo. I've done some fabricating before in car, but this makes me nervous, becouse it's hole lot bigger project. I've got an old laptop which is going to be used for now, i have plans on buying Fujitsu P1610, but it's bit expensive still.

I have ordered Dynamix 910 9" monitor to use and it should be arriving Finland in few weeks. I have Nlited my XP installation and I'm propably going to use RoadRunner for start. I'm pretty experienced in computers, but not so experienced in car installations (ok i have installed my hifi in there but not much more) so i'm trying to build this as good as I can from the beginning (we have in Finland a phrase "Poor not worth to buy cheap" or something, and i have learned that few times

)

Specs for computer:

Acer Travelmate 540

Pentium 4 M 2.8 GHz
512 MB Ram
80 GB 5400 RPM 2.5" hdd
802.11b wlan
Globalsat BU-353
3 USB 2.0 (I need more, hubs coming?)
9" Dynamix Widescreen Touchscreen
DC-DC adapter for power the laptop
Bluetooth for mobilephone
Nlited and tuned Windows XP SP2
Roadrunner
Sygic Drive GPS Software

Here's the pics of the place the screen is going to be (the paper in the first pic is 10,4 4/3 screen, so it's going to be bit smaller:

Jrz · 01-12-2008, 02:09 PM

Update: The screen has arrived. It's big. A bit too big

well... I think i like it too much and I will install it to dash. I'm not sure yet how, but it's coming clearer every moment, I think.... :P I will be posting here for the updates.

Oh and I have decided to go with Sygic Drive for start, it really looks good program. I have bought the gps receiver already.

Jrz · 01-20-2008, 02:43 PM

Ok i have had time to think about the installation and here is the result, done some sawing to fit the bezel in the spot and now i'm starting to fiberglass... All the comments are welcome, i'm pretty noob in fiberglassing stuff... Few pics:

Jrz · 01-24-2008, 01:37 AM

Ok, on Tuesday i started to fabricate... Hmm, how can i say it straight.. It was difficult to start. But i managed to make it pretty good. After 6 layers, I went for filler, here's few pics of situtation at the moment, 1 filler layer added, just lots of it so I find the shape I want to go.

Tonight continues... I love to breath the filler-dust...

Jrz · 01-31-2008, 03:27 PM

Ok, haven't updated this for a while, first layer of primer have found it's place and here's the result. More putty and sanding still to come, few imperfections found after primer. Still haven't decided, which skin I choose...

Baj · 01-31-2008, 08:18 PM

What are you planning to do to the surround paintwise?

Jrz · 02-01-2008, 02:20 AM

You mean painting the bezel or the original frame? I will paint the bezel with Motip spray color number 51085, have already painted with the color some of my interior.

I will only clean the original frame surrounding the new bezel, it will be ok after that