2003 Nissan Xtrail - Direct DoubleDIN replacement using VIA Pico ITX

RevheadKev · 10-07-2009, 09:02 AM

Currently the Nissan Xtrail is fitted with a doubleDIN 6-stacker CD/radio/cassette in the centre dash. It does not have MP3 capability nor an aux input for USB devices.

The functionality I wanted to add was
1. Play DVD's
2. Aux input for USB device with MP3 files
3. Navigation
4. OBD2 vehicle diagnostics and display
5. Reversing camera

The dream ...
A full carputer being able to
1. Perform all of the above features plus
2. FM radio
3. DVB-T tuner
4. Reversing sensor display integrated from existing 8-sensor unit
5. Display of DVD playing on headrest screens for rearseat passengers
6. Complete fit of all components, including audio amps and powersupply into doubleDIN slot

I have sourced over the previous few months, after many months of research...
1. VIA 1GHz Pico ITX with 1Gb memory
2. Chinese clone M2-ATX intelligent startup/shutdown controller
3. IDE-CF adaptor
4. 4Gb CF card for operating system
5. Seform 7" LCD touchscreen 800x480 (Lillyput/Xenarc similar)
6. DoubleDIN adaptor mounting plate for Lillyput EBY701
7. 2 x mini 70W/channel stereo amps (one for left/right front + one for left/right rear)
8. USB ELMscan5 OBD2 module
9. Globalsat BU-353 USB GPS Receiver SIRF III
10. Slot-load DVD drive

Current progress is...
- Fabricated mounting plate for 2 x mini stereo amps
- Fabricated mounting plate for MB, CF adaptor and powersupply
- Loaded operating system onto Pico ITX and setup touchscreen drivers

I will be loading some pics of the items and space it will be mounted into soon.

joefuss90 · 10-07-2009, 10:09 AM

Sounds very cool what os did you load? post some pics if you have any i would love to see the guts of this install

RevheadKev · 10-08-2009, 11:31 PM

Thanks joe. I am running XP and will be using RR frontend.

OK, here are some initial pics

1. Pico ITX with M2-ATX supply and IDE-CF adaptor all mounted on tray (front and rear views)

2. 2 x stereo mini amps mounted on tray (front and rear views)

3. Dash pictures showing original fit and space available

4. Test fit of mounted equipement into double-DIN space

The slot-load DVD drive will replace the hazard flasher switch at the bottom of the photos after the switch is relocated to the dash just infront of the steering wheel.

Next lot of pics will be of the screen ready for mounting and the two trays bolted together with mounting brackets ready to be installed.

hexxamillion · 10-09-2009, 05:55 AM

Seems cool so far. I am curious how your mini amps work out. I will be getting one eventually and just so happen to come across those same ones you have through some googling.

joefuss90 · 10-09-2009, 02:36 PM

wow! i have wanted to do an install like this for a long time but couldn't find any parts small enough. very nice

joefuss90 · 10-09-2009, 02:42 PM

oh where did you get those tiny amplifiers from. I've never seen any like that

RevheadKev · 10-09-2009, 05:37 PM

Thanks people,
This has been in the planning as I said for quite a while and I really did not want to do anything until I found the parts which would all fit into the double-DIN space. Putting the cpu or amp under the seats just did not appeal to me and there is not much other space behind the Xtrail dash.

@hex
I have already wired the amp into the front speakers temporarily and fed my MP3 player through it via the 3.5mm plug and the bass is great. As it is 75W RMS/channel with 500W peak total power there seems to be plenty of headroom for the bass peaks. For the cheap price I thought it was worth trying and not much lost if no good. And considering how small normal car radios are these days with 2x45W amp, tuner, etc in such small cases I thought the size of these was about right to actually be true and work. Pleased with the result.

@ joe
I got the amps off ebay and the seller store link is
http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Techex...2676?_nkw=500w

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