DarquePervert's Shuttle in 2003 Toyota Tacoma

DarquePervert · 04-26-2004, 06:18 PM

I took apart the center of my dash today.
Since I don't have any components as of yet, I'm merely taking measurements & seeing what sort of space I have to work with.

Note that the mounts for the double DIN are pretty deeply recessed. The back is plastic ducting for climate control. Don't want to mess with that at all. But I think if I mount the Shuttle box I was thinking of with bottom against that duct, it would work well.

The Shuttle case is 8 inches wide. Considering the metal bracket on the right angles in, It would be a tight squeeze... Considering the amount of fabrication I'm doing to the case itself, I think it will fit.
The cables are going to exit downward, I think. Hell, it may end up being just a motherboard mounted back there! That might not be so bad, as it would help prevent cooling issues.
The other option is to mount the MB somehow where the ashtray & cigarette lighter are now. Again, going without a case, but just a a mounting tray and the motherboard. No, it would stick out too far.
The actual shutle case is 8 inches wide, so I think my plan is doing OK so far with mounting the motherboard against the back.

That box with all the yellow wires (airbag-related?) puts a crimp on the space near the floorboard. That actually sucks, but I think there's still enough room to work with the plan of mounting it against the back of hat cavity. Looking at that back, it may be a cover for wiring. If so, that could be utilised as a mounting plate for the motherboard, as well.
I've put the dash back together, so I'll have to look at that later.

Here's my thoughts as of right this moment:

7" dash-mounted LCD from DigitalWW in the top DIN slot
slim slot-load DVD/CDRW combo between the vents and the climate controls (yes there is room!)
The Matrix Orbital LCD taking up the lower DIN slot
Power/HDD lights + a pair of USB 2.0 & possibly a FW port on the lower portion of the console next to the extra 12v power outlets

For the most part, it'll look damn close to stock. That's the goal anyway...
Also, for budgetary reasons, I'm going to get new speakers and one amp. No sub yet. Also, no overhead video yet. The way I'm putting it together, It should be relatively easy to add those on later. When I add the sub and seocnd amp, also add a cap. I intend on putting in a fuse block for everything from the beginning, so that won't be an issue later on.

One thing that I'm thinking about is the GPS placement. One option is on the dash. But the roof would block signal from some angles, possibly Another option is on the roof by the third brakelight. Possibly on the bed, right behind the cab? That's a tough one, as there's no really good mounting options on a pickup.
Actually, I'm thinking that since I'm going to eventually put in overhead video, which means mucking with the headliner, putting the GPS receiver on the roof near the front of the cab. Drill a small hole for the cable and make sure it's weatherproof... I've got time to think about this one.

DarquePervert · 10-11-2005, 06:08 AM

Sunday seemed like a good day to get a Dremel tool and get to work on my long-dormant project.
These three photos are measurements. The mottom of the tape measure is where I intend to cut it off. If all works as planned, the shuttle case will be just under 3 inches tall.

One thing that had been eluding me was a method of mounting the hard drive. I intended to keep it inside the Shuttle case, along with an Opus PSU (or now the DSATX!)
I did some thinking and was examining the Shuttle case as an artist examines his canvas and noticed these white rubbery feet on the case about a quarter-inch tall. There's even a hole in the middle. So I picked up some 6-32 socket-heat cap screws, some washers and some other bits at Home Depot (along with the Dremel) and here's what I came up with for mounting the hard drive:

And it looks good from the lid of the case, too. All it took was transferring the mounting holes of the bottom of the hard drive to the case and drilling four holes.
The case feet will provide additional shock protection for the drive. I plan on mounting this underneath the dash on the passenger side. There's a crash bar inside the dash, so I figure some strapping (like for radiator hose) could go through the bottom of the case, up and over that crash bar, and be used to hold the PC in place.

So one fiberglass-reinforced cutting wheel and several hours later, I have this:

It looks kinda rough, but when it's together, it looks nice enough to go under my dash!

You can see how the socket-head cap screws out the top look pretty good. (The cables coming out the back are USB, firewire the front-panel audio.)

Here's how tight it is inside the case:

You can see that the hard drive barely clears the RAM. Maybe you can't see it. When I do my final install, I'll crank on the hard drive mounting screws a bit more, pulling the HDD in closer and compressing the case feet. That should create a bit more gap between the HDD and the RAM for airflow.

The end with the motherboard ports will have a 40mm fan pushing air in. The other end will have a pair of 60mm fans pulling air out.
I haven't checked yet, but if it's visible when mounted, I'm going to add a Matrix Orbital LCD to the side of the case. This will display current track, CPU temps, OBD information, network connection status, and who knows what all else.

NEEDS LIST

PC Parts

DVD - Panasonic Slot Load DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive 24x24x24
Xenarc 700IDT

Communications

USB 802.11g adapter w/ external antenna connection (Buffalo?)
Cradle for Treo650 to fit into ashtray

Audio Hardware

Equalizer/pre-amp - Three.1 In-Dash Car Audio Equalizer and Crossover
4-channel Amplifier
Front Component speakers - Infinity Reference 6810cs (For the doors)
Rear Speakers - Infinity Reference 6812cf (For the rear)
I can add another amp and subwoofer later on.

Lastly, thanks Frodo for moving this to Worklogs!

Cris · 10-11-2005, 06:25 AM

That's a sweet plan Darque, and if I may say so myslef, it was about time!

Nice add that Matrix LCD. Fitting all of that behind the dash will be a tough job...they just seem like too many components...

btw, did you post this in the wrong forum?

DarquePervert · 10-11-2005, 10:34 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Cris

That's a sweet plan Darque, and if I may say so myslef, it was about time!

Nice add that Matrix LCD. Fitting all of that behind the dash will be a tough job...they just seem like too many components...

It's not going to go behind the dash, but underneath ont he passenger side. I'll get it as close to the center console as I possibly can.
The goal is to have it close enough for the DVD/CDRW combo to be IDE.

Quote:

btw, did you post this in the wrong forum?

This is in Worklogs, isn't it? Where else should it be?

turbocad6 · 10-11-2005, 11:01 AM

awsome job on the shuttle hacking.... I did one originally, but didn't get it as small as you..... I would have at least had the cpu cooler though to mesure for clearance for that..... depending on the processor you use the cooler can be pretty big

good luck with your install

DarquePervert · 10-11-2005, 11:27 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by turbocad6

awsome job on the shuttle hacking.... I did one originally, but didn't get it as small as you..... I would have at least had the cpu cooler though to mesure for clearance for that..... depending on the processor you use the cooler can be pretty big

good luck with your install

I think I'll be OK.

Cris · 10-11-2005, 02:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

This is in Worklogs, isn't it? Where else should it be?

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

Lastly, thanks Frodo for moving this to Worklogs!

You tell me...where did Frodo move it from?

I didn't quite understand what kind of screen you'll be using. Is it a 1DIN one motorized or non motorized?

turbocad6 · 10-11-2005, 04:12 PM

ahhhh yeah, I think your cool with THAT fan

DarquePervert · 10-11-2005, 05:21 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Cris

You tell me...where did Frodo move it from?

Either General Discussion or Newbie.

Quote:

I didn't quite understand what kind of screen you'll be using. Is it a 1DIN one motorized or non motorized?

I'm not certain, so it's easy to be confused on that point.

Id like a motorized setup, but it's not a deal-breaker. I'm also waiting to see some longer-term reviews of some of the motorized ones. I'll look deeper when I'm actually ready to buy.

1DeepG · 10-13-2005, 11:11 PM

nice hack. Can you please provide dimensions of the new case W*H*D?

DarquePervert · 10-14-2005, 07:17 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 1DeepG

nice hack. Can you please provide dimensions of the new case W*H*D?

Actually, my dremelling skillz aren't that great. If you see it close up, you'd be stretching it calling it a medicore hack.

The dimensions are 10-3/4"(L) X 7-7/18"(W) X 2-7/8"(H) or 275mm(L) X 197mm(W) X 72mm(H).
This doesn't include the cap screws sticking out the top. With those, the total height is just about 3 inches.

DarquePervert · 10-19-2005, 03:23 PM

I know this is going to bump this thread.
Got my CPU cooler today from 1coolPC.

I ordered Monday and it arrived today. It was sent via US mail. I'm surprised and delighted that it arrived so quick. I only wish NewEgg was as expediant with my CPU....

If you have never dealt w/ 1coolPC, they're great people. All sorts of cooling products for PCs. Most of what they offer is standard fare, but they have some trick products that are harder to find. Check 'em out if you've got an overheating PC (shamneless plug, since they're sending me free swag).

Darek85 · 10-20-2005, 02:59 PM

Dual vga? What model shuttle are u using with the xp-m? Looks like i mite take this route also. Ill be following this quite closly Thanks for the idea

DarquePervert · 10-20-2005, 05:52 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Darek85

Dual vga? What model shuttle are u using with the xp-m? Looks like i mite take this route also. Ill be following this quite closly Thanks for the idea

SN41G2
nForce2 chipset w/ GeForce4MX dual-VGA graphics. YEah, it's shared video RAM, but it's better than the S3 Unichrome garbage on the VIA boards.

The CPU arrived today and I'm installin WindozeXP as I type.
W00T!

turbocad6 · 10-20-2005, 05:59 PM

this looks pretty awsome...... I like it