'05 Corolla S computer install, lot of pictures [in progress]

CapitaineFritz · 05-21-2005, 09:48 PM

Hi!
I've been reading the forum for quite a while and I've started buying pieces for it !! Here is the materiel I own right now :

- VIA Epia M10000 motherboard
- 512mb DDR
- M1-ATX power supply
- old 3.5" hard drives
- Bazooka amplifier
- Bazooka 12" subwoofer

Here is what I plan to buy in order:
- Lilliput (or Xenarc ?) 7" Vga Touchscreen monitor
- Garmin 15L OEM GPS
- WiFi card
- All the things I'll need

I plan to fiberglass a bit of the trunk to mold the sub on the left of it (already started with fiberglassing), and I'm not really sure right now of where to place the computer and the screen.

Step one: fiberglass !

Here is the material I used

some tape to protect the trunk

Aluminum paper just in case !

1st layer of fiberglassing done

.... 6 others to do

CapitaineFritz · 05-21-2005, 09:52 PM

meanwhile.. Part two: computer install

Here is the test install I did to be sure the motherboard and the power supply were working fine !

I had to take one of my CRT monitors from my house because I don't have any small LCDs yet

This is the material I have

Everything's ready to run ! I've used the wired that were used to plug my amplifier before to plug the M1-Atx. Everything powered-up nicely !

Last thing : my CRT on the driver's seat ! And an oooolddddd keyboard

Feel free to post any comment and if you could help me to find a location for the screen, it would be nice

I would like it to be hidden and keep my stock radio (that's why it becomes difficult! )

Here is my dash:

CapitaineFritz · 05-26-2005, 06:11 PM

Follow-up : the computer is ready to be installed in the trunk !

Here are some pictures:

Right now, it is mounted in the trunk and I still have to fix some carpet over the wood so it looks stock. I also received yesterday my distribution block that will power this and my amp. Others pictures to come

bulgogi777 · 05-26-2005, 06:18 PM

Just curious, why do you want to keep the stock radio? I have an '03 corolla s, and it turns out that a 7" screen fits pretty nicely in that spot.

CapitaineFritz · 05-26-2005, 06:37 PM

I'm just afraid of being stolen... so I want to keep everything stock. That's why I plan to put the screen behind the two small doors.

MatrixPC · 05-27-2005, 11:10 AM

On this picture

I hope you only use this connector (the yellow one that touch the letter "A" in EPIA) just for test purpose. I would recommended you put an in-line fuse there instead of the connector.
Putting the monitor where the "double door" is a good idea to keep thing hidden, but it may be too low. Check to see how it view from the driver seat. If not, you can relocate the radio down there and have the monitor up where the radio is.

There is one 03 Rolla install in this forum. I remember the guy paint every "removable" interior plastic RED

CapitaineFritz · 05-27-2005, 06:13 PM

Hi,
Yeah it's only for test purposes

In fact, I'm using a distribution block from StreetWires right now, which is fuse protected (as well as the M1-ATX, it has a 10A fuse) and works really nice

For the ACC and Ground wires, I just used electrical tape. It's rainy today so I can't show you how it looks like, but I'm going to take some pictures as soon as it gets dry (so water won't go in my progressing trunk install

)

For the monitor, I've received it yesterday and it's a little bigger than what I've expected and like you said, it will be a little bit too low behind the two small covers. I might fix it temporarily (with a removable connector or something like this) in front of the HVAC when I need it, but right now it's in the glove box

CapitaineFritz · 05-29-2005, 06:01 PM

Here are the first working pictures with the monitor I've just got. I bought it used from a friend of my brother at 180$CA (~150$US). It doesn't look as clear as the Xenarcs here but it works really well and it got touchscreen too.

I also took off the middle part of the dash too see where I could put the screen. The part behind the two storing cases is really too low (like someone told me couple of posts before

) so I plan to cut the back of the bigger storing box and make an home made in-dash screen that could be hidden behind this door.

Leave your comments

Cris · 05-29-2005, 06:19 PM

Looks great man!

I think DjBac's work on his Corrola is exemplary, you really have to check it out. (he's squized 2 screens in that dash). However I think he had climate control, but you should be able to relocate tose air controls down. I'm relocating mine now, and basicly the system is the same for most cars. Follow the cables (left, right) and see where they end up. They should end up somewhere lower (at the center console area), thus moving them should be quite easy.

CapitaineFritz · 05-29-2005, 06:25 PM

I'm just back from outside, I unscrewed the computer to bring it home : software optimization time

Do you have any links for DjBac's project ? Looks like his edition is the European one. Mine is the Canadian version. Here is a picture of the outside:

Cris · 05-29-2005, 06:40 PM

You are right, he does have the European version, but the dash is basicly the same. What I forgot about Djbac's install is that he controls the AC through the pc. You could do that as you live in the home of Phidgets...I don't remember where, but somewhere there is a recent pic of his dash, and I must say it looks great...

CapitaineFritz · 05-29-2005, 07:06 PM

Yeah I finally found his dash, it's nice, but his HVAC looks a lot better than mine with the american version

It would be a pain to control it with phidgets ! Unless I could use the european HVAC instead of mine .. ? Anyway, I'll first start adding GPS and WiFi

Cris · 05-30-2005, 07:34 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by CapitaineFritz

Yeah I finally found his dash, it's nice, but his HVAC looks a lot better than mine with the american version

It would be a pain to control it with phidgets ! Unless I could use the european HVAC instead of mine .. ? Anyway, I'll first start adding GPS and WiFi

From Phidgets you'll only need 3 servos and an USB servo controller. Since you're in Canada it will cost you only around 75 CND, but I think it's worth it. So you'll be able to put the screen in there.

jay_tu · 05-30-2005, 05:53 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by CapitaineFritz

meanwhile.. Part two: computer install

Here is the test install I did to be sure the motherboard and the power supply were working fine !

I had to take one of my CRT monitors from my house because I don't have any small LCDs yet

This is the material I have

Everything's ready to run ! I've used the wired that were used to plug my amplifier before to plug the M1-Atx. Everything powered-up nicely !

Last thing : my CRT on the driver's seat ! And an oooolddddd keyboard

Feel free to post any comment and if you could help me to find a location for the screen, it would be nice

I would like it to be hidden and keep my stock radio (that's why it becomes difficult! )

Here is my dash:

I am real curious about where you end-up installling your screen, I have a 04 corolla, and the exact same screen. Since that screen doesnt fit too well in the space of the factory stereo, I had to play with it a lot to get a location for the screen. I am still working on my screen, very close to getting done now. I have a few pics of work in progress. I personally like the flush mounting the screen in place of the factory stereo. But nice setup for the PC.

How are you planning on powering up your pc. I am planning on using a shutdown controller, and have the switch mounted under the hand brake.

Any ways good luck, keep us posted.

CapitaineFritz · 05-30-2005, 06:09 PM

Hi,
Everything works right now. It's at first step though (I have no GPS, no sound, no WiFi). It's powered via a Mini-ITX power supply (shown on the pictures) which includes a 90W DC-DC psu and an ITPS all in one package. A bit like the OPUS solutions.

For the monitor I studied everything well and I will try to build an "home-made" in-dash screen with the one I have. Like shown in one of the pictures, I took off the center part of the dash and the screen would fit just well in the first (upper) storing box if I cut it half and I fix a rail.

Chris:
I don't think I'm gonna relocate the HVAC because I want the car to stay as stock as possible for two reasons : thefts and to be able to resell the car easily. It's pretty dangerous to install a visible screen here where I live so it's better to be hidden behind something