Project 2003 Dodge Dakota - Page 5

Eternalodyssey · 11-08-2006, 09:05 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sidewalksalvage

Hey quick question... can you output a second video signal from the RCA output on the MoBo you have or is it always a clone of the VGA? Also what resolution does it output only 640x480? and lastly is it clear?

Yes, I cam out put a second video signal from my S-video out and I plan on just using an adapter to change it back to regular RCA. It appears that I can also output video via the yellow RCA but the documentation on the SP 13000 is a little unclear. I truly wish that I had tried this out before I ripped apart my old setup. I can still try it and will get around to it in a little while. The motherboard supports resolution up to 1024 x 768. It appears that it would go even higher then that but with only an 8" monitor, you likely wouldn't be able to read what is on the screen. For now I am keeping it in 800 x 600 because it is decent sized and I can read everything very well. The icons are rather large which works well with my clumsy fingers trying to negotiate the touchscreen. The resolution on my monitor is absolutely gorgeous!! Its very very bright and crystal clear even through fingerprints that I see after the comp is turned off. I would definitely recommend my setup to anyone looking to spend a little money and perform some fabrication, but not completely break the bank.

Eternalodyssey · 11-11-2006, 09:56 AM

Today I ran my USB GPS underneath my carpet and along the trim of the truck so that it can reside next to the rear seats. Between running new wire for my speakers, installing new speakers, lining the interior with Dynamat, building my sub box, I have just about become an expert on taking apart my truck. Most things pop apart with clips but I have discovered you really must take care because every now and then a screw or bolt will sneak up on you.

Name: IMGP0565.jpg
Views: 2803
Size: 38.8 KB

Name: IMGP0565.jpg
Views: 2803
Size: 38.8 KB

Here you can spy my GPS unit hidden behind a piece of plastic trim next to my rear seat belts. When I connected my BU-353 to my laptop and experimented with different locations, I noticed that there was next to no loss in signal with the unit hidden behind the plastic. I wanted the unit to be hidden as well as possible so that just by casual view, the truck still remains to look as stock as possible.

Name: IMGP0566.jpg
Views: 2786
Size: 93.7 KB

Name: IMGP0566.jpg
Views: 2786
Size: 93.7 KB

Here is a picture of my frustrations. It doesn't show a whole lot but this picture was significant nonetheless. Anywayz, most of my wiring is now residing inside the console and things are getting tucked up rather nice. I am running a dedicated ground back to the new Optima yellow top battery (I highly recommend) as well as a dedicated 12v line straight to my 12v power block. Hopefully within the next week or so I will finish my wiring and be able to fire this puppy up.

Dragonknell911 · 11-11-2006, 10:23 AM

The worst is when you have cheap plastic parts that hold your car together, and that consquently snap when they recieve any force whatsoever.
Do you have a second battery?

Eternalodyssey · 11-11-2006, 01:34 PM

No, I don't have a second battery. I thought about running a motorcycle battery or even just a really small car battery in parallel. I think that is referred to as a "tank circuit" but I decided against that because I did the math on my system and it appears that I am not even making my battery flinch. Documentation on my 2003 Dakota 4WD has indicated that my alternator cranks out approximately 130 Amps since I ordered the tow package option installed from the factory. Recently I have experienced some loss of performance from my battery (windows go up/down slow) so I know that my 4 year old original battery is about to sh1t the bed. No better time then now to upgrade to an Optima yellow top battery. From what I have heard they are a type of deep-cycle battery that discharges a lot better (if not more efficiently) then most conventional batteries which is good because you gotta figure with everything that I am running I might be requiring considerable power. Now with that said, I will never be running at full capacity with anything. I am not the type of person to roll around with rear monitors going and no one sitting in the back seat, my stereo cranked to max, while running some intensive video editing software, while driving. Thats just not my personality. I will however, be keeping a close eye on heat/power issues as much as possible though. I think that I have the computer enclosure/console adequately ventilated. Each of my monitors only draw .045 amps at max and the computer should normally pull around 5-8 amps. My fans draw .35 amps each respectively, and I don't see my wireless headphone transmitter & video splitter pulling very much. My head unit has a 10 amp fuse and I don't see it pulling near that. The gain on my amps (1 300W & 1 200W) are not turned up overboard and I am not looking for ear-splitting sound. I like my setup and I do not claim to be an expert but I have crunched numbers and talked to two different audio installation places that insist I will not need anything special once I get that Optima yellow top dropped in.

Eternalodyssey · 11-12-2006, 03:09 PM

Today I took a nice little ride to Auto Zone to replace my ailing battery which has been in the truck since the day I brought it home. I upgraded to the king of batteries, a beautiful new Optima Yellow top Deep cycle battery. And let me tell you, it feels like I just bought a new gun!!!

This badboy has the normal battery posts AND an accessory rail on the sides for amps, truckputer, inflatable middle finger, etc. Here it is in all its glory!!!

Name: IMGP0567.jpg
Views: 2770
Size: 75.2 KB

Name: IMGP0567.jpg
Views: 2770
Size: 75.2 KB

Now I will have even less worries about strain on my aging battery and I am assured that I will have some serious cold cranking amps no matter how cold out it gets. This battery came highly recommended by several audio shops as well as Off-Road magazine for running additional electronics. Now I am off to finish my wiring and see if I can get my system up and running soon.

Eternalodyssey · 11-12-2006, 07:16 PM

Okay, I installed all power wires, tied in the monitors, and plugged in all cables. I crossed my fingers and connected the battery wire. Boom, power lights were coming on all over the place!!!!!!! I plugged in my wife's MP3 player into the wireless headphone transmitter and AHA

, got clean, loud sounding music

streaming wirelessly forth to my great satisfaction! I next checked the video transmitter and did not see any power indicator lighting up. I know the power connector was a little loose when I popped it on there, so that is something I will have to check tomorrow when I have more light. I connected my ignition wires to my Opus 120 and turned my key.......................... beep, fans whirling,

excitement rising!!! The computer fully booted correctly but alas, no power to my monitors.

I checked all of my connections and cannot determine what the problem is. So I switched off the ignition to try and see if it will turn back on after it powers down............... three attempts yielded no results.

Name: IMGP0568.jpg
Views: 2769
Size: 93.0 KB

So, I was ALMOST met with success on this day........... I think hopefully by tomorrow or the next day I will completely have all of the bugs worked out. There are a number of things that I will have to check and look into, including reading over countless forums regarding the OPUS 120 (computer) and the M2-ATX (accessories) to see what I can isolate and what I can disregard. If ANYONE at this point has input for me regarding these two power supplies, then please feel free to contribute thoughts/feelings on what possible problems could be occurring. The M2-ATX is switched through the ignition and power exactly like the OPUS. The M2-ATX simply has one side of the 20 pin connector plugged in to the PSU to provide power to the monitors but at the moment, the other side is just hanging. Is this okay for right now? I am using the Molex connectors coming off the PSU to power the 5V USB hub and all 4 of my monitors. Need some feedback!!!!!

Jason9301 · 11-30-2006, 05:59 PM

eternalodesy where did you get a 3" suspension lift at for your 03 dakota /who makes it/ if not a kit made for that year what did you do in order to do it cause i can not find anyone that makes one for an 03 or did you just do a body lift any help would greatly be appreciated

gianbevi · 12-23-2006, 05:08 PM

hi!
do you please know if are there macosx drivers for this display??
thank you

Quote: Originally Posted by Eternalodyssey

Attachment 36438

Today I applied more sanding to my screen bezel and prepped it for final painting. I took care as much as possible to address any imperfections that I could find and although I am quite sure in my own critical eyes I will not find absolute perfection but I think that I will get really good results given that it is my own project.

Attachment 36439

And here at long last is my freshly painted screen with approximately 5 layers of Satin black. Although it might appear that my screen is rather shiny, the screen had just been painted and when it dried much of the gloss left to reveal a very impressive OEM looking bezel that appears to be all one piece which is exactly what I was looking to accomplish.

Attachment 36440

Here is a good view of just how solid the screen bezel appears. The finished product is rather strong and feels solid. I am fully confident that the bezel will stand up to just about any bumps and vibrations that I expose it to in the truck as long as I don't overdo it. I can't wait until the paint is completely dry and I can re-attach the touch screen. I need to widen out the opening in my dash ever so slightly to account for the extra area that the paint is taking up. Shizzam, this project is really coming together now. I am very excited about what the next couple weeks will hold now that I am getting closer and closer to the end.

viktorcarpc · 01-10-2007, 02:09 AM

please post more pictures! i realy want to see the final result of all this bodno stuff.

thanks

Psyfact · 07-01-2007, 05:55 PM

So yeah uh what model of monitor is it and are you happy with it?

EJuliano · 07-09-2007, 09:33 AM

Well, this was my husband's project. Back in Feb, he totaled the truck and is no longer working on it.

He would have posted but he is in Iraq now.

proph · 07-09-2007, 09:35 AM

Can you find out the screen he used? How'd he total it?

EJuliano · 07-09-2007, 01:53 PM

I wouldn't be able to tell you about the screen.

He slid on a patch of ice and hit a car head on from the other direction.

Sorry I can't help you out.

DakotaDriver · 07-16-2007, 01:23 PM

EJuliano

My heart sank when I saw the post that the truck was totalled. I know he put a lot of work into the project and must have been just sick about it. I stumbled upon the project quite by accident and really enjoyed reading about it. I have the identical truck in white. Would love to do the same to mine but don't think my wife would be as patient. Anyway, my prayers are indeed with him in Iraq. I appreciate your sacrifice. When is he due back?

HiJackZX1 · 09-10-2007, 03:28 PM

Interesting Project. I was not willing to go as far as to cut my dash up, would void my warranty instantly, also have a few more controls then your truck. I drive a 03 durango, which I know has the same exact dash. I decided on a fold out screen. I am not sure if you have the same console like the durango, but mine is hugeeeeeee, I was able to use the original console. Is the Dakota console diffrent?

PS: Also sorry that you lost your truck..... Do you plan on getting another Dakota? OMG, hes in Iraq, oh wow, well my prayer goes out to him.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password