1997 Ford Escort GHIA - First Install

So after looking around in the forum i dicided to build a carpc too. Why well because it rocks ***. So first things first I decided to build one because I really like them and I need navigation in my car (get lost a lot). But I didn't want a crappy TomTom to hang off my windows so why not build it myself ;). Am doing some other work on my car too but he.

Here's a picture of what it looks like at the moment:
http://www.mariskaonline.com/auto/PICT6056.JPG

As you can see there is a small piece there that still has to be painted but he gone be done in the future.

Let me tell you what I want in my car. At first I want to create a frontend to play music, video, dvd and display pictures. Second I want a trunk camera, navigation, phone control and diagnostics (accelaration speed etc etc). I am going to build my own frontend but this should be that hard because I am a software engineer. (still in school but almost done).

The hardware I am going to use is:
- 7" monitor (no touchscreen, that will come in later on)
- Basic Motherboard
- Geforce 2 MX Max 64 MB videocard with tv out
- 512 MB Ram
- 3,5" Harddisk (40 GB)
- 12v DC - DC power supply (160w)
- 600w Amplifier
- USB GPS Mouse
- USB Infrared Module
- USB Mouse (with scroll)
- One Basic Microphone
- 2 Full Range Speakers
- 2 Subwoofers (only 250 watt)
- 2 Tweeters
- 2 Mid Range Speakers

As you can see it isn't the best low power setup but it will do for now.

My radio support AUX so the pc will be hooked up to the radio for outputting sounds. So that's covert.

I already installed the screen because this was a lot of work. I dismounted it from it's casing and mounted it on top of my radio. Here's a small picture of how it turned out. I still need to finish it but it was just to see how it looked.
http://www.mariskaonline.com/auto/PICT6060.JPG

I am going to use the scroll wheel of the mouse to control my front end. I will deattach it and mount the scroll here:
http://www.mariskaonline.com/auto/PICT6063.JPG

That's it for now tell me what you think of this idea so far :D.

So I told you all I was going to build a custom frontend. I finally have a picture of the main screen and I was wondering if you all like it.

The main screen as shown below will have 9 buttons: Music (self explaining), Video (dito), pictures (dito), dvd (dito), Phone (using the phonecontrol.net), navigation (self explaining), diagnose (is going to contain information about acceleration speed etc etc), Trunk Camera (my rear view mirror cam ;)) and off course shutdown. Still wondering if I should use win XP because it also runs on win 98 and that boots much faster and is much more customizable ;).

http://www.mariskaonline.com/auto/frontend-main-v1.jpg

So today I installed a remote control for my doors in my car. Was a bit of a pain in the *** because i installed the wires wrong stupid me should have read the manual :P. But still there in and it now goes *Bleep Bleep* :P.

Also worked on my frontend today but the main screen still isn't right. so I am still working on that. Will post a picture of that one later when its finished a bit further :D.

Nothing new to add for now. This week i am recieving my M2-ATX and will try to start building a floor in the back of my car. So i can create some boxes to contain my pc amp and speakers :D.

nice work
I would try and add some graphics to the icons or a different button theme. Also you might want to color code the skin to the color of your car :)

Hi tnx,

at the moment I am indeed reworking the color code. Want to use the silver color of my car for the buttons and I used green because when it's dark all the light in my car are green except for the display of my radio. I wish i could change the color of my radio but he maybe in the future I will do some research :D.

With kind regards,

FG van Zeelst

Can't wait to see the progress. :)

He,

Thanks, I am currently working on my frontend. To see any progress please check: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/soft...-frontend.html. To see what frontend I am developing. Still in need of a cool name so have a go ;).

With Kind Regards,

FG van Zeelst

Hi everyone,

So I am finally back from my vacation. I have been to turkey and the Big Apple :D. Must say it was really nice. But on to the important stuff. I had some time on my hands so I was able to continue working on my car. So lets bring on the screenshots and see what has been done.

So the first thing I have done is I continued finishing the screen. Here's a picture of it with a part of it's cover. Still I will have to take the dash apart to mold the screencover in nicely.

http://www.mariskaonline.com/auto/screen1.jpg

Remember where I wanted to place my scroll button. Removed that idea and replaced it with a nice usb port so I can upload music easily. Also added the light.

First screenshot = work in progress.
http://www.mariskaonline.com/auto/screen2.jpg

Second Screenshot = molded in.
http://www.mariskaonline.com/auto/screen3.jpg

Third Screenshot = Without lighting.
http://www.mariskaonline.com/auto/screen4.jpg

Fourth Screenshot = With Lighting.
http://www.mariskaonline.com/auto/screen6.jpg

I also build a frame for the trunk. At the left where the box with the blue lid is will be a box for my pc as well as some tools. Also I rewired the back because I had audio video and power al at the same side.
http://www.mariskaonline.com/auto/screen5.jpg

Hi i know this is a couple of months old but i joined to ask more about your install. I'm thinking of doing this and i have a ford escort aswell, i'm mainly worried about the install of the screen i want to do it like yours aswell. How did you get to fit it in? Also is that as far as the headunit goes in? Looks like it sticks out a bit?

Thanks

Dave

Hi dave,

Well it has been a while since I updated the worklog that's true. But because of the cold days I don't want to work on my car (I don't have a garage sadly enough). Still able to answer your question though.

Below the factory radio unit there is a small place where you can place well don't really know what it was intended for guess papers or pens but I removed it. There was a horizontal bar between the radio and the place the box should go in. After removing it I was left with a 3-din space. The screen doesn't fit correctly in the space but i am going to create a piece of plastic to put over it. It will level the complete dash so the screen is sunken in completely but because i haven't finished it yet it looks like it is popping out.

As for mounting it: I put the metal bars on top of my radio and used (don't know what it is called in english in dutch its called: popnagels) to mount the bars. Then I was able to screw the screen on there. At the moment the electronics plate for the screen in strapped to the radio (no interferance but still not the best solution).

The pc is going to be in the back of the car. You are able to lead the wires trough the doorframe (will make some pictures of it if you want). On the floor of the trunk I made a wooden frame as you can see there are going to be wooden toppingplates on it so i can place all cables beneath them.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask. As for some pictures just tell me what you want to see.

With kind regards,

FG van Zeelst

PS
Do you want to remove your radio completely or also keep a radio besides your incar pc.

PPS.
Sorry for the bad english I am a bit tired ;)