Thread: Scion xB '06, in-dash Atom 330, Lilliput 889GL; details, pictures, links. Index: pg 1

The field test is always the best part. Hope you get everything working correctly!

Originally Posted by freeflashstuff

The field test is always the best part. Hope you get everything working correctly!

Thanks! I'm getting pretty pumped. Gotta get the power wires run in the car. That should be done this weekend, and then I think it'll be road test time.

Instead of fooling around in the registry, Josh suggested that I leave the resolution where it is and get Centrafuse installed. He pointed out that, if I use Centrafuse as the shell, it lets me set the resolution, and 800 x 480 is an option. I missed that, and it makes sense to use Centrafuse as the shell, so I'll install it and go through the many-screen setup.

One of the things I particularly like about Centrafuse is that it gives me lots and lots of options, but they're just mouseclicks, not scripting. It doesn't hurt that Centrafuse is gorgeous, right out of the box.

Even though I own it already (thanks to Josh, last Christmas), the new half-price deal makes Centrafuse very affordable, and the free 30-day trial turns it into a can't-lose deal.

Nope, I don't own Centrafuse stock; I just like it.

At Last -- Completed Chassis Pics

Here's the assembled chassis, ready to roll:

Click images to enlarge.

I mentioned earlier that the screen blocked access to the lower mount screws. With the new screen mount system, that's no longer an issue; I can get to them just fine.

Considering this is the first version of this chassis, I'm pretty happy with it. Once I finish the software installation and get the wires run in the car, the carPC can move into its new home.

I Forgot About That . . .

I thought I had everything ready to go for installing the carPC in the car, until I remembered I need more USB ports on the back of the machine. There are only four ports on the board; the other four are header connections. I need to get into the chassis and install the header connection cables before I can install the chassis in the car.

I don't want the cables to pull out of the headers, so I need to connect the header cables to the chassis. Seems to me that the best way is with a simple plastic foldover cable clamp. There's a hole already available. If you look at the second picture in the post above, there are two unused holes at the back of the chassis. I'll use the upper one.

I'll just add two more ports right now; when I get another cable, I'll add the other two, for a total of eight in the system.

Off-Topic: New Shoes for the Scion

I'm driving a happy car again -- the Scion got new tires on bigger wheels. You can see in this old picture that it works pretty hard sometimes:

Click images to enlarge.

The picture above shows the stock 15x5 steel wheels and stock 185/60-R15 Goodyear tires. Putting the big wheels back on changes both the look and the performance:

The new tires are Goodyear Eagle GT 225/40-ZR18s, on 40% wider Enkei 18x7 wheels. They're the biggest tire I could cram in the wheelwells. In fact, they're so tight that the inside of the rear tire is within about 1/8 inch (3mm) of the rear suspension arm. Whew -- that's tight.

I ran these wheels before, with Sumitomo 215/35-ZR18 tires; they were nice tires, but they only lasted 25,000 miles, and I put the OEM wheels and tires back on when the Sumitomos were done. The 15-inch Goodyears went a total of 55,000 miles, and the new Goodyears have a 50,000 mile treadwear warranty.

The handling difference between the stock 185/60-R15s and the 225/40-ZR18s is significant, because there's a whole lot more tread on the ground. She's back to being a little go-cart again. The ride is firmer, but it isn't objectionable.

If you want your Scion to ride like a boulevard cruiser, then these wouldn't be the tires you want, and you'll likely want to stick with the 15-inch wheels; the sidewall depth makes up a lot of the ride. The difference between the 235-series tire and 240-series doesn't seem like much -- 3 inches (76mm) to 3.5 inches (89mm) of sidewall, but the added depth does make for a smoother ride. There's a bit of ride penalty in the higher load rating of these tires, too.

Actually, if you want your car to ride like a boulevard cruiser, then this original Scion xB probably isn't the car for you. Get the new version: it's bigger in almost every dimension, and 600 pounds (275kg) heavier. It has a softer ride and 50% more power, but the new design has lost its boxy soul and some of its remarkable fuel economy. I'll stick with the original rolling toaster look.

New tires on bigger wheels: the car's happy, and I'm happy. And now I'm pretty close to getting the carPC installed, so we'll both be even happier.

I like the new RIMS better. So when you going to get a body kit?

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

I like the new RIMS better. So when you going to get a body kit?

There's no body kit planned. I'm already in danger of scraping curbs with the OEM panels at the front and rear; anything I'd add would be big bucks for no gain. And I'm pretty happy with the external changes I've made already: blacked out windows, black wind visors, a blacked-out grill, and the wheels and tires. Anything else I do will be inside or under the skin, not for exterior appearance.

I wanted to make it look good, but not attract attention, especially from thieves. If I dress it up more, those small-minded little bastards would probably figure I have humongous sound equipment they could steal, and I don't want them to break in and tear stuff up.

The one impossible change I'd love to make would be an added sixth gear with a higher ratio. The car still has plenty of juice left in fifth gear, and adding a sixth would make it even more economical and yet more fun to drive. Alas, there are no six-speed transmissions I know of that would fit. It would probably require an entire engine-transaxle transplant, and I have no interest in that amount of work; this is my daily driver, and that sort of stuff makes it an experimental vehicle, not a reliable car for a my 100+ mile-per-workday round trip.

The new model xB apparently is powered by a Corolla drivetrain, so there are lots of speed tweaks for it, and that sounds really fun. But its fuel economy is down about 20% from the original model. I like filling up for another 300 miles with about 10 gallons. I would still consider the new model when I wear this one out, but -- I hope -- I'm not even halfway there.

Besides, I gotta finish the carPC and related stuff in this one. I'm close to an install, so I'm staying focused on that.

Just Can't Let the Chassis Be Done

I said I'd concentrate on software installation and car wiring this weekend. But, while I was doing final fit-checks in the car, there was one more post-production change to the chassis that made sense to me.

The bottom panel was still held on by screws and "loose" nuts, so I took it off, moved the mount brackets in, and changed to rivet nuts there, too.

That change ran me clean out of rivet nuts, but it eliminated the last of the "loose" nuts in the chassis.

There still are a couple of crackpots in the garage -- just ask my daughter-in-law.

Originally Posted by rdholtz

Just Can't Let the Chassis Be Done

I said I'd concentrate on software installation and car wiring this weekend. But, while I was doing final fit-checks in the car, there was one more post-production change to the chassis that made sense to me.

The bottom panel was still held on by screws and "loose" nuts, so I took it off, moved the mount brackets in, and changed to rivet nuts there, too.

That change ran me clean out of rivet nuts, but it eliminated the last of the "loose" nuts in the chassis.

There still are a couple of crackpots in the garage -- just ask my daughter-in-law.

LOL, you like me. I bet seeing those loose nuts just started eating away at you to change until you finally did. To bad I'm more messed up about it. I'll come up with the perfect way, start eating away at myself that there is a better way, make something new, then realize the first way was better, go back, then repeat the cycle all over again.

I am not sure, but aren't rivets permanent? I doubt you'll have to take anything apart though.