2007 Ford F350 Crew Cab Build

**PhilG** · 01-27-2011, 08:59 AM

Yup, all is not perfect in console land.

I decided to do a temp install of the new console for my travel over the next week or so rather than waste my time piecing back together the original seat/console. It doesn't look the best but several thousand miles living with it should certainly shake the bugs out and give me ideas of how to finish it.

So I connected the rear section of the console to the main body with 4 #12 screws making a very solid connection:

Once it was in place, and I tried to run some wires under the side of it just for the temp install. I realized that the floor line of the sides turned out excellent and fit very tight to the floor, I had to lift the console so slide the wires under, there were no gaps:

Then a major bonus! I realized that the original cut off section of drink holder with padding would fit in the access hole of the console eliminating the need for me to fab up drink holders which can end up looking cheesy. All I had to do was trim some plastic from the underside which will not show.
The key here will be to integrate this piece smoothly into the console while still making it removable for access.:

I then started installing the pieces, first the power supply, hubs, etc:

Then the pieces up front. I mounted one of what will be 6 switches into the plastic cup for now just to get some ideas as well as decide if the red LED x6 will be too bright. I may have to dim them. This one switch installed for now is for "valet" on the PC.

So here are some shots of installing the rest of the stuff:

And the "end" result (at least for this stage of the game:

I did eliminate the Griffin Powermate. As cool as they are; there really isn't anywhere logical for it to placed and I shouldn't be turning down the "pre-out" voltage from the PC anyways. That just increases the S/N ratio on the audio. So the volume at this time will only be controlled from the RUX controller.

So, here's the issue. The console is now TOO HIGH for my arm to rest on comfortably. I did a short 1 hour trip each way yesterday and I could already feel the pulling in my shoulder.

The issue is the original design didn't account for using the factory storage bucket. When I remove it and rest my arm again on the console, it feels perfect, so....

I am keeping the factory storage bucket, the look feel etc of it is very important to me. So that means I will do whatever it takes to cut the console down by about 1-2" (I haven't measured yet)

I have some ideas in my mind, I know I won't be cutting it off the floor line so I guess it's coming off the top!

Stay tuned. When I finish my trip, I will get back at it.

**Berber** · 01-27-2011, 10:09 AM

Hi PhilG,

Leave the console alone, put some 2" risers in to lift your seat. All jokes aside, its things like this that keep your brain in good order and I'm confident you will work it out. Good luck.

By the way, I have finished installing my carputer and all is good. All that remains is to add some other hardware such as AM/FM HD radio tuner and amp/s to replace the existing head unit.

Cheers, Berber

**dna59** · 01-27-2011, 12:16 PM

Hey I noticed your using one of the wireless mini keyboard with touchpad. What's your take on it? I'm looking to get one but I'm torn b/w that and the Lenovo w/ the trackball. I like the one u have though since has the backlit function

**PhilG** · 01-28-2011, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by Berber

Hi PhilG,

Leave the console alone, put some 2" risers in to lift your seat. All jokes aside, its things like this that keep your brain in good order and I'm confident you will work it out. Good luck.

By the way, I have finished installing my carputer and all is good. All that remains is to add some other hardware such as AM/FM HD radio tuner and amp/s to replace the existing head unit.

Cheers, Berber

Berber, glad it's coming together for
ya. keep plugging along, i've learned these projects are never done!

**PhilG** · 01-28-2011, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by dna59

Hey I noticed your using one of the wireless mini keyboard with touchpad. What's your take on it? I'm looking to get one but I'm torn b/w that and the Lenovo w/ the trackball. I like the one u have though since has the backlit function

i'm not sure I would buy it again. i find it very hard to type on (i'm on it now in my truck, very slow typing this response) The plastic case feels cheap and brittle, the buttons are hard to push. the positives are the trackpad works great, battery life is amazing and the backlight is a bonus

**kolton5543** · 06-27-2011, 03:26 AM

The console looks pretty nice. There's not many trucks you could fit something that size into. By the way have you made any progress in the past few months?

**hexxamillion** · 06-27-2011, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by PhilG

i'm not sure I would buy it again. i find it very hard to type on (i'm on it now in my truck, very slow typing this response) The plastic case feels cheap and brittle, the buttons are hard to push. the positives are the trackpad works great, battery life is amazing and the backlight is a bonus

The Lenovo mini bluetooth keyboard worked great for me. I used it when I had my EEEPC mounted as my carpc under the seat which was running eeebuntu at the time. The backlight was definitely a great feature.

**hexxamillion** · 06-27-2011, 04:54 PM

Great job on the console. Are you going to paint it?

**PhilG** · 06-28-2011, 11:23 AM

Wow, how appropriate this thread comes back to life right now. It's this worklogs 1st birthday today.

I have not made any significant progress since January however it is not dead nor have I lost interest. Time has been tough to come by this spring but I believe over the next few weeks I can get back at it. The issue is the console has to come back out for some significant rework then I have to get the glass cured well enough that I can stand the smell in the truck. The last glass layed in the winter took about 3 months before fully cured and the smell was gone. I am hoping with the extreme heat of July, the fact that there will be lot less fresh glass this time and by leaving it in the sun, that I can speed up the curing process dramatically. That has been the biggest delay for me getting back at this; I really don't want to live without the console in the truck on my long trips, so timing will be everything.

Minor notes since January:

I have logged a lot of hours on the system had no significant issues with it.
I purchased a paint gun while at the Kentucky truck show in March; the console will be getting a base/clear finish matching the blue exterior and maybe 2 tone using the silver as well.
The Griffin Power Mate is back in the Truck and I will not live without it! I will have to find a logical spot for it. (I have an idea in my head that should look pretty cool)
I have upgraded my modem card to USB so that will be easier to plug and unplug as needed.
I have updated Centreafuse to 3.6, it seems to me much improved.
I am picking up a specially wound 180amp alternator this week to replace the stock 105amp and I replaced both 750cca batteries 2 months ago with new Motorcraft 850cca batteries so the system should be nice and stable even when the amps are "working hard

"

I am absolutely loving the carputer versus the Alpine touchscreen head unit I removed. I would find it near impossible to go back now.

**PhilG** · 07-11-2011, 03:35 PM

Just a quick update, I have installed the new alternator, the builder said he tested it and it output aprox 160amps absolutly clean. I have no idea what he max output would be though.

So 160 amps and 1700CCA of batteries, I want to hear no complaints from the back seat occupants (the amps!) Once I get the 1500watt invertor reinstalled, it will benefit large from this upgrade as well.

You can see the difference in the size of the housing from the stock 105amp. The caliper was set from the same location on the case of the new one.