Another GizmoQ Tablet Install with a twist!

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09-09-2010, 11:31 PM
GizmoQ

Another GizmoQ Tablet Install with a twist!

I'm working a new tablet install in a new car and this one has to be different from my previous Frankenstein builds. Its a shame how long I've been a member of this forum, how many installs I've built, and never have I documented my efforts in a worklog. Well, its time to change that!

This fall and winter, I will embark on a a new style tablet install - a semi stealth one. The objectives will be: to continue to use the same tablet as in my other two cars; keep the major functions (audio, video, GPS, FM, DVD, & Internet Apps); somehow incorporate the tablet dock for ease of mount/dismount; implement a removable screen and stealth the wiring in either configuration. I am still in the researching stage, so this could change along the way (it already has a few times as I learn more and more about the car). I wanted to feed the video into the OEM Nav, but that option was over $600 just to get a CGA video-in into the headunit without audio - NOT! The head unit has no aux-in, so instead of hacking my own, I've enlisted two aftermarket manufacturers to create one that activates when the tablet is docked.

Why all this trouble? The car already has a double-Din Nav unit that's too integrated into the car's computer, audio, and security systems to remove. Relocating it is not an option. And I intend to return it to stock with the least amount of effort when I decide to sell it (Which could be any day, if the money's right). Lastly, THIS CAR deserves a clean OEM-style install and I can't stand the OEM equipment.

Enough mystery?

Here's where we are at this point. The car is a 2006 Cadillac XLR-V (sometimes known as a Vette in a tuxedo):

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/a...VmeetXLRV3.jpg

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/a...ox/xlr88x6.jpg

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/a.../siblingVs.jpg

The interior is small. And there's little space anywhere to put anything. The plan is to replace the cubby between the seats with the tablet dock and put all the peripherals behind it.

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/a...eFox/CarPC.jpg
http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/a...AF1Coin007.jpg

The cubby is 6" deep and I'm gonna need 2 1/2" of it for the tablet and dock. Unfortunately, I have to be sure to stay 1/2" from the rear of it because the back wall flexes whenever the top goes in or out of the trunk. The base of the dock which houses the DVD-RW and all the external connections will be hidden in the back half of the armrest storage compartment. The cubby's drop down door will be replaced with a fiberglass replacement molded around the tablet in sito. I, of course, plan to use a joystick replacement for the shifter.

More pictures to follow. I intend to take my time on this and do it right, so I expect it to take the whole winter to complete.
09-09-2010, 11:46 PM
david69leonard

WOW man, I love the new whip!!! Wanna trade? Sux that the stock HU does not have an aux port, but your solution to this will be a good one, good luck!
09-10-2010, 01:28 AM
RipplingHurst

Whoa, that's a great ride, congrats!

This is going to be a great worklog, can't wait. Dash pictures?
09-10-2010, 09:24 PM
GizmoQ

Quote:

Originally Posted by david69leonard

WOW man, I love the new whip!!! Wanna trade?

Thanx and Not a chance in hell!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RipplingHurst

Whoa, that's a great ride, congrats!

This is going to be a great worklog, can't wait. Dash pictures?

I knew I forgot something. :twitch:

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/a...c-xlr-v-03.jpg
The interior is so clean, I hate to modify it. In contrast to this view, the storage door between the seats will protrude out into the cabin another 1 1/2"

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/a..._xlr_vdash.jpg
The Nav will remain intact. I hope to develop a clip-on bracket for the 8" 800x600 Touchscreen that attaches to the existing nav screen. This second screen will protrude from the dash less than an inch and its wiring will be covered with a carbon fiber-looking tube attached to the passenger side of the center stack.

http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/a...1_A562x421.jpg

This radio tilts to eject the DVD/Nav disk. I hope my bracket will attach around the screen and when the screen tilts back to the closed position, it'll lock the computer touchscreen in place.
09-12-2010, 09:09 AM
Sonicxtacy02

ill be following this install closely
10-10-2010, 04:58 PM
GizmoQ

O.K. a quick update. I think I've got all the parts ordered except the screen. I start the fab work on the waterfall tomorrow.

Does anyone know what's the thinnest 8" 800x600 screen currently available? I'd love to find a transflexive and may be able to get away without a touchscreen to keep it thin. The best I've found so far is 1.2" thick and I know there has to be something smaller.
10-10-2010, 05:21 PM
soundman98

what about this? it doesn't have a touch screen but is 5/8" thick..
11-17-2010, 11:53 AM
GizmoQ

The fab work has finally begun. I took a week to explain to my fabricator what all I want done. He gets it, but like most of you thinks I'm nuts.:nerd:

The area we have to work with is not as small as you would imagine. Here is the removed storage compartment from between the seats. This area is where we will be installing the tablet dock, XMD1000, Boomzbox or Directed Radio (I haven't decided yet), DC-DC power supply, USB Hubs, and Saitek Throttle motherboard.
http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/a...rCarpc48x6.jpg
http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/a...rCarpc78x6.jpg

The spare waterfall ended up being much cheaper than we expected so we didn't have any problem chopping into it for the tablet dock.
http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/a...rCarpc18x6.jpg

Problem was we were too focused on fitting the dock in the space.
http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/a...rCarpc58x6.jpg
http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/a...rCarpc68x6.jpg
http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/a...rCarpc28x6.jpg

And forgot to check it with the tablet installed. Once installed, there isn't room for the storage compartment door or room to access the tablet release switch. So it was back to the drawing board. The new plan is to build up the sides and replace the storage door completely. I know I want the tablet concealed and don't need to access it while driving, but its got to be removable or it defeats the purpose of using the dock.

All the while this is being reworked, I'm struggling with the peripherals, wiring, switching, and building the screen mount up front. I've pretty well decided it will be an 8" screen, probably without touch to begin with (would love to add capacitive touch later) and also has to be quickly removable with no sign of its existence (hanging wires/cable/bracket).

I keep thinking, for those few times I don't bring the tablet or let family borrow the car, it would be nice to be able to switch my CarPC peripherals into the factory Nav screen. There are existing add-on systems for this car capable of displaying and interfacing with aftermarket XM and HD Radio and I know I can build a switching system to route the controls between the CarPC and OEM Nav, but do I really want to get into all that now. The complexity of doing this could get out of hand.
11-17-2010, 03:44 PM
RipplingHurst

Have you considered a subframe with a hinge so the dock could be lifted/moved out od the way just enough?

Thanks for the updates!
11-17-2010, 11:40 PM
GizmoQ

Quote:

Originally Posted by RipplingHurst

Have you considered a subframe with a hinge so the dock could be lifted/moved out od the way just enough?

Thanks for the updates!

Yeah, but because this is a 180MPH car and will be tracked, I decided it would be best to bolt it down to the waterfall. Its still easily removed with 4 bolts, roll the dock forward from the top to rest on the armrest, and access the entire storage area.

Thanks for your suggestion, keep 'em coming!