All_Black_g's 2007 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition Carputer Install

So I am about to start my install, but wanted to get any opinions/suggestions on the route I am going. Attached is a design mock up I did just to try and make sure I had all the parts and cables needed for the install.

Thoughts?

ADDING Labels for picture

*1 - Keystone Jack - USB 2.0 A Female to A Female Coupler Adapter, Flush Type (White)
http://www.monoprice.com/

*2 - BYTECC 6 ft. Type A Male to Type A Female USB 2.0 Extension Cable Model USB2-6MF-K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812270104

*3 - Haven't purchased yet, will grab locally, regular powered USB hub and I will grab a 12v-5v converter

*4 - Rear View Camera Night Vision Waterproof For Cars
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MBJY1M

*5 - High Brightness Lilliput 669GL-70NP/C/T 7" Touch Screen Monitor with HDMI, DVI, VGA, and RCA Inputs and Auto Switching (added the pre-installation in a Double DIN Frame)
http://www.mo-co-so.com/Lilliput-669...669-hb-rci.htm

*6 - Qty. 4 - Kenwood KFC-1362S 5-1/4" 3-way car speakers
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KFC1...2S.html?tp=105

*7 - Factory Wiring Harness

*8 - Receiver Wire Harness, For select Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln, and Mercury models, 2003-up
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_1207055...e-Harness.html

*9 - Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148149

*10 - Kicker 4 Channel Amp from my brother

*11 - 64gb SSD from my brother

*12 - Haven't purchased yet, will grab locally, but cheapest over 250gb portable hard drive

*13 - BU-353 Weather-proof GPS Receiver
http://store.mp3car.com/BU_353_USB_G..._p/gps-002.htm

*14 - Dell 5" Streak

*15 - Dell 7"/5" Streak Dock

*16 - WIFI Pigtail (comes with motherboard)

*17 - 3M Antenna RP-SMA Extension Cable Wi-Fi WiFi Router - CL060-Y190
http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=213271820

*18 - Black Box Mobile Case for Mini ITX Based Car PC's
http://www.mo-co-so.com/Black-Box-Mo...-p/mcs-bbm.htm

*19 - ASUS E35M1-I DELUXE AMD Zacate E-350 AMD Hudson M1 Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131698

could you add a description of some of the items your using? i am a little lost on some of the odd cabling on the left-hand side of the image, and am not sure that the idea with the idea with the spdif convertor would work as needed-- just need some more details.

and then the wifi-- are you planning on usgin some reverse-sma type extenders? i have some ideas for this as well, but will wait for a reply..

Thanks for taking a look at it soundman98. I edited/added labels to my pic, so hopefully that will help.

thanks for the PM! yeah, for any new members, DA MOD's need to approve your first batch of posts to prevent spamming..


anyways, the descriptions help a lot!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by all_black_G

*1 - Keystone Jack - USB 2.0 A Female to A Female Coupler Adapter, Flush Type (White)
http://www.monoprice.com/

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i assume this is so you can fab a usb port into your dash? you realize this is actually meant for in-house use with wall plates like this right?

i just wonder if fabbing some ports using some screw-in usb ports is any better. like these.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by all_black_G

*5 - High Brightness Lilliput 669GL-70NP/C/T 7" Touch Screen Monitor with HDMI, DVI, VGA, and RCA Inputs and Auto Switching (added the pre-installation in a Double DIN Frame)
http://www.mo-co-so.com/Lilliput-669...669-hb-rci.htm

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looks good. i have recommended getting it installed in the frame before purchase in the past-- while i have done it, and didn't have issues, being that the warranty gets voided by cracking open the case, it is a risky process.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by all_black_G

*6 - Qty. 4 - Kenwood KFC-1362S 5-1/4" 3-way car speakers
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KFC1...2S.html?tp=105

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i think 3-way coaxials are a waste of money-- i have never been able to hear a difference in the sound quality between a 3-way coaxial, and a 2-way coaxial. the concept makes sense on paper, but imo, just doesn't make reality..

i am very picky about my speakers, so i will try to not let it all bleed through..

1. are you sure that your expedition uses 5-1/4 speakers? on my old '94 lebaron, crutchfield said it took 5-1/4", but i could really fit 6" speakers. that, and ford really loves to install 5x7" speakers. without a sub, i recommend getting the largest speakers you can realistlicly fit.

2. i think those kenwoods are cheap--not worth $50.. (i had a pair of older models of these-- not worth much..)
2a. they use a semi-dome tweeter. i can find models that use a much better dome tweeter for $44
2b. they have a foam surround. this is normally what factory speakers have--and it wears out over time.
2c. overall, i wouldn't consider the kenwoods much more then 'factory-replacements'. there are better options that will improve your listening experience, and fit your budget
2d. some examples:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...dio-RE5FR.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...o-DCC501T.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...dio-D151i.html
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...-SPE-5000.html

and those are just the offerings of one website, below the cost of the kenwoods. though, speakers are a Try-Before-You-Buy thing-- don't buy speakers online unless you have had a chance to hear them, or a similar offering.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by all_black_G

*12 - Haven't purchased yet, will grab locally, but cheapest over 250gb portable hard drive

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i didn't want to believe my buddy until he proved me wrong, but western digital drives seem to be less susceptible to shock them seagate drives. so in-car, i am forced to recommend WD drives(though i try to run seagate drives in everything)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by all_black_G

*16 - WIFI Pigtail (comes with motherboard)

*17 - 3M Antenna RP-SMA Extension Cable Wi-Fi WiFi Router - CL060-Y190
http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=213271820

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this thread has some info on that, and why it is not the 'best' solution.


the things i didn't quote look good, i am just a little curious on how that new amd-chipset board is, so don't be afraid to post a review of it later!

I haven't figured out how to quote someone yet so just going to list the concerns:
"i assume this is so you can fab a usb port into your dash? you realize this is actually meant for in-house use with wall plates like this right?

i just wonder if fabbing some ports using some screw-in usb ports is any better. like these."
Yeah I considered your route, but just figured it would be easier to use a USB extender and these. I think I am just going to mount these in the armrest storage area so they are out of site and I think I can make them look good in there. Keep fingers crossed.

1. So I was in a hurry so I could do the install next weekend and ordered them last week and yes I could have fit bigger speakers in there 6x8's I think. Lkike you have suggested I will probably switch these out at some point and sell these. I will use them for now to get everything working then replace.
2. Yes I think you are right, as I have 2 installed and sound isnt any better than the factory speakers. I like using Crutchfield as they give you everything to install neatly. What do you think about exchanging them for these? http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130TSG6...eaker_Size|6X8 ?


"i didn't want to believe my buddy until he proved me wrong, but western digital drives seem to be less susceptible to shock them seagate drives. so in-car, i am forced to recommend WD drives(though i try to run seagate drives in
everything)"
I am going to try the Seagate out as its cheap for a USB 3.0 drive (yeah I know only like $10 or $20 but I am running out of budget fast on this project) Probably this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148655


"this thread has some info on that, and why it is not the 'best' solution"
Good info on the wireless, I think It is going to be trial and error for me as well to find the best spot, but if I cant get good reception once I get some more funds I will try your route. Most important though will be connection within the car to connect to my streak
I will take some pictures and write up my 2cents on the motherboard and proc once I use it for a little while. I am curious how it will do with the Texas heat in the car and on the floorboard. I wish the moderators would help out with posts though as this all would have been awesome info last week to have, but my reply's still aren't showing up so you would have seen that I updated it =-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by all_black_G

1. So I was in a hurry so I could do the install next weekend and ordered them last week and yes I could have fit bigger speakers in there 6x8's I think. Lkike you have suggested I will probably switch these out at some point and sell these. I will use them for now to get everything working then replace.
2. Yes I think you are right, as I have 2 installed and sound isnt any better than the factory speakers. I like using Crutchfield as they give you everything to install neatly. What do you think about exchanging them for these? http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130TSG6...eaker_Size|6X8 ?

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those will sound very slightly better, but only because of the larger cone area--the overall sound will not change much..

being that your already have the curtchfield-supplied harnesses, i don't see why you can't get the speakers from somewhere else..

but if you want to stick with crutchfield, the absolute minimum speaker i would get would be these kenwood's. though, personally, i would order these pioneers. the reason is that the tweeter is larger-- so it will play a little smoother...

So I ordered a set of Infinity Reference 6832cf's and I found a old set of Infinity Reference 6012si's that I didn't use on my last install. The 6012si's don't really fit but I drilled a couple of my own holes and now they do =-)