2004 Mustang GT

**ibanez737** · 10-31-2005, 12:13 PM

Well, I took a huge interest in pyros' Mach 1 and have been lurking for quite a while. Finally thinking I'm going to go ahead and do it. I recently purchased a Dell Inspiron 6000 for school and personal use. I'm thinking im going to use this since it has onboard wifi/bluetooth/wireless. I'm thinking of also using the PCMCIA audigy to maybe elimnate the need for a USB hub. I'm looking to buy an extra lilliput housing and extra radio bezel to do work similar to pyros (nice job if you read this). I have the Mach460 system, so I have the two factory amp's, but I will need an other amp to power my tweeters once I trash the factory headunit.

So what I have:

Inspiron 6000
1.6 ghz centrino
1 gig of PC3200 RAM
40 gig HD
Integrated WiFi/Bluetooth/Wireless
DVD player

Looking to get:
7" Lilliput
SB Audigy PCMCIA
Misc Cables
2 Channel amp for highs
Docking Station
DC/DC adapter
Some way to mount my laptop on the roof of the trunk?

Looking to have:
Mp3 playback
DVD playback (probably rip to HD moreso then using discs to eliminate the need for an external mounted in the car)
FM playback
GPS

What I'm rather unsure of is how I'm going to do FM radio (or how to do it in general, haven't read any threads about it yet) and how I'm going to mount the laptop. Also, I haven't found a docking station for my model either, so I'm unsure if they even make one or what to do about that.

So I guess I'm wondering about FM radio..how to? Also, if anyone knows about a docking station/port replicator for my inspiron.

**jzgt** · 11-01-2005, 10:55 AM

There are some USB radios out there all with different degrees of quality. There are several threads about these solutions and there's another group building a decent one -- I haven't checked in on those guys in a while so I am not sure of the thread. Here's a ready made one from Griffin

You could probably use your head unit and line in on the laptop. I am using the XM Direct and cable -- I never listen to FM anymore...

But there are other options and products for radio. Good luck on your project! Glad to see more Mustangs getting into the mix!

- Jeff

Edit: Here's the thread with the HU Quality USB/Serial radio : HU Quality AM/FM RDS/RBDS Radio with Features

**ibanez737** · 11-01-2005, 07:52 PM

Thanks for the reply, I'll have to look into those. What year mustang ya got?

**tj!2k4** · 11-01-2005, 07:57 PM

Unless you really need to listen to the local stations, XM and Sirius are also an option and certainly offer more variety and less commercials.

The "downside" to satellite is of course the subscription fee.

Looking forward to seeing your project come together.

**jzgt** · 11-02-2005, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by ibanez737

Thanks for the reply, I'll have to look into those. What year mustang ya got?

No problem! I have an 87 GT Convertible, which you can check out at http://www.mp3mustang.com and see what the project is about (not totally up to date), and a 1995 GT Convertible which I haven't yet cracked open -- it's still bone stock.

- Jeff

**ibanez737** · 11-14-2005, 02:06 PM

Well, I've bought a lot of new things and have been messing around with some things. I tested putting the two harnesses and getting sound to my lows, which worked perfect. Looking to install my new amp soon and do some wiring so I can setup all 8 speakers. I'm still debating how to set them up to my sound card (PCMCIA audigy) to achieve some nice surround sound for movies and the like. Tested the GPS module with the laptop and iGuidance, and that is working great. So far, everything is moving along smoothly, just need to start some fiberglassing for my dash bezel.

jzgt: Lookin great over there. Makes me want to go out and buy one and have some fun with the .4 extra liters

**ibanez737** · 03-08-2006, 07:38 PM

Update: Been a while since I worked on this, but after a lot more purchases, I'm getting somewhere. I've run all the wiring through my car (USB, VGA, speaker, remote leads, power, etc) and theyre all sitting under my backseat. Installed my new 4 channel amp under the rear deck (top of the trunk pretty much). Not sure how thats going to work out since items in the trunk like to hit it and the wires. Wired everything in the dash into the metra harness. Bought various things for mounting my laptop. Still debating on what to do with the touchscreen (permanent or removable). Plugged my audio lines into the sound card today. I can either get all 4 highs or the left front and rear highs and lows working, but thats it. If I "1/2 way plug in" on the phono/rca cords for the lows, I can achieve sound through all 8 speakers, but not when i fully plug them in. Not sure what the problem is but hopefully I'll figure it out. Been also working with my front end and software. Chose to use roadrunner with the Mediacar 2.0 skin with a few customized images in there. Got most of that working (weather, library, DVD, etc). GPS was working a while ago when i was working on it, but RR now wont load iGuidance anymore for some reason. Need to figure that out too. Going on a roadtrip mid next week so I need to get some **** going haha. /update.

**tj!2k4** · 03-08-2006, 08:13 PM

got pics?

**ibanez737** · 03-08-2006, 08:20 PM

I'll try to snap some this weekend since I should be working on it a lot..Not much to take pics of though but I'll find something

**ibanez737** · 04-24-2006, 07:44 PM

Well, been doing lots of work recently...getting most of my audio issues worked out, got both my amps wired up, got the new sub box and everything wired up with that. Going to start working on the enclosure for my laptop very soon. Did a lot of sanding on the bezel and got it pretty nice looking and primered. Debating whether or not to actually perfect it or leave the problem spots be since they are hidden from view mostly. Got the laptop internal wiring done so I can use the 56k port as a remote turn on. Things are really coming together, and I should be done pretty soon depending on time. Have pics, but need to take some more to make a useful post.