Thread: Carputer on a Budget: 2002 WRX ver. 2.0

And that’s where I am today. Work and bad weather has prevented me from really working on this since last Thursday. I hope I can get the bezel done soon because I have a final project for school due in a month and I don’t think I can give it adequate attention while working on this. Plus I’ve been recruited to fix my little cousin’s Corolla. First it was just the front bearing, now it seems to be the ball joint and tie rod too.

After reading the title of this thread, I’m sure some people are wondering how much I’ve spent on this project. The simple answer is: $479.41(I think)

But let me explain a little so those of you who are considering doing a carputer project can get an accurate picture of the cost involved.

Here’s a list of everything I bought for this project since I decided to do it:
Touch screen- $196.95 (need some sort of monitor vga touch screen is preferred)
Ai-net adapter- $13.48 (need because my hu doesn’t have aux input and didn’t what to get amp, too expensive)
Computer- $65 (this is where big differences come in. Not running Photoshop or warcaft in the car so don’t need anything super fast, can always upgrade later on. Some will get killer used deals or hand-me-downs; others will build/buy new machines)
Mini keyboard- $14.44 (didn’t really need if because I got the ps2 one too)
Ps2 keyboard- $9.99 (need some kind of keyboard)
Serial cable adapter- $8.00 (need to connect vga out from monitor to vga cable, some might not need)
Laptop dvd combo drive- $59.99 (kind of need. Also have slot load one I could use but it a little old and skips too much)
10’ usb extension- $3.98 (need some kind of usb cable, should have got 2 of these instead of other usb cables)
Flat usb hub- $5.98 (don’t think I need 2 but depending where I put it, one will fit better than the other)
Square usb hub- $5.00
15’ usb cable (2x)- $12.99
20’ vga cable- $16.99 (need if putting computer in the trunk)
Usb 2.0 card- $15.00 (don’t need if computer already has usb2.0, still might not need if it doesn’t)
Dash console- $51.62 (don’t really need but I like to have extra, just in case)
Epoxy- $5.00 (need)

What’s missing from this list?
Psu- using inverter I already have. Plan on getting a proper one once I collect enough cans, and sell one of my kidneys.
Gps receiver- already have a Delorme one I got a few years back. It works fine.
Software- can’t afford streetdeck so I’ll have to find cheaper alternatives. I have some mapping software but they are a few years old.

Other things I’m using and already have are: shorter usb extensions, usb-serial adapter, rca, power and ground wire, back-up camera, spare interior components and dash radio pod.

Materials so far: mdf(had some), sand paper(had some, bought some), aluminum(had some), bondo(had some, borrowed some).

Tools: if you can’t get your hands on tools, project can’t go anywhere. The right tools also make the job easier.

I have a pretty basic set-up, and as you can see, I really didn’t NEED everything I bought, but I also already had a few key components. The best way to save money is planning. Know exactly what you want, where and how you are going to mount things, and what it requires to do so. This forum is a good resource for that. That way you won’t waist money buying things you don’t need. The downside to that is it leaves little room if you change your mind later on.

All in all, I found this to be a much cheaper alternative to pre-fab gps units on the market. Plus it’s customizable and upgradeable without any limits. The trade-off: your labor, not a bad deal if you ask me.

Now I need to work on things more before I can post more progress. I’m still trying to rewire my power button from the computer, finish the bezels, wire in the inverter, mount front dvd drive and usb hub and run a few more wires. Here are a few misc pics left over. More to come, but that’s all for now.

Well, it's been a rainy week up here in New England. That's bad and good. Bad 'cause it's hard to work on my car in the rain. Good 'cause can't work on my cousin's car in the rain and can work on mine. I've probably spent 5 days on my porch steps sanding and filling and sanding and filling... my bezel. In between drying times, I've made room in my dash for my dvd drive by cutting the dash up, I've installed RR and installed one of my old gps software.

Today is a very nice day out(and I don't have to go to work) so I'm hoping to have the bezel painted by the end of the day and reassembled tomorrow(I'm waiting for a coat of primer to dry right now). I haven't had time to resize my pics, but when I do, I'll post them and give a little more detail of the process, although it's just basically sanding, filling, sanding, filling, sanding,...

lol, and oh yea...quick hint An, when doing stuff in your car, make sure it's ventilated...those fumes really get to yah... i learned the hard way