Well, I've decided to take on a new project and install a computer in the car. I've got an old Dell small-form factor that I'm gonna use. Also have a laptop screen from a Sony Vaio that I am in the process of getting an adaptor to allow it to plug into a conventional PC port. I am going to start setting up the PC this week, but am looking forward to having a dvd player, MP3 player, wireless internet and eventually GPS running off of the unit. I;ll keep you guys posted on progress, I plan on making this a SUPER clean install. If anybody has any suggestions I'd be MORE than happy to hear them. Biggest issues right now are gettingg that interface card and deciding on power supply, there are quite a few out there for this type of application.

 

Sounds great! Good luck with everything. Keep us posted with updates.

 

I will '98. I'll be taking pics of everything. Should have the computer itself configured and loaded up by the end of the week. Then I have to get that adapter card to hook up the LCD. I'm picking up a couple of LCD screens in Florida end of the month to add as additional ones for the headrests, but they will llikely only be active for DVD playback as I am gonna use a hardware MPEG card in the PC. The pc part is no problem as that's what I do for a living, it's getting everything to LOOK good in the car that will be tough. I've been working with car audio my whole life, but never really got into extreme installs, mine were always more just simple clean things. I'm gonna have to work with vinyl and bondo to make this one look the way I want. Should be fun!!!

 

Someone in Japan already did this on their 1998 Inspire. There were pics posted awhile back of the interior and laptop. I have no idea what the post was about, but they used motors and modified the passenger side wood strip so that by pushing a button, the wood flipped down, and a sony vaio slid out. try to find the post and it may give you some ideas.

 

custom bondo the frame around the screen... the whole motherboard and harddrive are mounted behind the screen in a custom box... the screen is a xenarc touchscreen....



the dc is on the passenger side floor w/ a false floor... the plugs for the controllers are on the back of the rear center console... its a good thing to have when you are done... however takes a long time to develop... fair warning... u WILL spend alot of money on this project if u want it clean like u say....

 

Thanks for those Pics Kamlung, Very nice. I'm planning on having a drop down screen from the roof, as it will be a little easier, and can still be made pretty clean. I know it's going to end up costing me more than I think right now, but hopefully it won't go TOO far over budget. Only things I need to purchase right now are an in-car-pc power supply and the VGA Adaptor for the LCD panel. Everything else I pretty much already have or will be made.

 

don't u have a sunroof???

 

Yeah I do man...going to replace the upper console where the center channel speakers and lights are with a flip down screen right there. Only problem is that I fired up the computer last night to finish installing some software and it started smoking!! :S SOmething shorted. I have another one here that I need to grab to try but could be having to buy a new unit. May just end up doing that anyways as the ones I have here are fairly old Pentium II's and Celeron's. But we'll see trying to do this low-cost!!

 

Well, just fired up the computer to finally start loading it up and POOF smoke.... GOtta find another one now...may just end up buying one of those low heat ones they sell now just for this purpose....

 

u can find alot of minis w/ processors for like 200... including case... i wuld look into that for the TL... next project hopefully i start soon before it gets cold...

 

Yup, I think that's exactly what I'm gonna do. Been searching them out already....

 

www.mini-itx.com perfect source for small comp parts also look at www.dashpc.com info on a linux shell built for cars