Nightcruzer

I'm only in the bench testing phase, but I thought I'd share this pic because, well I think I did a hell of job! I have enough pics for a "how to" or tech article but I'll need a lot of time which I don't have right now.
That is a 7" Lillliput touchscreen TFT VGA monitor in a modified 85-92 firebird/TA radio bezel.
The screen you are looking at is the BIOS Boot Screen, the very first screen when power is applied.
The purpose of the computer is mostly NAV, scan tool, audio and then of course the frills like DVD, phone, Web etc.

There used to be a tech article about mounting amps inside the back seat of a thirdgen. Does anyone have that link? It doesn't seem to be a tech article anymore. I'd like to mount the computer which looks exactly like an amp in the backseat.

noahTHEpurdy

iTrader: (1)

Wow! That is really really slick! As far as mounting it in the back of the rear seat, just make sure the computer has room to breath.

TAdan

I am usually not into that sort of thing, but that is pretty cool

Bull

iTrader: (5)

Wow...so, how much to make one for me?

Are you a programmer, too? I am wondering how you created that custom startup screen with the Phoenix logo.

Pretty awesome.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Nightcruzer: YOU ARE MY NEW HERO!!! Ive been wanting to try this for a long time now. Ever since I started trolling on mp3car.com. I wanted to do exacly what you have done. Please keep us updated on this! Have you posted a work log over at mp3car.com???

My only thing is, I want to keep my head unit. Ide like to be able to have normal head unit functions, and control the sound from it. This is easy as far as hooking things up goes, but presents a problem when mounting the screen. So Im thinking about mounting the screen and the head unit in the pod opening, and relocating my HVAC controls somewhere. Not sure yet...but its somthing Ive been toying with.

Good work! Like I said keep us all updated!

Justin

EDIT: Actually...now that I go back and look at your pics...are you mounting your head unit back in there too?? That upper opening looks longer than usual for HVAC controls. Now you REALLY have my attention...

Nightcruzer

Thanks everyone for the compliments.

Bull - A programmer? LOL. No I am not even a computer guy really. I have just been lurking over at mp3car.com for about two years now. All the hardware is plug and play type stuff. The software is all free and downloadable. The graphics is all cut an paste in Photoshop from other people's sources. So I apply my car knowledge, like if I can install suspension pieces, then I can plug a hardrive and some RAM into a motherboard. That's the way I look at it. It is all about 1) patience 2) reading every post 3) following directions. I will put a "how to" together so YOU can have one too, but you'll learn I am S-L-O-W, but reliable. There WILL be a "how to" I just don't know when.

Ghettocruiser - yep. learned everything about this at mp3car.com and external links from there, but there is NOTHING over there for us thirdgenners so I took the plunge. I'll be the guinea pig. I don't have a worklog over there but I am thinking of doing it so I can get some support. They really are not to friendly over there, or not nearly as friendly as us here at thirdgen.org. Anyway, that is a stock opening for the HVAC. I am dumping the head unit and I am waiting for a reliable FM solution at mp3car.com or getting satellite, both of which can be controlled via the PC. I would want to keep my headunit also, but there is no damn room for anything in firebirds, so the headunit had to go.
I guess you could remote wire the faceplate to the visor and mount the headunit body somewhere else, but there is not even room under the seats!
As of now the PC is going to be mounted inside the backseat in an amp rack.

Anomaly

very impressive, I love the bios screen. Has anyone heard how a carputer will hold up in the summer heat?

WaaX

Sexy, thats one step ahead of what I have. I just have a laptop connected to my headunit. Impressive to say the least. If you manage to get ahold of streetdeck, leme know I'm sure I know a few tricks that you might be interested in.

camaroguy21

Very nice!! Great work! Be sure to keep us updated...

z28monster

iTrader: (1)

make sure the computer gets good air flow....id be worried about it over heating in the back seat.... other then that that is awsome...

Toehead

I built a plexi case in the backseat for my carputer. I used a relay and 12v cd computer fans for ventilation. It is fine in the summer heat, not a single problem and I have had mine working since june ish. The backseat really is the way to go. As soon as I saw that article i knew that was the way I was going to do it. . There is plenty of room. I used a air powered cut off tool to cut the plastic section and a razor to cut the foam.

Night cruzer... I know what you are talking about at mp3car.. they don't like anybody new. Most of the posts I had over there got no responses or the wiseass "you should have searched more" response. However, they do know their stuff!

edit- have you found any front end software worth running? Most of what I tried was lacking, so I just used lite pc and blew up the default winamp interface. If you find anything good, let me know. It also has to be able to launch external aps, because I have wireless internet and tunerpro and would like to get those working.


Hey, while you are spending all this time building the pc, you should do what I did and build an aldl cable, or buy the ostrich from moates so you can do realtime data monitoring and tuning!

TA5point0

iTrader: (13)

hey man that is awesome, exactly what I want to do! whered you get the screen from? what model # is it? thanks

camaroboricua

thats freakin awesome! i always wanted to do somethin like that for my '03 Ram or even one of my camaros but ive always been too worried about it not working right. anyway, good work, keep us updated...

Toehead

I bought the screen off of ebay. It is a lilliput 7 inch usb touch screen like this one Amazon.com: Lilliput 7" Touch Screen Lcd VGA Monitor: Electronics

Nightcruzer

Exactly! It is a Lilliput 7" Touchscreen TFT VGA model number 629GL-70/NP/C/T

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Darn it... you have me all amped up to do this again... haha. Except Im going to figure out how to keep my HU and all that. Ive been toying with the idea of deleting my rear seats. Im 6'4 so no one can sit behind me... Actually they are usless period. So I wanted to make a cargo box type deal to cover the open areas left when the seats are gone. I was going to dedicate one side to a carputer. And I was going to have two big fans on the front. One in, one out. Thats should be plenty to cool it down.

I just need to come up with a good place to re-mount the HVAC controls. And decide what kind of computer to build...

Justin

87CIZ

iTrader: (8)

can you give a heads up on what software you used? I made one awhile back but haven't got it in my car yet since i don't have anything else in the car done haha.

xlwhellraiser

iTrader: (1)

Now go ahead and get virtual HAL and you have yourself KITT!

This was my idea untill I got rid of my T-top and got a vert!

Nightcruzer

Thanks again everyone.

87CIZ - For the frontend (for those who don't know that is the screen with NAV, RADIO, MP3 buttons) I'll attach a pic, I'm using Road Runner, BUT For some reason I can't get it to work on the carputer. Ironically it works fine on my desktop. I test everything on the desktop before I install on the carputer. Anyway, By default, Road Runner uses WinAmp as the audio player for MP3. The rest of the software is all op0en source free stuff.
Get it working and let's bring our thirdgens into the 21st century!

[R]ogue

that is awesome

Toehead

I tried a few front ends and could never find one I liked.

just2quickz28

I have been debating this for the past year, i like the idea of a front end and a touch screen but if im going to do this i would also like the ability to run data logging maybe also run a prominator if i ever get around to it, but the bios screen looks very nice

crazycrocket

Very nice job, this is exactly what I want to do only with a bigger screen.

ACCLR8N

iTrader: (8)

Why did I ever click on this thread? Another sub-project I can't live without. My car will never be done.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Haha I hear that... Can you say...WINTER PROJECT!

Nightcruzer...any progress updates?! We are all waiting anxiously. I wanna see that screen installed.

Justin

Nightcruzer

I'll probably will install the screen next weekend over Thanksgiving and I'll update you all then. So Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I won't be near the computer until after then.

Justin - Did you get my PM? You have to get started on your own project

Just2quickZ28 - Yes scan tool is part of the plan also. Since I have a CC carb my only option is WinALDL as far as I know, but it should work. RoadRunner lets you launch any application in a separate window.

Thanks for the positive support and all of your pressure will probably make me work fatser. LOL.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Hey man... Yeah I got your PM. Thanks!!

My project is on hold for now. Its a money thing. Im getting ready to buy a new Dell Laptop for tuning purposes and for something to travel with. And I still need to get a few things for the car...

I have a laptop laying around, that Im not sure is any good as a laptop anymore. Im wondering if I can just pull the mobo out of it. Maybe add alittle more ram, a new hard drive, and run it like it is for a bit. Its pretty old though... might not work too well as a carputer.

Otherwise I gotta wait for awhile until I can save up. Keep us all posted! I know I cant wait to see it done. While Im waiting for money, Im going to try to come up with a plan for moving the hvac controls. Too bad there isnt an easy cheap interface that allows you to make everything digital... I think there is something out there, but itseems wayyyy too complicated for me to figure out. Servos, and programming etc etc.

Justin

subliminal

iTrader: (1)

How did you modify the bezel to fit the screen? Im very intested in doing this project.

Nightcruzer

Well I promised so here we go. Let's get down to business.
CYA disclaimers:
THE FOLLOWING IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
- If you mess up and turn your bezels to junk I am not responsible.
- If you destroy your $200 plus lcd screen I don't want to hear it. I am not responsible
- If you hurt yourself in any way I am not responsible.
- In no way is this the only way to do things, this is simply the way I did it.

That said.

Materials:
Lilliput Bezel
Firebird Radio Bezel
krazy glue
scrap abs plastic
bondo or plastic filler or epoxy
a rotary tool with cut off discs or a hacksaw blade will work
a ruler
a marker
sandpaper 180, 320, 600

PRE WORK NOTES
1) I would definitely buy a spare radio bezel from somewhere so you can work on the bench and have ZERO downtime or inconvenience with your daily driver. I bought mine for $5 bucks on Ebay, $10 seems average. You have no excuse not to buy a spare.
2) You have a choice, you can just purchase just the lcd bezel or you can buy the whole monitor. Bezels can be purchased at http://www.digitalww.com/LH007.htm Whole monitors can be bought from many many places, just Google "Lilliput monitor"
3) When you have the monitor, you have to take it apart to get the bezel. Instructions to take it apart can be found at the following link. Don't be intimidated, the bottom line is there are only like 12 screws to remove. ONLY GO as far as the instruction to disconnect the speaker. DO NOT GO ANY FURTHER http://www.mechatroniks.com/wrx/lili-diy.html Once you have the bezel off come back here.

Good, with the Lilliput bezel removed

Nightcruzer

measure and cut

Nightcruzer

glue and fill

Nightcruzer

fill and sand

Nightcruzer

and sand and sand and sand

Nightcruzer

Paint and you're done with the bezel.
Reattach the the monitor when dry by
- Mounting the monitor screen in the reverse order of removal. First mount the screen to the back half of housing, then mount that back half to the front bezel using the original screws.
- You have to trim the back half of the housing as well. I only have a quick pic, but not specific instructions. Basically the way you cut the Lilliput bezel, you also have to cut the back housing.

That's it. The radio bezel is now removable and installable like stock except it has a screen attached to it.

subliminal

iTrader: (1)

This should be a sticky!

wgripp

iTrader: (1)

If you could get a program that displays a control panel for .mp3s and the satellite radio that looks like a headunit, that would be badass!

One quick question... how's the screen resolution? Does it look a little fuzzy at all? Or, is it clear as a bell?

subliminal

iTrader: (1)

There is a program that does that its called road runner.

DemonKnightDK

thats exactly what I'm going to do once i get my bird running again.

Only I'm gonna just strait run either winXP or Xubuntu Linux and hook up a USB hub so that I have front loading USB access for jump/thumb drives load MP3s off that probably boot the OS that way too (linux can be installed to a jump drive) run every thing solid state no chance of damage to hardrive mechanics and the like. I've got a laptop I'm gonna use for data logging so I dont have to try and incorperate that. (although that would be neet... maybe I'll dual boot it... I wonder if windows can boot from a jumpdrive... I know its got the space to install it....

any ways, keep up the good work.

if you want to look into linux i personaly use Ubunutu on my desktop

www.ubunutu.com

and this is probably what I'll use to boot from the jump drive

http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

an entire OS graphic UI text editor, ect in a 50MB download... linux is so awsome.

i'm going to end up using a VIA motherboard and processor their boards are like 6.7x6.7 inches. (17cmx17cm) they also have one that is 4.7x4.7 bus they dont get specific on its CPU just that its their "luke core fusion" processor 0.o

they have some their CPUs running upwards of 1Ghz (the 6.7inch board) for the stuff a carputer will do that is more than enough. throw a gig of ram at it and a 1-2Gb jumpdrive and a DVD drive just for fun...

http://www.via.com.tw/en/index.jsp


Thats my plan. ^_^

87CIZ

iTrader: (8)

the luke corefusioin processor is a 1ghz processor. i'm waiting for cases before i buy one

Stealthy-One

I had on in my Maro for a while, but I got tired of NOT being able to see the screen to well in the daylight. I mounted my screen the same way, but had clearance issues with the bottom metal frme edge from the HVAC controls.

xlwhellraiser

iTrader: (1)

I want to do something like that in my car. however, I would haved KITT talking just cuz I can. That would be soo sweet LOL> (I used to have big plans on turning my car into KITT).

I was thinking alongside of getting a computer thats already set up and than make a housing inside the rear compartments and have it run to the touch screen like the guy did here. However, I am kinda debating if I should really go with a tower mother board since its soo big, or should I dissmember my old laptop and fit it into the housing. Lastly, should I just go and put a carputer myself, I can do it, just don't want to spend lots of money on all the stuff that I want to do, and believe me if I put it together I would want to get too much stuff to where I am better off getting something already premade, plus it would take me forever to get it to where I like it.... decisions!!?!

What exactly would you guys use the computer for???

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

They make some super nice screens now...with some sort of coating on them. Someone can help me out with the name of it. Its like trans....something something. Anyway, it reduces the glare almost completely, and you can see it great in sunlight from just about any angle.

BUT...you pay for those suckers. I think you can either get a screen pre-made with this stuff, or you can send your screen to get coated.

Uses for a carputer include but arent limited to... MP3, navigation, car diagnostics, wireless internet, dvd viewing, rearview camera, and a few im forgetting.

Im all about it mostly for MP3s...you can literally have thousands and thousands of organized songs at your finger tips. And for navigation. Plus its just a coolness factor

Justin

DemonKnightDK

I'm going to use mine for MP3/music and GPS navigation. I found a website that explains how to put windows XP onto a bootable jump drive, so I may just end up doing that. as much as I like linux you can get a USB GPS antena that interfaces with streets and trips from microsoft...

just have only the bare minimal servies running to make those aps work, and it should be stagble enough.

Nightcruzer

So I went to actually install the bezel/screen in the car and what did you know? Iit did not exactly fit so I did what any self respecting thirdgenner would do. I took out the rotary (dremel) and made some clearance. The first pic is a radio bezel side view and the thick yellow represents the lcd screen.

Nightcruzer

So then it finally lay flush

Nightcruzer

more pics to follow....

Nightcruzer

I'll address some potential questions:

1)The two lower parts of the dash, I think knee panels? are missing hence all the exposed wires.
2) Yes that is a 4th gen automatic console and the shift indicator is functional., which by the way was one of the way more difficult jobs I've encountered on this car.
3) The second LCD, is a tire pressure and temperature wireless monitoring system. I have run-flats so I can drive with zero tire pressure at 55mph for about 50 miles, but that would wreck the tires and they are damn expensive, so this lets me know early on there is a problem and to go get it fixed.


Next phase - Installing the actual computer hardware inside the back seat - "How to's" and more pics to come. I hope you are enjoying this.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Good work man! Its coming along nicely. Seeing it in place makes me think I wont be able to put my HU up where the HVAC controls are now though... Also...last night while I was driving, I pretended there was a touch screen there, and I really had to reach for it. Im 6'4...and while I dont ride gangsta laid back in the seat, I do have it back pretty far. So...My carputer might be on hold til I make some decisions on what I want to do.

Im curious about your tire pressure monitor tho.. can you give details on that set up??? I dont watn to hijack this thread, so you can PM me if you want. Thats pretty slick. Ide like to know how it works, where you can get em, and about how much they cost...if ya dont mind.

Nice stuff tho man! Show some pics when you go to mount the PC in the back seat. Are you retaining the seats? Or are you going to do a seat "delete" with a box type set up??

J.

Toehead

That's looking great man!

I have updates on my caputer as well. I bought a new engine and I am going to megasquirt it, and tie the megasquirt into the carputer.

I've been driving my winter truck for a few weeks now... I really miss having an entire media LIBRARY at my fingertips. I wish I could drive the maro, but she sleeps until spring, or until I put in the new motor!

Nightcruzer

Toe: Thanks and good luck with your engine install, I don't think I could go entire seasons without driving my 'bird, I'd get too depressed.

Ghetto: The tire pressure & temp monitor is the best one recommended by Consumer Reports. They tested a bunch of them and I bought the one with the best ratings. Not only was it rated excellent but also in the moddle of the price ranges.
It is called Intellivalve, costs abour $250 and can be found here:
http://www.intellivalve.com/

Basically the tire valve stems are attached to a pressure & temp transmitter.
The lcd screen and attached electronics are a wireless receiver and display. When you go to the website it will be really clear. All I did was remove the screen and electronic guts from the plastic case (4 screws) and screwed it to the center console. I then cut a piece of ABS with scissors to make the "bezel", and added a rocker switch to manually power on and off, instead of plugging it into the lighter socket. You'll want the "off" ability since it unmistakebly warns you of low pressure with a sharp, SHARP, LOUD piercing alarm.

Anyway....I digress.
I have already created the "amp rack" inside the backseat, Just a couple of more details and more pics and a new "how to" will follow. I am getting giddy.
Until next time....a few teaser shots of the hardware install