I have read a few threads about different install locations on here and I decided that I am going relocate/replace my front sub to the rear. Instead of the one sub, I am going to fab two fiberglass enclosures on each side in the back. The front sub location is where I will keep my pc tower. I will use a standard 7in screen fabbed into where the stock hu is. A 12-14 in foldown will replace my middle dome interior light so the kids have something to watch. This will be my first install of a carputer so Im excited to learn. I priced all the components and I got a grand total of about $920 +-. With this price, I have the slotload dvd, usb nav w/ software, 256 ram, 60 gig hd, and the power supply has a power controller built in...no more dead batteries. I will include pics before, during, and after and I will make a diy as I didnt see one yet.

i'd go with the mac mini in the overhead console diy myself....if i had the $$$

Why would you go with a mac? Would it give you any other functionality?

Yeah neat. I did a project like this a few years ago. Then I wised up and just bought a laptop.

Why would you go with a mac? Would it give you any other functionality?
Do you count reliability, peace of mind, and just working as functionality? If yes...then there's your answer!

Seriously though...the issue with using mac for a carputer is the fact that IMHO the GPS options compared to PeeCee's are severely lacking.

Hey Xavier,

Terrific! My Cherokee has a PC with nav, dvd, mp3, games etc. My E has a Laptop with similar functions you can see pix of it in the Image Section under: "Behold, Real Mods Not Vaporware!"

Ck out Mp3Car.com for tons of info on building your own. I learnt the hard way I built it b4 finding the site (it would have made it so much easier with info beforehand). The only thing I need to install on my Computers are SDC's so I can control them more easily.

Thx, Phil

I'm actually right in the middle of installing a carputer in my E right now. Like the previous poster said, definitely check out mp3car.com, it's been a tremendous help, albeit difficult to sort through. I'll try to take some pictures of my install as well.

this is pretty sweet...
http://www.budcad.com/Element.htm

I've been thinking about a carputer since I got my E. Me and some friends took a roadtrip to Kentucky in June for the MillionManLAN event. One of my friends had a low profile case for his computer and while we were packing up the E, I thought, "hrm, it might fit underneath the rear seat..." sure enough, it did. I had to raise the seat, put the computer there and then put the seat down on top of it, but it was a PERFECT fit. I need to ask him who made the case, etc., though I think he's getting rid of it now in favor of something larger, citing overheating issues (not a problem if you're using a VIA board, but with an AthlonXP and a 9800 Pro... you're just begging for trouble). So worst case scenario, I just scored myself a free case :grin: .

I also did the "laptop in the car" after deciding the carputer was a lot of labor.
To be honest, the laptop got tiresome as well. I'm in and out of my office daily. Everytime I'd leave my office, I'd have to disconnect my laptop from my office and reconnect it in the car. Between rebooting and truning on the Delorme GPS, turned into a 10 minute ordeal everytime. Plus the Delorme GPS 2004 doesn't have automatic trip reconfiguration whenever there is a deviation from the plotted trip. For myself, the convienience factor of having a standalone MP3 cd stereo head end with a stand-alone self contained feature rich gps unit (Garmin 2720) ultimately worked best for me. I jump in my car, turn on the stereo and GPS and I'm ready to go in 45 seconds (needs to acquire satellites). I also considered the Eclipse or Pioneer touch screen all-in-one DVD/Navigation/touch screen. Ultimately, seperate self'contained components worked better for me.
Total cost was more then laptop/GPS config but less then indash GPS. In car puter's definately are cool and they offer the most. It's beyond my current skill set to install a car puter.

www.mini-itx.com

all you need...

:-)

check the projects on the side....the one where teh guy built it into a windows xp box is amazing...

I also did the "laptop in the car" after deciding the carputer was a lot of labor.
To be honest, the laptop got tiresome as well. I'm in and out of my office daily. Everytime I'd leave my office, I'd have to disconnect my laptop from my office and reconnect it in the car. Between rebooting and truning on the Delorme GPS, turned into a 10 minute ordeal everytime. Plus the Delorme GPS 2004 doesn't have automatic trip reconfiguration whenever there is a deviation from the plotted trip. For myself, the convienience factor of having a standalone MP3 cd stereo head end with a stand-alone self contained feature rich gps unit (Garmin 2720) ultimately worked best for me. I jump in my car, turn on the stereo and GPS and I'm ready to go in 45 seconds (needs to acquire satellites). I also considered the Eclipse or Pioneer touch screen all-in-one DVD/Navigation/touch screen. Ultimately, seperate self'contained components worked better for me.
Total cost was more then laptop/GPS config but less then indash GPS. In car puter's definately are cool and they offer the most. It's beyond my current skill set to install a car puter.

Delorme 2005 does route correction now. Works really well. My initial setup was an inverter from the 12v which necessitated startup and shutdown each time the engine was turned off. Once I hard wired the inverter to the battery the pc could be left on between stops so there's only one boot up/shutdown to go through. The next progression would be a startup/shutdown controller that would boot the pc with ignition and shut it down after a certain delay when the engine is turned off (that's a little too intrusive a setup for me). So at this point my pc can be used without starting the E, it'll run for hours without a problem and survives engine crank so starting the E with the pc on is not a problem.

jvmoore1
www.mini-itx.com

all you need...



check the projects on the side....the one where teh guy built it into a windows xp box is amazing...


'nuff said :)

Those boards never cease to amaze me and that's definitely where I'd start a carputer project. Additionally, I found a site a while ago that specializes in Mini-ITX systems and accessories for them, www.logicsupply.com (http://www.logicsupply.com) is an awesome resource for getting other bits and pieces needed. I ordered two systems from them for use in a corporate environment as firewalls and *knock on wood* they've been perfect little systems for the job. (Note: I have no connection to these people other than the fact that I ordered a couple of computers from them a while ago.)

Anywho, Mini-ITX is definitely the solution for carputers IMHO.

yeah i am thinking about building one and putting it in a humidor so i can put it on my entertainment center to serve as a mp3 player/tivo/dvd player...plus
i can disconnect it and plug it into my car...versatility!!
w00t

I too am working on a Carputer.

Components:
-P4 system, 256 megs ram, 128 meg video. FM/TV capture board in a plexi case mounted in the rear hatch area.
-WMP remote setup
-Audigy USB sound card
-400 watt invertor, tank circuit and shut down controller.
-USB Hub
-Slot load DVD in the overhead console
-Gain touchscreen molded into the dash
-GPS
-Modem from mobile phone
-PS2 keyboard
-Hifonics Zeus 5.1 amp with digital inputs (installed under the rear passenger seat)
-JL Stealth sub
-Carnetix 1280 to power 12v and 5v in the front of the vehicle.

I have everything installed besides the actual connection to the speakers. I am working on replacing the tactile switches in my screen and plan on cutting a hole for a center channel speaker when i find a decent plate speaker.

I have no idea how well this will work when im done =)