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1994 Bonneville Dash Project [UPDATE: Car PC Install]

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Old 04-19-2008, 05:57 PM
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Need more pics though
Old 04-20-2008, 04:20 AM
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So besides the dash modification, there was quite a bit to else to do. I had to run a remote laptop power wire which required taking the laptop apart, finding a space to drill and fit a female composite phono jack, soldering two wires to jump the tiny power button. Then splicing an rca cable to run to the front, where I had placed a total of 5 switches on my center console.





TONS of tape to hold the tiny wires in place after spending over 20 minutes trying to solder those 2x 24 gauge dinky wires to those dinky points that were 1/8th below the steel frame


And finally


Switches



1. Momentary Laptop Power Switch
2. Inverter Power Switch (Relayed to deck remote wire)
3. Amp Power Switch from deck remote wire.
4. FM Modulator Power Switch for pc audio to deck(Relayed to remote wire)
5. Relay Override Switch (Allows for Inverter and LCD Screen to operate without vehicle and/or deck on)

Mounting:
So being in the car, it needed to have good secure mounting that allowed for quick disconnect, vibration and heat protection, I mounted the laptop and my inverter on top of my heavy sturdy dual 10" subwoofer enclosure, foam padding between enclosure and mounting bracket and foam padding between mount bracket and laptop. Velcro strapped down, and laptop secured with a laptop lock.






The Final Install Day
I got myself a tiny mouse and roll up keyboard that fit in the cd cubby hole.


Mount made for the screen to use original mounting screws.


Cables run to the front for amp power, amp relay, rca pre-outs, laptop power wire, inverter switch, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen usb, touchscreen vga, 3.5mm stereo line to fm modulator, the usb hub and also a usb gps receiver.


And here it is on boot up




Still waiting for some software/cables to do some onboard diagnostics as well as real-time gauges. Research pending.
Old 04-20-2008, 10:17 AM
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This is very cool, great job.
Old 04-20-2008, 07:31 PM
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That'* one of my favorite mods that I can remember for a long time. Good job. I'd like to do something like that, but I'd probably kill someone because I'd be using the computer more than I'd be actually paying attention to driving. lol
Old 04-20-2008, 08:23 PM
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Absolutely amazing. Such a great job and attention to detail.
Old 04-20-2008, 08:30 PM
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Great Job!!!!

What screen did you use?


More details please!
Old 04-20-2008, 08:34 PM
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Looks pretty sweet. One thing I might ask though - why not make the screen cover flat and flush with the dash bezel?

Another thing - I would think those subs would be bad for the hard drive after a while (vibration wise), am I wrong?

Just curious, I'd be tickled pink if I could just fabricate a collapsible laptop mount for my car lol. But very nice work, I like it.
Old 04-20-2008, 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by OLDsman105
Great Job!!!!

What screen did you use?


More details please!
The screen is a Lilliput EBY701 2008 Model.
Laptop is a crappy Dell Insipiron 5000 with PIII 600Mhz
400W inverter
8gb flash memory

Originally Posted by putertopia
Looks pretty sweet. One thing I might ask though - why not make the screen cover flat and flush with the dash bezel?

Another thing - I would think those subs would be bad for the hard drive after a while (vibration wise), am I wrong?

Just curious, I'd be tickled pink if I could just fabricate a collapsible laptop mount for my car lol. But very nice work, I like it.
It just happened I had to empty can when I finished my coffee that morning, I'm pretty happy with it considering it does the trick, and looks like a factory roll down cover. When that breaks, I might try another design, but I quite like the look of this one.

The vibration protection I have with the foam is doing its job, I've hit some rough roads and hadn't had the computer crash on me, or skip at all. The flash drive is for music I don't want to lose though. Plus the box is really heavy, so theres hardly any movement there.
Old 04-20-2008, 09:52 PM
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You need something like autoenginuity that connects to your OBDII plug. You will have access to all information. That would look cool. Showing RPM, coolent temp, KR, what ever in graph form.
Old 04-21-2008, 12:00 AM
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That is one sweet mod, great use of an older laptop. Thing I like is that being a PC you can get all kinds of different uses out of it. Probably one of the most useful mods out there. You sure have talent, FTW.
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