Drew's Build - CarPC driven Audio Endeavor

My goal was to install the old computer that I have had in my previous 2 cars. Doing this allows me complete flexibility. I have had this capability since 2006 which currently can:
· Play all of my MP3’s at any time (I have more than any MP3 player’s capacity),
· Play videos (for when we’re on a long trip with the family),
· XM radio (with easier control over than OEM XM radio provided),
· Garmin GPS,
· OBD II engine statistics displayed in real-time,
· Internet radio (such as Pandora),
· Internet (when parked of course),
· The ability to customize, expand, and update things.



You can see pictures and videos of the Ride Runner frontend software with the DFX5 skin in action in this thread:
http://www.mp3car.com/rr-released-skins/144428-dfx-5-1-1-released-updated-08-01-11-a.html

I also wanted to keep things fairly stock looking…which I am not finished working on. Right now, I have everything operational; I just need to make it look pretty.

CarPC Components:
Harware:
· Castronic/Travla C-138 case
· Zotac H55ITX-A-E WiFi (Mini-ITX Motherboard)
· Intel Core i3 530 CPU
· 2x 2GB DDR3 GSkill 10666 RAM
· Intel X25-M 64GB SDD (for all software)
· Additional 500GB 7200rpm sHDD (for the music, pics, and videos)
· M4-ITX 250W DC-DC power supply
· Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium soundcard
· XM PCR (XM radio receiver to USB)
· XM PCR Optical output add-on
· 7" Transflective Optically Bonded Lilliput 669GL Touch Screen Monitor with HDMI (an amazing screen)!!!
· Qstarz BT-818x (GPS receiver)
· OBDPro Smart Switch (OBD II reader to USB tool)
· Viston HD radio (HD & standard radio to USB controller)
· External slot load DVD Drive
· JoyCon EX steering wheel controller (not hooked up yet)
Software:
· Windows 7 32-bit Home Premium
· RideRunner frontend with DFX 5.1 skin
· Winamp
· Media Player Classic – Home Cinema
· Garmin Mobile PC software
· GPSGate (to split the GPS signal)
· DashCommand OBD II software


Audio Equipment:
· Audison BitOne.1 sound processor
· JL Audio HD600/4 amp (powering tweeters and mid ranges)
· JL Audio XD600/6 amp (4 channels bridged powering woofers and 2 channels powering coaxs)
· JL Audio HD750/1 amp (powering subwoofer)
· Morel Elate 9 3way front speaker system (all active crossover with the BitOne)
· Focal 165 CVX 6.5” coaxial rear speakers (for the kids)
· Image Dynamics IDQ10V3.D4 Subwoofer
· Mr. Marv custom ported subwoofer box (1.0 cu ft tuned to 30Hz)
· KnuKonceptz Kolossus Flex KFX-PK20 (0/1 gauge wiring kit & distro blocks)
· Plenty of sound deadening material from sounddeadenershowdown.com


Other Mods:
· Escort Passport 9500ci stealth system
· Access Limited Edition soft tonneau
· Wet Okole full piping seat covers (charcoal w/ black piping)
· WeatherTech side window deflectors
· Weather Tech digital cut floor mats (gray)
· Window Tint - Solar Gard HP Charcoal 28 (front) & HP Charcoal 50 (on top of factory tinted rears)
· LED lights inside and out (except main Headlights and fog lights)
· Oznium High Intensity Flood LED’s under the hood and in the bed (soon to be added)
· Pop N Lock PL5300
· Yakima Bikelock
· OEM bed extender
· Extra D-rings in bed


Performance Mods:
· SS braided brake lines


Future Mods:
· Anytime Rear-view camera switch
· Color Matched Grill and mirrors
· HID’s behind Modified grill
· Goodyear Wrangler Duratrcs (265/75/16) on my stock rims (I really like those rims)!
· SpiderTrax wheel spacers
· Toyotec lift kit w/ new leaf pack (not going for full 3” lift…just something to improve ride and level things out)
· Catback exhaust


Although this is something that I could do in about a week, it ended up taking me many many months thanks to work, school (online), my family, etc… The only way I was able to get as far as I did is because I’d work on what I could during some lunch breaks or between coming home and eating dinner. So I drove around without any music (or even any seats except the driver’s seat) for many weeks in a row. But it is well worth it!!! Plus, there is always that something extra special about knowing that you did the work (and saved thousands in labor).

Sorry I didn’t include more pictures of when the truck was completely gutted. It was the last thing to cross my mind during those busy times…plus, there are already some good pictures of sound deadening installs in the audio section. But here are the pics that I do have to share.


Here's the interior as of August, 2011:










The amps and sound processor are under the rear seats. Even though they are in there pretty securely right now, I plan to build a small amp rack so that it doesn't look so messy. Sorry for the washed out pics...it was really hot and sunny that day. Here is where they are hiding:










Behind the rear seat is where the IDQ 10" sub resides in an awesome box made by Mr. Marv:










Here are a couple pictures that Mr. Marv took just before he sent the box to me:








Mr. Marv also made the speaker ring adapters for the Focal's in the rear and the Morel Elate 9" woofer in the front (looks like I didn't take pics of the focals):








And here it is mounted before the door went back on:






Here is the Morel CDM-88 3" mid-woofer. I was originally going to mount it behind the stock mid grill, but I wanted to play with the imaging so I currently have it temporarily mounted on the front side of the door. It's funny how most people don't notice them since they're black...










Here's the door as it sits today (notice the Morel MT-23 tweeters in the sails):








The actual CarPC resides under my driver's seat:





The XM PCR and the Viston HD Radio reside under the front passenger seat:




I didn't like how dark the cabin was, so I went to Autozone and picked up some LED's for the Dome/Map lights. Even then, I wanted a bit more. So I grabbed a 12" strip of LED's, soldered them to the dome light switch, and installed them in the front foot wells:





Although I haven't done much to the exterior, I know how much everyone likes to see more pics of our Tacos...










Hope you Enjoyed! I will update more as I can, but considering that I just bought my first house, it won't be anytime soon. Until then, comments and questions are always welcome.

Cheers!

 

That's sweet!

 

How does that monitor do in the sunlight? I've been looking to do a carPC for a while, but the screens are what seem to be holding me back right now. How much was the monitor?


Great job on the install. It looks great.

 

Thanks guys.


Krap22 - The monitor is great. Here's a screen shot of one of my OBD II screens in the direct sunlight:



I got it from here almost 2 years ago (the [FONT=&quot]7" Transflective Optically Bonded Lilliput 669GL)[/FONT]:
http://www.mo-co-so.com/category-s/27.htm

In my 1st car, I had a Xenarc 7" touchscreen that wasn't transfelctive or optically bonded...so it sucked in any sunlight. Although you are paying an arm and a leg, the optically bonded screens make it look great! I don't even notice the difference when the sun is directly on in the screen.

Now that I have it, I realized that all OEM screens are optically bonded which is why navigation systems are usually a $1k-$2k upgrade...half of the cost is for the screen alone!

 

How do you have your cell phone bracket mounted?

 

That looks soooo bad ass! i wish i had the knowledge to do my truck like that on the inside! Keep us posted.

 

The phone bracket is actually 2 parts that I screwed together. The actual bracket is a iGrip PerfecktFit Blackberry 9600 Holder that is attached to a ProClip USA mount. The ProClip mount was actually one that I bought and used in my last car, so it doesn't fit the Tacoma at all. To make it work, I cut a part of it and then used 2 screws to secure it to the dash by the HVAC dials. I used short black screws so that they weren't noticeable.

 

That is a sweet set-up you have there... I feel ashamed for asking but aren't you on DIYMA website also?

 

Sweet set up! I've steered away from the audiophile aspects and focused on the exterior more now since I never did before.

I guess I need to update my build thread with my new truck.

 

Thanks Headhunter! I have been slowly buying parts (usually used from DIYMA people) and keeping them as I change vehicles. As of right now, I kept all of my equipment when I sold this truck and left it in my basement...mainly because I want to put it in a new Tacoma once I return from my deployment.

Although it does nothing for my off-road capabilities, it sounded awesome and it sure makes those dull drives to work all that much better.

And yes... definitely update your thread!

 

This is quite possibly the most ridiculously cool thing ever.

 

lol, thanks!

It's been interesting to see how the car audio industry is only now just starting to get to this point...almost a full decade later when I started this car-PC build back in 2009 (in another vehicle)!!

I've been temped to pull this out of the closet and get it into my 3rd gen now (cause Entunes sucks)...

 

Go with android auto. I have one in as my head unit and it's pretty good.

 

It's the way I'm probably going to go now that wireless Android Auto has finally come to fruition (but won't be available until March). JVCKenwood just announced it at CES this week. Here's Kenwood's top-of-the-line system that also comes with hi-res audio

http://www.kenwood.com/usa/car/excelon/dnx995s/