Have you done a removal of your dash just so you can see what's behind there? It's not to difficult if you haven't yet. You really need to do this to see what this project would entail.

Check with Cerritos Nissan on getting a center console piece, so you can mess around with one while you create.

 

is there someone specific I should talk to over there?

 

Mark Cohen is the parts manager. (Just so you know, I wasn't implying that they would give you a console - you would have to buy one).

Have you seen this thread? It looks like what I think you want to do (and something I could be interested in also)

 

thats exactly what i want to do...minus the head-unit up top

Is that what you did? How much does a dash usually cost?

 

You want a Radio too. Don't you?

Cheers Amy -

 

I'm actually going to connect a USB FM radio and XM Satellite radio to the computer...so that will take care of the radio

 

1) Approximately 7.5" W x 4.5" H x 8.5" D.
You can get a nice double din adapter at crutchfield:

2) I think someone else has answered this.
3) The Bose is basically a double din, but the kit above will ensure it is.

Interesting idea to put a screen in the 2DIN spot, but that is an awful waste of good space.
I would suggest just replacing the Nav screen w/ a Xenarc...I'm doing that to my Z next week.

Check out my site for a prototype of a 2DIN HU:
http://www.swooby.com/z/navpc/
http://www.swooby.com/z/navpc/computerv2.htm

Pv

 

Good luck, but I don't think there is anything here to patent.
And besides, lots of companies have already beat you to it:
http://www.logic-2000.com/
http://www.nexttech.biz/ (subsid of logic-2000)
http://www.i-zone-3.com/newindex.htm
There are at least 3 others that I know of, but I don't rem the link to them.
A google search should turn them up, and more.

Pv

 

SpySupply is $745.00
You can get it for $689 + $45 shipping at http://www.i-zone-3.com/components.htm

You can also get it at:
http://www.onehitwonders.com/1hitwonders/700tsvusb.html
But you specifically have to call them to get the ultrabright model.
I checked last week and it was $725 + shipping (no free shipping on this custom order, unlike w/ the normal 700TSV).

Pv

 

Anyone know how to integrate one of these in the car?
It can supposedly control your locks, windows, and stuff like that...with the appropriate software

Check this out

 

only if you have a linux machine. most of those do not work for windows XP and only a few works with win2k.

 

you've seen other ones?

 

Sure:
http://www.audon.co.uk/relay.html

Just do a google search for something along the lines of:
"parallel port data acquisition board windows-xp"
-or-
"parallel port relay board windows-xp"

These have been around for years...windows drivers (any flavor) should be redily available.

I suggest you look at http://www.mp3car.com if you are interested in more topics like this.

Pv

 

I was just about ready to buy all my parts, when I ran into someone who is putting an pc in their car too. I told them I wanted to use all external hardware (DVD-Rom, WiFi, Additional HD, etc.) and he told me that could be dangerous. Does anyone know if it will be a problem?

 

nevermind...i just found out why its bad...and how to fix it ;-)

Using the Opus power supply and an Epia-m, the motherboard still gives power to the USB, even when the car is off. So all the usb components will be sucking power even when the PC is off... to fix this, I gotta get a powered, usb 2.0 hub and connect it to a 5v connection to the OPUS. so when i shutdown the computer, the hub will loose power too.

 

I had another question before I buy the Xenarc 700TSV. Every install that I have seen has taken the screen out of its original casing. There are buttons on that casing, and I was wondering what you guys did with them. Don't you need the buttons?

 

Yeah, I've installed my 700TSV and kept the buttons intact and usable.
I don't have good pics yet, but here is basically what I did:


By "cut", I mean use a plastic scoring/cutting tool.

You'll have to find your own way to permanently mount the screen to the inner center console.

Interesting to hear about the USB power problem w/ the Opus.
(I don't have that prob, since I don't use an Opus)

Pv

 

ok...thanks...when you say remove keypad...do you still use the stock navi that came with your car? did you permanently remove the keypad? If you are still using the stock Navi, how did you connect it to the Xenarc?

I have so many questions...

 

I've removed it entirely.
I will fill that gap in with a hacked rubber pad that comes w/ the non-navi vehicles.
If you did want to keep the Nissan Navi then you would just need an RGBS to Composite video converter.

Pv

 

ohh...ok... thanks...
don't you just regret getting the stock navi?? :/