Just finished purchasing most of the parts. List includes:

VIA Mainboard w/VIA C7 1.5 Ghz
2 GB RAM
160 GB HDD
Sound Card
Wi-Fi Dongle
Bluetooth Dongle
Bluetooth GPS Reciever/Ant
M2-ATX Power Supply
7" Touchscreen Monitor

ALL of these parts were purchased NEW for under $500.

I am currently using an old DVD/CDRW but looking for slot loading dvd burner.
Also going to need an amp to power speakers, I do have a 400W 5Ch that I may dig out of the closet.

As far as Radio (FM/AM), I'll pass for now. When someone comes out with a better reciever, I may consider. Besides, all the stations I listen to stream online, Wi-Fi or my phone will provide Internet.

As of now I've recieved the main components, and expect the rest over the course of the week. Currently running winXP, not happy with current free frontends, so I'm waiting for Ubuntu Mobile in April.

http://www.ubuntu.com/products/mobile

This is a project that may take a few weks to complete, and probably something that I'll continue to tweak and upgrade forever. I'll continue to update and hopefully post some pics...

For now the computer is in a cash box that i modified, but i think i may just turn the glovebox into the case...

 

Good luck! It looks like its going to be SICK!

 

you've got all the right ingredients for a nice system. Keep us updated!!

 

Interested. Post pics in stages!

 

Watching!

 

niiiice. i've had one in my car for 2 years now and no problems whatsoever. running the wires was a pain though. post pics when done.

 

Nice price! Where did you get the touchscreen and how much was it?

 

I'm very interested in the progress and outcome of this project..keep us posted!

 

you guys can also check mp3car.com. a buncha tc's are up there

 

I am so interested you don't even know...

I really don't get the wiring harness and such, how does that work in a carputer?

 

To answer your questions:

The monitor I chose was the Lilliput EBY701, I got a 2008 model on ebay for a lil over $150. It was the most expensive individual part, followed by the power supply at around $80 i think from short-circuit.com...

I'm using a sound card that has front, rear, and center/sub outputs. I'll be using 12' 3.5 to RCA from the card to amps. If sound isn't good enough, I'll look into cards that have built in rca's. You have to run all your speakers off of amps as the computer doesn't have one built in like a normal headunit would.



I currently have the computer installed and operating in a cash box. It's a temporary solution, but it works. Unfortunately the memory i got was mismarked, so I am only running 1gb until things are fixed by clubit.com. I also broke down and purchased Microsoft Streets & Trips 2008 as it was one of the least expensive software with spoken driving directions. I don't want to shell out the money for a good front end, and i'm not too happy with the available free options, so i may just use windows...

I was gonna put some pics from my phone up now, but they're too dark so u'll have to wait til i get out of work...

 

Does the monitor fit with the door still? What amp is best, i'm still using stock speakers, and do i just not worry about the wiring harness?

 

No wiring harness....

As far as amp, i'm not sure what the stock speakers can take. Figure typical stereo 45w X 4, so maybe 200w 4ch?? I plan on replacing the stocks soon after install, so i'm going bigger, probably at least 400w 4ch.

 

i see, Are you keeping the door? thats a super big deal thing to me

 

I don't know about the door... I think you migh be able to keep it if mounted correctly, you'd definitely have to trim around the door housing...

Without the door the monitor does fit quite nicely though. tiny gap around the edges...

I'll try to better explain with photos.... by midnight EST i promise

 

Roger that, I'll try and keep my billion questions down to a million

 

I'm a lil late but here you go, sorry the images are so dark i had to use my phone... click for slightly larger


the cash box i converted



mb in cashbox after hacking



the whole thing.... powersource and hdd mounted to cover






I happen to have an extra waterfall... there's a 2mm gap on top and bottom, 3mm on each side.... bad picture sorry



if you mount it right, drop it down a bit, you could fit the door... i'll try to trim the edges of the door and put it back on to show better, but that will be a couple days