4runner PC
- Thread starter rando
- Start date
rando
Senior Member
There is a climate control duct that vents under each front seat. These can blow hot air depending on the setting of your climate control system. Reach under the seat and you will feel it.
The best thing to do is either build your own custom duct that reroutes the air around your amp or just block it off. Right now, my amp is mounted right on top of the duct. This makes it impossible to mount the amp flat. I'll worry about this when the winter months come and I start to use the heater again.
The best thing to do is either build your own custom duct that reroutes the air around your amp or just block it off. Right now, my amp is mounted right on top of the duct. This makes it impossible to mount the amp flat. I'll worry about this when the winter months come and I start to use the heater again.
rando
Senior Member
I had a chance to clean up my wiring last weekend. I ran a few extra power wires from the computer back up front. These are used to power the LCD, the USB hub, and a newly added USB sound card. My using the USB sound card, my audio remains digitial all the way back up to the amp and only goes to analog RCA cables for a few inches. The sytem now has no engine noise, whine, or any other audible interference. Woohoo!
Also, I added a Radioman AM/FM serial radio unit. I installed this through a USB to serial adapter (since I already have the USB hub up front) and mounted it behind the screen. I had to hook up the 4runner's power antenna lead to the ACC circuit and then just plugged the 4runner's antenna into the radio. The software I'm using can directly control this device so I now have radio again.
Also, I added a Radioman AM/FM serial radio unit. I installed this through a USB to serial adapter (since I already have the USB hub up front) and mounted it behind the screen. I had to hook up the 4runner's power antenna lead to the ACC circuit and then just plugged the 4runner's antenna into the radio. The software I'm using can directly control this device so I now have radio again.
rando
Senior Member
This was a recent PM. I thought some of these questions/answers might help others
Re: 4Runner PC
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my04runner wrote on 08-20-2004 08:37 AM:
Rando, I love the setup you have and I am thinking of reproducing it as well. I have a few questions
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Thanks!
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1.How does the pc handle powerups and shutdowns? Meaning the when the truck is started how long does it take for the system to bootup? And when turning off the truck, do you need to wait for the PC to shutdown first?
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The Opus 150W power supply I used takes care of power sequencing. It starts the computer about 5-10 seconds after you turn the key and is designed to survive cranking as well. Boot time is dependent on your software/hardware configuration. Right now, it's about 35-45 seconds to music from the time I turn the key. You can improve this situation if you use hibernation and/or standby but each of these approaches can introduce some other problems. When you turn off the ignition, the Opus sends a shutdown signal to your PC which causes everything to shut off. If you PC hangs or otherwise fails to turn off, the Opus will force it off after 10 minutes. This delay is configurable. You can find out more at http://www.mp3car.com.
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2.The radio card, where can I find it? I tried searching the net and can't locate it.
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Do a search at mp3car.com. Ultimately, you may want to wait on a good radio solution as none of the existing PC based radios have great reception in a car environment.
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3.I also tried searching the monitor you used and the only one i find has button on the bottom of it, did you remove them?
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Yes, I cut the LCD case quite a bit. The button board is acutally still there its just glued on the backside of my mounting. I relocated the IR sensor so I can still use the remote control and thus don't really need the buttons.
quote:
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Thanks for your help.
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N/P. Good luck!
Re: 4Runner PC
quote:
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my04runner wrote on 08-20-2004 08:37 AM:
Rando, I love the setup you have and I am thinking of reproducing it as well. I have a few questions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks!
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.How does the pc handle powerups and shutdowns? Meaning the when the truck is started how long does it take for the system to bootup? And when turning off the truck, do you need to wait for the PC to shutdown first?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Opus 150W power supply I used takes care of power sequencing. It starts the computer about 5-10 seconds after you turn the key and is designed to survive cranking as well. Boot time is dependent on your software/hardware configuration. Right now, it's about 35-45 seconds to music from the time I turn the key. You can improve this situation if you use hibernation and/or standby but each of these approaches can introduce some other problems. When you turn off the ignition, the Opus sends a shutdown signal to your PC which causes everything to shut off. If you PC hangs or otherwise fails to turn off, the Opus will force it off after 10 minutes. This delay is configurable. You can find out more at http://www.mp3car.com.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.The radio card, where can I find it? I tried searching the net and can't locate it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do a search at mp3car.com. Ultimately, you may want to wait on a good radio solution as none of the existing PC based radios have great reception in a car environment.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.I also tried searching the monitor you used and the only one i find has button on the bottom of it, did you remove them?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, I cut the LCD case quite a bit. The button board is acutally still there its just glued on the backside of my mounting. I relocated the IR sensor so I can still use the remote control and thus don't really need the buttons.
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for your help.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
N/P. Good luck!
Cleric
New member
Rando-
Looks amazing! I want.
In the real world, how hard would this be for someone that has never built a computer and has VERY limited programming experience? Is it even approachable? I just can't get over how cool that is. There is so much you could do with that, on top of the obvious stuff. Do you have your PDF manuals on your carPC?
Looks amazing! I want.
In the real world, how hard would this be for someone that has never built a computer and has VERY limited programming experience? Is it even approachable? I just can't get over how cool that is. There is so much you could do with that, on top of the obvious stuff. Do you have your PDF manuals on your carPC?
rando
Senior Member
Ha! Oddly, I didn't even think to put the manuals on there -- but they'll be on there when I get a second. Good idea!
You don't really need any programming experience to do this. There are plenty of functional free applications out there that do pretty much everything you want. Hang out at mp3car.com for a while and you'll quickly figure out what's what. If you (or someone you know) can build a PC and install a car stereo, you have all the skills you need to put a CarPC together. Other than that, you'll need some $$$, lots of time, and patience.
You don't really need any programming experience to do this. There are plenty of functional free applications out there that do pretty much everything you want. Hang out at mp3car.com for a while and you'll quickly figure out what's what. If you (or someone you know) can build a PC and install a car stereo, you have all the skills you need to put a CarPC together. Other than that, you'll need some $$$, lots of time, and patience.
Cleric
New member
Here's a question, Rando. How is the sound quality? I know that you have the power running to an amp. Do you have any high-pitched hissing or low pitched buzzing in between tracks. I was thinking that I might look at adding a sound blaster card, but I don't want to do this if I will be sacrificing sound quality.
I will probably ask a local computer guy to help me get started and then do the rest on my own. After looking over the mp3car boards, it doesn't look too difficult. The setup you have is actually more inline with my needs than a lot of the other people on there. I will probably do something similar and probably sooner than I origanally planned. I have no patience...
Thanks for all the info.
I will probably ask a local computer guy to help me get started and then do the rest on my own. After looking over the mp3car boards, it doesn't look too difficult. The setup you have is actually more inline with my needs than a lot of the other people on there. I will probably do something similar and probably sooner than I origanally planned. I have no patience...
Thanks for all the info.
rando
Senior Member
Sound quality is largely determined by your components and your install. I believe the analog sections of hi-end consumer computer sound equipment compares favorably with mid-range automotive audio systems. I'm no audiophile junky or anything but I'd bet it would more than possible to build a competition system based on a CarPC.
I used an external USB sound card (Audigy 2 NX) located adjacent to my amplifier to minimize the length of my analog RCA runs. This keeps my audio signals in digital right up to the last moment and eliminates ALL hissing, snaps, cracks, and buzzes. I can crank the system to full volume on a silent track and still hear pure silence! The only time I get any kind of noise is from poorly encoded/ripped sound tracks. Obviously if there is enough RF interference around, it's possible to introduce bit-errors on the USB bus and that could produce a snap or two.
Many people claim to get good sound quality even from the sound hardware built into their mother boards. I started with this but because of the location of my equipment, I need to run long RCAs and this resulted in some noise. Again, the USB sound card completely eliminated this problem.
...trust me, you're going to need patience. I consider myself fairly skilled at all of this stuff and it still took me MUCH MUCH longer than I ever imagined that it would. My system is fully functional though I still consider it a work in progress. That's half of the fun of it though.
Good luck
I used an external USB sound card (Audigy 2 NX) located adjacent to my amplifier to minimize the length of my analog RCA runs. This keeps my audio signals in digital right up to the last moment and eliminates ALL hissing, snaps, cracks, and buzzes. I can crank the system to full volume on a silent track and still hear pure silence! The only time I get any kind of noise is from poorly encoded/ripped sound tracks. Obviously if there is enough RF interference around, it's possible to introduce bit-errors on the USB bus and that could produce a snap or two.
Many people claim to get good sound quality even from the sound hardware built into their mother boards. I started with this but because of the location of my equipment, I need to run long RCAs and this resulted in some noise. Again, the USB sound card completely eliminated this problem.
...trust me, you're going to need patience. I consider myself fairly skilled at all of this stuff and it still took me MUCH MUCH longer than I ever imagined that it would. My system is fully functional though I still consider it a work in progress. That's half of the fun of it though.
Good luck
Cleric
New member
Just thought of another idea...
Rather than just a regular wireless card for networking, I could get one w/ Bluetooth capabilities. I have a BT phone and could use it for mobile wireless internet (i.e. up to the minute traffic maps) I currently use my iPaq or Laptop for this, but it would be awesome to have it built in.
I found someone who is interested in helping me with this project, so I should be able to start getting the wheels rolling soon.
Rather than just a regular wireless card for networking, I could get one w/ Bluetooth capabilities. I have a BT phone and could use it for mobile wireless internet (i.e. up to the minute traffic maps) I currently use my iPaq or Laptop for this, but it would be awesome to have it built in.
I found someone who is interested in helping me with this project, so I should be able to start getting the wheels rolling soon.
voltageGSR
New member
VERY awesome. I wish I had the time and patience to
build something like this.
Congrats man - that is an awesome project.
build something like this.
Congrats man - that is an awesome project.
voltageGSR
New member
dam you rando!
i spent the last 4 hours reading yoru post doing searches
on the net, going to mp3car.com
I have a degree in CS...and now I feel like instead of
BUYING a nav/dvd system - I have to build a CarPC.
If you don't mind sharing - could you give a rough
schematic of the layout of your entire system - I am
very picture oriented and it woudl help me organize my toughts.
I really want these things:
1. mp3
2. dvd
3. cd's
4. radio
5. built in obdii analzyer
6. in dash usb ports so i can attach wireless usb adapters,
other etc.
also, why not mount the computer in the glove box?
closer to the screen - less wring to run.
also - nice to put external cd/dvd drive in the center
storage console - so easily load cd's to play/dvd
without going to the computer.
how did you decide on which GPS/nav hardware/software
to use?
I'm gunno sketch things out sometime this week
to see how things/wires would run in the truck. figure its
best to draw everythign out before start buying things.
would you mind helping me in exchange for mutal sharing
of information?
thanks.
i spent the last 4 hours reading yoru post doing searches
on the net, going to mp3car.com
I have a degree in CS...and now I feel like instead of
BUYING a nav/dvd system - I have to build a CarPC.
If you don't mind sharing - could you give a rough
schematic of the layout of your entire system - I am
very picture oriented and it woudl help me organize my toughts.
I really want these things:
1. mp3
2. dvd
3. cd's
4. radio
5. built in obdii analzyer
6. in dash usb ports so i can attach wireless usb adapters,
other etc.
also, why not mount the computer in the glove box?
closer to the screen - less wring to run.
also - nice to put external cd/dvd drive in the center
storage console - so easily load cd's to play/dvd
without going to the computer.
how did you decide on which GPS/nav hardware/software
to use?
I'm gunno sketch things out sometime this week
to see how things/wires would run in the truck. figure its
best to draw everythign out before start buying things.
would you mind helping me in exchange for mutal sharing
of information?
thanks.
rando
Senior Member
That's nothing compare to the 12 months I've been working on my system. In fact I just finished rewiring it (AGAIN) tonight.voltageGSR said:
Me too! (CS & Engr here)
Got the itch!
Doh, just put it all back together, pictures aren't gonna happen any time soon, sorry man. I can give you a description of the layout. Battery power goes down the driver side wire tunnel to a distribution block under the second row seat. Power from distribution block runs to amp under passenger seat and to computer in rear cubby. 3xUSB, VGA, +12V regulated, +5V regulated, ACC, GND, Park/Neutral Switch wires run up/down the passenger side tunnel from/to the computer to/from the USB Audigy 2 NX (under the passenger seat), a USB hub (under the center console), and to the LCD. These wires exit the tunnel and pass under the passenger seat on their way to the center console. From their they run up into the center dash console. The Audigy and Touchscreen are connected to dedicated USB wires. The GPS, card reader and iMic are connected via the hub. The card reader is stored in the dash cubby and also has a 3 port USB hub on-board. Speaker wires run from the amp (under the passenger seat) up the center console and are plugged into the factor speaker harness. This same harness connector picks up the IGN wire. The IGN wire runs through I switch i added to to on eof the switch blanks next to the shifter. This let's me shutdown the computer/amp with a flick of a switch and/or keep it from starting. There's probablye a relay or two I left out but that's the most of it.
No good solutions for AM/FM yet
All doable
Didn't want to give up the space. It's possible (without the C134 case) to mount a mini-itx board (like mine) behind the screen in the dash. Search for 4runner at mp3car.com. I think it's Roleary that did it in his 4th gen.
Agreed, less wiring is better
I have the DVD drive now, just waiting on the enclosure. I will keep it in the console like you said.
It's the first thing I bought. I bought the Delorme stuff because it was avaialable. I've been going back and forth on GPS software. None of it is too great for use on a touchscreen. I'm also writing my own based on the free TIGER Census data. Ultimately, I'll need to get access to Navteq data to make it work well.
Yes it is! I've redone my system 3-4 times already to improve little things/glitches.
Sure!would you mind helping me in exchange for mutal sharing
of information?
thanks.
rando
Senior Member
Just a small update to my system. During my most recent rewiring, I eliminated the external Opus 150W power supply and replaced it with the M1-ATX 90W supply from mini-box. (http://www.mp3car.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=67). This one fits inside the case and doesn't need a fan. So things are just a bit quieter and cleaner now.
voltageGSR
New member
pic of the new cd/dvd player?
how is the new power supply working out? is it able to power all your peripherals?
i'm still planning stuff out - i figure its the most important step - collecting information on what to buy!
problem is my screen will be lower (2001 SR5) than yours..
how is the new power supply working out? is it able to power all your peripherals?
i'm still planning stuff out - i figure its the most important step - collecting information on what to buy!
problem is my screen will be lower (2001 SR5) than yours..
