WJ "Carputer"

Many months ago it all started when I saw this thread on JU and it reminded me about all the things I've wanted to do with my Jeep since I got it, but never got a chance to do... After reading that post I purchased a computer and a touch screen figuring that after laying out 4 digits on parts I'd be compelled to complete the project quickly...

Before

Two and a half months after everything arrived I actually started "working" on the Jeep... Unlike what the guy in the original thread above did I could not live without my radio... I listen to AM a lot and I didn't want to have to rely on some bootleg radio-via-computer solution. Therefore I knew I could not place the screen "in dash" like was done in the thread above... The most logical place was to put it right above the radio, and in a perfect world I would have... But it sticks out too much - I felt that was an invitation for someone to smash in a take the screen... Also it would make what's on the screen very visible to the outside world as it was above the windows... Finally I decided, somehow, I would remove the vents below the radio, and figure some way the screen could slide up and out when needed, and tuck away when not in use.

So... I started cutting...

   
Left - Dash all opened...              Right - Vents cut out

By chance the screen perfect fit where those vents used to be.... Now with this big hole in my dash I figured I really, really had to work on this project and not put it off anymore.

At this point I should probably mention I already had the PIE CHRY02-AUX Auxiliary Input converter for my stock radio... This allows me to run RCA cables into the input for the CD Changer (which I don't have) and the sound quality is just as good as if it was coming from the CD changer. Also I know since I have steering wheel controls I do not need to actually be able to see my radio to change the volume/channels or mode. This is important because I expect the screen to sit in front of the face of the radio when in use.

All's well, right?

No. You see while it all looks nice up there, now my climate controls are not working... They are half-working - Only some of the settings (vents, fan speed) work and there seems to be no rhyme or reason about it. I hold off on going any further until I take it to the dealership to be repaired... While it is under warranty I thought they would give me trouble considering all the obvious cutting and customization done at this point, even though I did nothing wrong to hurt the climate module. So I ended up purchasing a new radio/vent bezel for about $40 and not risk (too much) the dealer denying to replace the $500 climate controls.

Two weeks later I get to the dealer they replace the module but now my fancy burlwood trim was lost and I had a brand new, but grey, climate controls list. Not to worry... I ended up driving around with that radio bezel for another few weeks before finally sealing the vent with heavy duty metallic duct tape. 

Finally I began seriously working on this again come early May... Since I have no driveway nor garage most major work had to be done at my friend Steve's house. Here's what I knew...

Had to run dedicated power lines for the screen and the CPU-
Want said power lines to be active only when the Jeep was on-
Have to find some place for the CPU
Have to figure out how the Screen will  be able to be flipped up in front of the radio...

The CPU was too big to fit under either of the front seats, but could fit under the back seat. Unfortunately that would put it out of the drivers reach (and since that's me, I wasn't liking it) - It would also cause some cooling issues. Finally I noticed it would fit nicely in the center consul armrest. About this time I had to go to California for work and I made sure I rented a WJ... I ended up taking apart the center armrest, the "utility tray" under the ash tray, and all that stuff - there was plenty of room to route the wires between the dash and the armrest, and with some modifications the computer would fit nicely in the armrest.

When I got back from Cali Steve and I started cutting... It actually fits nicely on the inside of the armrest. There were screw holes there I was able to re-use to hold down two Velcro straps that keep the CPU locked in place. I put some foam between the CPU case and the bottom of the armrest cavity to hopefully absorb some shock.

Next some more work needed to be done on the screen... I prototyped out a set of rails that went from underneath the radio to the bezel, and then attached a nail to the bottom of the screen and it successfully "road" back and forth on the rails... The next week we actually installed a set of rails cut from metal shelf holders. The screen was now able to ride back and forth, and tilt up as needed. I had to do some more cutting/trimming of the plastic immediately underneath the radio so the rails could pass through.

The next week we managed to drill the firewall and snake the power wires through. The next day I finished the wiring -  I picked up an in-line fuse for the power line and a 30A automotive relay from Radio Shack. I ran a 3rd line to the Cigarette lighter and spliced it for the signal level for the radio. When the Jeep turns on the computer and screen will now get power. The screen will go into standby mode if there is no signal from the computer. The computer will remain off unless I press the power button, which, due to it's location, is very easy for me to turn on/off/hibernate.

So... Today I have this project working for the first time completely in the Jeep and under it's own power.

There are some more things to work on... Namely because of the added foam between the CPU and the "floor" the original hole that was cut is not big enough and I have to cut another inch or so higher so the DVD/CD Rom tray can open. Also I'll work on "cleaning up" aesthetically both around the screen and around the CPU. After running the computer some today I will drill some "air holes" around the center armrest as well to keep the computer as cool as possible. I will also cut a better/direct hole for the GPS antenna and not simply have it come out from the radio bezel with no place to go when not in use.

The ODB II connection will be made at a later date, but I have all the hardware/software for it already.

Pictures...

 
Center armrest picture taken from the rear seat. (The antenna is from a Verizon AirCard wireless modem)

I also have a WiFi PC Card and a Memory Stick to PC Card converter with me usually when driving.

Center Armrest with top open. On the top (right) is the power supply for the CPU.
In the armrest itseld (left) is the CPU strapped in place. The blue-ish thing is a wireless receiver
for a wireless mouse and wireless keyboard.

 
"Closed" position - screen is pushed into dash.

In order to keep the screen extra secure I added a velcro "lip" above the radio and a velcro strip to the top of the screen. Also you can see the ugly grey climate controls that the dealer gave me when the broken ones were replaced.

Computer Screen in "Open" position... Windows Booting.

GPS/Street Atlas USA 2004

I have MediaCar installed but I don't like it... too many bugs.

Playing a DivX video.

Playing WinAmp5 using the "compact" skin.

Anyway, there's still more to be done for sure... but today... Sunday May 30th, 2004, the WJ Computer Project is officially up and running. I will update this page as the project progresses.

If you want to make your Windows boot up screen like this one, check out this thread-
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=502668