Car Hacking - CTS v1.8
The Story
I bought my car over a year ago. A 2005 Cadillac CTS. As i got 2 know my ride, i noticed a big area below the radio display screaming for some sort of navigation screen / (slash) dvd player / (slash) something.
I thought a nice 8" inch monitor would sit perfect. But shit. I wasn't about 2 take my brand new ride and fuk wit it. I told myself i'd wait a year..........and so i did
. The Car:
Like i said b 4, i got a CTS and an urge 2 get rid of the suckass factory cd player that can't even play MP3's -
i get so maad [teeth grinding]. So in joining a CTS forum 2 discuss bullshit talk about each others cars i stumbled on a topic by a gentleman (Minesota I thinks) who installed a computer in his car?!!? WTF!?! He even shared his project by posting it on a website step by step explaining the process. The whole thing amp'd me up 2 do the same if not more...so i began gathering all i needed. First thing i needed was 2 find my balls to do this. And this i did. Next thing i needed were materials, tools, books, patience, and red bulls. On to the next subject.
The Hardware:
Yes. The meat and potatoes of this whole topic. The hardware is by far the most important part of investing my time into this bullshit. Don't get me wrong -
i mean bullshit with the upmost desire and respect 4 what i am doing. I just knew that going in2 this wuz not going 2 b easy - in any way, shape or form. In fact in the end it wuz much harder than i expected - but well worth it. So my hardware requirements 4 this project wuz as follow:
1 Pentium 4 - 2.8ghz CPU [LV670-M13] Motherboard
1 GB Ram
1 320 GB Hard Drive (yeah, lots of storage!!!)
1 52-1 card reader
1 Slim-line USB DVD Reader/Writer
1 8inch TouchScreen Monitor - HITACHI
1 PowerSupply - M2-ATXdesigned for Cars
1 GPS USB Antenna (can't forget the navigation part of it)
1 USB Wireless G Reader for Verizon Broadband anywhere
1 Belkin WiFi G USB (up to 54mbps)
7 USB Port connections distributed throughout the car
4 24pack of Redbulls at Costco
1 Stylus pen for the touch-screen
1 Frogpad (this is a 'one hand keyboard' - haven't used it yet)
After looking @ such hardware, u can begin 2 understand the frustration of settling for a factory radio. This hardware will allow me to do much more than listen to the radio or play CD's.
I'll have access to the internet, Navigation, DVD's, MP3's, Movies: u get the point. As for tools, i needed the typical, but also purchase a dremel, bondo/epoxy, sandpaper, wire ties, soldering gun, among other things. The Software:
Windows XP [awaiting Vista upgrad] Centrafuse Limewire (paid) Office xp Radiator Radio Software Microsoft Streets Navigation Nero Burning Software Windows Media Player latest version Touchscreen software (comes with monitor)
The Fabrication:
This part is the reason i would reluctantly consider ever doing this again.
Of course, in doing so, i learned so much, i probably won't repeat any of it. This is where my patience got tested. I screwed the face so badly it took weeks to return it to new. I can show u pics of b4 and after.
That is b4 i screwed it up and after i screwed it up.
The installation:
Here i began feelin' excited once again knowing that the hurdle is over.
Knowing that it's just connections and putting back 2gether the pieces.
I knew this was the place 2 b. I was almost done. I've managed to snake the cables to the back and the center console. Place the hard drive in a secure place where it's not knocked around by the vibration.
Stuffed all boards behind the radio display - and i do mean stuffed. I ran into problems with the factory buttons on the radio. It seems the monitor "pulled" the face out making everything fit awkwardly. For now i will leave as is and enjoy the computer for a few months until i get the energy to take everything apart and correct minor issues. I performed a test run of the system by connecting it to a battery and booting up. Take a look. NOtice the USB port on each side at the top of the screen. I had to do it. I've been following computers 4 years, and USB technology is a blessing compared to the early days of PC [remember the days of switches and irq's?]...it's a nice touch to show-off usb connections in the car. I secured the 320gb Hard drive behind the glove compartment.
By utilizing springs (home depot) and wire ties, i was able to 'stretch the hardrive across the back allowing flexibility when driving over bumps. I also placed a foam in the front to give it a 'snug' fit. I purchased and extra long IDE cable to reach into that area along with the power source. I thought of drilling holes in the A/C vents right above the unit to direct air into the pc and hard drive area, but then i got 2 thinking of winter and how i would probably b using the heat. Bad idea 2 have heat traveling into this area, so i killed the idea. Besides, when i first removed the entire unit, i noticed how cool it was in this area and behind the glove compartment. Seems like the A/C keeps this area cold by default.
The completion:
The moment... The glory...The reward...The completion of this project...as soon as i'm done, i have 2 start on the basement of my house. My work is never done.
So here it is folks....In action, shot in location, narrated by me, the carputer of my CTS '05.
In doing so, all i had to do was fit everything back in the "hole" connect the positive,negative and switch cables. Since i did such poor work on the fabrication, i purchased "brushed aluminum" moldings which turned out to look f*ckin' hot!!!!
I have 3 USB hubs which i power (5v) from the motherboard. One is behind the radio (can't see it). It powers the Screen and the two connections above the screen. The second USB hub is in the middle console and i can use it for the DVD Burner, external hard drive, etc. The third USB hub is under the rear seat and this allows m GPS USB antenna and 3G Card reader to connect.
I would also like to connect a rear usb camera in the future.
Well, this is the end of the story. I also made a video to show the completion. Enjoy.....
Click CTS car hacking v1.8 to watch the video.
......time 2 b0u/../cE