Unique problems - head unit questions

[32Roadster]

Let me start off by saying that I am definitely a newbie but I am a quick learner and am not afraid of a challenge. With that being said, I'm really in desperate need of some advice/recommendations for a rather unusual system install in my 1932 Ford roadster street rod which is currently under construction.

If you think space limitations can be an issue in some of today's cars, just try messin' around with cars from the 30's! There is next to nothing available as far as space is concerned for installing a typical car audio system. Further complicating things is my biggest issue: I absolutely DO NOT want to see a contemporary head unit in an otherwise 30's styled interior. The face design of every head unit available, IMHO, does not look good in a vintage ride.

I've been talking with a number of people about possible solutions and have heard about everything from using marine units to head units with RF remote controls. In addition to those bits of advice, I also read in the March '06 Car Audio mag about a headless Bluetooth iPod installation in a show vehicle by Sosche. This particular setup was really interesting to me because it would supposedly dispense with the whole "where-do-I-hide-this-thing" head unit dilema. The one major drawback, however, is that the volume control would have to be handled by the iPod itself which could be awkward.

Bottomline: I'm lookin' for a way to have the most discreet setup possible that would still maintain some ease of use as well as allow me to connect to the iPod (the FM receiver and CD player functions mean nothing to me). The headunit cannot be installed either in the dash (no space) or under the dash (don't want to see it).

Is this an impossible setup? I have hope that it's acheivable because while I realize that it is unusual, the one thing that I've learned from lurking at this site is that there is absolutely no shortage of creativity among the contributors to this site and it's forums.

I thank anyone and everyone in advance for any advice/suggestions you can send my way.

BTW- the attached photos show the typical interior confines that I'm working with. In order to sit down in the car, the bench set is going to be custom made and will not allow for a head unit to be mounted under the seat as some street rodders have done in the past.

Click to read more...

 

[32Roadster]

Anybody have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rattlebrain 10+ year member]

1st off welcome and nice a$$ ride.

I will do some pondering on it and see what my gray matter can come up with.

 

[32Roadster]

Rattlebrain,

I appreciate the dedication of grey matter time to my problem. My brain is too smooth and small to get this figured out.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

If you need any additional info, photos or whatever, just give a shout.

 

[zachzchw 5,000+ posts]

I know this doesnt really answer your question, but if you can find a way to incorporate the deck into the dash, then check this head unit out....nice old school look, perfect for an old car......

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9713528809&category=50560

 

[Rattlebrain 10+ year member]

what about a console built into the seat between the driver and passenger? Since the seat is going to be custom made.

Possibly a carputer with a touch screen mounted in some discrete, accessible location.

 

[32Roadster]

Whoa...that is one mad scientist lookin' head unit but you're right, it really doesn't work for me. It was interesting to look at none the less.

I should probably mention to all that in addition to not wanting the HU to be seen, I don't think I even have a prayer of stashing one in the dash all hidden and such. The distance from the back of the dashboard to the firewall is about 10.5". The width is something like 37" (if I remember right...I'm not near the car to measure it) Within that space I've got to fit an air conditioning unit as well as the clutch and brake pedal assemblies with their associated master cyclinder reseviors. It's the classic scenario of 10lbs of sh*t in a 5lbs bag.

 

[32Roadster]

what about a console built into the seat between the driver and passenger? Since the seat is going to be custom made.Possibly a carputer with a touch screen mounted in some discrete, accessible location.

That is a consideration since you correctly noted that the seat is going to be a custom item. It's a slim space for sure but perhaps something could be accomodated. This was also an area where I was lookin' to stash the emergency brake handle assembly but nothing was settled yet as far as fabrication goes.

Sorry to sound like a total n00b (alas, it is what I am) but what do you mean by a carputer?

 

[Rattlebrain 10+ year member]

Carputer is simply a computer designed to be put into automotive use. Let me see if I can find the link to a web site with carputer stuff. There are several threads about carputers on here, just do a search.

please stand by...............

 

[Rattlebrain 10+ year member]

http://store.mp3car.com/

heres one. I know there is more. There is another one I used to have the link to but I cant remember the name of it and cant find the link. Maybe someone else on here can remember some other good carputer sites.

 

[32Roadster]

Carputer is simply a computer designed to be put into automotive use. Let me see if I can find the link to a web site with carputer stuff. There are several threads about carputers on here, just do a search.
please stand by...............

I just started reading a couple of threads about carputers. I had no idea cats were doin' this sorta thing. The more I read, the more it's got the gears turning in my head. I can see I've got much homework to do today.

I really appreciate the heads-up on this direction and I will check out the link you've sent. Perhaps my solution is somewhere in this direction.

I'll continue to read up on the topic in the threads but I'd like to cheat right now and ask a question...it's been my understanding that heat is the enemy of any computer and will dramatically shorten the life of a hardrive. Apple doesn't even recommend leaving an iPod in a car. Am I mis-informed or is this a serious obstacle?

 

[Rattlebrain 10+ year member]

heat is a factor, but there are ways to help keep things a bit cooler. Fans are the most common. I have always thought about tapping off an air conditioning duct and running it to the amps or in your case the carputer.