Had to re-do the switches but I am happier with how they turned out the second time around. It sure was fun gutting the dash, splicing and grounding all over the place and of course, running the rear view camera wires from front to rear!

BTW, the components are the Microvision DVD player and TFT screen from Cobymoby's GD and the 120 degree rear view camera was from ManualMaxima's gd.

The picture quality is really good considering the cost of the screen I am VERY happy with the sound, DVD player and the rear view camera!

Thanks to those that gave me the advice along the way! You know who you are!

enjoy the pics! Night time shots coming!

1)


2)

(note this is a crappy pic taken at the height of the sun midday. The pic quality is better in real life!!! I'll try and get more pics, night time included later.

3)


4)

 

5) Cross section of switches mounted on cardboard which was eventually spray painted and clear coated. The cardboard was specially cut and folded to fit into the ashtray while still providing support so the switches didn't collapse when I press them to turn them on and off.


6)back side of mounting- I secured the switches with included mounting rings.


7) switches mounted in ashtray



8) rear view camera wires that I had to cut to add wiring so I could ground and run the power to the switches.

 

9) Fun with wiring


10) drilled out back of glovebox so I could fit the dvd wires in.


11) mounted dvd player

 

Excellent work..... looks good. enjoy

 

How do you have time to do that kinda stuff when you're in the early stages of being a doctor? The doctors I see at work run around like chickens without their heads.

Anyway. The install looks very clean and well done Dr. Rowan.

 

Hee hee,

I love 4th year. The first half of my year was hell. I am on a pretty easy month now so I get home everyday at 5. Plus I am no at a stage where I find out where I match for residency in two days so my grades mean very little at this point. (Until fellowship application of course.)

Here are some dusk/night time pics as promised!

12) Where I live. Early evening. Starting to get dark


13) Pretty close to totally dark.


14) late dusk, early night


15) pretty close to totally dark

 

Hey man, I totally admire your time and effort in doing such work. I only wish I had the patience and know-how. Nice work, well done!

 

maximaboy, you can do it if I can do it. Just takes a little longer for us electronic noobs. I had never done ANYTHING like this to my car before. If you refer to COBYMOBY's GD you'll see the retarded questions I was asking before I started this project! You DEFINITELY learn by doing. At least I do lol. If you try it, I can tell you what I know.

 

Dude, I'm a total I'd have a better shot at walking on water, or seeing god than completeing a project like that. I'd probably end up in white padded room on valium < spelling?

 

I didn't know you're in your 4th year. Good ish my man.

 

Nice bright pink lighter I wouldn't expect you, Mr. Doctor, to be a smoker (I'm assuming you are, but could very well be wrong). It looks really good!! Good job!!

 

Great work! Don't abuse car theater while on the road

 

That is sick....awesome job!

 

LOL I don't smoke (last cigarette that went in my mouth was in 11th grade . I keep it there just in case for safety reasons if I get stuck. It's been in there since my cross country trip when I used it nightly to make campfires. Notice its there with a couple glow sticks, an aluminum blanket, my leatherman wave, some water proof matches and my trusty maglite. (paranoid maybe lol)

smoking is bad... smokers lungs are NASTY in real life. Vomit nasty.

but thanks for the props!

 

Props to that, I'd rather eat sh** than smoke a cigarette, it would have less of a long term effect on me. It's the MOST disgusting habit there is. uke:

 

Haha I didn't notice all the other stuff in there. I think it was the bright pink that stuck out But I'm glad you're not a smoker!! I wouldn't have expected it from you anyways, that's why I thought it was odd.

 

wow real niceee job..... good luck and have fun with it

 

thats so awesome how you have everthing hooked up, sweet job.

 

What camera did you use? I already have my tv hooked up, and I've been saying I was gonna put a camera in, but I wasn't sure which one to buy. Yours looks like its a good quality cam...btw nice install

 

beautiful!

can you do a write up on the camera? i have searched and can't find anything thats super clear.

 

it looks good i just did the same project to my car and i love it. I ran into some things that i didnt like but all in all instalation went pretty smooth.

 

looks good man!! what camera did you use?

 

looks sweet! excellent job! and congrats on your decision on becoming a doctor!

 

It's weird how many of you people put so much money into 4th gen Maximas. These are old cars, why not save up a little instead and buy a newer Maxima?

I can understand suspension, y-pipe, and other mods of this sort. But I just don't understand shelling out thousands on LCDs, stereo systems and things alike.

 

sweet man, i will be doing the same thing in the summer in a few months... awesome job

 

A camera and screen can be removed much easier than a Y-pipe and suspension

 

First off for Armani...
I get daily enjoyment out of it now and it's my money to do what I want with it... Plus I learned a ton by installing everything my self. For me that's good use of the money. Plus this is an enthusiast site. People are enthusiastic about performance, A/V, reliability, etc. Try and be broad minded even if you don't have an interest in all that other stuff!

 

DVD player, 7” Screen and Rear-View-Camera WRITE UP:

Disclaimer: I am not liable if you mess up your car. This is a guide, not the definitive way to do this project! Use at your own risk...

General:
You need to be organized. Read through this entire write up and see if you are capable of doing this and that you have everything you need BEFORE YOU START. For someone with electrical knowledge I estimate between 6-10 hours of work. For total electrical noobs like me give yourself a couple days at least to work on it in case something goes wrong or you feel like you're going to go nuts if you look at another wire again!

Things needed:
3, 30 amp switches (you might be able to get away with 10 amp ones, the rvc, screen, dvd player, at least 3, 25 foot length of wire (3 different colors), electrical tape, duct or masking tape for labelling wires, wire strippers or sharp scisors (and very careful hands), A 12 foot video cable, a 3 or 6 foot video cable (depending on where you mount your video switcher), 15 amp automotive fuse, markers or pens to write your labels, phillips head screw driver, flat head screw driver, PATIENCE, and more PATIENCE!

SWITCHES:

DO the test fitting of the switches BEFORE you attach your wires!!!

For the switches, I wanted them to be illuminated so I use d a single pole switch (toggle switch) from radioshack that had three prongs. 1)attached to the power source- in my case the cigarette lighter, 2)attached to the "load"- ie, screen, dvd player or rear view camera. 3) ground. This ground is what makes the switch illuminate. I grounded them behind the dash underneath the center heating vents Don't forget to LABEL each wire with the masking or duct tape (ie 1) (rvc) to power, 2) (rvc) to rvc power wire, 3) (rvc) to ground), etc. and so forth

Look at the diagram on the back of the switch packaging and you'll understand which prong is 1,2 and 3.


Switch mounting:
Ok for switch mounting in the ash tray- this takes some creativity. I originally used two (expired) credit cards spray painted, with flush fitting holes drilled in but they proved too flimsy. I later redid the mounting with cardboard and reinforced it with duct tape. Look at the pictures above for the basic shape. Just be sure to 1) draw out on the back where you want to drill the holes so the switches are even and 2) measure out the size of the holes needed to fit the switches prongs AND connected wiring through while still being able to screw the retainer ring on the backside so that the switch stays completely in one spot.

I later spray painted and clearcoated it so it looks relatively good (not getto at all when mounted imho).

You have to drill holes in the bottom of your ashtry to feed the wires through. Be generous with hole sizes! As you can see from the pictures, there are 9 wires that have to fit through a relatively small space that articulates when you open and close the ashtray. In order for the opening and closing to be smooth, drill big (0.5-1 inch diameter) holes.


REAR VIEW CAMERA

To make the RVC fit where my trunk lock used to be:
1) undo trim carpet, 2) pull out the retainer clip thingy towards the drivers side. This takes some steady force and you're trying to dislodge those two extensions that wrap around the key turn contraption. Go look at it and you will understand. 3) remove screw attaching rod to key tumbler thingy. 4) remove key tumbler, 5) VERY GENTLY, LITTLE BY LITTLE dremel the hole bigger. TEST FIT every few mm's to see if your rvc fits. 6) attach screw retainer things and screw on until it's ALMOST totally tight. You will come back to this to adjust the camera so the picture is upright and aligned once your screen is working.

Basically, my camera came with two female wires, one for video (yellow) and one for power (red). I attached a 12 foot video cable to the video source and wired it too my switcher which sits right at the base of the center console and drivers seat, out of sight from everyone expect me.

For the power, I cut off the red female adapter and saw that there was a red and a black wire. The black is ground. I wired that to where the trunk hinge is mounted on the passenger side of the trunk. (It was tricky to get the length exactly right so that it doesn't impede closing of the trunk but also doesn't look all loose and sloppy. It's a trial and error thing. TEST FIT before actually attaching it to the ground point!)The red I spliced a long wire to it and ran it to the switches.

It's pretty easy to wire up the rear view camera. It's the running it to the switches, video switcher at to it's grounding point that takes the longest part. I ended up poking a tiny (non visible hole in my carpet by the passengers seat and wiring everything underneath so it's completely hidden! Much cleaner imho. you'll need to take out the rear seat to really keep it hidden.

SCREEN
you need to remove the entire center console (center vents, climate control, vents, ash tray, shifter trim, etc.) Please refer to the how2's for this procedure!!!

To mount the screen I took out the two drawers and my headunit by unscrewing on the side of the metal supports/mounting brackets. This opened up a big enough space to mount the screen underneath the climate control. It's easier if you have two people for this. The screen fits REALLY tightly once you have removed the backing with the included metal trim remover. You need one person to press the metal brackets together with STEADY pressure so you can screw in the headunit below the screen. When you take it apart you'll see what I mean. Remember, 1) Steady pressure so you don't break the screen, 2) the infra red eye goes in the bottom left so the picture is upright!

I ended up wiring both the RED and the ORANGE wires to one wire for power and wiring that to prong 2 of one of my switches.


DVD PLAYER:
In order for the DVD player to be mounted flush in the glove-compartment, you HAVE to remove the compartment, and take it apart so you can test fit the player. I don't remember all the steps to remove my glove compartment but I basically got down under it and I think there were 4 screws to undo. Then I just use firm pulling to dislodge the retainer clips and free the compartment. Be carefull, there are a couple wires attached to the glove compartement for illumination!

I brought the glove compartment inside, test fit the dvd player and mounting brackets. I then drilled a couple holes where the mounting brackets would sit and shaved down the screws with the dremel just enough so I could keep the hidden metal security steel safety plate that prevents glove compartement theft. IMPORTANT! Do it little by little so you don't lose total function of the mounting screws!!!I also drilled the holes in the back to allow the wires to fit and so the DVD player could sit as far back as possible. If you look carefully, there are identical holes below the ones I actually used. (I now call these "ventilation holes" )

Video from the DVD and Rearview camera go to the switcher which then outputs one video cable which goes to the screen.

For audio, you can do a couple things. 1) Either wire from the DVD player straight to the headunit's aux input 2) My Pioneer headunit didn't have an AUX in but it DID have a connection for the optional changer controls. I found out through some research on Crutchfield that there is a special cable that converts this connection to two RCA inputs (perfect for this project). There were two types, one that kept the control of the changer (10 bucks more I think) and one that loses control of a changer. Get the one that is applicable to your systemif you need it at all. 3) You can wire the audio to the audio/visual switcher and then have another audio RCA cable run to the aforementioned headunit.

I found that audio was crisper if wired directly from the DVD player to the headunit. (makes sense) ONE NOTE OF CAUTION. Be sure to run the audio wire as far above the ECU which sits behind the dash near the center-bottom. I had mine about 6 inches away and before I moved it I had an annoying whine distortion from the cable picking up the electrical signals from the ECU. I guess if you want to spend the dough you can get monster cables which I believe are completely shielded but the cheaper solution is just wire the audio cable far above the ecu and then bring it down to the headunit. (That solved it for me. Thanks Don! )

WIRING:
So when you have returned your glove compartment with dvd player to the car, have the screen mounted and the Rear view camera mounted, it's time to wire! Just refer to your labels double check everything and you'll be fine.

Remember Wire the power wires from the DVD player, RVC and screen directly to the switches (prong 2) and splice into a power supply like your cigarette lighter and connect those wires to prong 1 of each switch. Prong 3 is ground.

IMPORTANT! Don't forget to change your cigarette lighter fuse to 15 amps!!!

There is a memory 12V+ wire that allows the DVD player to "remember" where you were in your movie. This I connected to an always on power source in my stereo cables. You have to fish around until you find the wire that says 12V+ memory just like the wire from the DVD. There are other always on wires like the one from your clock if you are too squemish to play with the audio wires! I believe the DVD player has it's own ground wire which I wired somewhere behind the center console (anything metal and sturdy will do)

Once you have wired all 9 wires from the switches and a all your wires going to the components are connected...RECHECK and make sure all your wires and grounds and connections are where they are supposed to be. THEN turn the car to the ACC position and test out everything! If everything is working, I highly suggest you make sure all the exposed wires (including where they are grounded) are covered with electrical tape to prevent shorts,etc if something comes loose.

Then just GENTLY put the climate control/screen/headunit part back in, screw the four screws in, put your ash tray GENTLY back and make sure the wires aren't pinching and that it opens and closes smoothly, then put back the shifter trim and vents and you are all done!!!

If you are successfull CONGRATS!!!

Pearls of wisdom:
1)When wiring everything, take it slow, make sure the wires are tight as heck and won't come apart before using the electrical tape to cover the splicing. This will prevent problems after many potholes.

2)Test fit everything first before drilling anything or splicing anything!!! And after you drill, test fit again!

3)Take your time, take breaks, and don't forget to eat meals, drink water, etc. There were a couple days that I was plain groutchy when I forgot to do that. If you heed these words, it will be a more pleasurable experience and you won't make as many mistakes that will take time to correct!

Lastly, if anyone that has done this already SUCCESFULLY sees a mistake or a better way of doing something, please feel free to add to this!!!

Enjoy and good luck!!!

 

^^^ should be in the how-to's ^^^

 

Although, I don't care for the big switches you used, I think it looks great. I had used switches smaller in size but simular in design awhile back. These switches would output too much light and cause massive glaring to me and my passengers. I have since swapped my switches to ones that are all black except for a tiny rectangular led strip that lights up red when turned on. I got them from Digikey for $2.96 each. The Digikey part number was EG1858-ND. Keep up the good work.

 

thanks meanbean. Your pics and info helped me a lot!

Can you take pics off what your switches look like installed?

I don't get the same glare that you were talking about. Maybe it was at a different angle than mine?

 

Very nice and clean.

 

That is incredible...I dont have the patience to even try to do the camera install too.

 

I got a couple pm's regarding what the rearview camera looks like mounted. I will take pics of it at some point tomorrow if I have time and post them.

Thanks Ant96gle and ion!

 

thats very nice indeed. o and thanks for a writeup, looks like i have something to do for spring break!

 

great job on installing. but I always wonder why people get DVD setup when they can get carputer for not much difference in price. It has so much functions to use than a DVD setup

 

maxima8624... i support ur decision but caprtuing setup is more complicated. im planning on doing the carputer project on my max by the summer of next year. I need to get school work done first and enjoy my senior year. but anyways the finished product would be awesome. Right now i'm researching on the best lcd for my max. I'm having a hard time finding one that has similar dimensions as the bezel. The microvision fits but the lcd is smaller. I need something bigger or just the right size. also it will be touchscreen. The carputer will have custom software written specifically for maxima. I'm gonna start programming this summer. Basically it will include gps, dvd, mp3, and phonecontrol. Also it will include obdii, so real time diagnostics of the car. Right now my project is in early development stages. Also this may seem far fetched and may take several years to develop but it may have auto navigation system where the car drives itself via 9 cameras mounted around the car and gps. It will be one of the few systems that would not use magnets to drive themselves. I'll also start programming this in the summer. All of this software will run on custom linux and will be opensource so everyone at maxima.org can share it.

 

$100 says you'll never even get 50% through this endeavour.

 

I look forward to the result of this. It sounds feasible except the auto navigation which sounds a little over the top. Good luck!

Also, I didn't feel like doing the carputer since when I have the money to actually do so, I will just drop in a double din touch screen integrated dvd player one if and when the microvision or dvd fails me.

 

what he said is being discussed in mp3car.com
but I don't know about program written specifically for maxima.
on mp3car.com there's OBDII forums, GPS forums and other good stuffs. they say they need to buy softwares, but there's always way to go around I'm planning on carputer in near future,, for now i'm gathering informations on mp3car.com