Car Computer Monitor Mounting Location

[adm2204]

I have a complete Carputer setup that I've rigged up myself but I'm having a hard time figuring out how I want to mount the monitor. I have a 7 (maybe 7.5..?) inch touchscreen lcd which would fit over the stereo/cubby portion of the dash but I want to leave my stereo the way it is (in the same spot) I don't really want to mutilate my dash either. Has anyone found a good spot to mount an lcd with minimum obstruction of the dash?

I'm also trying to avoid putting it too far to the passenger side because I do have passengers pretty often . Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also any insights on where to put the HDD/Power LED's (I thought of putting them in the gauge cluster, though that may be an unnecessary hassle) as well as power switch/reset/usb ports. I want to be fully integrated and I want it to LOOK NICE. I'm trying to avoid fabricating a whole panel, too because I don't really have the time or materials.



Specs:
7(.5?)" touchscreen lcd
PCChips MB+Processor tease: 733 mhz)
90 Watt PicoPSU
20 Gb IDE HD
256 MB RAM
WinXP Pro
EPROM ECU (no datalogging cable yet )
Might get a chip burner or emulator later
Sound through JVC Stereo

Thinking of mounting bare MB/HD/etc setup somewhere safe. Don't really want to shove a case in unless there is no other way.

Let me know of any other ideas for the comp system (comp location, KB setup, etc)

 

[christ]

Unless you can fabricate an extending/swivel arm to retract it out of sight and in some cases to move it out of a passenger's space, the stereo slot is the perfect place for a touch screen. I personally contemplated doing a carpc esp. once I purchase DSMLink and that is the only spot I'd put a monitor. After you get it in there, you're going to want to play your MP3's off it anyways so you have no need for that head as long as you line out the computer to your speakers.

Just a side note, try to mount your hard drive side facing up. The needle is less likely to bounce off the platter from up and down motion.

 

[adm2204]

Thanks, christ (Chris T?), for the swingarm idea. I hadn't really thought of a foldable/retractable mount. I actually made a similar mount (for an ipod) for my brother's car which worked great. I used a flexible steel gooseneck mount which could pretty much be bent where he wanted it... Problem is, I don't know where to get one and I don't know if one would be able to support the weight of a monitor like that without flopping down.

As far as the hard drive goes, I've already had the comp running in the car while driving (just laying on the passenger seat) and it doesn't have any problems. For a long time I was trying to figure out a solid state solution but I realized that unless you're in a crash or maybe rally driving you're not going to have enough force to really give the heads a problem. Maybe I will mount it that way for added stability though, thanks for the advice!

Anyone else got ideas for monitor mounting (or where to get a good solid gooseneck?)