glimmerman

OMGOMGOMGOMG *squeels like excited school girl* lol Sounds fantastic Bean... so does this mean that we can throw out the big metal box in the back of the facia? The one that the factory cd drive is apart of? But retain all other functions on the centre console such as interior light, door locks etc? Or what does it mean will be gone? Regards, Steve

I was going to purchase one of these from this ebay seller last year along with an entire sound system upgrade, however turned down the idea eventually due to the loss of a few functions, mainly being able to see the factory screen for air con etc (you don't need to see it to use the air con, but I'd rather not memorize some pattern to use when coordinating the dials) I also wanted to mount my head deck elsewhere, it sits so close to the auto SSS shifter, that I'd rather not have to always have my car in drive to change a disk etc, just puts too much stuff down too low for my liking. Also I want to keep my mainly looking OEM, the loss of the steering wheel controls (which I know someone on here has developed a box that can connect so far to one type of head deck from memory to utilize the steering wheel controls again). But other than what I am seeking, they are a neat looking unit, very nice which is why I wanted one originally and nearly purchased. Steve

Hi guys, The iPhone is still in beta stage with its bluetooth connectivity... It will be fully bluetooth compatible once Apple releases a final patch having completely tested its bluetooth and worked out any and all bugs... My uncle has an iPhone which he cracked to get all the connectivity from it... If anyone knows Mac it's him. So just wait and see how your iPhone goes, because eventually there will be connectivity according to apple. So it shouldn't be a vehicle option issue (unless you didn't choose bluetooth option - then it is lol) but it is an apple firmware lockup at the moment... Steve

I'd definitely be interested and input whatever knowledge I can share. As for the facia being produced and remodeled and eventually perhaps taking on a production "sorta" line, I could have a word with my uncle, he works in the industry, and is pretty shmick with fabrication etc etc, and works in a plastics molding company. To keep it even easier, I could take apart one, retain as many mounting points as standard so it slides back in like the stocker does, and using molding create resin/fibreglass facia's... It's as tough as nails the resin I can get my hands on (bowling balls are made out of it). Beanie, Will this system be touch screen? - I know I have encountered a lot of problems with Windows and certain touch screens, where it seems to freeze and you need a mouse to restart it so the touch screen works again... or it can take about 5 to 10 minutes for it to finally start to input again... Would Linux be a better option for stability and the open source side? Drivers and everything else as you would know are readily available, same as finding programs to do what we would like from this system, and it is definitely not as resource hungry even again. Does the ICC only control the inside stuff on the car? Such as the lights, heater, and satnav etc? I was scared to tamper with mine thinking it also took care of some engine management stuff too? - I have read in the forum when people have a problem with their ICC things in the tacho don't work... Thanks Beanie, And I'm definitely interested in this, sounds fantastic and a solution to everyones problems Steve

Oh also, (sorry couldn't add this to the above wouldn't edit), From what I have read on CAN buses, they are a PCMCIA card. Would it be possible to some how upload from the current heater control whatever programming they have, and port it off to the carputer and create an adaptor that plugs into a computers PCMCIA ports? Don't know if this has been already listed above in talk I didn't understand too well... Or does the issue lie in the difference of speeds that are available? Surely FORD aren't the only company in the world with access to technology allowing CAN to run at such a speed, while nothing in existence elsewhere does? - something else must be available somewhere... Beanie, you mentioned things like But from what I read, isn't this just to remove the control system for air con? Leaving the big computer like box with the CD drive intact to run everything else in the car, such as the dimmer for internal lights, the central locking etc? I guess I am really in need of knowing, what is going to be removed from this plan? I have taken out my ICC to see what its all about, but what is the HVAC controller, I mean, in the physical form when you look at the unit from behind? Is it the massive metal box that takes up all the room? Just a little confused but I really would like to know what is involved so far according to design plans, so I can better follow the thread. Thanks again, Steve

Hey guys, I am definitely interested in this also... Sounds fantastic, I was planning to relocate everything in my dash to allow a screen and after market head deck to be placed there, but this option would save me relocating alot of stuff, and make it far less risky, sounds fantastic... I'm in, and I know a lot of people who would also be interested too Good luck with it, anything is possible once planned, and if everyone works together on it, should be a first and fantastic. Regards, Steve

Hey everyone, Recently my Dad purchased an ASUS laptop, ITS TINY! Anyways, it doesn't run a HDD, its all Solid State, which means its great for driving which could knock a HDD around a bit. Being so small, could easily mount it anywhere, it runs linux, so everything is free once downloaded, one disadvantage is it doesn't have a DVD/CD rom drive, but you could purchase one that connects via USB to the laptop, and mount that somewhere like you would your normal head deck, even better purchase a massive USB portable drive and put that in somewhere (I am aware I just pointed out the advantage of a solid state ), pre loaded with all your favourite movies and music. Cooling isn't such an issue, with no HDD a well ventilated area, or even still something with a bit of room enough to breath would be suffice. Another thing is the operating system, doesn't look like the normal sort, it looks very similar to centrafuse (kinda) so straight away would look pretty damn good, and like a package for a vehicle. Anyways, here is the link to it... Just incase anyone else wanted to attempt a carputer like beanies here, I've been thinking about it... lol... just thinking cause its alot of action to take haha. ASUS EEEPC Anyways fella's, Hope that is maybe something useful to someone overlooking this thread, Steve

Hey guys, From what I have seen some unfortunate people get failures in their ICC, leaving it rooted. I am modifying my own ICC right now, moving things around to be able to place an aftermarket head deck and 7" TFT LCD screen in the console. Its going to involve extending cables, modifying sockets, creating an entirely new facia from scratch, and worse of all, moving the onboard computer from its usual location to allow room for the after market head deck. What I need though, is a ICC unit which has been either tilted by accident or whatever reason doesn't work, once they are f***ed you need a new one anyways, so I was wondering if anyone out there has a standard ICC that I could get my hands on, doesn't need to be working (would rather it wasn't so it can be posted) as I need to remove certain components to allow a seamless integration with my project. If you do happen to have an ICC that doesn't work (facia would be great also, otherwise I'll chase one up from ASL) PM me, and we could work out something, I will pay for postage, and even buy your scrap-to-the-tip-worth-nothing-unit lol Thanks guys, let me know if you can help me out, should I get it working, it would definately be a first (I hope anyways But would definately benefit others as I'll be posting how to do it all step by step (or recommending not doing it if it fails lol) Cheers, Steve (edit ->OH BTW, BA Falcon lol, just incase there is some difference in them, if you have one that isn't standard, that would be good too, so yeah, anyways cheers)

yeah I know it wont be a days work... I wish lol... once some of those mates who know everything come round, I'll get nothing done as I'll need to steer myself and them away from the project so I can be sure they touch nothing lol, Ill definately post pics once I get into it, hoping it works out well, this is something I want to do spot on from the start... Shall see how I go, STeve

Hey Beanie and everyone else, I'm thinking about attempting to reposition a few things in my ICC/Facia. I want to lower where the main computer unit sits, so its in that section where most people mount a head deck, and right above where the main computer did sit, place an aftermarket head deck, and above that, a 7 inch TFT screen, and then reposition the air conditioning LCD display to just above the air vents. What I wanted to know, basically, as much as it sounds like moving a sh*t load around, is does anyone know if you can actually just relocate these things, without the unit stuffing up and becoming inactive, obviously I need to lengthen wires, such as those to the factory LCD that displays aircon etc, not turn anything upside down, and try to do it all in one day so it doesn't get knocked over lol. I noticed that several controls are just smaller boards connected to the ICC, so I got the idea I could reposition basically all of them. Does anyone know if this could be possible? Regards, Steve

Hey guys, got the car to my mechanic, its the diff whine, got the diff drained and he put complete synthetic nylon something oil in lol, whatever that is, but apparently its pretty hard to ruin a diff in the falcons, so Im not worried about it getting noisy, my mechanic once ford releases the software for the computer system will do my lsd and change all my diff ratios so even if it goes, should be well after that happens... Anyways, thought I'd just post the results, Steve

doesn't seem to do it from higher speeds, but normal built up area driving, from say 30 to 60 km's it does it, but then again, it may do it at higher speeds, with the road noise it could be too hard to hear it... It doesn't sound at all like it comes from the rear diff, sounds like somewhere near the power steering pump etc, guess I'll just take it to the mechanic incase it does create a problem (or already is a problem) Oh and also, should it be the diff whine (which I have heard the diff's are common problems in BA's, is it a difficult/expensive fix) as the car isn't under warranty anymore... Thanks Steve

Hi guys, Well, I have a BA MKII Futura. I have noticed that when driving, it doesn't always make a weird sound, but when I sit on a speed and just have enough peddle pressure to cruise along, I hear a small humming/whinning sound from what I can hear is the drivers side of the engine... Is this normal? Perhaps a pump or something? I'm not very mechanical minded, but before I go down to the mechanics wanted to see if this is perhaps just a pump... the best description of the noise its what I just gave... Any suggestions as to what it is? Thanks, Steve

Hey everyone, first post here for me, and this topic is definately worth it, what an awesome job, BLOODY FANTASTIC! I am dying from suspense bean to see how this turns out, you are like some celebrity and we all want to see those first ever nude shots lol. Hopefully he hasn't just stopped posting, I have read all this thinking OMG WICKED, only to get to this bit and think, damn... he seems to have dissapeared... anyways, awesome job, hopefully Bean gets back soon!, Steve