[UOGAddict]

I own a '96 Dodge conversion van. It's a great cruiser with lots of room, runs great with a nearly new V8 (of course the gas mileage isn't all that great).

We take a lot of road trips and cruises, fishing trips, visiting family etc, and I want to start putting some nice high tech goodies in it.

I have an idea of all the stuff I want, but where my concern is is how plan it out so everything is working in harmony and I don't have any conflicts. Obviously this is a huge undertaking and I'm just hoping to get some advice, experience tips, dos and don'ts, and any thing that can help me plan this out.

One of my biggest problems is I can't do everything all at once. So I want to make sure I don't install one thing one day, then two weeks later have to take everything apart to install something else.

I've invested the money into a very nice alarm with paging and all the goodies. I also spent the money and got LoJack installed. I don't want to put all this time and money into this project and worry about it driving away .

Here's my basic wish list:
GPS
Backup Camera
PC
Roof mounted TVs

Some of the questions that I keep throwing around are:
For the GPS, PC, and camera should I use a single touch screen monitor up front? Or should I have a separate GPS unit and the others connected to a different monitor? My dash is huge so I really could fit 2 monitors, or even mount one to the roof.

Should I get a standalone GPS unit or use a PC based system? What's the advantages of one over the other?

At what point do I need to upgrade my electrical system (extra battery, bigger alternator )?

Should the TVs be connected to the vans sound system or should there be a separate sound system for just the rear of the van? Or should I only use headphone jacks?

I've been looking at roof mounted 17" monitors but is that really too big? Silly question but I think about sitting fairly close to it may not be very comfortable.

I'm not really expecting a single answer to any of that. I know it's a complex setup. I'm just hoping to get some good tips and advice from some people who have done stuff like this.

Thanks for reading this long *** post .

[JohnWill]

I'd get the stand-alone GPS, they're much easier to use. The touch screen on the GPS alone makes a huge difference when you're actually using it.

[Soundy]

If you're going to put a PC in there, I'd start with that and build around it. You can get a touchscreen monitor it, load up some appropriate software, add some voice-recognition and text-to-speech, and have it all integrated. No need to limit yourself to a standalone GPS unit. Use it for your central media player and you can drive the back TVs as well (do check with local laws though, regarding in-dash video... some areas prohibit it altogether, others allow it as long as it's for navigation or vehicle-operation-related uses... most areas will require an interlock that allows some features to function only when the e-brake is applied).

I doubt you'll need to worry about alternator/battery upgrades just for these mods... I'd want to have second dedicated deep-cycle battery on an isolator anyway, for a camperized van, and run all the non-vehicle-operation-related systems run off that. The stock alt in an older vehicle like that should be pretty beefy already, but if you want to make sure, you can have it tested at an alternator shop and see what kind of output you're getting from it.

[hewee]

You can try looking here and maybe your have one of the store by you.
http://www.campingworld.com/

Turn your laptop into a GPS navigation system with advanced RV features.
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm/Outdoor-and-RV-Accessories/RV-Electronics/GPS--RV-Navigation/CoPilot-Live-|-Laptop-9-GPS-Navigation-System/skunum=31321
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/p...em/prodID=6049

RV Satellites & Receivers
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/c...D=490:src=brsq

[JohnWill]

I have a laptop GPS adapter and software, and my stand alone GPS is far superior to it in features and ease of use. For me, this is a "no brainer", use the stand-alone GPS.

[UOGAddict]

One of the biggest limitations I see with a pc based GPS is having to have a wire receiver running from my pc (which would be under the seat) all the way up to the open area on the dash or some other window.

The standalone units have the receiver built into them so you don't have to run extra wires all over the place.

Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming!

[hewee]

Sorry that link in my above post is so long. To late for me to edit it but if you John want to you can rename the link seeing how the site did not make the link shorter.

[UOGAddict]

I'm having a hard time deciding which backup camera system to go with.

I really like the idea of the lock system. Basically you replace the lock on the back door with the camera. Since I have a keyless entry system I don't see a problem with that. The problem I do see is wheather or not the spare tire that is mounted to the door will be in the way at all.

Here's the system I've been looking at:
http://www.mobilevideo4less.com/Merc...ory_Code=BKSYS

Here's a pic of the door:
http://i30.tinypic.com/2dl4qdg.jpg

It would be nice to find some kind of system that integrates or replaced the brake light above the door, but I can't seem to find anything like that. I may just end building a custom enclosure for it.

[n2gun]

did you think about mounting it above the tail light on passenger side? all you would need to do is drill a hole then.

[Soundy]

Originally Posted by UOGAddict

One of the biggest limitations I see with a pc based GPS is having to have a wire receiver running from my pc (which would be under the seat) all the way up to the open area on the dash or some other window.

The standalone units have the receiver built into them so you don't have to run extra wires all over the place.

One word: Bluetooth.

If you do go with a standalone, dash-mounted GPS, find one that can be linked to the computer through Bluetooth as well. There's no sense limiting yourself to NOT having the ability to get your live GPS data into the computer.

[UOGAddict]

I was planning on installing a gauge to monitor the battery to make sure it's not being completely drained. What kind of gauge is appropriate? An ammeter or voltmeter?

[Soundy]

Neither will really do what you need it to... by the time a voltmeter starts showing the drop, your battery may already be below enough current capacity to start your engine. An ammeter will show how much current you're using, but not what's left.

The problem is, your car won't always need the same amount of current capacity to start. If it fires up right away, it won't take much, but the longer you have to crank it, the more juice you need. The colder it is, the harder the engine will be to turn over, and the more juice you'll need. If it gets significantly below freezing, the cold can also directly reduce your battery's capacity.

Your best solution is a second battery (deep-cycle type preferred) and a battery isolator. Wire all your camper systems (including your computer and A/V) to the secondary battery, and your leave your van's own systems on the stock battery. The isolator allows the alternator to charge both batteries, but your aftermarket systems will only drain the secondary.

See here for more details: http://www.bcae1.com/battiso.htm

[UOGAddict]

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Here's an off the wall question. I've been looking to get a more modern air conditioner/heater control panel. Any idea's where to find a compatible unit? I've checked all the common places I know of.