test

Testing to see if images show up from picasaweb... 

if this works, I may be able to salvage all of the posts where images are not showing...

Installing a double DIN radio in a 1997 Toyota Corolla G

I recently purchased a 1997 Toyota Corolla that had a defective stereo. I wanted a radio with a video screen, but according to all sources that I could find only a single DIN radio fits in this vehicle.

Old Kenwood stereo missing faceplate,
Original Toyota add on tape deck and pocket below vents

The Geo Prizm is basically GMs version of this vehicle, and it uses a double DIN radio, but it is mounted lower then where Toyota mounts their radio. I did see a single post on a Toyota forum where someone had installed a double DIN radio in this lower location, however it didn't look installed very good, it was sticking out where it didn't line up with the dash panel. 

I used the existing single DIN pocket
to replace the head unit I removed

I didn't want to use a single DIN stereo that had a motorized screen that pops out because it would block the vents when the screen was opened, and figured if I couldn't get the stereo to fit I could always just return it to the store. 

Double DIN Pioneer installed

Seriously it was much easier to mount and install then I even imagined. I thought that I might have to modify or fabricate something to get the radio to fit properly. In reality the only minor issue I ran into was that the wire was just barely long enough to connect. I should have extended the wire to make it easier, however it was just long enough that I will leave it as is since extending the wire is just going to stuff up the limited space behind the radio. 

Dash panel put back on

Next up, connecting a parking brake bypass for the video signal, finding a more permanent location for the bluetooth microphone and installing cameras (the head unit allows for a back up camera as well as a second camera, which I will likely add several cameras to with a video selector switch. 

Close up of single DIN pocket
The hole is left over from the wired remote
for the old trunk mounted CD changer.

Powered up for the first time

Green wire is parking brake lock for video,
I will be installing a bypass switch

It can be done!

An even larger CAT6 network install (Part 1) rack and ladder installed.

This install was put onto hold even before the other "large CAT6 network install" was started. 

All of the cabling had been pulled at this location before we started that other large install, but work at this site was put on hold.

Finally we were able to get back to working on this network. It consists of over 400 wire runs for VoIP, PC, IP cameras, speakers, monitors, door bells and card readers

We installed a 15u wall mount rack to install the NVR and IP camera network. 

We also installed a full 4 post rack where all of the patch panels and switches for the VoIP and PC networks are going to be located. 

We currently have a single ladder coming across the top of the racks, but will likely add a second rack to install servers on. All access control units will be mounted to one of the walls. The entire room has plywood walls behind the sheetrock. 

4 ceiling mount TVs installed

So we had to install 4 50 inch televisions with ceiling mounts for one of our customers. They were installed into beams using lag bolts.

Installing the poles, checking spacing distances.

The only problem was that the customer only had 3 of the 4 televisions, so we had to return a few days later and hang the final TV.

Got all poles installed, and first TV installed.

Another view of the installed TVs

Yet another angle of the TVs

View from below

View from behind.

Hooking up the strobe lights to the work truck

Grille removed to install front strobes

Front strobes test

Front strobes mounted and installed.

Had to dremel the rear tail lights to mount rear strobes.

Rear strobes installed in rear tail lights.

Rear strobes test

Everything working!

Small network hidden inside the wall.

We prewired this network after the construction phase we had to run the wires behind the baseboard molding. The customer wanted the network hidden out of sight, after everything was completed and the location of the network was determined.

Getting everything hidden behind the wall.

Since it is a very small network we were able to cut out a section of the sheetrock and hide the router, switch and patch cables inside of the wall behind an access panel.

Everything hidden out of the way.

Small network cleanup with surface mount box

So I installed phones at this customer, and a week later he called to complain that his network was "messy" and when are we going to come back and clean it up.

BEFORE

Generally I don't like to touch a network that I didn't install, and there is no reason for me to touch it, which is why it wasn't cleaned up when the IP phones were initially installed. It also cost time and money to neaten up an existing network, and someone has to pay for that.

Box and hardware mounted inside.

So we were given the OK to neaten the network and installed a box to hide everything in. All of the hardware was mounted inside of the metal box with double sided tape. 

Closed up box.

The customer was satisfied with the end result, and in the end it only took about half hour to put together. 

AFTER

12 inch deep rack installed and patched in

Sometimes where the customer needs or wants their network to be located does not offer sufficient space for a full sized wall mount rack. This was the case with this installation where the depth of the closet was very narrow. 

Front view of the rack

So we installed a 12 inch deep wallmount rack to conserve space. Also installed are ICC blank patch panels, Cisco switches, a Cisco router, Bogen UTI-1 for paging, and a Trip-Lite rack mounted surge protector.

Close up of the patch panel