Ask Slashdot: How To Add New Tech To Old Van? 212
First time accepted submitter Dslice_allstar writes "I have a '77 GMC Van that I would like to take into the 21st century with some good tech. I have several large LCD monitors, and I want to hook at least one up for watching movies and doing some mild PC gaming. I am concerned about power, i.e. using an inverter and not frying the computer every time the van starts/stops, and I'm worried about whether the alternator will support a computer/monitor setup as well as LEDs and the like. Would a UPC backup be a good idea? I would also like to be able to play music over the sound system, preferably off the computer. Should I be thinking mini ITX HTPC, or would a netbook better serve my purposes? How would you all pimp out an old conversion van?"
Van Art (Score:5, Funny)
Adding new tech to a van is OK, if you're into that kind of thing. (Which I am.) But of far more importance is what kind of art you put on your van. [heavy.com] Be it a wizard summoning a space unicorn to be ridden by a hot babe, a barbarian protecting hot babes, or an interstellar wizard summoning hot babes for nefarious purposes, van art is what takes your van and gives it that certain je ne sais pas which says, "I am awesome."
In this case, I think you need to consider the technological contents of your van and create a motif based around that. For example, you can have a wizard summoning hot technological Linux cyborg babes. That would be cool. And when you drove down the street, people would be like, "that's cool." And isn't that the real purpose of owning a van?
Right, here's what you'll do. (Score:5, Funny)
Forget technology for now.
With an old vehicle, first and foremost it needs to be well looked-after. A well looked after vehicle - even if it's getting on in age - commands respect. A clapped-out rusty biscuit tin on wheels commands scorn, no matter how much technology it may have inside.
Fit bars to the front if it doesn't already have them. You don't want some idiot reversing into you and destroying the grille; I can't imagine parts will be too easy to find for a vehicle that age. Roo bars (the type that don't curve around the side) will probably look best.
Sort out any rust or dents it may have, then give it a nice shiny new paint job. I'm thinking something along the lines of a red stripe starting at the top rear and going diagonally to finish at about the level of the door handle, whereupon the red stripe goes horizontally along the door.
Paint it black below the red stripe, and grey above it.
Fit some lights to the roof just above the windscreen.
A spolier on top and red wheels complete the look.
Re:Van Art (Score:5, Funny)
And isn't that the real purpose of owning a van?
Oh? I thought this [tensionnot.com] was...
Re:Free Candy? (Score:2, Funny)
When I drive, I keep my hands on the wheel the whole time, not just at two hours of the day...
Re:Van Art (Score:5, Funny)
people would probably not think a guy living in a van down by the river was all that shady if the van had a good paintjob,
You mean the "Free Candy" on the side was not a good idea?
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BMO
Re:Right, here's what you'll do. (Score:5, Funny)
Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?
Re:Van Art (Score:4, Funny)
Screw the art.
Screw the tech.
Put a bed in the back.
Screw.
Re:Van Art (Score:4, Funny)
...a dirty van with a 20 year old paintjob and rust and a bunch of broken lawn chairs and the like strewn around
If we call extra small portable computers ultrabooks, then you must be referring to an ultrahome.