Building My Own Car Stereo (Because Why Not?)

brentOScarelectronicsproject
Concept of a modern vertical touchscreen car stereo interface

The Idea That Wouldn’t Go Away

I hired a Polestar a few years back and loved the big display, the integrated maps in the dash, the way the map zoomed in and out while driving at different speeds. The colours, it all felt so integrated. It’s such a shame it got a flat tyre and they gave us something else.

However, every time i drive my car I think:

“Why can’t my car feel like that?”

The Pajero Reality

I drive a Pajero. It has CarPlay, but I hardly use it, it feels like a bolt on even though it came standard from the factory with it. The screen is so small, the maps and everything looks like Apple. I have fought with it since I got it, from the “Accept terms and conditions” before you can change the channel on the stereo, to the placement of the USB ports in the glove box that ends up breaking more and more cables.

It works… but not brilliantly and I dont love it.

Mostly because Mitsubishi decided the USB cable should live inside the glove box, which means:

  • Cable bent at weird angles
  • Phone sliding around
  • Random disconnects
  • Mild but persistent annoyance

First-world problems, yes.
Still annoying.

The Trigger Event

Recently, I installed a new stereo for my son in his Mazda 3. A nice Sony unit with Wireless Airplay and a revsesing camera a decent upgrade.

But during the install I was reminded of something:

  • Pulling dashboards apart is oddly satisfying
  • Car electronics are less scary than they look
  • I actually enjoy this stuff

Also, it planted a dangerous seed:

“If I can install one… could I build one?”

Why Bother?

Because I want a project that forces me to learn a heap of things:

  • Software – UI, performance, embedded considerations
  • Electronics – power, noise, interfaces, things I only half understand
  • Car systems – CAN bus, signals, vehicle data
  • Mechanical/design – mounting, cooling, vibration, packaging, CAD and 3d printing

Basically:

👉 A gloriously over-engineered learning exercise.

The Rules of the Game

I do have one non-negotiable requirement:

🔁 Fully Reversible

No hacks.
No chopped factory looms.
No “well it mostly fits”.

If I ever sell the car, or abandon the project in frustration:

  • Factory stereo goes back in
  • No scars
  • No regrets

This is engineering, not butchery.

The Vision (For Now)

Somewhere between:

  • Modern vertical touchscreen
  • Smooth UI
  • Vehicle data integration
  • No janky tablet glued to dash vibes

And, of course:

Powered by brentOS 😉

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Everything.

Which is kind of the point.

More updates coming once I inevitably:

  • Buy too many parts
  • Change the design five times
  • Discover new and creative electrical mistakes

Stay tuned.