Custom iPad in Dash FJ62 (1 Viewer)

[jackhossross]

Hey guys,

I am venturing pretty far down the path of no return in my electrical and audio system.

I have removed the OEM radio, replaced with a Pioneer Single Din H/U in my Center Console. I put in an amp under the driver seat, and 4 new speakers throughout the truck (front driver doors and trunk). I've got a mono amp that isn't hooked up yet and a 8" sub (which is probably way too large) for the rear.

I am installing a dual battery system and inverter.

The next step for me is to fabricate a custom iPad mini "slider" dashboard mount so that I can utilize my iPad as the main source for audio/nav/etc.

I have done this in two vehicles already - 2013 STi and 2012 VW Golf R, below is an image from my STi:

I will document the process in this thread so that others can potentially learn. I will do all the set up and then have a professional fabricator create the slider mount into the dashboard so it looks nice and professional.

 

[roma042987]

cute

 

[jackhossross]

cute

might delete later

 

[Spook50]

Curious to see how this goes. I'd love to have a tablet in my dash for media control and to use Google Maps for navigation.

 

[jackhossross]

Curious to see how this goes. I'd love to have a tablet in my dash for media control and to use Google Maps for navigation.

It worked wonderfully in my STi and VW Golf R. It completely changes the radio/audio/nav experience. I've gotta believe there is a way to control exterior lighting from the iPad as well ... which would be pretty neat!

 

[Spook50]

Not an Apple fan myself so I wouldn't be going iPad in my truck, but a good Android tablet would be the cat's ass.

 

[jackhossross]

Not an Apple fan myself so I wouldn't be going iPad in my truck, but a good Android tablet would be the cat's ass.

Yeah they both work the same way - as far as the integration into the stereo goes.

I need to investigate the bluetooth control modules of KC lights and see how well the app works. May save me the need to wire in hard switches into the dashboard.

 

[Spook50]

Are you using BT for the audio into the stereo from the tablet?

 

[Cruzerman]

IMHO, a touchscreen is a horrible device for a music source. I want something with physical buttons so I don't have to take my eyes off the road (for long) to do most functions. With a touch screen, you might as well be texting. JMHO.

 

[Spook50]

IMHO, a touchscreen is a horrible device for a music source. I want something with physical buttons so I don't have to take my eyes off the road (for long) to do most functions. With a touch screen, you might as well be texting. JMHO.

True, though I always have playlists that I just set and let play at the beginning of the drive, so that's not much of an issue for me. Then there's using navigation, which can be a bit cumbersome while driving, especially in a bumpy truck. If need be I would just pull over and get it going.

 

[dannyvp]

I've wanted one in my 60 for a bit. I scrapped plans of mounting it bc i was afraid it would be stolen.

 

[GeologistFelix]

Here's a thought: hard-mount a high quality tablet mount on the dash rather than permanently putting a rectangular hole in the dash.

Advantages:
- You can easily swap in a different/newer/etc tablet if the original dies/gets stupidly slow with a new OS update/etc., and you don't want to be stuck with a very specific model (because they always slightly change the dimensions, even if it's a 10" or whatever).
- You can take it with you any time you park somewhere that leaving a tablet in plain sight is a bad idea.
- It's a lot easier to undo if it turns out you hate not having real buttons and dials.

 

[jackhossross]

Here's a thought: hard-mount a high quality tablet mount on the dash rather than permanently putting a rectangular hole in the dash.

Advantages:
- You can easily swap in a different/newer/etc tablet if the original dies/gets stupidly slow with a new OS update/etc., and you don't want to be stuck with a very specific model (because they always slightly change the dimensions, even if it's a 10" or whatever).
- You can take it with you any time you park somewhere that leaving a tablet in plain sight is a bad idea.
- It's a lot easier to undo if it turns out you hate not having real buttons and dials.

I understand where you're coming from, but I've done this to two of my vehicles already and love it - so I am comfortable going all in on it.

 

[jackhossross]

Here's a thought: hard-mount a high quality tablet mount on the dash rather than permanently putting a rectangular hole in the dash.

Advantages:
- You can easily swap in a different/newer/etc tablet if the original dies/gets stupidly slow with a new OS update/etc., and you don't want to be stuck with a very specific model (because they always slightly change the dimensions, even if it's a 10" or whatever).
- You can take it with you any time you park somewhere that leaving a tablet in plain sight is a bad idea.
- It's a lot easier to undo if it turns out you hate not having real buttons and dials.

I understand where you're coming from, but I've done this to two of my vehicles already and love it - so I am comfortable going all in on it.

 

[davegonz]

Are there Bluetooth rotary controllers that allow you to control volume or other functions on a tablet?

Edit:
Check this out:

 

[staggrlee]

Get a bluetooth amp with volume and track controls. Stream from the tablet, phone etc.

 

[Cruzerman]

In both my 80s, I have a Kenwood unit that takes USB and also bluetooth. Throw in a $5 32GB Cruzer Fit tiny USB drive and I have all the music I can handle. And I can browse, adjust volume, next track, etc. all via buttons and knobs. And there is bluetooth if you want to use your phone. Not bad for a $75 unit. Works well for me, but has little "bling" value.

For navigation, I use a tablet on a flexible mount that I can remove when not needed.

 

[gregnash]

Just leaving this here...

Joying Android 10.0 Car Stereo,Car Head Unit,Car GPS Navigation System

Joying official website provide 2021 latest 4GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB android 10.0 car stereo radio,car navigation system,car sound system and other car accessories. Free shipping to most countries and 2 years warranty for each customer.

www.joyingauto.com

Untitled by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr
Untitled by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr
Mines a single-din unit, created my own customer wood bracket to fill the void of the surround for the h/u and then also allows for lite retention system to the unit for removing the screen. Sticks out a little further than I wanted but hard not too with the way the 60 dash is curved and dont have the time/patience/skills to fabricate something out of fibreglass.

 

[Spook50]

Just leaving this here...

Joying Android 10.0 Car Stereo,Car Head Unit,Car GPS Navigation System

Joying official website provide 2021 latest 4GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB android 10.0 car stereo radio,car navigation system,car sound system and other car accessories. Free shipping to most countries and 2 years warranty for each customer.

www.joyingauto.com

Untitled by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr
Untitled by Greg Fisicaro, on Flickr
Mines a single-din unit, created my own customer wood bracket to fill the void of the surround for the h/u and then also allows for lite retention system to the unit for removing the screen. Sticks out a little further than I wanted but hard not too with the way the 60 dash is curved and dont have the time/patience/skills to fabricate something out of fibreglass.

The Joying unit looks pretty sweet. Wonder how reliable and durable it is. The fact that it's a fairly no-name Chinese product at its price makes me VERY leery.

Honestly if I could just have a stable tablet mount that would hold it in front of my head unit in my 62 I'd go that route, but I do NOT want to drill holes in the dash pad, given that I'll have a brand new OEM Toyota pad coming in a couple weeks.

I'm very curious to see what @jackhossross comes up with, especially if it allows for removal of the tablet.

 

[dannyvp]

I’ve been looking into this a lot. I would love to keep my stock radio, I like the idea of the Bluetooth amp and stuff.

My killer is I want apple play to work with the phone GPS, back up cam and such. So that means either make a custom adapter for the double din radio or install a Halo or a pioneer with slideout screen.