Easy "CarPlay" Setup

[AAnative]

I saw a few threads asking for help with less "intrusive" CarPlay setups. I thought I'd share my solution which is not perfect but is an easy and clean install.

Supplies:

1. 2.5 inch black metal hinge
2. OQTIC Phone Magnet (Amazon)
3. TUNAI Firefly LDAC Bluetooth Receiver
4. Car Charger with USB-C as well as USB
5. 3M Extreme Mounting Tape
6. Peak Design Car Mount +/- Wireless Charging
7. iPad Mini 6 with Cellular

First - install bluetooth connection and phone mount.

Next: Mount the Peak Design Car Charger. I'm using the wireless charging version here and plugging into the USB-C port with a short USB-C to USB-C cable.

This install works on my 2008 LC200 as there is an aux port near the cigarette lighters on the center console. The TUNAI Firefly LDAC plugs into the USB charger and then directly into the aux-in. This works seamlessly, the LDAC powers on as soon as the ignition is on and the phone will connect automatically instantly. You can pair more than one device to the LDAC - I have my phone as well as the iPad Mini paired.

Step 2: Mount iPad
I was looking for a "CarPlay" setup but didn't see much available for the 2008 Land Cruiser. I'm mostly interested in Waze and Spotify although mounting an iPad allows use of many different apps.

Apply the 3M mounting tape to the metal hinge and mount to the center of the shelf area above the factory NAV screen. Apply the OQTIC magnet mount to the front of the hinge. The magnet mount should be able to piviot as shown in pictures.

The iPad Mini 6 is almost the perfect size to cover the factory navigation screen. You can pivot the iPad upwards and out of the way in order to see the backup camera or adjust the climate control. Not horrible but not ideal.

 

[AAnative]

Here is a picture of the iPad in position.

When i'm not using it, it fits perfectly in the center console (I don't have the cooler box).

Hope this helps someone. I'm a new owner and have found these forums invaluable.

Enjoy!

 

[doru]

I like the clean solution.
Q: is the Peak Design for charging and holding the phone or charging the iPad? How do you charge the iPad?

 

[AAnative]

The peak design mount holds the phone and charges it (since I have the charging version). The ipad mini 6 has great battery life so I don't charge it often. When on a road trip or if my kids are streaming off of the ipad i'll hook it to a cable from the charger that you see below the peak design mount.

Ultimately I didn't have many options as my LC200 is a 2008. I didn't want to tear into the dash and even then the options are underwhelming.

 

[jefo13]

Yep! iPad has been my favorite solution for this!

 

[jcoleman214]

I love the idea here but quick question. If you have cellular on the ipad, whats the purpose of the phone setup and charger? Cant you plug your ipad into your USB and it'll charge the ipad while it plays music over the radio using your normal settings like from a phone? I have a '11 so maybe the radio is different but I go to the audio page and select the USB tab.

 

[jefo13]

I love the idea here but quick question. If you have cellular on the ipad, whats the purpose of the phone setup and charger? Cant you plug your ipad into your USB and it'll charge the ipad while it plays music over the radio using your normal settings like from a phone? I have a '11 so maybe the radio is different but I go to the audio page and select the USB tab.

You are right I don’t use my phone with my setup at all
With iCloud all my calls and messages come through the iPad and I have the Entune app on the iPad as well to make sure everything works in the OEM in case I need it. The only inconvenience would be that if you share the vehicle then they other user would be getting your calls and messages… I’m the only driver in my case

 

[AAnative]

Setup in this fashion I can use either or both. For example I usually only use my phone for daily driving and leave the iPad in the center console. On longer trips when I need navigation I fire up the iPad.

jefo13 - what is the Engine app you refer to?

Thanks

 

[jcoleman214]

One more thing. How are the vibrations on the ipad with this type of mount? have you tried it over any rough terrain like would it pop off the magnetic hold?

 

[Black200]

I like this set up! I'm saving it as a future option.

 

[jefo13]

Setup in this fashion I can use either or both. For example I usually only use my phone for daily driving and leave the iPad in the center console. On longer trips when I need navigation I fire up the iPad.

jefo13 - what is the Engine app you refer to?

Thanks

lol autocorrect ENTUNE

 

[AAnative]

I haven’t been off road yet however the magnet shown above is really quite strong. Much stronger than most car mounts and the iPad mini is quite small for a tablet.

Downside is the magnet is quite a bit larger than some car mounts,

 

[BlairB]

Really like this approach. I actually did something similar on my 4Runner and it has worked out great. I decided to use a mount that just suction cups on and clamps the tablet instead of doing a magnet though.

 

[jefo13]

Car Top 8.8" CarPlay Screen
I thought I would share this on this post as it aligns bet to the EZ CarPlay Experiencer... I just moved away from the iPad to this, and I am loving it so far...