iPad In-Dash DIY/Build Thread

This past weekend I finally had the time to start my iPad build in my truck. Honestly, you can hate on it as much as you want, but I love it as an in dash, 100x easier to use than any double din on the market. Sure it has it's shortcomings, but I have considered them and feel as though the benefits outweigh the risks.

I've created this thread to help other people who may be interested in doing this as well, or if anyone else has done it on here, if they could post up some tips and advice for everyone to see.

So anyway, on to the actual iPad part. I've only spent one full day so far on it, and it is far from finished. But on the first day we managed to fit the iPad in and create a prototype mount for it.

The process to get the iPad to fit is actually quite simple; it requires you to dremel out the sides of the dash so that the iPad has enough clearance to friction fit in there. As of now, I've kept the two holes in the side of the dash panel, as you can see in the pic below. I've left it that way for now so that I can mock up the dock connector cable and get it to fit. I'll have more details on this when I finalize the mount.



My build is going to go in a little different direction from soundman's one. iPad's have been known to overheat, and I did not want that to happen. So instead of making a solid backing, I have a mesh backing. Right now it is covered in felt so I don't scratch the iPad. I am currently looking for a fabric that will be at least a bit breathable.





As of now I have some padding (idk what it's really called) on the side covering the exposed holes, and to help keep the ipad snug inside the mount.



This build is FAR from over. I still have to do all of the wiring and such. The parts for that should come in the next couple of days, so I should be able to update this with wiring info.

and to all the haters out there

 

Not hating, that looks pretty cool, are you making it dockable so you can carry with you.

 

yup it slides in an out, there's no way i would leave that thing sitting in my truck when im not there lol

 

sorry bro but that looks like crap. its going to look horrible when the ipad isnt sitting in there. not hating just my opinion.

 

looks good so far assuming your going to glass above the ipad to cover those holes.how do you plan on hooking up the ipad to the speakers???headphones to the aux input?

 

Yup this mount is just the beginning, I'm going to fill in the side holes and strengthen the dash itself. Not sure if I'm going to glass over the top or go another route, but there won't be that fugly top part no matter what lol

When the parts come in I will have it charging and a line out from just the dock connector. I'll prob throw an eq in the mix down the line so I can have it sounding decent.

Right now its just straight aux from the headphone jack to the amp for
My highs, then rca output from that to my sub amp. Quite honestly it doesn't sound that bad, but it's not acceptable for what I want. (IMHO, the digital to analog converter and internal amp on any idevice is terrible.).


all my speakers are amped so I'm not going to be touching the stock wiring other than finding a remote for the amps.

well, honestly it does. lol. I seriously spend $10 at a local craft store to buy felt and the padding stuff on the side just too make sure the ipad doesn't scratch, and so it stays snug inside the mount. I'm going to wait till all the work on the dash is done to finish the padding and backing because im going to have to rip it all up to work on it again and finish it.

 

We just did a similar mod in our FJ, and we're LOVING it. Didn't have to cut the dash though since the FJ already has a big hole to mount the iPad from. Good luck on your build!

 

nice! did you go the analog route or the all digital?

 

post some pics

 

sub'd looks cool so far

 

looks good ......i guess

 

Definately interesting and something I'd never expect to see. It's almost too much in my opinion.

 

pics or ban!!!

 

Looks good so far! Did you go with the 3G? I was really close to going for it, but I spend way too much time out of 3G service to make the Ipad a practical HU.

 

You definitely got an awesome build going man.. i'm really impressed how you pull a lot of interesting elements into your truck like the rx-8 rims and the x runner springs and they came out great. def don't see a lot of people doing up their trucks like that, it looks good tho!

 

That is awsome

 

I applaud you! Looks great IMO! Can't wait to see it finished!

I'm glad to see it in a reg cab too!

Question: Driving at night, does it get on you nerves, because of the light it gives off?? Just wondering.

 

Well then....






All the details & more info can be found in our January 2011 issue

 

Nice! Looks clean enough considering all the cords required.

 

I'm digging it!