iPad mini install

Thought I'd start a thread to document my iPad mini install in my 2014 double cab. Upon final installation I will have successfully done the following:
-Installed iPad in place of the factory radio and tastefully modified the dash to achieve a 'factory' look.
-Created some form of security to ensure the iPad cannot be easily removed from the dash.
-Retained steering wheel control functionality.
-Retained hands-free calling functionality for cellular phone (iPhone)
-Obtained a digital optical sound output from iPad to my Audison Bit One processor.

I'll be using the 128gb Cellular iPad mini so that I can store my lossless music library on the iPad itself (not in iCloud)

EDIT:

Well, I didn't do much documenting on here, but here's how it turned out.



And I just finished a new style of mounting kit for this;



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsyrB7g_T9k


Check out my for sale thread if you're interested in ordering one. I'm also making these for the 2005-2011 models. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/buy-sell-trade/347739-use-ipad-mini-your-tacoma-v-system.html

 

soundmanca.com

 

Yeah, I've seen their stuff. I've gotten a few ideas from them but I'm not impressed with their work. Their quality of workmanship is mediocre at best, their iPad installation products are insanely overpriced, and their method of retaining steering wheel controls is very poor in my opinion.

 

Some progress today.

 

Nice work. Looking forward to see it finished.

 

Where were you two months ago... This is what I wanted to do as well, but couldn't find the way to integrate the wiring so I installed the Kenwood DDX8901hd to integrate with my iPhone, and it's a major disappointment.

 

That's a pretty expensive unit. At least it's a kenwood. If you still want to do an iPad mini, I've streamlined the build process for this and I'll be taking orders after I have a finished product to show on here.

 

I might be interested. What would be an estimated cost for all components (wiring and panel)?

 

Nice work , starting to look great man.

 

That will depend on what options you want and how you plan on setting up your sound system. (Steering Wheel controls, hands free Bluetooth calling from phone, aftermarket amplifier or factory speaker integration, other output options, custom painted kit, etc....). I'll likely sell everything pre-harnessed so it will actually be easier than installing an aftermarket radio.

A lot of work goes into making the dash kit. Haven't settled on any kind of pricing yet.

Thanks! I should be done with the mounting in the next couple days. Trying to decide what to do with the paint.

 

Sounds like a great project. I have seen the SMCA kit and I agree with it being too pricey for a piece of plastic. Shoot me a PM when you decide on production. Looks like quality work, I'm excited for you

 

Thanks!

Yeah, the SMCA kits are all insanely overpriced. $250 for that stupid little tray that STILL requires an ass-load of fabrication work to mold into a dash piece seems pretty ridiculous. Whatever price range I decide on, I can already be sure that what I will be offering up will be worth the money, unlike their stuff.

 

Sub'd for future updates.

I do have a question - are you possibly considering a version that features a removable iPad mini?

 

I'm assuming this will not be removable?

Most important question I have is how do you do calls? The iPad is sending audio to the bit one via optical. I have a bit one and understand this completely. However, how do you negotiate calls through the iPad?

 

It will be able to slide out from the side after pulling the dash kit out. I have a few ideas for making that part an automated process for security and ease of access to the iPad, but it will not be cheap. The bluetooth calls will not be negotiated by the iPad itself. I am using a Parrot 3000 installed behind the iPad, wired to the Bit One's telephone inputs and controlled solely through the steering wheel controls.

 

Very cool! I've been brainstorming a build for a while too. Do you know of any way to integrate the factory back up camera to be used with the ipad?

 

No, I don't think there is any good way to do that. I haven't really looked too far into it. I've never really considered adding a backup cam to any of my tacomas. They just aren't that big of trucks, I feel like it's unnecessary.

 

Sub'd

 

Ahhhhh I completely forgot about the telephone inputs on the bit 1. I installed it AGES ago and just completely blocked it out of my mind.

 

after having just installed a DNN991HD (~$1200) i feel like installing a mini or ipad into the dash really is the only way to go... any modern HU is essentially trying to be an ipad but they can never really put it off just right. it makes so much more sense functionality wise to just do this. cleaner, prob cheaper too...

the mini can do it all, all your music, clean fast interface, real apps, navigation, traffic, all in one simple unit. or you can buy a flagship head unit for $1300 and get "partially" or "almost"...

how do you pipe out the audio? does it just go out the mini jack to a sound processor?