Use an iPad mini for your Tacoma A/V System!

Fellow Tacoma owners, I would like to present you with an opportunity to have a stereo receiver unbound by the common restrictions that come with big brand double-din units. The Apple iPad offers a fluid in car interface, flawless audio outputs, and your choice of any multimedia entertainment sources right at your fingertips. An iPad is the ultimate mobile entertainment solution that has, until now, required much work to tastefully and effectively incorporate as an in-car multimedia receiver.

Double-Din head units with every feature offered by an iPad in dash solution typically cost $800 or more (Price based on Kenwood DNX691HD). What I am prepared to offer is a way to stay within that same budget range while having a custom, sleek, and higher quality product than big brand radio manufacturers can offer you.

Standard Kit:



Front Loading Kit



As shown in the picture, I have fabricated a mounting / trim kit to tastefully install an iPad mini into the current model Toyota Tacoma. I have also successfully integrated the iPad with my audio system and steering wheel controls.

These kits are made with a 100% ABS Plastic fabrication method. Every piece that comprises the kits is precisely designed by me, printed on a high end 3d printer, and assembled using chemical bonding between ABS plastics. This makes them as uniform as it gets. I am prepared to offer the kits in any color requested, glossy, flat, or textured.

The standard dash kit allows the iPad to be slid in and out from the left side upon removal of the dash piece.

The front loading dash kit allows for easy insertion and removal of the iPad. This type of kit includes a fixed lightning - USB cable to allow for docking of the iPad to your preferred integration device. Here is a video of how the iPad docks / is removed from the front loading kit;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsyrB7g_T9k


CURRENT MOUNTING KIT PRICING:

Standard kit:$325
Front loading kit:$445



ORDERING INFORMATION
I can comfortably produce these in batches of 10 at a time. Build times will be about 3-4 weeks or longer depending on my workload outside of building these. I have a very time consuming and dynamic full time job, along with a lot of other side-project endeavors. There are a lot of other quality control and time management related factors that can delay production on these iPad kits, as well, so I really appreciate your patience and understanding when hard deadlines can not hold true.

I think this pretty much goes without saying but... iPad mini is not included with purchase of aforementioned products.

Here are some more pics of the dash kit:






Factory Plastic look:







2005-2011 kits:

 

Will update the production line / waiting list once I complete the 8 kits that are currently in production. Please include your TW username when inquiring about purchasing a kit so that I can keep this list accurately maintained.

 

Will this work with androids, or just iPads?

 

I'd like to see more pics of the rest of the install. I am interested, been using an IPad mini in my truck for a year for Spotify/navigation. This would be perfect.

 

can you show us how its mounted behind the face?

i just sent an email to my 12 volt guy about what id need to convert as far as sound processor ect.... im currently running a DNN991HD with two zapco amps (one for sub, one for speakers) but i like the idea of doing this a lot more!

the face kit really looks fantastic!

 

I'd be interested in this if it worked with just about anything BUT an iPad...

But it love the idea! And the product itself looks top notch.

 

Subd

 

the[FONT=Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] harness you make is with power to charge and maybe an output? this set up would require a DAC + Processor right? or you would only have control of cross over at the amps, and thats pretty minimal stuff.... youd lose timing ect...

is the OUT a basic lightning to AV composite out? [/FONT]

 

Going to a wedding tonight, will respond to all PMs and questions tomorrow.

 

Cool idea and an interesting sounding approach. I'll watch where this goes.

 

I'm in depending on how you hook it up to the sound system. More info on that and I'll buy kit now

 

PMd twice

 

Pass the , Craig

 

Great work. indeed

 

what about a 2012

 

Sub'd

 

Sub sammy

 

I want one for my 05. Would love for it to charge the ipad, and also work with steering controls. Is this part of the wiring kit?

 

As of now, I am not planning on building the trim kits specifically for android.

Which parts? The iPad is held in place by supporting blocks lined with felt so that it fits snugly in place and will not slide while driving, but can be slid out from the side.

I'll post pics of the kit without the iPad in it soon. The set up that I'm using is basically an home iPod dock which gives me digital and analog sound outputs, power, and basic iPod controls to integrate with the steering wheel controls. There are plenty of ways to make an iPad part of your stereo, sometimes the most practical solution is to mount a head unit behind the iPad to retain audio processing features, HF bluetooth, and powered speaker outputs.

In your case, I would recommend an audio processor like the Audison Bit Ten. You could use the exact setup that I have right now, and feed the Bit Ten with a digital optical cable. This will give you a 100% pure signal to a high end DAC that provides top of the line audio processing such as fully adjustable electronic crossovers, equalization, time alignment, etc...

The current kit will work for 2012's and up. I should be able to make kits for 2005-2011's within a couple weeks.