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

doit doit!

 

Got busy with the dremel today on a few dash kits. Waiting for more to come in to proceed. This new plastic cutting bit is great!

 

Nice work zone man! Would you do a custom subwoofer enclosure to fit in between the 2 rear seats going in with the roll cage?

 

I happen to be building myself a custom center console / enclosure for three JL 10" woofers for in between the rear seats in my truck. If there is no difference in space constraints between our trucks, I'd be happy to build a clone and send it to you. My enclosures are very high end.

 

Sounds good, got any pics? Just I'll like it to be for 2 JL 10s, already have em

 

I won't be building mine for a while. Still need to get my rear seats and finish sound deadening.

 

Getting rear racing seats?

 

Yeah, I've already got a pair of the Sparco R100 black vinyl seats in the front. Will be replacing the rear bench seat with two of the same ones to make room for the sub woofer console.

 

My write up on this product from my build page:

iPad Mini 3 installed!

I chose the 128GB, WiFi version so that I wouldn't have to worry about filling it up anytime soon. I have all of my music on it, Garmin StreetPilot maps on it, and two versions of topographic maps for Fairbanks, Denali National Park, and Anchorage, all downloaded onto the iPad. This is important, because it means all I need to effectively use those apps is a GPS location - Internet not required. I can connect the iPad to my iPhone's hotspot if I need internet.

I bought the kit from Shane (link HERE) and it looks great - I really couldn't be happier. What pleased me the most what the plug and play that he set up with the wiring harness. As I took out my AVIC-Z140BH, I pulled up a cluster f*ck of wires; spliced a thousand different ways that made no sense. At that moment I wasn't sure if I was going to be capable of doing this myself. Then I calmed myself and started to think the problem through. After looking at the back of the Sony radio, and the harness Shane provided, I realized that I didn't need over half of what I pulled out (the Pioneer harness has a lot of extra stuff). I didn't see the full install of my old unit, but it must have been really complicated. After unplugging everything I could, I then had to cut a few wires to remove the old harness. This didn't worry me too much, as they went to plugs that I didn't have with he new system. With the old harness out, I plugged in the new harness. This was straight forward as none of the plug pairs were the same, so I couldn't get confused. I turned the key and the radio started up! First time - I am a go at this station. I'm so glad that I didn't have to trouble shoot anything at this point, because my confidence to successfully do so was very low. I had no idea what I just hacked up to install what I did.

I installed the extra USB / AUX connection port that Shane provided. I couldn't figure out how to retain the factory one, so I installed the one provided right next to the factory one. I tested it, and it works. I wasn't using that blank anyways, and I can keep an eye on the factory one if I ever want to try and incorporate it / change systems up again. I did not find a way to retain the use of the iPod cable going into my console vault, nor could I even find that lead. I left that in place as well, in case someone more competent than I can make it work some day. But after evaluating this system, and with a 128GB iPad and a 64GB iPhone I can connect via Bluetooth or USB cable (previously mentioned), I won't have a need for a permanently plugged in iPod. All of my music is already on my iPad and iPhone.

The biggest problem came with actually mounting the radio (Sony GS-610bt) so there was enough room for the iPad. This took me about two hours to figure out, but I was trouble shooting "mechanical" problems that I understood, so I was happy. I ended up modifying my old radio mounting bracket to fit the radio in how I wanted it.



The only issue I'd had to go back and fix was the steering wheel controls didn't work at first. I want to take a second and thank Shane for helping me through this problem. He was very professional and patient. He was trying to help an electrically challenged person over the phone - this couldn't have been easy, but he made it seem so. The problem was the wires that were cut and spliced by the previous installer. Had they not tampered with the original plug, it would have been easy plug and play as intended. Shane walked me through what to cut and where to connect it. It was easy enough and he gave me the confidence that it was being done correctly. We got it all wired up and then realized that we had to manually program the buttons - for some reason the auto detect scrambled what the buttons did. This was easy enough with the manual (HERE). The best part of manually programming the buttons was that I could change my seek up/down buttons under my volume buttons to "next programmed" buttons. Essentially, instead of seeking to the next radio station, I can toggle between my saved radio stations. It seems small, but I've wanted this for a long time! It also works as a next for songs in iTunes, etc, so it all worked out.

I had previously had my Garmin GLO hard wired into the power of the truck for navigation, and it works flawlessly. My GoPoint BT1 OBD-II reader also connects via Bluetooth automatically, and seamlessly works with the DashCommand App - which is really cool by the way.



This is such a great product! I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I already know I'm not going to like taking it out of the vehicle at night because of the cold Alaskan winters, but I'll get over it. The increased capability is awesome. This is a great product and I highly recommend Shane as a person to do business with. He was very fast to answer all of my emails, and ensure that I got everything that I wanted out of making the switch from a Pioneer AVIC-Z140BH to the iPad. I also want to say that he holds the highest standards of quality control. He made sure that my kit came to me perfect - and it did - absolutely flawless. Thanks again for everything Shane.

Here are some pictures!

iPad home screen


Sony App Remote


Playing a Radio Station


StreetPilot by Garmin



Gaia GPS



Topo Maps


iTunes


TacomaWorld!


DashCommand

 

Problem with that is you'll get an airbag warning light in the dash if that's not plugged in. I know because I forgot to plug it in when I had my dash apart once

 

So sick. Cannot wait for this!
Great job hunter good post!!

 

That is actually not the biggest problem with relocating the radio in a 2005-2011 truck. The little airbag / clock / hazard cluster is easily placed behind the scenes and you can hard wire a new hazard switch into a knockout location.

 

This is an awesome upgrade for Tacomas... Will there ever be a model for Android tablets?? I'm more an android user myself..

 

Great post Hunter! really good to hear that Shane was able to help you out. Makes me very excited for this upgrade!

 

Just a quick update on the kits in production. Cut the openings for 4 of them today, will be doing body work on them tomorrow after work, should be ready for paint by the end of the week.

The two prototype kits (Kevin and Robert) that are in the current batch have been delayed due to parts not being received in a timely fashion. My supplier is at CES but he said that he ordered them last week. This should only push them back by a couple of days, I'm hoping to ship them out by the 20th.

Also, I'm making two extra kits with this batch that. These will be a new style. More big developments coming, as well. I'm working on a simplistic interface that will provide audio / steering wheel control integration in a more practical and affordable package, as opposed to the Sony radios that I've been selling. This will likely not be available for quite some time, as I am looking into options for having it manufactured.

 

Hey Shane, Is my kit it in this batch? Also ever get a pic of that aux/usb?

 

Yes, your kit is in production. I thought I sent you a link to the aux/usb but this is it right here.

http://www.getwiredusa.com/FLUSH-MOUNT-AUX-USB-35MM-MOUNTING-PANEL-DASHBOARD-DOCK-FX108.htm

 

Shane, Would the ipdad also be satellite capable?

I really like what you have done and want a kit but I don't want to lose my xm subscription I just paid for.

Thanks

 

You could pry check the xm for the sony head unit. that will pry work. I know there is an app too that could possibly be used through the ipad but I remember it used data but maybe it can play through the head unit.

 

Well I was going to buy a 800$ touch screen that is xm capable, but then I stumbled across this, if there is a simple way to plug and play into the wiring harness that comes with the kit, then I am all for the ipad.