DIY In Dash Android Tablet: A Worthy Quest

Been a while since I've been in here. I'm going to say that it's because my original install went so well that I haven't had to change anything since 2010 (true story). In fact, my Eclipse AVN726e is still in perfect condition (I'll be selling it) so I don't NEED anything different. But with the passing years, technology has DRASTICALLY changed. During that time, I bought my first smartphone, started building media servers, and the ability to be connected has never been more important.

Originally, the car stereo was intended to play music in the car; that's it. But now I'm expecting MUCH more out of my vehicle and I believe that modern day headunits are behind the times. Sure, there's Apple Car Play and Android Auto but they only give you a handful of crappy apps; not the ones you likely use on a day to day basis.

[Enter Tablets]

I got to thinking one day and realized that headunits are WAY overpriced for what they are. You likely get a screen, SUPER limited processing power, bluetooth, NAV and speaker outputs for an average entry price of $600. Last time I checked, LTE capable tablets had all of that and a whole lot more for a whole lot less. I'm likely not telling you anything you don't already know.

Although it may SEEM like an easy task to mount a tablet in the dash and be done, there's WAY more that goes into a proper setup. One thing that headunits do quite well is "hand-off" signals and calls from various devices and ensure it all works with your speakers. Basic stuff but it's stuff a tablet was not intended to do. The good news is that pretty much anything you want to do can be done with software. Below is a list of some of the problems you're going to encounter.

• Mounting the device in the dash (removable or no?)
• Handing off phone calls through (or to) the tablet.
• Analog audio ----> speakers (you'll need a processor and amp or a hidden headunit)
• Charging
• Storage
• Connectivity (unless you like networking...just buy a tablet with LTE)
• User interface that works well in the car.

The Plan/Goals
I'm really wanting to get a lot out of this setup. Music playback (with a KILLER interface) is my primary concern. I kinda wanted to have my entire music library in the truck which for YEARS has been an impossible task. The days of constantly ferrying music out to the truck via a flash drive are OVER. I'm planning to use a file sync app called GoodSync to sync music to the tablet when the truck enters the realm of the home Wifi. Apps will also update themselves over WiFi too. Pretty slick right? The fact that I'll have LTE connectivity on the tablet means using things like Yelp to find food or drinks requires no entry of an address. The obvious choice for navigation was Google Maps. Did I mention dynamic route choices based on current traffic and never having outdated maps? OB2 Scanning is something I'm also wanting to have at my fingertips. A front camera (for offroading) will help in spotting obstacles but will also make a great dash cam too. People are sketchy these days so having proof in court is a big plus. I'm also considering driving for Uber in the near future and I think an in-dash tablet will only make that about 12million times easier. Above all else....I MUST have my steering wheel controls! I have other goals too but those are the main ones.

Choices
There's a number of different ways to skin a cat and I don't claim my way is the ONLY way, but I'm thinking it's pretty good. First choice you need to make is if you're an Apple guy or an Android guy. I'm all Google so that's where this DIY will be focused. There's a million tablets on the market but if you narrow that scope to those that come with 4G LTE connectivity; your pool from which to choose gets a LOT smaller.

I'll cut to the chase...for me, I'm using a Google Nexus 7. It's a GREAT LTE capable tablet with a decent size screen and it will fit in the dash of the Tacoma. I found one locally on craigslist for $220 in mint condition. Not only that, but a guy named Timur created a custom Linux kernel for the Nexus 7 that gives you a TON of great features that will help make it more usable. The kernel gives you the ability to use a micro USB to female full size USB cable and a USB hub. Then you can plug in large flash drives (I'm using a 256GB), a USB to analog DAC, USB cameras, and most importantly....a charger. See, that's the thing about tablets. Typically, you can't charge WHILE you have something else plugged in. Additionally, you have to worry about what the tablet is doing whilst the car is not running. Timurs kernel also enables a sort of deep sleep for the tablet when power is disconnected from the car being shut off. The tablet can stay in deep sleep mode for something like 60 days. This is really important considering the tablet will only charge for the duration the car is on. Flashing a custom kernel requires the tablet to be rooted. It's very easy to do and if anyone is interested on how to root the Nexus 7 and install Timur's Kernel I'd be more than happy to write an additional post (or update this one). More info about Timur's kernal can be found on his site.
https://timur.mobi/timurs-kernel-n7-2013/

So that's the plan. I already have a head start on getting some things together but it will still take me a little bit to get it all going. For now, I leave you with this video of another DIY'ers install. Very slick, enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EghDzpIeuzo

 

Sub'd!

Tablet in dash is probably my most favorite thing I've ever done to my vehicle. Looking forward to seeing your install, Steven!

 

Subd

 

Most definitely sub'd!

 

Interesting! I would rather have the nexus 7 than the i-pad as well.

 

Check out their videos on youtube.
http://www.soundmanca.com/products/nexus-7-2013-cheap-slider-kit

 

Yes this looks slick.

 

You should check out Waze for your navi app. It's pretty awesome for street driving. Also, how do you plan to integrate steering wheel controls with the tablet?

 

I have been wanting to do this mod to mine for a very long time,
Just havent had the time to do it. Raffa does have a nice drop in kit with the magnetic charging for the nexus 7 that ill most likely be getting....

BTw OP the OS you have one your nexus sounds rather wicked,
I wonder if there is a way to copy it and load onto mine for when i do mine

 

X2 on Waze app.

 

I've heard of Waze and haven't tried it yet. Are it's maps locally stored or are they all downloaded via data connection? I know the intelligence (cop locations, traffic, etc) are all via data which is why I ask. I'll likely be using Gmaps for areas with LTE coverage but I'm definitely looking for something with maps that are stored on the device for when I got to the mountains.

What's the Raffa mount? I've not heard of it. I'm simply attaching mine to a Scosche kit in the double din opening. I still have to figure out how to attach it to the back of the kit but the opening is just about perfect.

The Kernel that Timur built is something like $35 and I'd highly suggest you get it. He makes it for both the LTE and non-LTE models of the Nexus 7.

 

This whole journey is really a learning experience. My 256GB flash drive came in the mail yesterday. I mounted it up and found that when formatted in NTFS you can READ from the device but you can't WRITE. Meaning, no deleting of files or writing new files to the USB stick. EXFAT is not supported on Android devices (that I know of) so FAT32 was the only other option for read/write. Problem is, Windows will only let you format FAT32 up to 32GB (hence the name). But with a 3rd party tool I was able to format the whole thing to 256GB and now we're rocking. I got my entire music collection on there and I still have about 170GB of space left for when I decide to get the camera app going.

Like I said in the first post, it's all about the details with a build like this. You can't assume things will "just work" and you have to verify everything.

 

What's the Raffa mount? I've not heard of it. I'm simply attaching mine to a Scosche kit in the double din opening. I still have to figure out how to attach it to the back of the kit but the opening is just about perfect.

http://www.soundmanca.com/products/nexus-7-2013-cheap-slider-kit

Soundmanca, i believe his name is raffa or goes by, i may be wrong but

 

I'm realizing I forgot to answer one of you earlier regarding the steering wheel controls. I used the Joycon adapter I found on Amazon. I think it was like $45 or something. Basically, it emulates a keyboard and you assign each button to a certain keyboard key such that it issues a command to the android device. You program it via a windows computer and then when you plug it into the Nexus 7 it will work. I'll show more on this when i get to that step on the install.

 

That sounds awesome! I've been researching on how to make a piece that will integrate steering wheel controls among other features with the iPad, but I haven't had time to put my findings into a working prototype yet.

I pretty much only use Waze on data. For off the grid navi, google maps let's you store certain areas. I'm sure there are maps out there that will let you store topographic / satellite imagery of predetermined areas, as well.

And for your mounting system, if you need any special rear supports or anything like that, I could 3d print them for you. I've got the scosche kit already drafted in 3d, so making parts for it is easy. The best thing about having the parts printed in ABS plastic is that you can chemically bond them to the ABS dash kit, making it essentially one solid piece. They're also better than MDF mounting pieces or fiberglass since the ABS chemical bond will not separate over time or due to frequent changes in temperature.

 

Good luck in your endeavor. I like the idea of tablets for multi-function headunits but I still prefer to have an actual headunit. I'm replacing my 5 year old kenwood with the newer kvt-7012bt. My intentions are to mirror my note 4 to the screen when I need gps or when playing netflix. I also plan to use the headunit to output the video from the mirror to the monitors in the back seat for my kids. Everything else sound wise will still be handled by the headunit and my existing system.

I still would like to see your progress on this though so keep at it.

 

Rafa used to work for Doug at Soundmanca.com (youtube series). After Doug closed the retail side of the shop limiting to custom fabrication installs, tuning systems and online products, Rafa undertook the tasks of modifying dash kits using soundman ipad/android kits. His work is remarkable. He has an instagram account showcasing his work. Good luck on your project, it will be awesome when its all said and done.

 

Sounds like a head unit will be a waste of money for you, my friend. A custom tablet setup would make all of those things possible with seamless integration, rather than messing with some mirroring system and juggling a note 4 at the same time. It seems like you have a very robust setup which shows that you have an in depth knowledge of system components and installation skills, so you can probably see the benefit of a fully integrated tablet system with a digital optical sound output to a high end audio processor. This would greatly improve your sound quality, as well.

 

I already own a car dock and mhl cables for my note4. It's easier to secure my phone in my pocket after I'm done driving versus a tablet...even a 7 incher. I only need to mirror the phone for gps or netflix. The mirroring feature also allows screen control of the device so all I'm doing is passing control of my note4 to the headunit...only fumbling with one screen. I actually already have a powered 6tb harddrive hidden in my truck for all my movies and music. Short of a carpc I'm already at the point of capability I want or could need. Without having to redo my dash to fit a tablet another headunit in my case is actually the more cost effective and seamless route. It will decode all sound passed from the hdmi and send it to my existing eq/processor. On top of this, there are days when I don't hook up my phone to my headunit at all but I still have access to all my movies and music. Relying on only the tablet as a headunit means you will have to carry it with you all the time and/or it must be connected all the time. Security wise I would rather replace a headunit than a tablet that stores personal information in the event it should get stolen. Again for my use-case another headunit is the more logical route.

 

Ah. Got it. Didn't realize we were talking about phone integration in this thread. Could have sworn it was about tablets. My bad for not knowing what a note 4 really is XD.

But just to note, the d to a converters and sound processing that takes place inside of a head unit is very basic compared to what you could have with a tablet based digital set up.