Nexus 7 DIY dash install
 

With this mod, I want to make a tablet mount that secures the tablet, but also allows it to easily be removed from the car – as in, it's something you never leave in the dash. For one, tablets don't tend to handle the heat inside cars during the summer particularly well. Two, why spend this kind of money on a sweet setup and not make it versatile?

My total price (so far) without fabrication: ~$500

Materials:

• Tablet: 2013 32GB Wi-Fi Nexus 7
• Amp: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-KTP-445U-4-channel-Power-Amplifier/dp/B003VVYL46"]Alpine KTP-445U 4-channel Power Pack Amplifier[/ame]
• Wiring Harness: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Metra-70-1761-Wiring-Harness-Speaker/dp/B0002BEQJ8"]Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness For Toyota 87-Up[/ame]
• Connectors: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/50pcs-Bullet-Shrink-Crimping-Terminals/dp/B00FIK6LX2"]20pc 16-22 gauge Terminal Wire Connectors[/ame]
• Audio Input: Generic Bluetooth receiver
• Charging: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Lerway-Wireless-Power-Charger-Lumia920/dp/B00E9MUNWU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1390754800&sr=8-3&keywords=wireless+charger"]Lerway Wireless Qi Power Charger Pad[/ame]
• Aux Power: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Compact-High-Output-Charger/dp/B00470C35E/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1390754929&sr=8-10&keywords=2.1a+usb+charger"]2.1A dual USB car charger[/ame]
• Power supply: [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Cigarette-Lighter-Outlet-Socket/dp/B007BIUKLI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1390754911&sr=8-2&keywords=12v+cigarette+socket"]Female 12v socket[/ame]
• Fuse Adapter: Generic Fuse Adapter
• 10A Fuse

Update #3: Part 1 of the video is now available! Finally!

DIY Nexus 7 Head Unit Replacement Part 1: Materials and Installation

I used this wiring detail and RandomHero's thread for help with the re-pinning of the wiring harness.

http://i.imgur.com/i5zFcCk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wsecWyZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PXW7Hmi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LQWDY5K.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zNwx7QV.jpg

I'll be back in a few hours with pictures of the wiring harness and how I pinned it.


Here's how it looks … for now.

http://i.imgur.com/CQD6X6k.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wolfzVr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5AXfDV3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/rwDiQTK.jpg

Very keen to see your how to video. I want to do this myself, and have a nexus 7 ready and waiting. Wiring/electrical stuff isn't really my forte, and I haven't seen any detailed guides to do it.

It isn't really my expertise either. ;-)

But I was determined to do this, and it's turning out better than I expected, honestly.

good stuff. I am deep into mine as well. I will have some custom skins for torque and such so will post that up once done and ready.

Looks good so far, curious about how much work it will be to set up! I'll watch all the videos and get it set up!

Currently wondering if I should have an amp in the car, considering I'm already hooking a Nexus 5, iPhone 4S, dashcam, and RD into the car, and looking at hooking another dashcam and the N7 into it.

@Casper

Interested into seeing how you wired in that amp instead of using a standard head unit. If I understand it correctly, N7 bluetooth ->iClever BT receiver -> Alpine amp via BT/3.5mm -> stock wiring harness?

I did mine like this: N7 BT->Single din Sony headunit-> stock wiring harness. Mine works pretty well, except i have to connect to the headunit every time i start the car, not a huge deal but its something i'd like to not have to deal with.

Bump for update with video!

Nice job. Why not use the stock amplifier?

great video, ill sub. keep it up

I wanted this to be easily upgradable. Plus, I'm just directly replacing the head unit, which has its own amp. This was infinitely more simple, especially for a noob (me). Like I said in the intro, I'm not a fabricator or car audio guy. I'm just decent at teaching myself things. Ha


Thanks for the sub and kind words!

That makes sense. Thanks for the clarification

I haven't had a chance to look at the video yet (at work atm), but are you connecting up an OBD2 adapter to this?

Yep! Already connected!

Can your setup make/receive calls via bluetooth and use the microphone to converse? Does the tablet automatically turn on when you start up the car and does it turn off when you turn off the car?

No. I've thought about how to make this work and haven't yet. Not sure I will, since I rarely ever take calls. If I get enough requests, I'll consider it.


No. It isn't hardwired into the car. It's removable, which means you don't need either of those features. It never stays in the car.

Nice project, I think this appeals to lots of folks with different cars.. I wanted to point one thing out then ask a couple questions that might apply to those of us with other cars/makes.

Confusion over the bluetooth adapter might spring from comments on Amazon--they are mixing up customer feedback from both the Receiver with the Transceiver. (Only in the comments--the link you provided was correct.) So if I'm reading you correctly on this project:

• Your device connects via bluetooth to the amp
  • The bluetooth reciever is powered (to be specific, charged) by the car
• Your goals are
  • convenience
  • clean wire-free look, almost OEM
  • ease of upgrade
  • (perhaps) multiple players
• Your goals are not
  • lowest possible cost
  • tablet's power or screen on with car

Is that right? If so, I might have a guess to some of my questions

My questions

1. Bluetooth reciever: do you turn it on/off to save it's battery's charge? Is the 5 minute timeout good enough?
2. Any huge reason not to use 2012 Nexus 7? (Cheaper, slightly taller in landscape mode)
3. If someone knows they will want to charge, why not avoid bluetooth all together and plug in? ... aka, how much worse is two plugs vs one?
   1. Anyone recommend a different modern tablet with similar quality/cost ==> with both the charger & audio on the same side?
   2. Anyone know an app or hack where the tablet's bluetooth can be used to attach devices? Audio tethering.
4. The flap.
   1. Is your case's flap removable?
   2. Why use a flap if you tend to remove the tablet?
   3. Any mod so your flap can hang down over the empty bracket, looking better (albeit with upside-down text on yours)

Thanks, looking forward to the second vid

do you know where the wiring harness is for the door spears are, ive done the mod and i miss the bass