iPad Mini Install

[Xonzo]

So, over the last few months, I have been following a couple of tablet builds (Mostly Nexus 7 builds). After some deliberation, I have decided to do one as well, however with the weather here in Arkansas, I need to be able to remove it at will. Also, I have an entirely aftermarket sound system in the car, so I need to go with decent sound quality output without breaking the bank. Against my better judgment (I hate Apple devices), I decided to try out an iPad mini. I purchased another center dash bezel from eBay for $25 and set out to find some abs plastic to build a side-sliding mold. Well, after failing multiple times to cut the plastic without melting it, I gave up and set it aside. It later hit me to try using a premade case. So, I picked up one from Walmart and went to messing with it. I mounted it flush to the bezel using a dremel for any cutting that needed to be done. I also used the ABS plastic that I had, along with plastic epoxy, to secure the case to the bezel. I have added a few pics (Sorry for the quality, I will take some better ones later this weekend). I hope to finish it up this weekend. the red tape is covering couple of holes that need to be filled. One being the camera hole on the case, and the other the hole that I cut out for the charging cable. Once I bondo the front of the bezel, and paint it, I will post pics of how I am controlling audio, how it looks in the car, etc. Let me know what you think!

Cost so far:
iPad mini 200$ (Craigslist)
Pioneer Headunit 120$ (Crutchfield)
Dash Bezel 25$ (eBay)
IR Repeater for HU Control 17$ (Amazon)
ABS Plastic 10$ for 2 sheets (Amazon)
iPad Mini Case 30$
Epoxy/Sandpaper/Bondo 30ish$

[suaveflooder]

Interested to see how this turns out.

[2beFrank]

I'm having a hard time deciding if I should go double din unit or a tablet. Hope this turns out the best. Let me know how the finish is!!

[Zippy]

There are aftermarket mounting trays being manufactured. I ordered one of each from this site. I'm doing an iPad Mini head unit as well and thought it may save you some time.

I'm running mine into a pure i20 instead of a head unit hidden somewhere using toslink from there to a DSP. Here's the website. They run $90-100 for one on Amazon.

[neutron256]

Because I upgraded to a retina Mini I'm thinking about building a mount for my old Mini in he car. I was actually thinking I'd like to build something in front of the Climet controls that either slides or swings out of the way if you need to get at the controls.

[BlueDubbinTDI]

Got my mini off the pre retina sale about a month ago and love it. Subbed for possibilities.

[Xonzo]

Originally Posted by Zippy

There are aftermarket mounting trays being manufactured. I ordered one of each from this site. I'm doing an iPad Mini head unit as well and thought it may save you some time.

I'm running mine into a pure i20 instead of a head unit hidden somewhere using toslink from there to a DSP. Here's the website. They run $90-100 for one on Amazon.

Yeah, I looked at this mounts but decided to try and make one on my own. I failed lol. I read a ton of reviews on youtube about his stuff, and it's pretty much a coin flip. Quite a bit of people say the quality is shit. Oh well, if I can't get it how I want it with my own build, I may have him fab something for me. I emailed him a month back and asked how much it would be for me to send him my dash and have him do it, he said it would be $350, mini-m included, plus shipping to and from his shop.

[Xonzo]

Update: I finished the bezel, bondo work, and shot some plasti dip on both dash pieces for continuity in color. Not until after shooting the plasti dip, did i notice the shitty job I did with the bondo (First time to ever use it). So luckily I can just peel off the plasti dip and touch it up. However, with it being the holidays, I don't really have the time. It looks okay as it is I guess, so I am just going to leave it like this for a week or so until I get the time to do some touch up bondo work. It needs it bad. On the bright side, it all works really well and is going to turn out pretty nice once I get it finished.

[chjno86]

any updates on this?

[Xonzo]

Originally Posted by chjno86

any updates on this?

Actually, yes. I just finished it a couple of days ago, but I haven't had a chance to post. I will take some pics soon and post in the next couple of days. I ended up picking up some higher grit sand paper, primer, and flat black paint. After about 3 hours of more bondo work, sanding, and paint, it has turned out really well. Only one imperfection (I effed up the paint), but it's on the top lip and the vents cover it. So I didn't worry too much about it. I would have liked to have been more creative in this build, but it was my first attempt so I went simple.

[chjno86]

definitely more pics please.

also, how is it connected to play music?

thanks

[Xonzo]

Originally Posted by chjno86

definitely more pics please.

also, how is it connected to play music?

thanks

Yeah, I will get some pics uploaded this afternoon/evening. I get off work early so I will have some time/daylight to do it.


As far as how it's connected, I have an aftermarket headunit (Pioneer) installed behind the dash bezel. I have the iPad mini connected via usb to the headunit. I also ran an IR repeater to allow for volume control by remote. I just hid the node inside the cabin where it can't be seen, but still receive the IR signal.