With the lack of high resolution, quick response touchscreen head units I am thinking about just using the ipad mini as a head unit. My plan is to move the 7 switches (spoiler, heated seats, four-ways, etc.) to either the arm rest area or down next to passenger air bag light along with the remaining switches being moved next to the shifter ****. This would hopefully make enough room for the ipad my next step would be to build a completely custom fiberglass mount to hold the ipad, something that would be flush against the console. A feature I would add would be a built in lighning connector to charge the ipad while it is in the mount, and I would also add a push-to-release or a push-to-open switch for the mount. Almost like the mount being a swinging door, press in one side and the mount swings open a few degrees (maybe an inch at the most) but enough to slide the ipad in and out. This brings me to my next idea, I would then get a Bluetooth capable single din with an audio jack so the ipad can be linked to the single din (through Bluetooth or audio jack, two options here because I know how Bluetooth can be qwerky sometimes) which in turn the single din would be connected to the cars audio. I would install this single din either in a modified larger capacity glove box or inside of the center console armrest box. This single din can be out of sight mainly because I can control the sound from the ipad. So why use an ipad, much faster than a double din touchscreen, internet capable with optional wifi hotspot, higher resolution (retina display), thousands of apps, because the ipad would be removable...take it to the meeting/finish that homework, apple quality. Now having said my giant wish for my XFire what would been some problems I could run into. I know replacing the stock stereo with another single din should be much of a hassle but lengthening the wires so I can mount the single din where I want would be a pain. How could I connect the ipad charging cable (which would be held inside the mount, directly into a power source) i.e. a cigarette lighter but I wouldn't want the sight of that wire coming out of the console from god knows where just to connect into a USB cigarette charger to charge the ipad.

 

I can answer the last part : You can access switched 12v from the glove compartment light, it is common with the cigarette lighter.

 

I am doing the same thing with either my smart phone or tab and a Clarion M303 head. I prefer a Windows tab partly because I do not care for the iPad's Sat-Nav. and partly because I put all of my music files on a 64 GB SD Card.

 

That is a good idea with the windows tablet and 64GB SD card. Do you have any pictures of your work/progress so far. How big is the tablet you are trying to install. I am worried that the 7.9" iPad mini might be too big to fit. But hey if I am going to school for engineering I might as well do some engineering on my car, to make it fit.

 

Love this idea. I have been trying to figure out how to so this. I am looking at a tray much like the CD tray that will allow the iPad to lay flat and slid into the console. I would remove to current unit and replace it with an Amp and use the iPad as the head unit. I know it's complex but in speaking with my apple stereo guy he seems to think it's not as big a deal as I do.

Wondering what I am missing?

2005 Limited - Alabaster, Bianca.

 

I prefer Windows simply because I often need tools or diagnostics that only work with Windoze and the Chrysler Factory Service Manual for my '07 only works with Internet Explorer.


There is a separate thread on this but I have a Clarion M303 head unit with a glovebox tablet mount arm (will fit an iPad mini also).


If I ever get the time I want to recess the Clarion flush but rebuilding the seat so my hip does not hurt was more important.


Do not want to move eyes off the road much do do not want to mount lower. Mount swings so can get to passenger temp setting if needed, is all that is blocked. Also can put passenger in charge which is a better idea if present.

 

I've been just discussing this with some friends. We're Android fanboys though so we'll probably build our set up with a Nexus 7. Can't wait to see all the wiring figured out and I might want a fiberglass dash if you're making them.

 

Ewwww Android...yuck I could never use android in a million years, sorry always have and always will be an iOS user haha. But that's beside the point.Yes I could see the nexus 7 could be a good fit. I will try to persuade my engineering department if I could use their injection molder to build a mount or last resort would be build up layers of fiberglass to make the mount. I am worried that the ipad mini or the nexus 7 for that point might be a tad to long in landscape mode to fit the console. What ideas have you come up with for your possible installation.

 

Pretty much just taking apart this dock and then wiring it to a signal processor since I have two amps in my car: the stock 4 channel and my sub amp. The wiring will be pretty simple, it's just the dash that needs to be modified to hold it.