Ipad mini in-dash installation

[Wilson01S]

Well I finished my install and I think it came out great! I love it! I was able to score a 32gb iPad mini with Verizon lte for a steal on CL. I am nervous of battery drain if the car sits for a week and the iPad is charging the whole time, but I guess it's a low amp draw. Also does anyone know how to remove the pins from the Becker harness? I accidentally cut a wire close to a pin on the iPod harness on the sharp metal. Need to remove pin and repair.

Finally there was a wire with a female spade connector that was ok the back side of the cdr220 it's paired in the same harness as the variable wipers. What does this do? I didn't reconnect because it wouldn't reach. Would this have anything to do with my Becker seemingly losing it's display backlight?

[BruceH]

I had to move some pins when I installed my Pioneer HU with the METRA harness. I used some small screwdrivers to release the prongs on the pins, a real PITA. You might try this tool:
http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-56500-Terminal-Tool/dp/B0009OR906

A google search shows lots of info on removing pins. As far as the other wire, not sure about that. I reconnected everything when I moved the CDR-220. Glad you like it though!

[Shehadehd]

Originally Posted by Wilson01S

Well I finished my install and I think it came out great! I love it! I was able to score a 32gb iPad mini with Verizon lte for a steal on CL. I am nervous of battery drain if the car sits for a week and the iPad is charging the whole time, but I guess it's a low amp draw. Also does anyone know how to remove the pins from the Becker harness? I accidentally cut a wire close to a pin on the iPod harness on the sharp metal. Need to remove pin and repair.

Finally there was a wire with a female spade connector that was ok the back side of the cdr220 it's paired in the same harness as the variable wipers. What does this do? I didn't reconnect because it wouldn't reach. Would this have anything to do with my Becker seemingly losing it's display backlight?

If you tapped into the 4-pin molex for the optional phone then the iPad will stop charging when the car turns off. I would recommend making sure it charges off a switched 12v line

[epapp]

The 4 pin molex for the optional in-car phone has 4 wires - 12v always hot, 12v switched, signal, ground.

Be sure to tap the switched 12v wire or you will definitely kill your battery - the ipad mini and most other comparable tablets use (most of the time) 2 amps @ 5V to charge

[Wilson01S]

I honestly think this is a modification ever 986 owner should do! For the ease, and cost it has got to be the BEST thing i've done in this car!!

[Wilson01S]

Here is a pic of my finished product!!

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by Wilson01S

I honestly think this is a modification ever 986 owner should do! For the ease, and cost it has got to be the BEST thing i've done in this car!!

I agree! Take a look at the Escort radar detectors with the Escort live. The app works great on the mini and you are still able to control your music within the Escort app. I generally keep Escort up unless I am using the maps for directions. But even the maps can run in the background, speaking the directions while Escort is looking ahead and playing the music. No double din can do all of the things he mini ipad can do. Great job on the install! It looks great

[Wilson01S]

Thanks Bruce!! I was actually just looking at both Escort live, and the new V1 app to determine which route I will go with!

[sneakyfe]

As much as I love the look of a permanent iPad install, there is an important consequence to consider. Depending in your area, but where I live in California it gets really hot especially these past few weeks. It is advisable (as recommended by Apple) not to leave your ipad in the car as it will overheat the device. You will get this message on your screen "“iPad needs to cool down before you can use it”. Even when you're driving with the top down, if the ipad is exposed directly to the sun, it will overheat overtime.

Instead of the hard install, I just placed my mini ipad cover in the small opening and it looks just as good. The iPad cover fits perfectly and it does not slide at all. It's simple and I won't have to worry about damaging the ipad on really hot days! My iPad works on bluetooth connectivity with my stereo. I am able to use the GPS, Pandora, Facetime, and have Siri read my emails and text messages. Also, its less of a hassle when you want to upgrade your ipad down the road.

[BruceH]

^^^^It has only happened a few times for me and isn't a deal breaker IMO. I have thought of running a small duct from the AC ducts to right behind the mini to keep it running cool on the really hot days. I just have not gotten around to it.

That looks great too!

[sneakyfe]

Also to consider with a permanent ipad install is the wear and tear of daily vibrations from your daily commute. Remember, the iPad was not designed to absorb hard bumps and it will affect your device overtime. So if you're doing a permanent install, perhaps you can add a small foam just to protect the device.

[Wilson01S]

I can understand your concerns for the permanent install but my rebuttal would be:

I live in the Northeast and it rarely gets THAT hot. I have driven the car with a beating sun on the screen and although it gets a little warm, it has never tripped the temperature alarm like if it was sitting on a dashboard baking.

I can have this iPad out WITHOUT tools in 30 seconds. It is very secure, and less obvious when built it, but if i am going to leave the car for a long time (like when its stored this winter) I will just pop it out and use it.

As far as the daily vibrations and wear and tear- it is very stable inside the bezel. There are no roads I would ever dream of driving this car on that would vibrate an iPad to the point of internal damage. And I (as long as others) used a foam insulating tape to hold it in place for vibration dampening. I did this more for rattles, than I did to worry about the iPad being damaged.

That being said I can understand your concerns, and your install and idea are very good! Personally I like having it screen locked and safely disguised in my dash so I don't always have to put the top up, or hide the unit if I leave the car.

[Wilson01S]

Plus I really enjoy the added benefit of the device charing, and not taking up my accessory outlet

[epapp]

I have kept mine in the dash on 100+ days, direct sun, even on cold nights when you are blasting the heater (the cut you make just below the center vents allows a bit of hot air to blast the back of the ipad) doesn't give me the cool down warning...granted it will kill your battery by constantly getting blasted by the hot air, but I have considered the battery a goner since the tablet is being charged constantly anyways (bad for long battery life).

And to the vibration point, if the radio, gauge cluster, HVAC panel etc can handle vibrations (digital/analog electronics), why couldn't an ipad?? Its not like the transistors are going to jump out of the chip, or the electrons out of the wires..

[jaykay]

There are certain mini cases that could be possibly be used to provide shock absorption. One would have to carve out more space and trim the front of the case to allow for flush fit up front.

This arrangement may affect heat transfer though! You could cut holes in the case to for this..

[Cebu]

I also appreciate the built in iPad look but use mine so much it wouldn't be practical. Did you relocated your radio and HVAC unit? My head unit and HVAC is taking the lower area space. I'm planning on using the iPad as a music source with the proper harness.

What's behind the iPad now?

Originally Posted by sneakyfe

As much as I love the look of a permanent iPad install, there is an important consequence to consider. Depending in your area, but where I live in California it gets really hot especially these past few weeks. It is advisable (as recommended by Apple) not to leave your ipad in the car as it will overheat the device. You will get this message on your screen "“iPad needs to cool down before you can use it”. Even when you're driving with the top down, if the ipad is exposed directly to the sun, it will overheat overtime.

Instead of the hard install, I just placed my mini ipad cover in the small opening and it looks just as good. The iPad cover fits perfectly and it does not slide at all. It's simple and I won't have to worry about damaging the ipad on really hot days! My iPad works on bluetooth connectivity with my stereo. I am able to use the GPS, Pandora, Facetime, and have Siri read my emails and text messages. Also, its less of a hassle when you want to upgrade your ipad down the road.

[Wilson01S]

My car had (from top to bottom) cup holders, CDR220, Storage cubby, HVAC. I removed the storage and the cupholders, and then moved the radio down to where the storage cubby was (as seen in the picture).

Behind the iPad is a cavernous space. Could be used to smuggle items across the border, or like me just an empty space that serves no purpose.

[Cebu]

Did you have to purchase any relocation hardware? My current configuration is:
Cup holders
Radio
CD storage
HVAC unit

I want to setup mine like yours. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Wilson01S

My car had (from top to bottom) cup holders, CDR220, Storage cubby, HVAC. I removed the storage and the cupholders, and then moved the radio down to where the storage cubby was (as seen in the picture).

Behind the iPad is a cavernous space. Could be used to smuggle items across the border, or like me just an empty space that serves no purpose.

[Wilson01S]

Originally Posted by Cebu

Did you have to purchase any relocation hardware? My current configuration is:
Cup holders
Radio
CD storage
HVAC unit

I want to setup mine like yours. Thanks!

Nope you will not need any. The CD storage and the storage bin snap in with the exact same blue plastic tabs. You can easily remove the CD storage without tools.

Remove the trim around the cup holders and I believe there was two t20 torx bolts holding it in, but that too might have just snapped out with plastic tabs.

You will need the radio removal keys for your radio to remove it from the metal bezel it is currently in. Once you remove it you will have to snake all the wiring harnesses carefully down through the sharp, dark, tight cavern that is your dash and get them to come out in the spot where your CD storage was. Once you do that the radio will slide and click into that spot without any tools or additional mounting kits/trim.

It really is very simple. Let us know if you have any more questions! I read through the first few pages of this thread several times because shehadehd did a nice job with his process on what he dremeled/how he did it!

[Cebu]

Thanks for the info! I'm going to do the mod this weekend. I have the CDR220 radio harness to USB kit and the radio removal tool. I need to order a storage bin and possibly a blank panel. I don't plan on using the cup holder or the CD storage.

One note, since I'm moving the HVAC from lowest location it seems the face panel may have an angle in order to fit. If I use the same panel at the very top location it almost looks like the lower part would have a gap. Your setup doesn't show a gap.

Originally Posted by Wilson01S

Nope you will not need any. The CD storage and the storage bin snap in with the exact same blue plastic tabs. You can easily remove the CD storage without tools.

Remove the trim around the cup holders and I believe there was two t20 torx bolts holding it in, but that too might have just snapped out with plastic tabs.

You will need the radio removal keys for your radio to remove it from the metal bezel it is currently in. Once you remove it you will have to snake all the wiring harnesses carefully down through the sharp, dark, tight cavern that is your dash and get them to come out in the spot where your CD storage was. Once you do that the radio will slide and click into that spot without any tools or additional mounting kits/trim.

It really is very simple. Let us know if you have any more questions! I read through the first few pages of this thread several times because shehadehd did a nice job with his process on what he dremeled/how he did it!