Thread: Tablet dash install

Hi guys,
I'm thinking about installing a mini-tablet into the dash on my D2.
I've done a bit of research and I reckon I can do it without too many dramas.
I've looked everywhere for a double-din adapter for the dash of the D2 but it appears that there are seven million on Ebay for the D3 and precisely zero for the D2.
I've seen this thread on another forum: Double Din Dash Rebuild, Land Rover Discovery - Car Audio | DiyMobileAudio.com | Car Stereo Forum
And I think this will be my only option. I would love to use an Ipad mini but they are only just a little bit too big and would require a ton of extra hacking to make it fit. Also they are waaay expensive.
I'm probably gonna use the Google Nexus 7 because it's smaller, therefore easier to install and the display is pretty darn good.
So here's my plan:
-Get another dash panel or 2 from the wreckers.
-Get a second hand tablet (even one with a blown battery will do).
-Hack, modify, dremel, epoxy etc until it fits in the dash.
-Run a cigarette lighter 12V socket to the power wire for the old headunit hide it in the old head unit slot, and plug one of those USB adaptors into it for power for the tablet.
-Get a breakout cable, and hook it up to a USB hub to hide in the dash also, so I can have charging, external storage, USB radio adaptor, etc all running into the port on the tablet.
-Run the 3.5 headphone jack to an amp which will be installed under the drivers seat where the old CD stacker was (because the tab alone doesn't put out enough power itself to power a carload of speakers).
-Install some half decent speakers/tweeters etc into the doors.

I have done a bit of looking around the dark corners of the internet and I have seen a few dash installs on various cars but I haven't seen one on a Land Rover.
The way I see it, if I do a bit of Gumtree/Ebay related browsing, I can have all my music, movies, navigation, apps etc, in the car, and it won't cost too much more than getting a double din or decent single din installed. (And keep the missus entertained on long trips )

I wonder if anyone has thought about trying something like this, or has tried it, I'd love to hear from you.
Cheers, Dave.

Originally Posted by schuy1

IPads need a 2 amp charger / power source. As a guide to any power needs just check the device's supplied charger, They generaly have the rate on them. the BainBridge USB Aux power units are 2amp, as are the Narva 1's
Cheers

This is true they need just over 2 amp to charge. Just as important is the ipad mini needs to put out something like 1.6v to the amp otherwise it will be just too quiet. The ipad itself only puts out .6v or something like that. If you want to use iPad mini as the only head unit the easiest way is to use an istreamer. Istreamer is a DAC, digital to analog converter.
You will also need to run an amplifier. In the picture you will see four cables coming out of the istreamer, the top right cable is the power source for the I streamer, it is a cigarette plug type, you will need to hardwire a cigarette socket in the dash somewhere. The bottom right cable is just your lightning cable which plugs into your iPad mini. The two cables on the left are obviously RCA cables which run into your amplifier. The only other item you will need is a Mastaer volume control knob, the istream takes over the volume of the iPad mini and default set to full volume. A simple inline RCA level control knob will do the trick.
If you use a JVC amplifier (which I use) they do their own volume control knob which plugs directly into the amplifier via a telephone type connector, much easier.
This is where I mounted my volume control. With your arm on the arm rest your hand is right next to it. It all sounds complicated but it's really quite simple. It's easy to do, it sounds crystal clear(with good amp and speakers of course) and it charges Properly.