Tablet Installs

[eDge2k]

I got myself a sport trac about 2 weeks ago, was just curious since I havent been able to find any out there, has anyone seen any tablet installs, like a 7-8" tablet that still keeps a factory look and is still removable in this particular dash?

I keep looking at the Nexus 7, and I'm really thinking about getting one to play with and see what I can come up with, I just like to see examples before diving in blindly when I can.

This was the project in the Ranger I had previously, I modified my netbook that I dropped.. several times.. and decided to work it into the truck for fun, my wife wouldnt be pleased if I took away the air vents in another vehicle lol

[ Original thread here for those interested ]

http://www.ranger-forums.com/audio-video-tech-41/10-netbook-into-molded-carpc-95-mazda-b2300-108760/

 

[DjDom]

You can fit a Nexus 7 or iPad Mini in the stock double din location pretty easily with just a bit of trimming.
There's actually a show on Youtube that I like to watch where they do tons of iPad/Tablet dash installs. It's called amplified. I'm pretty sure you can buy their 'float mount kit' for an iPad mini and put it in yourself if you know how to fiberglass.

I wish you the best of luck, and keep the pics coming if you do it!
Nice Ranger dash btw.

Just a side note, here's a tablet install in the dash:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375054

 

[eDge2k]

This is exactly what Iwas looking for! Thanks!! I've watched the amplified show a few times before its neat but they don't always show the parts id like to see to help me cheat in the figure it out yourself department lol.

Do you know if the explorer console fits the sport trac? I don't like mine at all and the arm rest is stuck in the down position anyway. It would be perfect to relocate some buttons and switches to

 

[DjDom]

You mean the long console?
Yeah.. it should. I swapped my short one out for the long one. Here's a guide!

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=393003

 

[eDge2k]

You are a saint among mere mortals. I'm glad I finally signed up for this forum haha hopping theres a console at the junk yard that matches my interior, ill make a trip this weekend. Maybe convince my coworker to let go of his nexus 7 in the process so I can make this happen before my wife catches on lol

 

[DjDom]

You are a saint among mere mortals. I'm glad I finally signed up for this forum haha hopping theres a console at the junk yard that matches my interior, ill make a trip this weekend. Maybe convince my coworker to let go of his nexus 7 in the process so I can make this happen before my wife catches on lol

Aha, the console is a bit hard to find. Especially one that's in tact. I lucked out so much on my trip to the scrap yard. I managed to find an Overhead console and a long console. Both in great condition and matching color.
Since my Ex is an XL.. it didn't come with anything. But it does have the premium mach radio.

If you do go to get that console, take my guide with you or write it down. It says exactly what you'll need to get. If you forget the mounting bracket, you won't be able to get it in. Or if you forget to grab the front plastic HVAC thing, you won't get rear heat/air.

I wish you the best of luck! Feel free to ask questions about the install in my guide/thread!

 

[eDge2k]

Ill always have my phone with me so your guide goes where I go, so to speak. I'm not really worried about the rear heat or controls as I plan to reshape it a little back there but mostly want it for the front pieces and better lower sitting cupholders, I lost 44oz of big gulp the first week I had it and was beyond pissed, thank god for the rubber carpet.

Come to think of it, Ithink I already have 3 or 4 overhead consoles in various colors somewhere ina box, ijust might have to do something creative with one of those as well. Hmm..

 

[DjDom]

Ill always have my phone with me so your guide goes where I go, so to speak. I'm not really worried about the rear heat or controls as I plan to reshape it a little back there but mostly want it for the front pieces and better lower sitting cupholders, I lost 44oz of big gulp the first week I had it and was beyond pissed, thank god for the rubber carpet.

Come to think of it, Ithink I already have 3 or 4 overhead consoles in various colors somewhere ina box, ijust might have to do something creative with one of those as well. Hmm..

Overhead console makes for a great place to mount switches!
But the long console heater is very easy to add. 2 wires.
2 more wires to make the side power outlet work.

 

[bronchole]

I'm sure you already know this but make sure whatever tablet you go with has the built in GPS sensor. I just recently researched the idea of using a tablet as a navigation unit for my Monsterneer. You would be amazed at how many tablets do not have the built in GPS sensor. I ended up biting the bullet and getting a new Nexus 7. I have been playing with various navigation programs since I am too cheap to have a data plan for my phone, but that's a whole nother story!

 

[DjDom]

I'm sure you already know this but make sure whatever tablet you go with has the built in GPS sensor. I just recently researched the idea of using a tablet as a navigation unit for my Monsterneer. You would be amazed at how many tablets do not have the built in GPS sensor. I ended up biting the bullet and getting a new Nexus 7. I have been playing with various navigation programs since I am too cheap to have a data plan for my phone, but that's a whole nother story!

Just use Google Maps.

Open the maps app, and press settings and save map for offline use. That way you can use the tablet offline, so long as GPS locks, and it saves the map for you.
I think it also saves stores/locations on the map. But they won't be as up to date as they would be if you were using data.

Android's beautiful.

 

[bronchole]

Google maps routing engine, the thing that calculates routs, is not resident in you tablet. Therefore if you stray too far from your "planned" rout the rout shuts down. Also if you want to program a destination in without internet access you are SOL. All the maps and even satelite images are still there and your location drives the map, but no navigation except the rout you started when you were hooked up to the internet.

There are several free navigation programs that are pretty good. There are a couple pay-for programs that are even better. So far my favorite free program is NavFree. I have tried the trail version of Sygic and that is pretty nice, but it's gonna cost like $30. Garmin and TomTom both have Android programs that should act very simmilar to their dedicated units for around $40-$50. I haven't figured out which one I am going to spend the money on yet.

There is another pay-for program that is centered around using Topo maps. It is quite a bit less expensive and I have a friend that has been using it and says it works great. I think it's called Back Country Navigator and runs $10.

I will probably go with the back country and Nav Free. Use the nav Free for on-road navigation and the Back country for off road navigation.

 

[DjDom]

Hmm, I'm still pretty sure you can download the Google maps and it'll work.
I haven't tried it recently, but it would work on my tablet.

I'm an Android developer, so I'm sure there's a way. I remember there being an actual Google Maps app coded by a third party to allow for offline navigation.
Honestly, the Tom Tom app is probably your best choice. But, keep in mind, if you buy it, you get 24 hours to try to app. You can get a refund within that 24 hour time period. So why not buy it and try it?

 

[bronchole]

I did try the google map app the second day I owned my Nexus 7. I made a WHOLE bunch of maps and even some satellite images available off line. I then turned off the network connection (airplane mode) and played around my neighborhood with it. IT tracked me on the maps just fine. When I got home I turned the network back on and continued to play.

The next day I went to a show in LA. I programed in the LA convention center and it calculated the rout. Cool! I needed to stop off an pick up a buddy on the way to the show. He was not exactly on the way that the engine calculated. About 6 miles out of the way. Google maps was continuously attempting to re-rout me, but always back on to the original rout it had generated when I was at home. I was watching because I wanted to see how long it was going to take before it generated a new rout because I was going towards another freeway that would have been WAY shorter by the time I got to my buddys house than from my house. Just before I got to my buddies house Google maps gave up and canceled the rout. I was still being traced on the map, hell I was still on the satellite images I had cached, but I was not able to generate a new rout.

When I got home I researched this issue and that is when I found that the Google Maps routing engine is not resident in the tablet. It is resident in the Google Maps server online.

 

[DjDom]

Bleh, just get Tom Tom or a wifi hotspot thing. It's like $10 a month for 4G data connection. Mount it in your car somewhere and you're good to go.

 

[Brad Manning]

I just customized my dash piece in my 2000 xlt to fit an 8" Samsung Galaxy Tab E