iPad Mini indash 97 expedition

[alaskanate]

Hello all, I'm working on making a in dash removable iPad mini dash, and keeping the a/c controls and stereo. I have relocated them successfully if anyone was wondering, to the console. I'm still working on fiberglassing the center console pieces in to make it look good so far, and then I'll start the dash cap. I will post pics as soon as I get to a computer.

 

[RedOne]

I'd be interested in this project. Please post more details when you can.

 

[GAINMOB]

no pics? no proof? not doing it...lol

 

[alaskanate]

Lol I am, I posted this on my phone with the hopes I could find a site to let me get IMG codes from, sadly realizing I cant and my laptop finally s*** on me a few weeks ago...first day off is tomorrow so ill see if I can get some pics up tomorrow afternoon of my progress

 

[alaskanate]

Pics are a little late but here they are..its a start. I disassembled the heater controls and had to hack away the mounts....tear...and cut away and some in the console to get the stereo mount to fit snugly. I went to best buy and looked for the best stereo mounts I could find that I could fiberglass or plastic weld in and the guy was really cool and brought me back some options and the one I grabbed was a stereo adapter for a 80's caddy I think...ill grab part numbers later. but for right now I used the cheap little grids that bondo comes with to fill in the gaps after the mounts and heater assy plate was plastic welded to the console. still have a bit more sanding to do and get it textured but its coming in nicely, and the only reason I relocated the heater controls was because the vacuum lines reached...if I had to extend them in some way it would've been a no go for me. sorry for the long post but i'm just trying to fit in as much info on this as possible! I had an app radio ( if you don't have the cord, DONT GET ONE! theyre useless) and had to hack away at the insides of the dash to get that to fit, but now I'm looking at ipad minis and the dimensions fit almost perfect. more pics to come soon. OH and I filled in those stupid galleys that get filled with soda and other sticky drinks, I hated that.

 

[alaskanate]

heres pics of my expedition, 97' with 180k 5.4. its my only truck, traded for a $200 1989 ranger v6 I built when I was 16/17 out of pieces of 2 other bronco 2's. I traded straight across, pretty good deal I never thought id come across. home made roof rack, hids all around except fogs, btl 18 being reconed atm, trying to get some bigger tires as well, but with working two jobs I never find time to get any good deals. heres a bunch of pics, ive been using forums especially this one for a long time now, for every vehicle ive owned. enjoy!

 

[RollinKaos]

Clean looking Expy. I like the idea relocating the stereo and climate controls for the Ipad mini. Keep us updated.

 

[alaskanexpy]

looking good, i've seen that expy around town for years now. seems as though it had changed hands alot in the last 3-4 years. hope it treats you well!

ranger looks great, did you happen to paint it at KCC?

keep up the good work man!

 

[alaskanate]

Thanks guys! and yeah I did go through KCC, amazing programs there. I have added a few touches to my expy, I got it around February of this year, and it was otherwise bone stock.

 

[JTKustoms]

Take a look at my albums, I did an iPad 2 in my truck last year and relocated my double din to the same location that you are. My ac controls are tucked back behind the iPad since I don't use them often and popping the iPad panel out to access them takes all of 3 seconds

 

[alaskanate]

That looks super cool, id love to wrap most of my stuff but its so expensive, I noticed you used the same vinyl spray that I have around every panel in my truck, but then you wrapped those too haha. I live in Alaska so for the winter the heat vents are a little necessary...and I'm thinking of cutting the top of the bezel so I can keep the stock trim on the inside as to look as factory as possible and fit a mini in there to slide up and down through it. haven't gotten the mini yet so I'm still thinking of different ways.

 

[alaskanexpy]

i have to agree KCC is awesome. i painted my plow truck there my senior year. learned alot.

make sure to get some pics when your all done with this project.

 

[JTKustoms]

That looks super cool, id love to wrap most of my stuff but its so expensive, I noticed you used the same vinyl spray that I have around every panel in my truck, but then you wrapped those too haha. I live in Alaska so for the winter the heat vents are a little necessary...and I'm thinking of cutting the top of the bezel so I can keep the stock trim on the inside as to look as factory as possible and fit a mini in there to slide up and down through it. haven't gotten the mini yet so I'm still thinking of different ways.

Good luck with it man, can't wait to see it. You're doing it exactly how I did, just kinda figuring it out as you go. Any questions feel free to ask

 

[alaskanate]

Well heres somewhat the finished product, Its not perfectly even but no one will notice unless you point it out....it bugs me hah. well I used a bedliner spray from my work and it worked way better than I thought it would be, I love the texture. needs another coat though because some of the bondo soaked a little bit of the color up. Now im waiting on an ipad mini to come into my hands soon, within the next week or so. Im seriously considering a slide down through the top of the dash cap. I'll just go with it and see what happens!

 

[alaskanate]

Just got a slate black iPad mini, going to start thinking of attachment options now. Either using the magnet type or slide in, but idk if I can fit a plug to charge the iPad in the little space I have between the vents if I'm going landscape which is what I want, suggestions...?

 

[JTKustoms]

Mine doesn't have a charger because I take it out to use it all the time anyways. So unless its gonna be dedicated strictly for the truck then I wouldn't worry about a charger. Looks great though so far

 

[alaskanate]

So I taped up the iPad and fiberglassed around it, I'm going with the "float mount" direction. I will cut a bit of the dash on the sides and then fiberglass the piece in. Progress so far!

 

[alaskanate]

Finally have most of it done for now, I still want to sand down the outer edges of the panel to match the smoothie dashboard. This one piece took way to much sanding then it should've been and I'm still not done...lol here you guys go and btw that magnet holds it in there tight but you have to form a lip at the bottom or it will hang out at the bottom

 

[alaskanate]

And btw I had to fiberglass it in place to fill the gap on top and bottom as you see here

 

[alaskanexpy]

pretty sure i saw you going down abbot on sunday around 4:15ish? noticed the rack and painted rear pillers. looked good!