I had always had an idea of completely replacing my center dash insert around the stereo and ac/heat controls with a custom piece designed for an in dash a/v system with a touchscreen. Has anyone done any custom stereo work on the dash?
I'm doing a test with integrating my iPad as main unit in my mach 1 -71. I have one laying around so I thought I'd give it a try. In the early days I was a stereo freak (who isn't at 18-20!?) so I have some experience with making custom parts out of plastic. It's going to be situated under/over the lower part of the dash at a 45 degree angle. I'm doing this by fabricating an aluminum huousing that connects with the center console and then using filler and bond to make it flow nicely. It will cover the ventilation controls but since it's going to be retractable through a slot in the side I figure it wouldn't hurt. My volume control will still be hooked up to the original stereo so I won't hack anything away. There is a connection kit available for just that.
The iPad will sit in an original dock tilted at an angle with digital output.
iPad --> connection kit --> JBL 1500w x1 + JBL 120w x4 --> 12" MTX subwoofer + 4"+1" Rockford Fosgate in front + 6 1/2" Alpine Reference 2-way in the rear.
Good thing that the iPhone connects via blutooth to the iPad and gives it internet for spotify and pandora. Doing this will also give me the availability to use the gps and accelerometer in the iPad as well as controlling it via Siri.
I haven't started yet but I'll posts some pics when I do! (winter project)
