Good point Whereitsat. I also have the RCA, amp, etc. I'll have to track down which Metra harness I ended up using (I bought 2 different ones, because I read that's what I had to do, which is false). I'll try to get a picture of how I wired it as well. It was easy, once I figured out which way to do it. That was probably the longest part of the process.

 

Thanks. I saw the 2 USB inputs and like that idea. Good idea of running one to the armrest cubby.

 

That would be great, this my current setup so I'm half way there, just need to Mini in the top area..

 

I'm using the Pioneer DEH-X9500BHS (very similar to the DEH-80PRS) and pretty happy with the Pioneer/iPad combo.

Couple of comments specifically on this interface:

• It does a great job integrating music input with Pandora, Slacker, and direct music files on the iPad. I never use the radio anymore... One minor gripe about Pandora/Pioneer. They integrate so that you can control everything, select playlists, etc from the radio but there is no way to disable this! You simply can not control pandora on the iPad once you change the Pioneer mode to Pandora. Using Slacker, however, sidesteps this issue.
• The Pioneer does a better job managing with the USB interface than any other commodity car stereo I've tested. The charge current is sufficient to keep the iPad charged, but if the ipad is fully drained, the Pioneer USB current isn't enough to immediately turn the iPad on when you turn on the car. (eg I manually turn the ipad on in the garage with the car/pioneer off so it can update all the apps through my home wifi, and then I forget to go turn it off again, and leave the car sit for a few days. iPad then fully discharged.)
• Using a USB extension cable from the radio and connecting the iPad charge cable in an accessible spot makes things much easier.
• The display on the Pioneer could be a bit better... It's nice that you can adjust the color, but I find that when I set it to match the Porsche amber, it's a bit hard to read, especially with sunglasses and 52 year old eyes. Setting the display color to a light shade of blue makes it a bit easier for me to read.
• Pioneer (and just about every other company in the world) could take a few lessons from Apple in user interface design. The Pioneer isn't bad, but sometimes is a bit frustrating...

 

Thanks PFBZ. I have seen others comment about Pandora and Pioneer several times now. I don't understand why companies do what they do sometimes. Maybe someday Apple will make a car audio system. But then Apple does some frustrating things too. I really like the iPad mini idea, but I need to do some more research on head units. They all have there pluses and minuses. My 52 year old eyes can't live without cheaters anymore! Thanks again for the great comments!

 

pfbz makes some great points about the integration and installation. Using his direction, as well as my own brain power, I was able to do this on a 2001. Attached are some images showing how I handled it. Let me know if you have any questions, and I'll see what I can do.

It's actually relatively easy. Just have a to be a bit creative. I'm going to work on mine to make it a little cleaner here the next few days. But, that's more OCD on my part, since it's hidden.

Biggest tip I have, is to use Painters Tape to get straight lines in the channels (outlined below).

 

Thanks Mspross. This helps greatly. Why do you have a gap on the bottom and top of the iPad? Did you trim too much or is that just the way it sits?

 

Thanks Mspross! That helps. I definitely have to start this project in the near future.

 

Good question. First of all, the picture makes it look more gapped than it really is, because of the angle. The bottom portion, actually doesn't have a gap at all. The lower lip, sits inside the channel created. It is recessed, so, that may be why you are seeing a gap.

As far as the top portion, 1. Camera Angle, 2. The top channel isn't as deep as the bottom, therefore, it's more resting on the top portion, than in the channel. Also, if you look head onto the iPad mini, the screen really doesn't go all the way across the top, since the frame stick out a bit more than the screen. So, it's resting on that frame.

Good question though. I think to clean it up even more, I should have made the top channel a little deeper (1mm), and the bottom channel less deep.

But in reality, it really looks pretty OEM when all is said in done.

 

I agree it looks great and I'm tackling this tonight thanks to you!

 

Good luck! Take pics when your'e done!

I think I read somewhere, that there are dremel bits for plastic, that you can pick up at Lowes/Home Depot. I didn't have them, but, it may be worth looking into.

 

Mspross, did you connect the factory speaker wires to the new stereo plug? I'm removing a full din radio (pioneer) to install the iPad. The new single din pioneer uses the same plug, but the total monster cable (stock was factory Nav) is just too much to fit down to the lower cubby. Could I simply connect everything but the speakers as I will use the pre outs?

 

I believe you are correct. I will have to take a look though. I didn't have the nav system. I believe if you bypass the speakers, and have the amp (preouts) handle everything, you should be fine. I don't want to mess you up though. I'll try to take a look here in a bit.

 

Stuck again, do i need to dremmel the lower console (upper cubby) for the new Head unit to fit? I can't slide in the sleeve.

 

Very nice! Looks like you are a skitch fan as well?