Project: iPad 2 GPS

After taking a multi day off road expedition with some buddies, I noticed a few of them were using iPad2's instead of units made by Lowrance. Although the price of an iPad2 is comparable to the Lowrance units, I had already gotten an iPad for college so I didn't have to spend much more money. I looked around on google and asked my buddies, booth sources unanimously suggested the Motion X HD GPS app as well as a GNS 5870 MFI GPS Receiver. The app gives several layers of maps (street, topographic, satellite) and also lets you upload your own routes or waypoints in a .gpx file. The receiver was about $80 on Amazon. Cheaper units are out there, but I liked this one since it connects wirelessly. This allows me to either connect to my headunit and play music or charge the iPad.

With the hardware taken care of, the task of integrating it into my truck was initiated. Since this is my DD, I didn't want to hack into my dash board to mount this thing. I checked out floor-mount RAM mounts. They're cool and all, but wildly expensive and I didn't want to buy something that would shake and move while off road. Google images got me this picture, which I thought was damn near perfect. With my mount plan figured out, I set out to replicate it.


At first, I wanted to make it so that the iPad slid into the console similar to this (it slides in from the passenger side):


After several failed attempts, I realized that I suck at working with wood. Plan B came while at the hardware store. I found some "L" pieces and a "C" Channel in their hardware department that should work perfectly. After cutting the pieces out, this is what I came up with. It may not look the best, but it's not finished yet. It holds it in snug enough that I can hold the piece upside down and the iPad won't fall out. Not bad for about $5 in supplies.






I then cut out some side pieces. I didn't get as intricate as the one I'm basing my idea off of, mine won't go all the way back and under the floor vents.




I had to do some sanding to all 3 pieces to get them to fit the curvature of the dash pieces, but it fits in there snug and in a dry run to the fabric store today didn't move at all over speed bumps or dips in intersections. It'll still be bolted to the floor for added security.

I quickly sprayed some black paint on it the other day just to make it look a bit better. I have a grey and black interior, so this fits nicely. I also picked up some black suede (on sale!) at the fabric store today that I'll attempt to cover this in.



The project is almost over, but not quite. Thought I'd share to inspire some others.

So, using the receiver you don't need any Internet connection to use the gps?

If so I may have to go this route also.

I'm still waiting for someone to make a custom 95+ bezel kinda like the second picture you posted.

86 slo-vo said:

So, using the receiver you don't need any Internet connection to use the gps?

If so I may have to go this route also.

Click to expand...

Yupp! I have a wifi only model and once the receiver is connected I'm good to go.

As for a dash kit, I doubt that will happen. I wish though...

Are you going to pad the mount so it doesn't beat up your ipad?

5speedin2.3 said:

I'm still waiting for someone to make a custom 95+ bezel kinda like the second picture you posted.

Click to expand...

Like this?


http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=351111

Bennybooster said:

Are you going to pad the mount so it doesn't beat up your ipad?

Click to expand...

It's held in tight. Suede will cover everything too. Because it uses a solid state drive I don't think vibration will be much of an issue, but if it is I'll cross that bridge when I get to it

doyouquaxu said:

It's held in tight. Suede will cover everything too. Because it uses a solid state drive I don't think vibration will be much of an issue, but if it is I'll cross that bridge when I get to it

Click to expand...

I bet the metal that comes up over the front of your ipad will scratch the crap out of it. I would do some cheap insurance and pad it

I have a rubber like case that covers the back as well as wraps around the edges. I also have an invisishield on the top glass. None of the metal bits will ever come in contact with an unprotected surface of the iPad, and as I said everything will also be wrapped in suede and the metal edges will also have plastic guards on them. If it still manages to scratch then it is well deserved.

Keep us updated on this. I'm interested.

Very cool idea. I use Backcountry Navigator on my android phone and have always wanted to do something like this.

i'm still working on this. spend a lot of time just taking the uncut suede trying to figure out how to wrap it up so that it'll all work.

first, i covered everything in some felt to give it a bit of padding where the ipad will live, and to hide the sharp corners of the wood. i used spray adhesive on the bare wood to keep the felt on there, the staples are to keep the felt stuck while the glue dries and whatnot.


I kind of said 'eff it' and eyeballed the cutting of this piece. it's close, and it's gonna get covered anyways so it's doing a good enough job.


aaaaaaaand, the first side of suede.

for my first time doing a custom wrapped box/mount/anything except a headliner, i don't think i did too bad of a job. it could be better, but i'm no pro. the inside edges won't be visible, so i'm not too worried about seeing staples or anything back there.

That's just too cool. That would get broke in my truck.

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just sitting in the truck