are you trying to relocate the whole headunit or just the control panel? either way, its easy enough, all u have to do is cut the wire harness, add extension wires to the desired length, and move it wherever u want it

 

Hey guys. I got linked here from Hackaday (Yes, I read all 22 pages). I'm not a Ford truck owner, but I am a vehicle automation enthusiast and am seeking to do an iPad mini install as well. I wanted to let you guys know that there may be hope for you who own the limited model with the built-in screen. There was a hack posted recently showing how a guy got a Whistler radar detector to display info on his vehicle's built-in displays. Now, I know that you guys want to do the opposite and be able to control your vehicle's HVAC and other systems from another device. With the right hardware, this is entirely possible. You need to interface with your truck's CAN bus, which is the same bus that takes input from your window buttons and essentially everything else you push to make something happen. With an iPad connected via bluetooth to an Arduino or other microcontroller, either a webpage or a purpose-developed iOS app would be able to control anything in your car that uses the CAN bus. I don't know the extent of Ford's implementation of devices on the CAN bus, or even if the Limited's built-in screen sends messages on it, but this is the place to start. Just to be clear, this is a lot of work that requires a lot of expensive bench equipment. It would take development by a dedicated person or people to make happen, but it is possible.

Hope this helped. You guys have given me ideas on things to do in my own car.


http://phzero.net/?q=whistler

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-F-150-2013-Double-Single-Din-Car-Stereo-Installation-Dash-Kit-Bezel-Facia-/171122862902?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27d7b7ab36&vxp=mtr#ht_617wt_919

 

But it's fugly!

 

How did u secure tha ipad to the bezel I can not figure out a way to do it

 

Before I screwed up the paint on my metra panel for my mini-dash, I rested the bottom of the iPad on a layer of double sided tape on the top of the climate controls to "prop it up" so to speak. Then I made a 90 degree backing plate out of plastic that secures on the climate control panel using double sided tape and rests against the backside of the iPad. I can't anticipate it moving anywhere at all.

 

Hi TKO_818, Trying to get this done but having a hard time getting in touch with you. Please give me a email or call so we can get started. The work looks great!!

Jonathan@Brenthel.com

949-566-8790

 

So I took 3M vhb dark grey double sided automotive tape and placed this on all 4 sides of the bezel to secure the face of the ipad and to protect the ipad from the plastic. Then I took a piece of angle bracket on the back (i just found a piece of metal in our workshop at work) and used the 3M again on the back of ipad and then took short screws and screwed the bracket to the climate control box. There is room in there where you wont hit anything as long as you use short screws. This thing doesnt move!! Here is a a pic.

 

When you unbolt the radio and put it face down is there anyway to bolt it up like that or does it sit behind the bezel freely?

 

I box mine in with abs plastic so the only way to remove it is to slide it out to an opening in one side..