Thread: A Jeep TJ gets Android

Now, with that out of the way, I started working on my new 'stereo' install last night. When I start most projects, I like to have a pretty good plan in place. With the TJ, I decided to take a different approach. Although I had the concept outlined, I knew there were so many things that would get adjusted on the fly. Compared to some of the other things I've done, this is a relatively simple project. That said, I'm a perfectionist when it comes to the details, so we'll see if can make myself happy the first time around. I gathered the parts I though I'd need, and decided to just jump right in.

A car dock for my phone attached to a Bracketron mount was a good start. I'll be able to tether the phone's internet access with the Android tablet I'll be using as a head unit. This mount was made just for Jeep TJ's, and fits perfectly to the side of the center bezel. All screws are hidden behind the bezel itself, so it makes for a very clean looking install.



I'm going to be using a rooted Nook Color, and in order to fit it in place, I needed to move the HVAC controls. After pulling the center bezel off and looking around, it appeared that the controls could be moved down after a little cutting and duct modification. Here is the end result after fabbing a pair of new brackets. I've still got to make a new surround to fill the gap.





In addition to the Nook, I'm adding a Hifonics HFEQ. This will allow me fine control over the signal being sent to the amps. I can switch between inputs and use it as the main volume control.



The approximate position of the Nook...



I'm using a tablet mount from RAM, and I've got to figure out a good way to mount it. That's coming up soon!



Now one last thing. I have a bluetooth OBDII reader installed for the Nook. I reversed the plug and bent it up slightly to keep it out of the way. I'll be able to use an Android app called Torque to read all relevent Jeep data.

I needed to get the Nook mount in place, and modify the center bezel. I had a lot of options when it came to mounting, but I wanted to keep it simple, and by default reliable. If it won't take abuse, it's not worth putting in a Jeep. So, I decided to utilize my existing Quadratec iVault. It has served me well for the past year or so, and now it was getting a few more holes... The idea was to eventually make a storage compartment behind the face, and use the face itself to hold the RAM mount. Now, I do realize that nothing is ever truly safe in a Jeep, but there are times I need to stash something quickly while running in to a store. The Nook itself would likely get put in there.

So, let's start with the mods. Due to the mounting points in the RAM, I needed to move the existing iVault lock to the left. I drilled a hole, and shaped it with my Dremel. This was the result.



Now I needed to make a few holes for the RAM mount.



Now finally the mount and iVault face are bolted together.



It was time for a test fit. As you can see, it attaches nicely. Now one could argue about the aesthetics of it's spacing away from the the bezel as it is, but it works well for me. It's within easy reach, and most importantly, nothing is blocked. That was a priority here. I've seen installs where the vents are unusable, or the HVAC controls are inaccessible. That may technically work, but I couldn't live with it. There was no way I wanted to sacrifice any function just to do something cool. That's also the reason the Nook isn't more tightly integrated into the bezel. It needs to be easily removable, and make for easy maintenance should it be needed.





Now, let's take a look at the Hifonics EQ. It's very easy to use in this location, but I'm not sure the pic is doing it justice. I have to do something about the gap above it though. I can't just shove a fill plate in there and call it good. I've got to fix it the right way. You can see the hole I added for access to the iVault lock.



So, it was time to do a little cutting. I've got everything marked out and ready for the Dremel.



After the cuts...



Let's clamp that piece in place...



I cut a piece of plexi to fit behind the hole, and epoxied it in place. Once the epoxy cures, it will get smoothed out with a fiberglass reinforced Bondo.



After a few light layers of Bondo and subsequent sanding, I gave it a quick shot of primer. Here you can see the fresh primer still in the process of drying. A few more coats and it will be like glass. I dare you to say it doesn't look completely OEM.



The last thing I did was reassemble everything to triple check fitment. It all looks good, so it's on to mounting the EQ solidly, and getting a fill plate made for the HVAC. Then it's painting and final assembly!

Here I swapped cases on my Nook Color to something more appropriate for the Jeep. I still need to get some hardwiring done, and also build custom touch contacts for docking. I'm just waiting on some parts from Mouser.com.

I managed to get almost a decade of hard service out of my original Audiomobile sub, but it recently gave up the ghost. I new setup was in order, so here's something I've whipped up in my spare time. It's a low-profile sub box. I will fit a pair of 10" subs, and is just around 1 cubic foot in volume. To get some idea of scale, it's only 6 inches tall. It's designed to fit in the rear of a TJ with a Bestop Instatrunk installed. If you don't have an Instatrunk, it will still fit of course. The rear seat will still fold and tumble without any interference. Although this is just the CAD drawing, it is sitting in my garage almost finished. It's ready to be sealed with resin and will get a coat of Monstaliner before installation.



Now the real thing! This was actually one of the quicker projects I had to do. After the initial box construction, I was able to get it sealed with resin, and a coat of Monstaliner. I then added handles for ease of handling, and they will also double as tie downs once in the Jeep. In the pic below you can see I added electrical tape the under side to eliminate any unwanted vibration. The handles were easily installed.




Now, a sub box isn't of much use without subs. Due to the low profile of the box, and a volume of slightly less than 1 cubit foot, the sub choice was critical. For years I've only bought relatively high end audio gear, Alpine, Clarion, Eclipse, and etc. It's because of quality gear that I've had almost a decade of hard use out of my current hardware. That said, here is where I deviated from my past line of thinking. I decided to take a chance on something much cheaper based on very solid reviews. I bought a pair of Boss D10F Phantoms. My next choice up was almost triple the price per sub. Not that money was an issue necessarily, but audio wasn't the priority for me that it used to be. I don't need to wake up the neighborhood, I just want something solid that can be heard/felt on the road with the top off.

As I installed the subs I noted a few things. They are relatively heavy, and seem well built. There is an ominous 'Made in China' sticker prominently placed on the back, but no obvious design shortcomings. I did note that a gasket wasn't included. For what little they cost, I was disappointed that one wasn't in the box. The subs bolted right in the box and otherwise hooked up with ease. There were nice push connectors as opposed to spade terminals which was a nice addition.



So, moving on to the installed box... While it drops right in, it must be noted that it only installs one way. The rear seat must be folded forward, and in my case, the Instatrunk had to be removed. The box sits in place, and the Instatrunk goes back and is bolted in place. Also, the box is intentionally too wide to pull out the back. This was done for security purposes. You will never do a slash and grab on this thing. It's going to take some effort, and even then it isn't plainly obvious as to how it comes out. Sure, I can't remove it on a whim, but nobody else can either.

That's all well and good you say, but how does it sound? Let me say this... I am simply amazed! These things hit low and solid. There is no obvious distortion or bottoming out. Although they are rated at 800watts max/400 watts RMS, they are taking a solid 700 watts from my JBL BP600.1 and loving it. To think, I've bought RCA cables that cost what these subs cost. Time will only tell how long they last, but as long as the power stays clean, and I don't overdrive them, I think they'll be fine.

So, that catches you all up to where I am now. I'm currently working on revising the tablet mount and hope to have that done in the next few days. I'm sure I left some things out, so feel free to fire away with any questions or comments.

Loving the project. I just bought a Nook Color too rooted w/ CM7.1 and Honeycomb theme. Coincidentally, I've been searching today on ways to mount it in my next project. I narrowed it down to either a hard poly case w/ a custom mount or that said same RAM mount, but from the perspective of ease of removal the RAM mount won of course and you sir just confirmed that. I don't like the look of the adapters for use w/ the cases so I think I'll run mine w/out a case and use the small adapter that just holds the corners. Are you gonna be hooking it up to charge while in the vehicle or just take it out and charge inside? Also audio will be sent out through the headphone jack I'm assuming and not over BT? SUBSCRIBED!

Thanks! I'm looking at loading up CM7.1 as well. Phiremod isn't updated as often and I'm missing out on some of the new changes. USB host support being one of them. I do like the RAM mount a lot, and it's just so dead simple to pull in and out. I'm trying to implement a USB plug in to the mount, but have hit a wall. The plug I've got has a 5 wire connection, and the receiver I have for the other end has 4 wires. For some reason I can't get the Nook to charge when it's plugged in. I'm guessing I need that 5th wire hooked up, but have no place to do so. What I'd really love is some sort of micro-usb extention cable. I'd be set then, but I've looked and can't locate one. I'll also be using a plug and touch contacts for the audio. No bluetooth if I can help it. I'll hopefully get some pics posted of what I'm talking about so it's much clearer.

Im loving cm7.1 especially for the better battery life. To get usb host u gotta use the new nightlies. I think i will just wait for the final 7.1 before jumping into usb hosting.

Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk

Yes, I've heard it's worth the install, but I'm in no hurry to do it yet. I've got my Nook tweaked and set up the way I want it. I'll hold off for a while longer. I've got to focus on wrapping up all the install details anyway.