Thread: 2006 Alfa Romeo GT - Removable In-Dash Android Tablet install (Samsung Galaxy Tab 7")

Love the GT, love the 147 in front even more. :P

I can't wait to see how you'll fit the tab in the dash. I think Galaxy Tab 7 is one of the few car PC worthy tablets that might be able to fit to the space where the radio and drawers were without much effort.

A friend of mine wants to follow a similar approach at his 147, so I'll keep an eye to this thread and wait for updates.

Thanks for the appreciation BrocasHelm!
The Alfa Romeo 147 is very similar to my GT and the dash is identical. My father's one has the same engine (1.9 turbo diesel 150 hp). Pro of the GT: very 'glued' to road, more efficient braking system, 'racing' seats. Cons of the GT: weight (147 seems more powerful because of less weight)
Cons of the 147: weak braking system

However you are right, the space seems to fit almost perfectly the tab. Yesterday I removed my JVC head unit and tried the tab. I have to arrange it in a way to mantain access inside the dash because I want to use it for the audio amplifier.

More to follow!

EDIT: I will edit this post on the go to add items to the shopping list

I'll separate the project in various step:

STEP 1: CREATING THE EXTENDED DOCK

STEP 2: MAKING AUDIO/POWER CONNECTIONS

STEP 3: INSTALLING THE DOCK

STEP 4: SOFTWARE SETUP

STEP 5: ON-THE-ROAD FUNCTIONALITY TESTING / LONG TRIP TESTING

STEP 6: FUTURE IMPLEMENTATIONS


This is the Main shopping list:

- Samsung Galaxy Tab P1000 (already found one used unit on ebay - perfect condition 180 eur) RECEIVED


Shopping list for Step 1:

- original Samsung multimedia dock (found on ebay - 29.80 eur shipping included) RECEIVED


- fiberglass kit (I'll search in local stores, else on ebay) - FOUND (13 eur)


- "stucco metallico" (don't know the exact translation, maybe "filler"?) to fill and smooth fiberglass - FOUND (3.70 eur)



Shopping list for Step 2:

- car charger with cigarette lighter plug (ebay - 11 eur shipping included) BROKEN, CHANGED WITH
- original Samsung Galaxy Tab Car Adapter (ebay - 20 eur shipped)


- extra cigarette lighter socket (ebay 5 eur shipping included) REMOVED, CHANGED WITH
- triple cigarette lighter socket with usb port (3 eur)


- 4x50W audio amplifier (30 eur)


- male ISO connector (to connect to existing system without cutting the standard connector - ebay 5 eur)


- 3 different types of ground loop isolators (removes audio noise) USELESS, REMOVED
- 2 different types of power source filters (removes audio noise) USELESS, REMOVED

- hdmi to rca cable + hdmi to mini hdmi adapter (tried to avoid noise, does not work - REMOVED) (5 eur?)




- samsung tab connector to rca cable + usb (tried to avoid noise, does not work - REMOVED) (3 eur)


- TuneLink Auto for Android Bluetooth audio receiver (72 eur, amazon.it)


- quality audio cable (3.5 jack -> male RCA - ebay 7 eur)


- OBD2 interface (ELM327) (ebay, 18 eur)



Shopping list for Step 3:

- "one of those magnetic cabinet catches they use on desk hutches where you push it it and then it pops out" (from shiltz description!)


- small piece of pvc floor used as hinge (free, from my local hardware store)



Shopping list for Step 6:

- fullhd car dash camera (dealextreme, 120 usd)



to be continued...



I'm not interested in high audio power, the existing speaker system works well but I need a small amplifier to drive it with the low output of the Galaxy Tab. I'll try to make the least intrusive install possible, so I'll search a tiny amplifier that could fit inside the dash. If this will not be possible, I could put it under the passenger seat so I could use shorter cable than positioning it in the trunk.

nice! Can't wait to see this install take shape!


And you're right, lol I haven't seen an Alfa since the early 90's! (No I've never been to Europe, but hopefully one day will make it to Italy).

Nice car and good project (I plan on doing the same with my Nissan Altima).

Thanks Diablo2424!
Since my posts are still moderated (I'm a new subscriber to this forum) my posts are shown a few hours after writing. Hope this will end soon, because I think now it's clear I'm not a spammer

I have found at my local hardware store (it's family owned, but the biggest of my city, Arezzo) a fiberglass kit (13 eur) and "one of those magnetic cabinet catches they use on desk hutches where you push it it and then it pops out" (sorry I am unable to find a shorter description!) for 1.20 eur.

Now I'm at work but later today I'll post some photos.

EDIT: here are some pics of the last items:

fiberglass kit:


magnetic catch:


I will update the "shopping list" post as to have a complete list of needed materials.

BTW editing my posts is not moderated

Here are some pics of the dash without the head unit:



the dock fits almost perfectly!




Samsung works in conjunction with Alfa Romeo to make this possible:






unfortunately I had to cut a portion on the right to make the hinge swing. However first thing is make the fiberglass extension for the dock.

At the end, I'll refine all with the 2-din bezel I bought for the JVC:


sure I have to cut it to match the galaxy tab.

Ok, now the most difficult part: FIBERGLASS!


oh, BTW this is my current temporary audio system:

Now, go with STEP 1: CREATING THE EXTENDED DOCK


As I said, fiberglass seems to me the most difficult part. I was right!

I made wrong mix for resin and it never dry... after 8 hours I have to remove all and try to clean it at best!
I wrapped my tab in plastic, but after all that hours the resin goes through it and hit the tablet! Luckily I have remove it in time...

This evening I'll retry, maybe with a better formula


EDIT: no more moderation for my posts, yeah! Thanks mod!

I would personally try to make a sliding dock option, so I could remove the tab and use it as a standalone tablet anytime I needed to(plus it works against thieves). It shouldn't be that hard to modify this and fiberglass the facia onto the existing dock. Obviously you'll have to cut the existing clips of the facia and find another way to secure that the facia is securely closed. But you should be able to slide it open, remove the tab, then when you return place the tab back in, secure it in position and turn on the ignition.

What mostly concerns me is that you had to trim the right plastics for the tab to fit in. Can you tell me how many milimeters you still need for the tab to fit in without any issue? Did it get as far as to the holes that secure whatever you insert(be it the 2din facia or the original radio for example)?

I'm asking this because I always want the result to be almost fully reversable and to be able to return to the original radio cd and drawer situation(minus the horizontal plastic seperator of course :P).

PS: Don't worry about fiberglassing, it always takes time the first time. That, and sanding it again and again. But the end result will be worth it since it can look way better than your previous 2din solution.

thanks for your support
I agree with you and I want to be this installation fully reversable too. For now, the right plastics is a no-issue. If I put the tab with fixed dock, it fits because it stays on top of right and left plastics.
It's correct, these plastics holds stock radio and drawers. To return to stock situation without the horizontal separator, if I remember well I see a new 2-din front facia that can hold radio and drawers, but again, it hangs to these side plastics.
I say that will have to cut the right plastic because it seems needed for the hinge to swing. After fiberglassing and finding the hinge, I could evaluate how much of this side plastic I had to remove (if any!)

Yes my installation will have a sliding dock system! If you look at shiltz' install she made the tab removable with a smart system. I think this is the best way so you can remove the tab for use it or for security reason.

Today I will try again the fiberglass stuff!


Oh, and please excuse my english.. it's not my native language and I'm trying to do my best