I am not planning on getting a high end tablet either. Like computers, todays high end becomes tomorrow's low end in a hurry. A basic dual core tablet with BT and possibly gps is all I need to play videos/audio and navigation.

Yes, I am also a big android fan, I have been using Android since 1.5 cupcake came out. I own samsung galaxy and HTC android phones and love them. (HTC's are a royal pain to root).

And I am focused mainly on 7 inch tablets, possibly 8 if I find a 8 inch in just the right size. You can get a really nice 7 inch tablet in the $150-300 range.

I am aware of the tablet's limited storage capacity. 32 gig cannot hold much these days and they are still using the damn FAT32 standard so you are limited to 4 gig files. However, most android tablets, their usb port can host external storage devices. I may get a 128 gig SSD drive and make it an external drive to my tablet. Format it in Ext2/Ext4 format so I can go beyond the 4 gig file limit. I chose SSD because it has no moving parts and not worry about normal drive going out due to vibrations in the car. I finally saw 128 gig USB sticks on sale now for around $90. May go that route instead of SSD drive.

And you are correct, android tablets comes in many flavors, shapes and sizes. But the good thing for being so variable, that you can find a android tablet made by someone that will fit your car/truck. Just take your time and do your homework. I-pad comes in one size only so it will not work for every car/truck out there.

I just hope the auto industry will finally evolve the audio systems to get rid of that monstrous tissue box and shrink it into something as small and thin as a tablet. Will save alot of space in the dash for other innovations. Heck, just leave the head unit out. Just leave the other components there (speakers, amp etc,) adapt the space for a portable tablet!

 

If anyone is interested, I bought this mount for my SGSII galaxy phone. It works great by locking the mount in the CD slot of your drive.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150530571305...84.m1438.l2649

But for the 1st generation interior, I was able to fit this adaptor between the trim on the dash just below the deck so I have full functionality of my cd player as well as my phone. The phone sits a little low, but not low enough were I cannot view it decently. I'll send a pic of where I mounted this when I get my truck back from the shop as I am addressing my vacuum leak from my new F1 airgap intake.

If they make one to hold a 7 inch tablet, I may simply go this route and not mess up my OEM equipment.

 

got any pictures of how you have it in there? im wondering if it would fit in the gap above the radio flipped upside down from that picture, put it in perfect place for using as a gps and still leave all the radio options accessible.

 

Shrp, I will send the pics up here shortly! I talked to the folks that made this mount and indeed they are making a new mount with same design but can fit 7-8 inch tablets. The mount location where I have slipped this mount to is where the two trim panels meet. The upper trim is where the radio is, the lower trim is where the rear window wiper and 12v power plugs are. This works PERFECTLY for 1st generation interiors. Not sure if this can be applied the same way for the 2nd generation interior.

My Samsung Galaxy S II skyrocket 4.65 inch display fits perfect between the radio and the power plugs. Bought a audio in cassette adaptor where I connect my phone to send audio thru the cassette side of my radio.

 

i happen to be in a good situation where i dont use my cd player hardly at all, i tend to use my zune with a cassette adapter to listen to music, if i could see my phone it would be great to use as a nav unit, and even to stream pandora while driving, cannot wait to see the pictures

 

You can do a 7 inch din but you will need to customize your Dash Bessel.
What I ended up doing is putting in a Nice Pioneer with USB and Iphone hookup in there, then taken a HP dv7 Laptop replaced the hard drive with a solid state removed the screen, mounted under passenger seat. Then take a 10 in LDC touch screen mounted that in the glove box with a wireless 104 mini keyboard. I then added topo GPS USB to the laptop so i have my own GPS. Also I can tether my cell for internet or just connect to a free internet AP. Now I am not running windows I run Ubuntu Unix which has great programs that are 100% free to run radio MX and storage for your music and it supports Droid and Iphone's.

Laptop is Duo Centrino 2 8 Gig ram dual 250G Solid states.

Works great cost all about 800.00 and about 60 hours of pre-configuration. if this is the path you like to head down i will make a ISO image of my Current OS config and put it up for download. you just need to make sure you have a HP dbv7 series laptop.

 

Shrp,

Here you go, I took the pictures of my mountek mounted between the two dash trims on a 1st generation interior.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1136985...07573368/6912#

 

Here is the info form my post on my install

I do have the hydro carbon woodgrain bezel finished now in a box at my shop
I just have not had time to mess with putting it on.



Installed the following
1- Kenwood DNX 6980
1- ARC Audio XDI805 5 channel mini amp
1- ARC Audio xxd 6009 front components
1- Arc Audio XXd 6029 rear 6.5" coax
1- Pioneer TS-SWX251 10 inch sub box



I didnt take any pics of the install other than the double din portion. Sorry I wasnt thinking
Ran all wiring to back of car and pullled off the drive side rear panel and mounted 5 channel amp behind it so its all hidden.

installed the new speakers in doors
ran wire to the sub.



I took some pics while doing this portion of the converison for you all below. The install was really simple. After I had everything cut out I took my spare bezel I bought and made it into a double din bezel. Keep in mind this is a temp bezel I made today. I am taking the original and making a new one and sending it off for a matching woodgrain hydrocarbon finish to make the dash look 100% stock. Having done a few hundred double din conversions this was one of the easiest I must say so nothing for you guys to be to scared of to tackle yourself.

OK here is a couple pics of the double din portion for you all.




Here is what it looked like when I started


With dash / bezel removed your looking at a stock radio with two screws holding it in


Radio out in a minute and left with a openign a little small for the new double din Kenwood


Out comes the air saw and I made some room for the new radio to test fit


With the extra space I slid in the new radio


Connected all my wiring and ready for mounting the new head unit.
I used the same brackets we use in all our C5 Corvette double din conversions.
fit perfectly.


All said and done with the new dash I textured and painted and reinstalled. Its not perfect yet but will be when the final dash piece comes back. It didnt turn out to bad for a days work I must say.





Sure is nice now having NAV, DVD, Bluetooth and Ipod features in the truck. The new sound with all the ARC Audio to go with it sounds really nice as well.

There you have it
My double din conversion in my 2000 Durango


Dennis

 

When you get the wood bezel back in please update pics, and where did you mount your 10" sub?