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Custom Nexus 7 in-dash installation makes me wish I had cutting skills [VIDEO]

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While the Nexus 7 is most likely going to be used primarily as a tablet there’s no reason it can’t serve more than one purpose. SonicElectronixTV published a video of an in-dash installation of the device inside a 2008 Dodge Ram. Its size makes it possible to easily detach for when you want to take the tablet out of the car making it one of the more flexible setups out there. And if you split the costs between being a tablet and an in-dash unit you’re paying $100 for each, at least. Not bad at all. Get a look at this tempting setup in the YouTube video above.

[Update]: if you were wondering about the method and material used to make this particular set up, Seth from SonicElectronix offered us the following explanation:

The dash modification was created by using ABS plastic, fiberglass, bondo, and suede.
Once the previous stereo was removed (a Kenwood DNX9960), we cut some ABS to size to make the sides and mixed in some fiberglass along the back. Fiberglass was needed because it has a little more “give” and made pulling the tablet out easier. Bondo was used to soften the edges (after a bunch of sanding) and OEM paint was used to provide a seamless factory look. Suede was put on the back for a classy look when the Nexus is removed and a soft cushion for when the Nexus was installed.
Quentyn Kennemer
The "Google Phone" sounded too awesome to pass up, so I bought a G1. The rest is history. And yes, I know my name isn't Wilson.

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29 Comments

  1. I wonder how much use Pandora would be in a car on a wifi-only tablet…

    1. tetherrrrrrrr

      1. But that kind of defeats the point of such a slick dock. All you’re getting is screen size since the phone can already do all that stuff.

        1. Shhhh. Don’t tell them about bluetooth.

  2. I have my 7″ tablet in my car mounted on the front of dash. Yay velcro!!!! It ain’t pretty but it works and it’s easily removable.

  3. This is really Really awesome and all, (especially considering the $200 price tag) but isn’t this tablet wifi only? I hate to sound like a noob but how would you get something like an internet signal for maps if that were the case?

    1. Fox-fi app on your smartphone. Or download maps ahead of time to tablet

      1. Token thanks for the tip on that Fox-Fi app just downloaded it and have my tablet tethered in 1 minute. Didn’t even know about that. Love blogging and all these opinions and thoughts.

    2. I am just using a Mifi for my in car setup.

  4. I’m going to try that. Very cool.

  5. Saving up for the 2013 Ram and already have the tablet oh the patience i must have right now. Awesome set up!!!!

  6. Nice idea, but a better one would be if he can fabricate hinged dock (similar setup of an old school tape cassette system on home receivers) that utilizes the three-pin connectors in landscape mode. This would make it easier to open the dock towards the operator and slide out the tablet with out dealing with the USB and power cables. Just a thought.

  7. @coolbreeze I have a 2011 ram and this would fit perfect but I don’t have the skills to make this but it would look great because this trucks have such big stereo mounts

  8. This is what got me excited for getting the Nexus 7. However I held it up to the stereo on my TC and it was too big :/

  9. Is that stock jelly bean? I thought on the home screen it won’t rotate?

    1. There’s a mod out to do this

      1. Care to give any more info?

    2. No, he’s using a third party launcher.

  10. I use Pugoo to mount my Galaxy Note LTE in my Scion. I love it. Of course a Nexus 7 would be nice for this as well.

  11. I have my nexus 7 mounted in my Wrx using a kropsson dash mount its amazing . I just turn my galaxy nexus WiFi tether on . Its so nice having my schedule navigation and music all on one screen

  12. There’s still some sort of stereo equipment in there, otherwise they won’t be able to listen to music/youtube/angry birds/etc.
    Ok just got to the part in the video, they’re running it to the Audison or whatever that thing is.

  13. $750 DSP unit to hook up a $200 tablet. Yeah….. seems about right.

  14. I’ll wait for Google to release the nexus head unit.

  15. This is the exact reason I bought my Nexus 7 though I am not making mine easily removable.

  16. I can’t wait to get my Nexus 7. I hope it arrives tomorrow. Ima try this out in car. I know it has room for a 7 inch though. Or at least I hope so. I have a 1 din but there’s is this HUGE gap for a 1 din. LoL!!

  17. This is actually a 2009 Dodge RAM, same as I have, the 2008 ones had different dashboards.
    I so want this, where can I order this?

  18. will be better when the dock comes out and you can fab the dock into the dash to use the 4 pin connector..

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