Custom audio/phone install plans. Opinions?

[Jmalone7183]

First post here. Let me just say how much usefull info I've found on this site. You guys are amazing!

Well I'm a Toyota owner again! Previously I had an 06 Tacoma TRD sport and absolutely loved it....... Until it lost a fight with a tree due to ice :-(

I just picked up an 06 Avalon XLS and so far I'm very impressed. The ride is superb, the power is incredible and the gas mileage is a great deal better than I would expect from a large V6 sedan.*

I drive around 300 miles a day with my job so an integrated audio/phone is a must. Temporarily I stuck in one of those generic aux inputs that tap your factory antenna cable and a suction cup iPhone mount. It does the job but looks cheap and bulky.*

Here is what I'm planning for a permanent solution.*

Step one: I've heard nothing but great things about the Scosche Bluefusion kit. I'm going to pick up one of those, and after the install it should be almost completely hidden except the mic by the visor. That should solve my audio/phone needs very well.*

Step two: This is where I get to show off my fabrication skills and have a little fun!*
I'm going to order the powermat iPhone 4 wireless charging kit (*PMM-1P4-B19 )
I'm also going to pick up an Audi A6 card holder drawer.*
I'll remove the obsolete factory tape deck and clean up the hole a little bit. I plan on mounting the powermat charger inside the tray of the coin holder. I'll make sure to make that install reversible for when I upgrade phones later on.*
After I'm satisfied that the charger fits correctly, I'll fab up a custom insert for the tape deck hole. Since the Audi drawer is not very wide I'll situate it as far right as possible so it doesn't interfere with the shifter when in the open position. I'll probably use fiberglass for the insert and paint it to match the silver stereo.*
Since the drawer will be moved to the right I will have room to add a couple switches on the left if I need to. Ideally I'll wire the charger to be powered on when the car is on but the ability to add a switch and have room for it is a nice alternative.*

Well what do you guys think? Did I forget to consider anything? Has anyone done this or something similar before? I'm open to any and all input.*

Thanks*


Powermat kit*
http://www.powermat.com/powermat-wir...iphone-4r.html

Audi coin drawer
http://27772.smugmug.com/Cars/MY10-A...86_dM5uU-M.jpg

http://27772.smugmug.com/Cars/MY10-A...73_3cz5w-M.jpg

[Jmalone7183]

I haven't got any replies yet but I'll keep updating with my progress in case anyone else needs something for reference.

I got the bluefusion installed. It took all of 30 minutes and seems to integrate very well with the Avalon. I got the BFTAK on clearance at bestbuy for 100 bucks but the product in the package is labeled BFTA, don't know if it makes a difference.

I also received the powermat and it works flawlessly.

I'm still researching which slide out tray I should get. The one I mentioned in my original post is about 3/4 of an inch too short to work.

[grandpapa]

why not just get a iPhone interface plug in to the back of the stereo so you can use it from the head unit while charging the phone at the same time?

then again, your idea probably give a better look since there will be no wiring sticking out. please keep us update on the project and remember, pictures

[Jmalone7183]

I thought about that but I ended up with my final plan because I absolutely hate wires in my car. Lol

I didn't do pics of the bluefusion install because it's been covered before and it's really straight forward.

I will definitely post pics when I start fabbing the slide out with the charger.

[kingnba6]

It sounds like it will be a very custom looking install.

[Jmalone7183]

After several stops at different stores, I discovered that the powermat is NOT designed to be used in a car on a 12 volt system. Apparently the way these wireless chargers work has something to do with AC current. My simple solution was to us a small power inverter I had laying around. I hard wired it into the car and put it on a relay to ensure its only powered on when the car is also. It fit neatly under the seat and I have the charging mat tucked into the cubby directly behind the cup holders. It will work for now.

I was looking at the clearances between the shifter, cup holder door, and the tape deck compartment. I think that my original plan for a slide out will not be as ergonomic as I envisioned. The cup holder door will interfere with any extendable cavity I could put in the tape spot unless I make it tilt away from the drivers view.

I'm about to take some measurement of the factory radio because I had a crazy thought earlier. Would I be able to massage the radio into the tape deck spot? I know there is a huge amount of room back there.

[Jmalone7183]

I dropped the radio to the bottom door today. Now the radio is where the tape player was and the top door is free for me to fab a custom little drawer to hold my phone and other goodies.


By joshua7183 at 2011-12-09

First I had to remove some material from the brace that runs between the left and right sides of the shifter console.


By joshua7183 at 2011-12-09

I tried to leave the thicker part of it in tact.



I removed the braces from the side of the head unit.


To disconnect the door trim from the full console remove the two screws on the bottom and then two more at the top.


This is the piece I was working with.


I used my dremmel to start cutting a larger hole. I tried to remove as much material as I could and still maintain the pieces rigidness.



I had to make the bottom cut from the front of the box instead of the back.


Here is the hole I ended up with. I had to make two notches for the knobs.


Test fitting the piece.


Lining up the radio in the lower hole. The thing just barely fits. Hooking up the connectors in the back was fun.


Test fitting to make sure the trim fit back with the radio in its new spot.







Everything fit and the doors operated as they should.
I am finished for the day but I still need to clean the hole up a little and make it look as factory as possible.
I will try to build the slide out over the weekend and finish making everything look pretty.
More pics to come.

[kingnba6]

wow thats amazing work.

[Jmalone7183]

Thanks. I have so much fun doin this kind of stuff. I really wish I could finish it today but one the kids get home it gets chaotic around here.

[grandpapa]

WOW is the only word I can think of right now

.....
.....
Ok, now more on this. YOU DID something that probably no one has done before and it looks pretty good. (Not sure how you are going to finish it at the end though, especially where you cut the opening for the knobs)

Now you have a big opening in the middle, wonder what's go there....

[Jmalone7183]

Those knob notches are the only thing I dont like about it. I will round those out and I think it will look alot better.

[kingnba6]

well in that big opening he is going to put a power mat charging system for his phone.

[Jmalone7183]

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been promoted at work and I've been covered up. I've been put in charge of hiring 41 people here in AR.

I haven't done anymore to the car. I came across two jl w3 v3's and I'm gonna build a pair of custom boxes with either Kevlar or carbon fiber. I've decided to do all the fabrication all at once with the boxes and the dash.

I'll update u guys when I get rolling.

[Minus (-)]

Wow.....Pretty Crafty....Nice Work....Cant Wait To See What The Finished Product Looks Like

[xsnrg]

Regarding the cupholder door, I removed mine completely. Yeah it looks nice, but I found it very impractical, so I took it out and in the spot where the door hid, I took a black plastic folder and custom cut it to create a usable pocket which is great for storing thin items. Now my cupholders are in the open. Great fab work though, looking forward to see how this project turns out!