[21-June-2019] 9.7 inch Vertical Android Head unit install (Picture Heavy)
 

DISCLAIMER: MODIFY YOUR STEREO SYSTEM MIGHT AFFECT YOUR FACTORY WARRANTY. I AM PERFORMING THIS MOD TO MY OWN VEHICLE AND I AM NOT EXPORT TO TELL YOU HOW TO DO THIS MODIFICATION. I SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES AND EVENT THAT IS CONNECTED WITH THIS MODIFICATION.

Hello all,

I had been doing a lots of research on how to upgrade the infotainment system in my wife's 2017 base.

The traditional location for double din stereo does not work for me and the Android tablet route also does not come with some of basic features (steering wheel control and back up camera).

Therefore, I decided to retrofit a vertical 9.7 inch universal Android head unit into the Z.

In this case, I can have all the benefit of Android system (Apps) and basic car features (steering wheel control, back up camera, FM, Android Auto, Car play and optional DVR).

Day 1, DHL delivered my head unit and here is the content:
https://i.imgur.com/oUCHaZ3l.jpg
I ordered the 1m LCD cable and Nissan type 1 harness but I discovered the stock 30cm LCD cable is sufficient for my retrofit.

Here is a mock up where I want the screen to be positioned.
https://i.imgur.com/wAb1buOl.jpg

In order to have the LCD sit at my desired position, the single din unit needs to be moved further inside. So I decided to reuse the factory stereo bracket and modify it.
https://i.imgur.com/EE8ZQ0Wl.jpg

I drilled out the top two dimples on the each side of the factory metal bracket and installed L support with foam from my local dollar store.
https://i.imgur.com/y9tyvNal.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/sJ3yVrrl.jpg

I used dremel to cut out the metal locating tab on each side of the single din unit so I can secure it onto the modified factory bracket by M4 bolts and nuts.
https://i.imgur.com/V0AiGI8l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/50ptVUal.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Ipl6AGHl.jpg

Now it is ready to mount the head unit into the Z.
https://i.imgur.com/AwStV2ql.jpg

I had purchased a set of Metra bezel so I do not have to trim my factory one.
https://i.imgur.com/1bnx2wOl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4Ie6FYXl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PBzk3nxl.jpg

Here is a test fit with trimmed bezel.
https://i.imgur.com/CmblD8Tl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/6Hj50EOl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/USKMP8pl.jpg

Spotify.
https://i.imgur.com/FGasCIhl.jpg

Steering wheel control.
https://i.imgur.com/PXD1rqJl.jpg

Now, I will need to figure out a way to mount the LCD onto my desired position and model out the bezel for the LCD.

ABS board, Bondo and epoxy putty are on the way and I will post more updates once I figure out what I am going to do.

I do not like the bottom control as it looks aftermarket and I am currently looking to how to modify it as well.

Lastly, the screen has some weird high pitch noise from 50% to 80% brightness and I am working with the head unit support to resolve this issue.

Thank you for reading. :tup:

------------------------------------------------May 27, 2019------------------------------------------------

The replacement chassis arrived today so the build continues...

First, I printed out the adapter bracket to move the LCD up a bit.

https://i.imgur.com/BTYkyPPl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/spZelT8l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qJINHuFl.jpg

I also started my design on the bazel, but it will take a couple tries to get it right...The angle and the shape of it is difficult to copy.

https://i.imgur.com/p1WNSLGl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/iq2yWL3l.jpg

In addition, I did so research on modifying the system APK.

All the UI graphic are stored in SystemUI.apk and I had exported all its content and edited with Adobe Illustrator.

Here is a quick mock up with the new icon style and color scheme, I tried to mimic the interior color of the Z.

https://i.imgur.com/oHOceOBl.png

I will report back once I figure out how to swap out the system APK with the custom one...

------------------------------------------------May 31, 2019------------------------------------------------

After a couple tries with mismatching the APK from horizontal HU.

I had successfully flashed the vertical interface with the horizontal UI.

Here are some pictures of it:
https://i.imgur.com/8O64PHel.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Vqwp50Hl.jpg

I had successfully swap out the AUX, Bluetooth, Music, Video and SystemUI APKs....

It is still far from perfect but it seems to be a good start.


------------------------------------------------June 13, 2019------------------------------------------------

https://i.imgur.com/8pKbndhl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/AIick92l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/urRv76nl.jpg

Here is the mock up on the bezel and it fits the screen perfectly.

I will just need to prime and paint it!

------------------------------------------------June 21, 2019------------------------------------------------

Instead of paint the bezel, I decided to vinyl wrap it with carbon fiber vinyl.

Here is the result of the warp.

My stereo build is almost complete and it is time to put everything back!

https://i.imgur.com/OCpNwu6l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wtRUxX7l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lCEBCvXl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NepAJT2l.jpg

Thank you for reading... Please let me know if you have any questions.;)

[Reserved]

Cool idea and great write up! Good luck with the modification!

Sub'd. GREAT IDEA!

The other problem with just going tablet is the lack of hands-free calling. These Android HU's support this.

Which model did you buy?

can you load any andoird app or are you stuck with preloaded ones?

Thank you! :tiphat:

Thank you! Yes, I was going to go with 10.1 inch tablet route but the lack of car infotainment feature holds me back.

I went with single din Joying 9.7 vertical screen model since single din provides more flexibility on mounting and it is easier to hide behind the 9.7 inch screen. I hope Joying will release a vertical 10.1 inch screen version in the future so the gap around the screen and 370z bezel will be smaller.

Thanks... I actually thought briefly about doing this exact thing, but I didn't think the unit would support mounting the LCD in portrait orientation. Nice to see that it does!

edit: Looks like that one is locked into landscape. This one is setup for portrait:
https://www.joyingauto.com/joying-ne...o-upgrade.html

Yes, you can install app from Google Play store just like a regular tablet and all those app will be in portrait mode.

However, some of the car launcher does not work that well.. I will report back once I found the most suitable one.

No, this is the one I got. https://www.joyingauto.com/joying-ne...o-upgrade.html

If you get it from their eBay store, it is currently 18% off now.

The vertical and horizontal model has different ROM and interface is completely different.

I would be OK with a 12" screen even if it poked up above the bezel a little.

I agree and I think it will look amazing on the Z!

However, I think it will be hard for Joying to release such model, because there are not many car model have the sufficient space to fit a 12 inch screen like the Z does.:crying:

Name/Model of the headunit. I assume your connecting your tablet via USB to the headunit?

Also any reason you didnt go workshop12 route?
https://workshoptwelve.com/nissan-370z/

There is no tablet used in this application, the tablet like device in the picture is just a 9.7 inch vertical display that is connected to the main Android HU by the wire cable.

I used the vertical 9.7 Joying single din HU.

I like the finish product by the Workshop 12 and I did some extended research on using the Android tablet + AMP as HU.

Here are two reasons why I did not go with workshop 12 route:

1. Cost. I did my calculation and I realized that it will cost around $900 Canadian dollar as I'm in Canada (~$670USD) for all the 3D printed bezel, harness, Samsung tablet, AMP and other miscellaneous stuffs. The Joying HU route is around $550 Canadian dollar (~$408USD) for the Joying HU, Metra bezel, bondo, epoxy putty, ABS plastic board and paint / primer.

2. Integrated experience. The concept like this video is great https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_13IPpjElL0
I downloaded source code from Github and tested it on my old Android tablet and an Audrino Uno. I also purchased the Workshop 12 launcher so I can tried it out. The concept of these are great but it is all done by different sources. Further integration and effort will be required in order to make it into a seamless experience.

Overall I want my setup to be reliable and retains most of the car features such as FM radio, steering wheel control, back up camera (RCA input and triggered by reverse gear) and ability to use Carplay / Android Auto.

I hope these will answer your questions. Thank you for reading.:rolleyes:

This is EXACTLY what I am currently planning on doing the the same HU! except that I was planning on using the 9.7" horizontal version:
https://www.joyingauto.com/joying-9-...-4gb-64gb.html

Can you please post some pictures of how the screen fits in the horizontal position where the cubby used to be?? Based on the dimensions online and the measurements I took of the room I have after everything around the vents are gutted, it seemed like i could get it to fit horizontally if some of the bezel was covered. I also planned on making a custom bezel around the screen. It would be great to see a real fit check!

Sure. Here are the photos you requested:

Display inside the bezel.
https://i.imgur.com/WAEPsr0l.jpg
Display on the top of the bezel.
https://i.imgur.com/TNpA6g9l.jpg
With the lower climate control bezel.
https://i.imgur.com/Gj0tvvfl.jpg

The display is slightly larger than the hole where the cubby used to be (~1.5mm or 0.6" each side)

The UI in those horizontal version is way better than the vertical one.

It will be great if you can share your solution with me ;)