I want to mount some gadgets ...?

Hi All,

I would like to mount some gadgets on top of the dashboard. I am thinking of my iPod, a GPS, and a rear-view camera monitor. What I would like to do is use a suction cup arm from the windshield to hold a three-way RAM mount (or something similar).

My biggest concern is how to route the wires. There wil be three power cables, plus an audio (or two) and a video feed. Does anybody know if I could route these through the top of the dashboard somewhere? If I can come through the dash, I can bundle the wires inside a length of pleated plastic tubing to keep everything looking neat. What is underneath those small, oval-ish, wedge-shaped panels in the dash (near the windshield)?

Other suggestions wlecomed too.

Thanks,
-Alan

My biggest concern would be the loss of windshield visibility with having all that stuff up there..That's me though..

As far as routing the wiring...There is a large enough of a gap between the windshield and dash to stuff wires behind, or you could go overhead through the headliner like the mirror wires go...Hope that helps.

I have a laptop on my dash and iPod holder. I'll try to go snap some pics of it during lunch. You can route the wires through the air ducts on top of the radio. If you pull the panel off, there is only a spong material there. I have my iPod/Cell phone holder clipped to the vent, and have a FM Modulator to transmit the sound. I actually found one that sounds almost CD quality. For the GPS, you can run the wiring along the dashboard between the dashboard and the windshield. When you open the side doors, the small panels on the side of the dash just pop right off. You can also pop off the plastic rail that the tweeter is housed in on each side so you can feed the wires directly down into the dash. I'll go snap some pics now and show you how I have mine. I spent many hours taking the dash apart and mapping out the wiring for my stuff. Gimmie an hour or two and I'll post some pics.

I test-fitted some of the items (I don't have the rear-view screen yet) by holding them up there. They don't block much of the view that isn't already blocked by the hood of the truck. I think it will be OK.

Do you mean that there's room between the dash and the windshield to come up from under the dash to the top?

Thanks,
-Alan

That would be great! I'd appreciate seeing the pictures.

I plan to get an iPod adpater that integrates with the factory stereo so you can control it with the radio controls (the one that has been posted on here a bunch of times).

In your experience with the dash, is it easy to break stuff? Like little tabs or whatever?

Thanks,
-Alan

Alan:
I have My GPS antenna mounted on the dash by the windshield the wires run up from behind the radio and
out of the front near the air ducts.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Do you mean they come out the "cabin" air ducts or out the defroster air ducts near the windshield?

I was thinking I'd like to have the wires come out of the dash near the windshield, but maybe it would look OK coming out of the front. I'll have to look at it more closely.

Thanks,
-Alan

Here are some pics of my Radar Detector. The wires are ran from the radar detector to the Mirror where I have it tapped into the power when the ignition is turned:




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Here is my FM Modulator (which works VERY well) which is getting power from the cigarette lighter, and the iPod/Cell Phone mount I use, in which the stereo plug for the modulator is wired through and behind the air vent:




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Here is my laptop connection. The GPS receiver is in front of the laptop mounted against the window on the dash, and the power and USB cables are integrated into the power of the stereo. I have a very small laptop so it can be opened and closed whenever you want, but it's so small it really doesnt obstruct the view too much.




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quote:

ORIGINAL: AlanH3

That would be great! I'd appreciate seeing the pictures.

I plan to get an iPod adpater that integrates with the factory stereo so you can control it with the radio controls (the one that has been posted on here a bunch of times).

In your experience with the dash, is it easy to break stuff? Like little tabs or whatever?

Thanks,
-Alan

Everything just pulls right off. You have to do it slowly and carefully, but I have popped panels off and on many times and they still to not break. The clips are metal and the snap into plastic slots, and I'm sure over time they will wear out, but if you're careful they till be ok. The panels that come off are on the sides of the dashboards when you open the doors. There is plenty of room to stuff wires between the windshield and the dashboard, but when you get to the end of the dashboard, there is a tab that is part of the plastic molding that holds the tweeters that is in the way, so yo uhave to remove the plastic molding rail that holds the tweeter so you can stuff the wires completely underneath the dash. You will understand it once you do it. Just be careful, because those tweeters only have so much slack in the wiring. You can unclip the connector from the tweeter to take the pillar cover completely off. Like I said, you'll understand when you do it. It's very easy, but just be careful that's all.

Don't get mad but in my opinion that looks a bit dangerous. Go ahead and spend $500 and get a Tom Tom.

http://www.tomtom.com/index.php?Lid=1


If you mount it to the far left bottom corner then you still have a perfect view out the windshield with little to no obstruction.

Additionally, the touch screen Tom Tom is much safer and easier to use than typing on your dashboard.

Additionally, the Tom Tom is easy to eject from the base and stick in the glove box - I do it nearly every time I leave the vehicle in a crowded place. A computer cost a bunch of dough and entice criminals to break in the vehicle if left visable.

The Tom Tom boots up within 10 seconds and a computer takes a minute or two.

I have used both and this is a no brainer.

In my opinion Tom Tom wins hands down in Safety, Asthetics, and Performance


Just calling it like I see it...

This forum rocks!






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quote:

ORIGINAL: HummerGuy

Here is my laptop connection. The GPS receiver is in front of the laptop mounted against the window on the dash, and the power and USB cables are integrated into the power of the stereo. I have a very small laptop so it can be opened and closed whenever you want, but it's so small it really doesnt obstruct the view too much.




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hi, can you post the pic of your gps receiver please...? how is that hook up to the laptop, thanks...

I hear you and understand what you're saying, but here I go :)

I always wanted a tom tom, but nothing beats having an unlimited database of all of the roads and businesses everywhere in the country that you will possibly need at your fingertips without having to download it. I don't keep it up while I'm driving, unless maybe I'm on clear highway. I only flip up the top once in a while to see where I am. I use the voice navigation to let me know when the turns are coming. Sony just released a widescreen GPS that is actually very nice that I may bet in the spring, but I still prefer my laptop. It was $79 for the USB GPS receiver as compared to $500 to $600 for a decent one that has a tiny screen. I like my 12" screen :) Even if you do drive with it open, believe it or not you get used to it VERY fast. You really don't loose much visibility as it looks. I don't like driving with it open because it's not safe and who wants to have a screen in the middle of your windshield.

My next project is getting the Verizon PCMCIA cell card for the laptop and buying the Google Earth that supports a GPS receiver. This way I'll be able to stream in the satellite images while I'm driving and see a real overhead view of where I am. I'm looking into that one now ;-) That's more of a toy then anything though, but it's the only enjoyment I have in my busy days :)

I'm with GEO and I mentioned that at the beginning of this topic..TOO MUCH CRAP ON THE DASH!..I have a Garmin and it has a harddrive fully loaded with every street and back ally in North America on it and it talks you through every turn without letting go of the steering wheel...I think Mike you are a gadget freak and like that NASA look of you rig...KISS is my motto.

Nothing personal though, I still love you Son!

Hey thanks for posting all the pictures! You have given me some ideas to work with.

It sounds like getting into the dash isn't so bad. If I break anything, I will blame you!

-Alan

Dennis, which model Garmin do you have? Does it come out of the truck easily?

-Alan

This one right here..I love it!

GARMIN

Yes, I am a gadget Freak

I don't like clutter either. If I can now get a GPS that holds data for the entire country as you say, I will gladly get rid of my laptop for that, but still keep the connections there just in case.

I just looked at Crutchfield. I had no idea they had so many GPS units out now. I guess my system is a little outdated ;-) BUt you have to admit, it would be cool to have real-time streaming of satellite imagery on whatever road you are on. I would still like to do that :)

Can you see how I contradict myself :)

Alan: I have all kinds of ideas on things to do, but I don't know how to fabricate fiberglass and all that. I'm hoping once I get my house that I'll start getting into that and make some cool mods. If you need help with anything, just let me know.

I'll post a pic of my GPS receiver later. It's hard to take pics in the parking garage i'm parked in at work. I'll try to find a link to it.

Also the GARMIN I mentioned above is WAAS compatable..Your laptop is not..That means the accuracy is within 2 meters or about 6 feet.

The receiver I use is WAAP compatible. I paid extra money for it because of that, but I don't know if the laptop needs any special software installed to take advantage of it, or if it's built into the receiver, because honestly, I don't know exactly what it does, other then being more accurate.

Hey now..let's not bring in your Italian ancestry into this...

OOps, I meant WAAS :)

Sorry dad

quote:

ORIGINAL: HummerGuy

It was $79 for the USB GPS receiver as compared to $500 to $600 for a decent one that has a tiny screen.

where do you buy that ? on line......any link ? thanks

Ypu guys need to check out Garmin...They have many units that are loaded with all streets for the entire united states. The c330 was only 399.99 at boaters world for awhile. They cam eout with new units that have bluetooth and other stuff not needed. If you want to do the laptop thing get a gps 18 or the new thing that is wireless from garmin...I can tthink of the model. It has a antenna that plugs into your usb port. I have one and it is WAAS capable. I sell this stuff (gps's) for marine applications so I know what I am talking about. If you have any questions message me. The gps 18 works great and you can get on RAM mounts webpage and get laptop mounts like cops use in thier cars. Great application...

http://www.garmin.com/products/sp330/

http://www.garmin.com/products/nuvi/

http://www.garmin.com/products/gps18/

http://www.garmin.com/products/garminmobile10/