Homemade GPS Mount

[Marsh]

Well I got sick and tired of my TomTom GPS mount falling off, or not going on in the first place when cold. So I used the sunshine today to make a mount for it. I wanted to make a mount that was rigid but didn't leave any holes or glue showing after being removed.

I used the clip from my optional suction mount. I then created a cardboard template and decided to mount the unit to the side of the instrument cluster. Here's what I cam up with
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3189246280_58857d6134.jpg

after mounting with a single screw I got in the driver's seat and set the angle where I wanted it and marked the other holes. I know 5 screws is over kill, but I wanted to be sure that they wouldn't pull out and that if I stripped one there would still be lots of purchase holding the mount.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/3188402407_eecbd6da0a.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3189245742_e691ef2da0.jpg

With all the screws in I marked where the dash panel met the mount. As you might be able to see here the panel I mounted to is not verticle and it needed another small bend.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3477/3189246122_31615451a1.jpg

To accomplish the bends I clamped the part between two pieces of old shelving (niece sharp edges) then used vice grips to clamp a heavier piece of steel to the exposed metal and start the bend. Sorry I didn't take pictures of that step. Here's the finished product:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3188402071_2fb559a11f.jpg

A couple of coats of tremclad flat black and all finished:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3337/3189245364_8350f4fce5.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3188401737_17d2fd4cdc.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3506/3188401525_1156ec76ea.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3188401165_29b298bc14.jpg

I used a 4.5" angle grinder to cut the mount out of come scrap sheet metal I had, but you could do it with a dremel. It would just take a little longer. It isn't the most rigid mount in the world, but I think it will do. If you tried to use anything thicker than I have then you'd have to shave the center dash panel to get it back in. As it is you can see that mine is pushed over slightly.

Also if I were doing it again I would mount the unit a little higher. As I've made it I could barely get center panel back in and did scratch it on the mount slightly doing so.

[condor888000]

Looks good.

[m_a_t_r_i_x]

The number of screws you put in would definitely hold that sucker in place! good job!!!

[aris]

pretty cool....

[p-o-g-i]

Nice work. Very clean.... except for the wire showing.... but whatch' gonna do, right!?!!?

[Malcolm991]

Wow thats awesome! I have a TomTom1, do you want to make and sell me the same thing!

[Gizzmo_jr]

I like it.

[McGuyver_3]

nice now you just have to find out how to hide the wiring

[Marsh]

Wow thats awesome! I have a TomTom1, do you want to make and sell me the same thing!

I could easily upload a pattern that you could cut out here. But you'll have to sacrifice your original mount (or buy a spare) and I'd need to see it first to see how it would attach.

[Cardinal Fang]

That's not bad.

[bluemazda3]

looks good

[b]

+ 1 about the wiring. I ran mine behind all the plastic panels. Easy.

By the way. Creative way to make a mount. Neat.

[Marsh]

I tested it today going to work and it is a little jiggly, but not bad. For anyone obsessed with that then this mounting idea might not be for you.

As for the power cable. I was thinking I'd run it through the dash and have it come out through the ash tray. Then I can stash the plug in the ashtray when not in use.

[FONZ]

That's pretty neat.

[Gizzmo_jr]

As for the power cable. I was thinking I'd run it through the dash and have it come out through the ash tray. Then I can stash the plug in the ashtray when not in use.

You can. Go through the vent (or notch the center panel) and go down straight behind the headunit. You can pop out the panel with the cig lighter, after you've removed most of the center console. But a suggestion would be to hard wire into the back of the 12v plug. That way its always charging yet you don't lose a plug.

[Marsh]

You can. Go through the vent (or notch the center panel) and go down straight behind the headunit. You can pop out the panel with the cig lighter, after you've removed most of the center console. But a suggestion would be to hard wire into the back of the 12v plug. That way its always charging yet you don't lose a plug.

That was my original plan (through the vent and hard wired). But it occured to me that having the plug come out the ashtray was less work and less permanent. I don't intend to notch any panels where it can be see. The whole point of this mount was to leave no permanent marks so that it can all be removed when I sell the car.

[DARK3]

Looks nice, good thinking

[1flycdnM3]

great idea! I am telling my bro about this one because he has that damn wire running over top of his steering wheel and along the floor almost (its ridiculous)...

or you can just take my approach and just use google and save the hundreds of dollars it costs for GPS, but hey, thats just me, im good with directions :)

+1 on a very unique and innovative "DIY GPS MOD" lol

[laksman91]

looks nice, but like everyone else has said, get the wire hidden! :)

[hondaciviceg]

that is a really good idea, i will probably do the same when i get a GPS

[-RJ3-]

Did you figure out how to hide the wire? for me, Back when I had an IPHONE I put the wire through the vent and through the back climate controls.

Very nice work!

[jjwhoa]

Nicely done

[Ogata]

looks nice!! The only concern I have is some idiot peeks in your car and sees the mount, they might break in and steal your Tomtom.

[lil_zoom3]

Why did not hide the wire?
It was possible to pass internally before installation!!!

[Default User]

That's slick
Does it still picot?

I heard some rumour that starting Thursday - these navi units will have to be turned away from the driver now (?)
Kinda running along the lines of the cell-phone ban

[Marsh]

That's slick
Does it still picot?

I heard some rumour that starting Thursday - these navi units will have to be turned away from the driver now (?)
Kinda running along the lines of the cell-phone ban

The way I read it anything mounted is fine. Operating it, as in going through the process of setting up a new route, might be considered illegal, but simply driving with it on is fine. Same with cell phones. You can't hold it in your hands, but a dash mount is fine and simply pressing the answer or end-call buttons is fine. Dialing is illegal.

lilzoom3, I didn't hide the wire because it wasn't that important to me and it did take more work then I felt like doing. Taking the top panel off is really quick and easy.