Custom Garmin GPS mount

[Kmvreter]

I finally got around to making a custom mount for the GPS because the OEM suction cup would usually let go from the dash location (under the hazard button.)

I went through several iterations to come up with the final product. It's still not perfect because it wants to pull down and back. It may be possible to do this without the scrap steel and magnets, relying on just the bent tab to hold it, but I'm done with it because it's close enough.

The materials required are:

Glue.
A 2x2" piece of scrap steel.
Thin cardboard and a pen (to make a template.)
A piece of custom sheet metal (local shop.)
Paint.
Strong magnets (Home Depot.)
Felt protector pads.
Krazy Glue.
A spare suction mount (Arkon brand from Ebay; cheaper and better than Garmin's.)

Start by taking the dash trim apart (search other threads for a link on how to do this.)
Glue the scrap steel to the back of the trim at the proper location.
Reinstall trim.
(Sorry, no pics of these steps.)

Make a template for the sheet metal:

 

[Kmvreter]

Have a local shop cut a piece of sheet metal and bend the folds.
(The left fold is a 90deg. The right fold is more open.)
Grind off the sharps and round out the corners.

 

[Kmvreter]

Top view.

 

[Kmvreter]

Right side view.

 

[Kmvreter]

Left side view.

 

[Kmvreter]

Spray paint it (couldn't find the dash trim colour.) Add magnets. Add felt protectors. Krazy glue the spare suction mount to the front (I put it at a 45deg angle to get closer to the driver.

Back view.

 

[Kmvreter]

Voila!

The final product in position.

 

[Kmvreter]

Close-up pic. The right side "tab" hangs over the small hidden opening in the trim to the left of the top corner of the glove box door. It's easy to install and remove to store in the glove box.

 

[simple]

Interesting. Looks awesome, I have mine in the same spot. Did yours not come with that little black disk for mounting? I'm reluctant to use mine b/c I'm still toying with the idea of putting it on my dash or winshield despite the CA legal system having an issue with that.

 

[TBoliv]

I like that. Right now I have mine in a Garmin Dashboard Mount on my dash. I have the cable running across the dash under my dash mat, down the driver side front pillar and under the dash to the fuse box where I have a 12V outlet for it. Works well, and the only trouble I've had with the mount sliding off was when I was offroading last weekend (thankfully the GPS wasn't on it at the time...)

 

[nated05]

Cool idea, I have had mine attached to the dash in the same spot it has fallen off once or twice. No big deal it just falls on the floor no harm done. I guess falling off once or twice hasnt annoyed me enough to try anything else yet.

 

[2003-4x4runner]

Pretty CooL!
Check out my Lazy Man custom mount!

 

[Uneek]

I'm reluctant to use mine b/c I'm still toying with the idea of putting it on my dash or winshield despite the CA legal system having an issue with that.

My friend brought up really good point when I said I use the bean bag mount for my Nuvi in other cars that don't have nav... the law is archaic, it also means your rearview mirror is illegal.

 

[icantsee]

Garmin Nuvi 680

 

[tigerspy]

mine

here is what I did with my garmin nuvi mount.... i Know i have a nav with my 4runner already..but the nuvi has custom POIs and I've got downloaded all the speed traps and red light cameras...also i got my nuvi before i got my 4 runner and it has more up to date maps up to 2008

 

[tigerspy]

Garmin mount

garmin mount

 

[tigerspy]

another pic

garmin nuvi

 

[tigerspy]

navigation

nav

 

[tigerspy]

j

j

 

[tigerspy]

closer

close up