OK to Drill Hole in Dashboard Here?

[dsfra]

I hate to start a new thread for something as piddley as this, but I'm finally getting around to making up a new plexiglass dash-top mounting spot for my trailer's new 5" rear view camera monitor. I want to avoid having the wiring draped over the stereo and heater controls on the face of the dashboard as it has been "temporarily" for the past 3 years with the old 3.5" monitor, and am tired of having the monitor block part of the clock / temp / compass info display panel.

I want to run the video coax and the 12 v. up inside the dash and then have them pop out at the "X" shown in the pic below. Has anyone drilled a hole in the dash at that point? Obviously, my fear is that I'll tear into some wiring or vent ducts or something just on the other side of the plastic and/or otherwise not be able to fish the wiring down through the maze of stuff behind the dashboard. If anyone has successfully drilled and run wiring up to and out through this location please so report. I'm not brave enough to blindly sink a 1/2" hole into whatever is lurking under there.

And yes, I searched using "site:toyota-4Runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/" followed by various combinations and permutations of 'dash', 'hole', 'drill', 'wire', 'wiring', 'cable', and 'radar', but to no avail.

On a somewhat related topic, I had the old 3.5" monitor mounted on some self-stickum velcro, which over the years seems to have oozed out some of the adhesive onto the black plastic surface at the base of the clock / temp / compass info display panel. I've tried letting it soak with water, soapy water, and Armor-all, but it's still really bonded to the plastic. Has anyone tried paint thinner, lacquer thinner, goof-off, acetone, etc, on that surface, and not have it dissolve the plastic?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Ducmonsta]

I can't say for sure I know exactly what's behind there. Although, I have a few questions that may make it easier to get some suggestions for the crowd.

1. Can you show a pic of your mount?
This may give clues so that others can see what you're working with and may have suggestions on how to mount it.

2. Do you need to have the wiring/mount hole in that exact location?
I, personally, would rather not tarnish an entire dash unit that would cost $1K or so to replace. I would suggest mounting it with a suction cup type of system near the rear view mirror. Running wires will be much easier along the a-pillar and headliner. I imagine you don't want a permanent mount for something you only use when towing. So, you could easily remove the monitor and suction cup mount when not in use.

 

[Antman]

I drilled a 1/2" hole on the exact opposite side...I have had the gauges out a few times and I think you will be OK there- NOT 100% SURE THOUGH!

Here's the best pic I have showing the bezel out...

 

[shawn719]

I've tried letting it soak with water, soapy water, and Armor-all, but it's still really bonded to the plastic. Has anyone tried paint thinner, lacquer thinner, goof-off, acetone, etc, on that surface, and not have it dissolve the plastic?

Thanks for any input.

Have you tried WD-40? Pretty effective at taking off adhesive residue and not damaging material. Id spray a rag well and press up to adhesive for some soak time before trying to work off adhesive. Take patience and gentle scraping, but should come off. (That's if the plastic is not already messed up or if a glue was used to affix Velcro.)
Shawn

 

[Randyman...]

I'd personally avoid drilling into such a visible spot like that, but that's me and my first brand-new vehicle (now 27 months old and 63K Miles ).

I ran some Radar Detector wires through the Auto Headlight sensor thingy (don't have auto headlights, have the blank filler plug in there and drilled a hole in it). The "dummy" filler plug is cheap if you ever decide to rip out the wires and won't leave any trace that you had anything there.

Of course, I decided to re-route said Radar Detector wires, and simply replaced the fill plug - Like it never happened!

I ended up running the wires for my Radar up through the defroster vent (a little closer to the Detector). Also not very visible if you remove the wires down the road...

 

[Bimmer-Bob]

I ran some Radar Detector wires through the Auto Headlight sensor thingy (don't have auto headlights, have the blank filler plug in there and drilled a hole in it). The "dummy" filler plug is cheap if you ever decide to rip out the wires and won't leave any trace that you had anything there.

Just out of curiosity, when you ran those wires through the dummy sensor plug, did you notice if there was an unused wiring harness underneath? In other words, is the truck pre-wired for a real sensor? Thanks.

 

[96r50]

Just out of curiosity, when you ran those wires through the dummy sensor plug, did you notice if there was an unused wiring harness underneath? In other words, is the truck pre-wired for a real sensor? Thanks.

My 2010 Trail wasn't when I checked.

 

[dsfra]

I can't say for sure I know exactly what's behind there. Although, I have a few questions that may make it easier to get some suggestions for the crowd.

1. Can you show a pic of your mount?
This may give clues so that others can see what you're working with and may have suggestions on how to mount it.

2. Do you need to have the wiring/mount hole in that exact location?

Thanks for the input guys. I finally got the new mount put together, so now can include pics of the old and new.

The new version is just a small 12" x 6" shelf of 1/4" acrylic with some 1/2" x 3/4" aluminum angle edging around it that velcro's to the dash in 4 places. It was initially quite a bit bigger, but I was a somewhat concerned about a big, relatively heavy object flying around in an accident - plus I don't know where the air bag(s) might launch it. And it'll be easy to detach and stow when things get too bumpy. The 5" monitor is mounted to some velcro in the corner, and there is room for sun glasses and even a couple of cups of gas station coffee between gulps on smooth roads. Seems like we're always looking for a flat and level place to park stuff when getting into the car - the console cubbie holes are always full of crap and the dash-top is too curvy. Anyhow, as you can see, the monitor power and video cables are just begging to plug into connectors that come popping up through the dash where I want to drill the hole. From the normal driving position the shelf doesn't block the driver's view of the road; it's just the monitor sticking up like a dash-mount GPS.

I'm not too worried about putting holes in the dash since we plan to keep the 4Runner till it's >= 15 years old and by that time a potential buyer won't really care about such things.

 

[mace.]

The 5" monitor is mounted to some velcro in the corner, and there is room for sun glasses and even a couple of cups of gas station coffee between gulps on smooth roads..

You are braver that I. Growing up we had a VW without cupholders and my father would wedge a styrofoam coffee cup between the dash and the windshield. It worked great until one time it didn't.

 

[dsfra]

Maybe I'll bolt on a couple of these. In fact, West Marine has 'em in stainless steel for 50 bucks.

 

[Rubberdown]

What about mounting it directly to the silver dash piece above the volume control with a few screws and nuts. Your mount will kill you if you get in an accident and it comes loose. And it looks reeeeeeeally hokey.

 

[Randyman...]

Just out of curiosity, when you ran those wires through the dummy sensor plug, did you notice if there was an unused wiring harness underneath? In other words, is the truck pre-wired for a real sensor? Thanks.

I believe most of the wires exist, but getting them to work is another story (linky). (looks like you are already familiar with that thread )