Smartphone Android Mount for my 2000 t4r

[ventureadict]

Alright, been working on this GPS/ HTC Nexus one mount for my t4r. Got it about right, its been through a bunch of phases.
Parameters for project:

1. no drilling/ must use existing fastening point (passed)
2. must be made of sh*t from my garage (cheap) (failed spent about $5)
3. must not interfere with any view of road/controls/vents etc (passed)
4. must be somewhere around eye height (no looking down away from road) (passed)
5. must NOT bounce off while wheelin' (passed)

So, I found after searching all over the dash an area where I would like it, which was just up and to the left of the steering wheel. I took the cap of of the bottom end of the drivers 'entry handle' and then removed the bolt. Went to Ace and bought a quality stainless hex bolt (same size as oem bolt, but longer), which would allow room for my mounting interface (a 1/2 " pvc end cap, with a drilled hole through to the handle mount and a washer:

href="http://s381.photobucket.com/albums/oo254/lexmoore510/?action=view&current=8acb9c05.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo254/lexmoore510/8acb9c05.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>~original[/IMG]
I blew rule number 3 and went to ace (again) and bought a variety of plumbing and electrical pvc fittings and pipe ($3) and figured I could fashion something... The adjustable phone cradle came from Best Buy years ago, but never worked well with the supplied suction cup mount and vent mount. With a smartphone, it always bounced off and p*ssed me off. So, I dismantled that and one of those $3 pocket camera tripods (for the adjustable ball-style clamp) and drilled out a pocket in the back to place a 1/4" hex nut to accept the 1/4 inch thread mount on the trip pod head. Here is what I came up with:

Glued the pieces together after f-ing with it forever to get it right. Will eventually route a charger and 1/8 stereo jack through the dash and out the interface mount to the device for charging and Pandora etc. It is very tight and the phone hasnt bounced out yet. Prolly paint it at some point to to make it blend a little better. Oh, btw, I did use a set-screw for the joint between the mount and the first fitting so that I could take the thing apart. Other joints with Gorilla glue.

 

[4-Ripcord]

That's a great mount, just needs a coat of paint and you'll be there!

With routing the wire, I have a recommendation. I added an extra power outlet behind the drivers kick panel so I could mount a radar detector right where you have your phone. All you have to do is use an add-a-fuse on the interior fuse box, then ground it somewhere behind the dash. Super simple! Its in my build somewhere.

On a side note, how do you like that phone? Its about time for my contract to be up.

 

[ventureadict]

Thanks! I love the nexus one. Amazing phone. I can run all sorts of apps at once (GPS/ Pandora/ Nav) and it does great. THat case I have is an otterbox. Thanks for the idea bout the power source. Do you have any more detail or photos about it? I think that would make for a better solution..

 

[JWaldz]

dunno how well I'd trust that clamp right there with the windows down lol

I have the same thing (minus the ingenuity) and it came with a suction cup mount and a air vent mount as well. The first one I bought I used the hell out of. It ended up breaking so I bought another one. I use both mounting apparatuses in different occasions. Vent clip for offroad (seems sturdy) and the suction cup for every day driving. I think it really depends how you angle/bend it to get it where it doesn't bounce or fall off all the time. Which I've seemed to found a a good spot.

If you have a scan guage you could bring it a little farther down and use it for mounting it or fab a different mount for it. Seems to be working well. Nice little mod, kudos.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Thanks! I love the nexus one. Amazing phone. I can run all sorts of apps at once (GPS/ Pandora/ Nav) and it does great. THat case I have is an otterbox. Thanks for the idea bout the power source. Do you have any more detail or photos about it? I think that would make for a better solution..

Ripcord's 2002 4runner build- post742175

Mine is a bit more complicated, because I tapped into an existing wire that was already hooked up to an add-a-fuse.

But you can see where I mounted it and where I grounded it.

 

[ventureadict]

Nice, thanks for the info and detail. Need to rig something like that eventually.