Ideas, how to install the GPS

I want to install my GPS (Garmin II plus) on the dash, but I don't feel like drilling two holes in the dash board. Any ideas? Any experience, which double sided tape does not faints in the heat? How did you guys do it?

Thanks

If you have a dash mat you can get some sticky tape velcro and tape the hook side of the velcro on the GPS. It will hold it fairly well on the dash mat. I use this for my radar detector and it works good.

Originally posted by donkey boy
I want to install my GPS (Garmin II plus) on the dash, but I don't feel like drilling two holes in the dash board. Any ideas? Any experience, which double sided tape does not faints in the heat? How did you guys do it?

Thanks

Click to expand...

I use a 2' green velcro strap that I purchased from Home Depot for a few dollars. I cut a slit in the vertical side of the GPS III dash mount and slipped the strap through it. I then positioned my GPS III + on my sterring wheel column, wrapping the velcro strap around the column. Makes it very portable and easy to position in the many rental cars I drive. It puts it in an excellent position since it is in line with the gauges. I can't see my speedometer below 40MPH though but I just display it on my GPS anyways. If you want a picture of how its mounted send me an e-mail.

Robert

Sounds like an interesting idea, Robert. No problems with the satellite-reception?

I have mine drilled into the dash, kinda wish I hadn't... the truck vibrates so much (none due to the GPS of course) that often times the bouncing of the GPS, even though its drilled in, still drives me nuts. Not that it WOULDNT bounce around if secured to the steering wheel, setc. but then at least you wouldn't have some holes drilled in to your dash.

Originally posted by donkey boy
Sounds like an interesting idea, Robert. No problems with the satellite-reception?

Click to expand...

No problems at all. I even bought Garmin's external antennae expecting to need it, but the only time I ever needed it was when I rented a Pontiac transport and that was due to a metalic film or coating on the inside of the windshield. I usually have about 5 or 6 solid black bars. The only time I have had it lose coverage was when 4-wheeling through thick forests, but my external antennae mounted on my roof lost coverage in the same location. When I first got my GPS III +, I tried using the velcro to attach it to the dash right above my center A/C vents but the first time I went off-road, it fell off. The next thing I tried was drilling two holes in the same location but it was too hard to see it, especially in bright sunlight (the only thing we usually have here in Phoenix).

Robert

I have mine mounted to the top of the steering column. Easily accesible and readable. Plus I can still read the trucks instruments without a problem.

I drilled two holes in the top of the column to make it permanant. The GPS is also wired into the trucks electrical system.

I mounted the GPS where the Kleenix box is on the front of the console.
I used 2 pieces of sheet metal, 1"X4" with three holes one piece and one in the middle of the other piece. I took the 1 piece of metal with three holes and screwed it to the GPS mount. The middle hole I put a screw in backward and used a nut to hold it in place, then put the other metal piece on the back side of the front of the console at the top of the hole where the tissues come out and screwed the two metal pieces together. It is easier to pull the front panel off and afix the mount to it. It's pretty to pull that panel off. I ran the power in through the inside of the aux power plug. If I have time tomorrow, I'll take a picture of it and post it.

Has anyone installed a Garmin Emap, or similar vertical mounting unit in their Manual Explorer?? I would love to hear where and how you mounted it... Any ideas!

Thanks,
Jason

Well here's the pictures of my GPS mounted to the front of the kleenex box. Those screws don't go into the console, but into a sheet metal plate. the console is sandwiched between the 2 metal plates, as mentioned in the above post.

Ok here's my pictures:





Robert

[Edited by Robert on 06-22-2000 at 09:51 PM]

Ray and Robert, thanks for posting the pics.

Ray, this really looks good. Functional without messing up the interior. I think this is what I will be going for. Do you want me to put "copyright Ray Lobato" on it?

Also to all the others, thanks a lot for all your imput.

Ray, those are nice pics and a clever install. I have a question for you and/or anyone who wants to comment. I am begining to look into GPS units, but I don't know much about them. Any comments on what to look for or which brand to go with. How reliable/upgradable are they and what kind of prices are we talking.

Thanks

I like where Ray has his - wish I had a console with a kleenix box so I could put it there, kinda. The only problem I see with that location is to see where your going you have to look straight down and to your right - taking your eyes off the road for at least 3-4 seconds. I'm one of the worlds worst drivers with a vehicle that can never decide which way to sway (do I steer hard right today, or hard left? I don't know lets do both!). Otherwise it looks great! It'd be cool if you had a co-pilot who could tell you what was on screen (such as... we're coming up to 1st and main) but I usually drive solo. I do like Roberts... looks exactly the same place Rick has his with slightly different mounting technique. Looks good.

Kodeblu - The Garmin GPS III Plus seems to be the most popular for everyone on the board, I know of several people with it (myself, Ryan Penner, Rick, Robert, Kevin, Ray, and a few others) and I have yet to hear many negative comments on it. It's great for in-city and in fact since my speedometer is so far off I rely on it to tell me how fast I'm going to (one of the cool features). I never go wheeling without it! Plus the ease of loading maps is unbelievable. Some other GPS's seemed cool until I found you have to buy cartridges for seperate cities at about $100 a pop. NOT cool. Garmin you can buy the Roads and Recreations CD which all 50 states down to street-level on one CD for $100 (or copy it from a friend wink, wink) and you simply click which counties you want on your GPS, hook up the GPS to the cable and send away. I think The GPS II PLus and III Plus are the only Garmins with this capability. Hope that helps.

Hey ray did you ever get those PIAA 80's?

Hey Matt, thanks for the info. I appreciate it!

Matt,
The reason I put it there was so Sandy could see it too. If I'm just going on trails I can always stop. If driving in traffic, Sandy does all the looking. Sorry for such a delay, but I just found this thread again. Oh on the PIAA's I'm still waiting for the lift and the lockers and gears. I should have some money left over for the 80's. The tranny and the Cam tensioners sort of got into my modification money, but I should be sprouting at least one set by the next time you see me.

Kodeblu, seeing that I'm not as young as I used to be, My eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be, so it's sometimes hard to see the small lettering. I like the Garmin plus III, I just wished it had a larger screen. This is one of those things that you say "I don't know how I went with out one of these things for so long"

Hey Donkey Boy, Just send money. He He He J.K.
Glad you like it.