FC Garmin GPS Mounting Solution
 

I recently had a Garmin Nuvi GPS given to me, but found no easy way to mount the thing in my daily-driven FC. So I had to come up with a custom solution to the problem. This is what I did:

The suction cup mount that comes with the unit uses a bracket that pops onto a 17mm ball. The pic below is what it looks like with the bracket attached. I needed a way to take only the bracket portion and attach it to something without drilling holes in it.
http://members.cox.net/linspace/gps0.jpg


So I tracked down a plastic ball through McMasterCarr that was the exact same diameter. This is the one I found: http://www.mcmaster.com/#5838k21. This gave me a way to mount the bracket, so then I just needed a surface. Since I have an aftermarket stereo headunit with a generic block-off section underneath, I decided to mount it there. I popped out the plastic panel, which conveniently has a removeable plate in the center (I assume for a thin equilizer), and set about making a piece of sheet metal to fit inside. A hole was drilled directly in the middle of the sheet & the plastic ball was drilled and tapped. I screwed it in on in the center for the bracket to attach to. Next to it went a larger hole with a rubber grommet to allow the power cable to pop through.

http://members.cox.net/linspace/gps2.jpg

So that took care of the mounting issue. But rather than having a giant power cable sticking out of my cigarette lighter all the time, I decided to route it all out of sight. I took an extra lighter from my old stereo surround and tapped into the back side of the existing lighter socket for power. This way the cigarette lighter adapter can be plugged in where no one can see it, and my existing lighter is still available. All of this wiring was neatly tucked away behind the panel. And the 12V end of the exposed socket was taped up to prevent shorting out against one of the many stereo wires in the same location.

http://members.cox.net/linspace/gps1.jpg

And here's the result:

http://members.cox.net/linspace/gps3.jpg

http://members.cox.net/linspace/gps4.jpg

I'm happy with the way it turned out, and it only took an afternoon's worth of work. Besides the useful navigation, this particular unit will also connect to my phone via bluetooth. So as long as I can actually hear the person, I can answer my phone and drive stick. I've got the volume turned up to 100% to try to fight my open exhaust :lol:. Luckily RB mufflers are quieter than a lot of others.

Very nice! Well done!