My under-$10 Custom Garmin GPS dash mounting solution

[tadr_94jetta]

This only works if you have an empty/blank slot in the row of buttons below the center vent.

Parts:
Garmin Nuvi AMPS Adapter Mount - $6.00 (http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-nuvi-amps-adapter-mount.html)
2.5" 10-24 machine screw
10-24 washer
some wood
some wire and a couple of ring terminals for 1/4" posts
female cigarette lighter plug - $4.00 (http://www.autotoys.com/x/catalog/CIGARETTE_LIGHTER_PLUG_LEADS_FEMALE_p_5460.html - radioshack has it too, but I can't find it right now)

Process
First off, there are at least two ways to do this. Originally, I tried to mount the ball to the blank without pulling out the vent and reinforcing behind the blank. Unfortunately, while this would have been a much easier solution, the mount was unstable and wobbled a lot. Therefore, you can see the steps I took below to reinforce the mount (with the wood block/clamp mechanism I built).

1) Locate a blank insert where you want to mount the GPS. In my case, I have two heated seat buttons and a defrost button. This left one blank slot leftover for the GPS mounting ball.

2) Pop out the blank and pull out the center vent assembly.
Follow the steps under center vent in this thread: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1960541

3) Remove the mounting ball and bolt from the garmin amps mount plate. Drill a hole of the appropriate size through your blank panel. Replace the machine screw that came with the garmin amps mount plate with the 2.5" long screw.

4) Cut out a piece of wood (I used 1/2" mdf) in the shape of a trapezoid, as pictured. Drill a hole through the wood for the bolt. This wood serves as a "clamp." As you tighten the screw, it pushes the retaining clips for the blank panel outward and holds it in place.

5) Notch out a hole in the blank panel for the GPS wiring (if desired)

6) If desired, route your GPS wiring up behind the radio and out the hole you notched in step 5.

7) Pop the blank back into the vent assembly. Place the wood-trapezoid block behind the blank panel and tighten until the mounting ball and blank plate are tight in the vent assembly.

8) Replace the vent assembly

9) Hard-wire the female cigarette lighter to the 75x terminals on the fused box. This turns on the power to the GPS when the car turns on. Follow the directions in this thread to access the switched 12V terminals.

10) Enjoy the final product!





Modified by tadr_94jetta at 4:30 AM 9-17-2009

[EuroTrashin]

NICE! Man, I wish I had the Wide Nuvi rather than the narrow one. Looks good.

[Loren Wallace]

Great idea, nice work!

[ipwnbitches]

in all honesty you should patent a kit for that . you have no idea how many people come into best buy everyday and ask for something like that ...genius idea man

for the rig

[Tofik]

been thinking of doing something for my garmin(same one as you) and you just saved me a bunch of time and money =]]]]

[missioncirca]

Nicely done!

[phill0046]

and so the tadr mod was born...

[tiggo]

looks great now I just need to get a garmin. I hate tom tom <-- sucks balls in the USA

[J@H Dub 1.8t]

Quote, originally posted by tiggo »

looks great now I just need to get a garmin. I hate tom tom <-- sucks balls in the USA

I like my tom tom, this setup should work for any tom toms with a little modding

[AtomixMK3]

I noticed it looks like you have a GPS with traffic updates or atleast the antenna for it (in the charging cable) with the traffic reciever (rectangle piece) under the dash are you still able to get the traffic signal? I know you can run an external antenna through it but I would rather not have to buy one.

[wellhellothere]

any chance you can get the pics for this one back up?

[mgw_mk4]

any chance you can get the pics for this one back up?

x2

[GolfCL Smooth]

x2

x3!

[SnarlPatrick]

Thanks a bunch. Before I found this thread, I had decided on the blank button as the best place. Your instructions made it super easy. I even got the same blank mount as you recommended. Perfect clean install.

edit: It turns out that when I mounted it like this, there wasn't enough room for the straight cord to plug into the back of the gps, so I added a rubber washer about a quarter inch deep, which fixed the problem.

Also, instead of a trapezoid piece of wood, which I couldn't find, I used half of a plastic ball. The round shape worked fine to press out the plastic. Not very attractive looking but its all hidden behind the dash anyway.

[sboles92]

Great idea! Gonna pursue this

[strykr24]

Working on this now. Last step is to wire the female plug... I'll post pics when I get done.

[strykr24]

Work has been a PITA so I just finished everything. Had to file the ball down about 1/2mm to make the lock ring fit, but this design will work for other brands as well. Thanks for the write up