"Custom" fit my Portable GPS Unit in my A/C

[CraigDaModeler]

I got this Portable GPS for Christmas and liked the idea of putting it in the forward storage compartment especially since the power source is located inside and a door to hide it away if needed. Since I have 3 other cars (and it does not stay in the car when not in use either), I wanted something to hold it in place when in use but easy for removal of the unit and power supply.Using my model building skills & materials on hand I put this together.

Ok, so the innards don’t look all that neat but it has all the support it needs. Up front is a “seat” for the unit to sit on with an open space for the power plug that connects in the bottom.



Here is an overhead shot.



Having the open void gives a place to tuck away the power cable as well as an accessible means to insert/remove the cable when moving to/from other vehicles. I shot black primer on the inside before closing it up.



Here it is on the bench covered with black felt and ready for install.



And finally here it is in place. It may not be as nice as a factory install but it works for me……much better than suction cup on the windshield! I can close the door to the compartment if I need to leave it in the car for any reason.



I know this is not really any kind of modification but someone may find this useful for their own portable GPS device.

Craig

I have a few more photos here if interested:http://public.fotki.com/craigd...lder/

[johnny_d]

pretty clean job, sure beats having all the wires hanging around

[BlackNWhite]

I got this Portable GPS for Christmas and liked the idea of putting it in the forward storage compartment especially since the power source is located inside and a door to hide it away if needed. Since I have 3 other cars (and it does not stay in the car when not in use either), I wanted something to hold it in place when in use but easy for removal of the unit and power supply.Using my model building skills & materials on hand I put this together.

Ok, so the innards don’t look all that neat but it has all the support it needs. Up front is a “seat” for the unit to sit on with an open space for the power plug that connects in the bottom.



Here is an overhead shot.



Having the open void gives a place to tuck away the power cable as well as an accessible means to insert/remove the cable when moving to/from other vehicles. I shot black primer on the inside before closing it up.



Here it is on the bench covered with black felt and ready for install.



And finally here it is in place. It may not be as nice as a factory install but it works for me……much better than suction cup on the windshield! I can close the door to the compartment if I need to leave it in the car for any reason.



I know this is not really any kind of modification but someone may find this useful for their own portable GPS device.

Craig

I have a few more photos here if interested:http://public.fotki.com/craigd...lder/

Dude, that's niceeeeeeeeeee.

My brother has a nav and he put some freaking PUTTY he saw on tv on his dash to hold it on.

[rjdmmfl1]

Craig, homie, don't sell yourself short. It looks clean, and it's hella functional! Nice job... it sure helps sometimes knowing how to fabricate things huh...lol

[08altima35]

looks really clean, very innovative and a perrrrfect fit. props on the job. would you be willing to fab me one of these for my coupe and if so, how much would you charge? email is [email protected]

[BigDan727]

Nice Work

[adidas2go]

niceee. do you get signal in there?

[wild willy]

Personally..I think it looks great......!!

Nice job man...and easily undone when you sell her

[CraigDaModeler]

niceee. do you get signal in there?

No problems at all with signal reception.

[prlwhitecoupe]

hahaha nice! The first spot I always thought of mounting a GPS was that!

[dangeris]

Great Job Craig! Looks clean and all the wires hidden! How is it when you're driving? Can you see the Navi from there?

That's what I love about the stock Navi, it lowers the radio volume when directions are being made.

[quick_shift]

Looks awesome Craig. I got a Garmin Nuvi for Christmas, I might have to try and do this when I get my Coupe (which will hopefully be between now and the end of Feb, I'm working with a dealer to try and find exactly what I want)

Would you mind giving the dimensions of the bottom piece?

[CraigDaModeler]

Great Job Craig! Looks clean and all the wires hidden! How is it when you're driving? Can you see the Navi from there?

Oh yeah! Works out perfectly fromthe position I sit. Pretty easy access as well for the touch screen as well. No problems with reception either.

Would you mind giving the dimensions of the bottom piece?

Well I have slept since I built this... so I forgot all those small details like how I made it and stuff (thats why I take photos . It seems like I remeber the front being about 5 1/2" and the back being about 5" and maybe the depth was at about 6". I just measured with a tape measure. Remeber that if you are going to cover it with any material, to shave enough off the actual measured size to accomodate the thickness of the material to be used. It was not very difficult to make, I'd say with the planning, measuring, cutting, measuring, glueing, test fitting, measuring,..... .........assembly, test fitting, covering, test fitting....(got the sublte important steps) I'd say I spent about 8 hours on the project.

You can pick up sheets of styrene and all shapes and sizes of square tubing at most local hobby shops. I had the materails on hand since I build models but what I used can't cost but about $10. If you need more info on using styrene, let me know.

Check out this work style camper top with ladder rack I made for this 1/25th scale truck. Now this is like 40 hours of work, just the camper shell not the whole model. (oh I made that ladder too from styrene channel and rod, pretty easy about 3 hours including painting. (It used to look better than this, it is kind of beat from bringing it to model contests, built about 6 years ago.)

More photos of the completed truck herehttp://public.fotki.com/craigd...ruck/

Photos of how I built the Camper top herehttp://public.fotki.com/craigd...ruck/

Sorry to get off topic with this.......I tend to get carried away when talking styrene (ie, model building).

[prlwhitecoupe]

WOW......craig....you should work for a special effects company!

[MadBlackCoupe]

That is good ish there bro.

I'm thinking of something to do to that same space, although I got the Z2 installed.

I have the Ipod wires and the Treo phone cords in that box. What I want to do is design a holder for both, so that I can easily connect the two and have them situp or lean back, sorta like what you have there.

The problem I see is the space is very small and fitting both may be a tricky proposition. Also, the door to that thing only flips up so far and can get in the way of what I'm invisioning. I'm also think about a drawer of some sort, that you can pull out, connect the phone and the iPod, then push the drawer back into place.

Right now, I just have a bunch of wires in the box.

I sketched some ish out though--I'll post later.

PS: ANYBODY know how easy it would be to take that flip out door off of the box?

Holla.

Mad

[CraigDaModeler]

That is good ish there bro.

I'm thinking of something to do to that same space, although I got the Z2 installed.

I have the Ipod wires and the Treo phone cords in that box. What I want to do is design a holder for both, so that I can easily connect the two and have them situp or lean back, sorta like what you have there.

The problem I see is the space is very small and fitting both may be a tricky proposition. Also, the door to that thing only flips up so far and can get in the way of what I'm invisioning. I'm also think about a drawer of some sort, that you can pull out, connect the phone and the iPod, then push the drawer back into place.

Right now, I just have a bunch of wires in the box.

I sketched some ish out though--I'll post later.

PS: ANYBODY know how easy it would be to take that flip out door off of the box?

Holla.

Mad

The set up I have can in fact slide in and out or can be completely removed. The space is kind of small and I am now looking at how I can mount my iPod either there of elsewhere. I wish the aux jack was in there as well, short of hacking the stereo, there seems to be no alternitive to plugging into the external jack. I have not looked at how the door is attached but it probably can't be too difficult to remove......especially if you don't plan on putting it back!

[jungleboogie]

whoa, looks sweet... i was actually thinking about doing something similar with my aftermarket gps unit as well... possibly have it tilt upwards a bit... how's the visibility with the compartment door open?

[ursus]

Wow impressive, I actually have my Nuvi 650 in the cube too, but I only used suction cup facing down. Good job man.

[CraigDaModeler]

whoa, looks sweet... i was actually thinking about doing something similar with my aftermarket gps unit as well... possibly have it tilt upwards a bit... how's the visibility with the compartment door open?

Here is a photo from close to my sitting/viewing position. No obstuction from the door at all. Well it looks like I may have held the camera a little lower than head level, but I do have the seat low and laid back. (I can't fit my fist between the driver seat and back seat)



It is hard to tell from the photos but the unit is tilted back/up a bit. Also notice I cut the hole it sits in on an angle towards the drivers seat but it is still very easily seen from the paqssenger seat as well.

Wow impressive, I actually have my Nuvi 650 in the cube too, but I only used suction cup facing down. Good job man.

Yeah I gave that some thought as well but removing the unit from the holder is a very tight fit. I would basically have to remove the suction cup, then the unit from the bracket then replace both when I get back in the car. I never leave it in the car for any length of time so this set up proved to provide easier access. But hey if the suction cup works for you that is great! I guess my model building mode kicked in as usual when it comes to fabricating small this such as this!

[08Coupe]

I just used a 90 degree angle bracket and the front part "face" of the suction cup mount.. This way it snaps in and all I have to do is plug in the power and the external antenna (mounted to center of dash)

Nuvi 350

[zigggy56]

Great job man. I currently have my Nuvi660 sitting in pretty much the same spot. The only problem is you have to look down if you actually need to look at the GPS. Great for voice directions, not so great if you like to view the maps (which I do). ANYONE find a spot to mount the GPS where its visible durring driving without creating a dangerous situation?

[SniperJoe]

Very nice job ... clean!

[gatorglaze]

I have to admit, that is a CLEAN *** job. However, dont you think those GPS's would be better near the dash? Simply because thats a far scan from the road to the cubby, i had the same exact GPS and i put it in the middle of the bottom of the front windshield, that way i just have to turn my head a few degrees while still see the road in my peripheral vision. Its a nice job, just not where i would have put a small gps screen.

[08Coupe]

I have to admit, that is a CLEAN *** job. However, dont you think those GPS's would be better near the dash? Simply because thats a far scan from the road to the cubby, i had the same exact GPS and i put it in the middle of the bottom of the front windshield, that way i just have to turn my head a few degrees while still see the road in my peripheral vision. Its a nice job, just not where i would have put a small gps screen.

Actually I have mine there and with the turn by turn voice alerts with road names you really don't need to look at it much. Also you dont have to remove it (break-ins) or worry about it smashing your face in a accident

[gatorglaze]

Actually I have mine there and with the turn by turn voice alerts with road names you really don't need to look at it much. Also you dont have to remove it (break-ins) or worry about it smashing your face in a accident

Oh yeah i forgot the turn by turn speech. I use my avic now so i hell, my tomtoms been collecting dust in my room

[dnasty88]

i would buy one of these if you would make another

[shortys408]

x2