Made a dash mount for ram ball

[Throttlejockey]

Decided to make a mount for my Nuvi550 when it gets here.

Got some 3/4"x1/8" thick aluminum from the hardware store. 2 well-nuts and 2 10-32 stainless screws. Had the aluminum spacers kicking around.

I also made a nut for the ram ball out of the same material.

I think it's going to work well. I think total cost was about $13. Only because the aluminum bar came in a 6ft length and was $8.50.

 

[Rode Weary]

Now that is simply a sweet idea! Good thinking.:clap2:

Now, so that I can take credit for your hard work, would you happen to want to share the dimensions so I can build one?

Dennis

 

[STDaveNW]

What I like about it, is you can pull the zumo down and not sticking up so high above the dash.
Good Job!!!

 

[Howesound]

nice and neat! SWEET!

:CanFlag1:

 

[GetaHandleOnit]

Great Idea and Good MacGuyvering!

 

[carpdm]

Nicely done!

 

[Jeff F]

Smart!

I've never really liked where my GPS sits - between the handlebars. Your idea is a real nice alternative to a dash shelf, which is a bit much for one gadget.

 

[sundesj]

great joboPoST1:

 

[Throttlejockey]

Thanks guys. I really didn't take any measurements other than centering the ball on the mount.
I bent the bracket in the vise and cut it slightly longer than where the mounting holes are.

The spacers are about 3/8" and the screws are 1-1/4" long. I had to get a M10x1.25 tap also, as those were the ram ball threads. The nut was just a 3/4x3/4 piece of the bracket material drilled and tapped. The well-nuts (or expansion nuts) are 1/4" diameter x 1/2" long.

I just laid the bracket on and marked the mounting holes and drilled them last.

Then I painted it semi-flat black.

Oh yea, the tap was about $8 also.

 

[Papa]

Nice integration! How much for mine? You have the tap,,,,,,,,,,

 

[amorley]

Nice job! I purchased the Migsel Mount for my dash on my 2005 ST1300A but they don't make one for the NT700VA. Now I know a good solution. Thanks! :bow1:

 

[jimbob]

Does the mount wobble when driving on the road or going over rail road tracks. It looks like a fine idea.

 

[Throttlejockey]

I don't think it will move around. I can grab the mount and flex the entire dash and it takes a lot of force to do that.
I'll know when I get my Nuvi 550 this week but I think it's pretty solid.

 

[Jerry55]

Wow!!!
A very nice solution.

 

[Byron]

Very nice, can't wait to see it all together and get the final report. Have you figured how you're going to run the power up to the GPS yet?

 

[SoloTotoCoyote]

 

[Throttlejockey]

Very nice, can't wait to see it all together and get the final report. Have you figured how you're going to run the power up to the GPS yet?

I have an plug in the left pocket, which is how I powered my other Nuvi. I did buy the cradle for this one with the hard wire setup. Just have to figure out where I'm going to wire it to.

Okay, it's mounted and there is some flex at the spacers. What I'm going to do is probably eliminate the spacers and use some sort of rubber spacer or grommet that is about 3/4" O.D. so the bracket is tight against the dash.

Will update when I get some rubber spacers.

 

[Throttlejockey]

Okay. Ran into some issues with the spacers and the well nuts pulling out.
Got it all straightened out though.
Had to remove the upper cover and put the well nuts in the hole then put the cover back on. That way the well nuts are sandwiched between the 2 pieces. Used 3/8 beveled faucet washers and now it is a solid mount.
I'll post some pics I took with my cell tomorrow. Hopefully they came out okay.

 

[Throttlejockey]

Here's some pics.

Well-nuts installed under the cover. I had to get philips screws from the hardware store since that's all they had that was long enough. So I got some screw covers and I think it looks better.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Did you drill through the dash or thread the screws in the existing holes?
Great idea.