GPS mounting in an XJ.....

[John90XJ]

I picked up a Lowrance/Eagle GPS and I'm looking for places to mount it in my '90 XJ.

The CB radio is on the PS tranny hump, the shifter bezel has ARB switches and I'm thinking that I could mount it to the dash over the air vent below the radio and HVAC controls.

Any other ideas? Anybody done this with a Baja 540, 480 or 320?

[Clark White]

I don't know exactly what is available for that model GPS, but I have mine mounted down in the left corner of my windshield using a suction mount sold by Garmin. It works great, it's in a very convenient place to use and see while driving, it doesn't block my view any, and it was cheep and easy to set up. You can also take it off and put it on rentals/friends vehicles, etc. Again, I don't know what available for your GPS, but if you can get one of those, they are awesome.

[bucyouup68]

Get a Ram Mount, they are perfect for mounting a GPS. http://asp.ram-mount.com/rammount/productdetail.aspx?partnumber=RAM-101U

[John90XJ]

I've been looking at those tonight.

How well do they wear? Anyone with experience with both the aluminum and plastic units?

[bucyouup68]

I have not had mine long enogh to tell, but it with stood a pounding in DV the last time i was there. It did not move at all. Great Unit. Here is a pic of mine.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2076/1549699228_b30fd66aec_b.jpg

[John90XJ]

That's what I needed to hear.

Is yours aluminum? Based on the part number I think it is.....

Did you look at the plastic one? I haven't seen either yet and with my rig I'm concerned about strength since it sees some fairly serious offroad use.

Overall max height is? I'm trying to figure out if the 6.25" x 2" measurement is the plate attachment to the GPS or something else I'm missing.

Thanks for the help!

[bucyouup68]

I can only go by what I bought, and It is rugged, I took it into some places that most of the Group just Turned around LOL. So I think It will hold up fine. I bought mine at West Marine, they usually have them in stock there. You will be happy with it, I think I paid 50.00 for it.

[John90XJ]

Is your unit mounted to a metal base like the trans tunnel or to some plastic trim work? I basically have the same weight load that you do so I'm curious how stout the mount to the floor or console must be, from the standpoint of backside bracing, etc.

[bucyouup68]

I just screwed it in to the Plastic Cover that covers the Center Console. Works Great, None of the Screws ever came close to loosing up on the whole trip.

[John90XJ]

Perfect. Thank you very much. I now have something to do tomorrow on my lunch hour. :)

I'll post up photos when I get it installed.

As for the antenna, I see you "mounted" it on your dash. I assume you're going to do something more permanent? I've been told it will work well on the hood at the bottom of the windshield. I'm in a lot of trees on the trail and would prefer to avoid the roof and having to drill holes that could leak. The cowl over the wiper linkage looks like a decent compromise.

[bucyouup68]

That was just the Temp Spot, I mounted it on My Cowl right below the windshield. People always ask if i left a Donut up there.LOL

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2162/1897800385_ab53da0f9e_b.jpg

[John90XJ]

Good to know it works there. The XJ cowl is a lot bigger and will give me a perfect spot to have it and keep it out of harm's way.

No interference from the engine or the wipers or anything?

[bucyouup68]

Nope, all Is Good, and Picks up the Sats Fast. Good Luck with the install, it is really sratight forward, I will be looking for the pics.

[John90XJ]

Thanks again for the help....I know what I'm doing this week....

[bucyouup68]

Any time:safari-rig:

[cshontz]

John, I like RAM.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/25/62060331_f316310c95.jpg

Get an aluminum ball. The picture below is on a plastic ball, and has since broken. Too much leverage on the ball. I went to move it to make room for fast food one night, thought it was loose but it wasn't - so it snapped. The plastic ball still lasted a really long time, and is generally strong enough for shorter arms.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/41/111027486_f55ac470f9.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/65/227278387_9f7ce8799f.jpg

[LUISJG]

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2973&d=1156288984

more info check here
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2184&page=2

[John90XJ]

So I took your advice, found the RAM mount and installed it tonight. I'll do the wiring tomorrow night.

http://home.comcast.net/~jdherrick/smdscf2444.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~jdherrick/smdscf2444.jpg

Sorry for the blurry pic but at least you can see the mount.

http://home.comcast.net/~jdherrick/smdscf2450.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~jdherrick/smdscf2450.jpg

The plan is to mount the "puck" on the cowl between the hood and windshield, running the cable down to the PS, out the drain, into the fender and back through with the radio antenna. The power wires will be extended to an aftermarket fuse panel on the DS firewall that has the CB radio, power seats and all the extra lighting.

Thanks again for all the help.

Edit: added links. Not sure why the photos are not working, they work at my end.

[bucyouup68]

Pics No Worky....LOL

[John90XJ]

I added some links....not sure why you can't see them.

[bucyouup68]

Nice. I was unable to mount mine there because the Glove Box, and i had to move my CB Back, which means the Passenger Seat Will not go up anymore. Sorry For the Fools In the Back Seat. LOL

[John90XJ]

So this "fall back" business is really putting a damper on my weeknight projects. It's hard enough driving in the dark all the time, now I need to work on the Jeep with shoplights, lousy weather and short evenings.

Monday I got the unit mounted, Tuesday was the power cable, Wednesday I got the antenna "puck" mounted on the cowl between the wiper arms and pulled the PS fender back to create a space for the cable. The cable has a short section from the antenna that will come out of the cowl and into the engine compartment on the firewall. The long cable will be attached there and then go down inside the PS fender to enter the PS kick panel with the radio antenna. Hopefully this will get wrapped up on Sunday when I get back from hanging out in our new Cabela's store.

From the looks of it with a few options, like another RAM mount ball and power cable, I could easily move this from rig to rig. I would like it in the Suburban for a tentative Baja trip this fall.

[86cj]

RAM gets my vote......The possibilities are endless (Adult Tinker toys)....Very high quality stuff and your right the aluminum is pure beef.....Mine came from GPS City....

[John90XJ]

So I finally got the antenna mounted, saw a problem and remounted.

Turns out my chosen location is too close to the hood when it's being opened and it makes contact. I looked at putting it elsewhere but the need to keep it away from tree limbs and off the roof had me thinking that I should keep it where it was. I double checked the clearance and was able to use the marine mount and lift it just an inch or two with a riser. I'm open to suggestions but at this point it works great, clears the hood, is out of danger from limbs and doesn't get in the way of your vision when driving.

Now I need to work on some mapping software as the base map is not as detailed as I had hoped. But all in all, it's a good unit.

http://home.comcast.net/~jdherrick/gpsantenna.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~jdherrick/gpsantenna2.jpg