Hi All,

I would like to mount some gadgets on top of the dashboard. I am thinking of my iPod, a GPS, and a rear-view camera monitor. What I would like to do is use a suction cup arm from the windshield to hold a three-way RAM mount (or something similar).

My biggest concern is how to route the wires. There wil be three power cables, plus an audio (or two) and a video feed. Does anybody know if I could route these through the top of the dashboard somewhere? If I can come through the dash, I can bundle the wires inside a length of pleated plastic tubing to keep everything looking neat. What is underneath those small, oval-ish, wedge-shaped panels in the dash (near the windshield)?

Other suggestions wlecomed too.

Thanks,
-Alan

 

My biggest concern would be the loss of windshield visibility with having all that stuff up there..That's me though..

As far as routing the wiring...There is a large enough of a gap between the windshield and dash to stuff wires behind, or you could go overhead through the headliner like the mirror wires go...Hope that helps.

 

I have a laptop on my dash and iPod holder. I'll try to go snap some pics of it during lunch. You can route the wires through the air ducts on top of the radio. If you pull the panel off, there is only a spong material there. I have my iPod/Cell phone holder clipped to the vent, and have a FM Modulator to transmit the sound. I actually found one that sounds almost CD quality. For the GPS, you can run the wiring along the dashboard between the dashboard and the windshield. When you open the side doors, the small panels on the side of the dash just pop right off. You can also pop off the plastic rail that the tweeter is housed in on each side so you can feed the wires directly down into the dash. I'll go snap some pics now and show you how I have mine. I spent many hours taking the dash apart and mapping out the wiring for my stuff. Gimmie an hour or two and I'll post some pics.

 

I test-fitted some of the items (I don't have the rear-view screen yet) by holding them up there. They don't block much of the view that isn't already blocked by the hood of the truck. I think it will be OK.

Do you mean that there's room between the dash and the windshield to come up from under the dash to the top?

Thanks,
-Alan

 

That would be great! I'd appreciate seeing the pictures.

I plan to get an iPod adpater that integrates with the factory stereo so you can control it with the radio controls (the one that has been posted on here a bunch of times).

In your experience with the dash, is it easy to break stuff? Like little tabs or whatever?

Thanks,
-Alan

 

Alan:
I have My GPS antenna mounted on the dash by the windshield the wires run up from behind the radio and
out of the front near the air ducts.

Jim

 

Hi Jim,

Do you mean they come out the "cabin" air ducts or out the defroster air ducts near the windshield?

I was thinking I'd like to have the wires come out of the dash near the windshield, but maybe it would look OK coming out of the front. I'll have to look at it more closely.

Thanks,
-Alan

 

Here are some pics of my Radar Detector. The wires are ran from the radar detector to the Mirror where I have it tapped into the power when the ignition is turned:



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Here is my FM Modulator (which works VERY well) which is getting power from the cigarette lighter, and the iPod/Cell Phone mount I use, in which the stereo plug for the modulator is wired through and behind the air vent:



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Here is my laptop connection. The GPS receiver is in front of the laptop mounted against the window on the dash, and the power and USB cables are integrated into the power of the stereo. I have a very small laptop so it can be opened and closed whenever you want, but it's so small it really doesnt obstruct the view too much.



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