MOD: A-Pillar RAM mount GPS/Phone holder

Just completed this mod, thanks OP

 

Love mine also,

Great job OP!

 

Posted this in another thread but just wanted to get some more input before i commit to this mod:

I am currently using just a suction cup phone mount (which seemed the best rated on Amazon) but I really don't like the shake/vibration it gets while driving. How solid is this mod with the Ram mount?

 

You will get the same shakes using the RAM mounts. There is no perfect mount, except holding the device in your hand...which we can't really do while driving.

 

Can always try the TechDeck, absolutely solid and no vibration what so ever and it's residing in my third Tacoma.

 

I have a Mirror riser from Bird Dawg Industries. I used RAM ball with diamond base, RAM long arm, and a

$37 RAM Mounts X-Grip Universal Phone Holder with Ball RAM-HOL-UN7BU with B Size 1" Ball

RAM X Grip(regular size). All you need beyond that is a couple of screws from the hardware store to mount the ball to the riser.

This setup is extremely solid and doesn't budge. I attribute that to the arm being almost vertical. I think you can get away with a the short RAM arm if you have a smaller phone like the iPhone 5 or SE. I use mine with my both my iPhone 6 Plus and my wife uses it with her iPhone SE. I've been running this setup for over a year and love it.

 

Sounds nice and solid. I imagine that most of us would rather not put something else in our primary field of view under the rear view mirror. The folks at Bird Dog make some interesting products that many find useful however, this thread is geared towards an A pillar solution.

As to the vibration issues, I'm scratching my head as I haven't experienced anything like you've described. One thing that I have done wth the large locking nut on the arm is put an open end wrench on it to really crank it tight but I don't think that would give any different results from simply hand tightening it as the manufacturer prescribes.

 

No vibration issues with mine. Use a 60mm bolt and stack a few more washers to move the ball further away from the grab handle.

 

Sub'd

 

I used a Panvise mount for my phone,

$30 Panavise Custom InDash Mount for Toyota Tacoma '05-07

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I7RUFI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. A little expensive in my opinion but its pretty solid. Don't mind the old beat up RAM Mounts they were repurposed from my motorcycle after about 4 years. That's my old phone mounted in it. My Note 7 fits a lot better in the X Grip.

 

Panavise is a nice mount. I use one for my dual battery monitor.

 

@Baoser @247daryl @.45 JHP @MJonaGS32

 

Question concerning power hook-up for this modification. I did the ram mount and ram mount cradle but now want to install a usb charger on the left side of steering wheel. It looks like it should be easy, I have open bank switches on my 2011 Toyota tacoma and have decided to go with Mictuning Toyota USB Charger (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010T3CR8A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) but want to make sure I get the correct add a circuit fuse tap for my Tacoma. Can someone make any suggestions on where I could get one? I am not that comfortable dealing with electrical items so would appreciate information on this. Thanks in advance!

 

How do you rout the charging cable from the unit to the 12v receptacle?

 

I was just going to let it "hang down" as I don't use the charger that much and I have a short cable.

 

I saw that you edited in a couple of tags and I don't know if Bob has fixed the issue where tagged people won't see the notification if edited in afterwards. So with that said... @Baoser @247daryl @.45 JHP @MJonaGS32

To keep cable clutter to a bare minimum I used this hardwired dual USB port and ran some six foot long charging cables behind the dash and up the A-pillars. The dual port charges the iPad and the passing side A-pillar, and the driver side A-pillar cable plugs into the back of my aftermarket stereo. I made a small notch to allow the head of the cable through the same place that the RAM mount ball bolts to.

 

I saw your post and thought about doing that as I really liked the way it look but didn't want to do all of that. I am hoping just to find the correct fuse tap and go that way.

 

I ordered up the parts. I already have 3 X grips in the middle, but another on the side can't hurt. Can throw a radio in there when needed.