MOD: A-Pillar RAM mount GPS/Phone holder

@G.T. , I found a piece in my miscellaneous parts bin and chose to whip out the Dremel make my own attachment. Came out a little frankensteinish but it's super solid. Next up, I'm running a constant power source for the wireless charger. Thanks for your help dude

 

Has anyone used the A-Pilar Ram mount for Ham Radio face units (Looking at IC2730)?

 

Interesting idea, I’ve got an 857-D face that doesn’t really have a permanent home in the car yet.

Does yours have a mounting plate that you can screw to a 1” ball to round mounting surface?

 

I don't own the radio, yet, curious if others did. I'm currently running a Leixen VV989E and it's 3m taped on the shifting counsel. I found online that there are bracket attachments for the reverse side of the IC2730. Lido has some, https://www.lidoradio.com/collections/mounts-for-the-id-5100-and-ic-2730.

Once I get a face plated Ham radio, I'm considering Ram mounting it to the upper bolt and keep the phone on the lower.

 

Great recommendation made by OP to check other retailers. RAM calc'd $18 of shipping on a 2 sku order. Amazon has them on prime, arriving at my door tomorrow . Thanks for the rec OP!

 

Always glad to hear that people are finding good deals. Welcome to TacomaWorld and I hope you enjoy your setup.

 

I found the right sized pan head screw at Home Depot.

 

Got this done today. My first mod to the 15. I picked up the bolt from Bolt Supply House here in Calgary if anyone is looking.

 

Yes, I haven't but I think it was in this thread where I saw it. . . https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/amateur-ham-radio-bs-and-callsign-thread.260643/

 

Just switched from using the X-Grip to

$27 ARKON Mounts - 65mm Diameter Round Heavy-Duty Magnetic Base Mount with 25mm /1" Rubber Coating Ball | Ball Mount | Magnetic Mount | Compatible with All Types of Flat Metal Surfaces

this magnetic mount. It's a bit bigger than most phone mounts, intended to be a magnetic base, but it works quite well for my phone even with one of the small 40mm metal disks through a vinyl case.

 

I haven't scrolled through every page but curious if any one is using the A-piller as a mic mount? I'm not really finiding a great solution other than piecing together a series of parts. I was thinking of sticking the adhesive mount to the back of the mic mount then securing that cluster fuck to the short double socket arm. Thoughts?
- Mic Mount https://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-VC-MC
- Adhesive Ball Base https://www.rammount.com/part/RAP-B-378U

Here is my current set up, Midland MTX275. Considering I've got a regular cab I dont have all the fancy electronics like most of you guys so I have their adhesive mic mount on side mirror control blank. It's been working well since June but the clips on the back are starting to get weak so its been falling out from time to time. When I figure out the A-piller mount I'll swap out one of the blank plugs with a UHF adaptor as well.

 

Looking forward to seeing your results.

 

Like some did with the flush back ball mounts an adaptor, this might work, https://www.lidoradio.com/collectio...peaker-microphone-mount-for-motorola-pmmn4125

Here's my current set-up.

The Mic on the right is just 3m taped to the dash. Got it on Amazon. The CB mount is screwed in the little cubby.

 

Anyone find any phone mounts that are as sturdy as the X-grip, but dont take two hands to engage / disengage? Thats my only complaint, Id love to be able to grab the phone in or out with just one hand. Whereas the X-grip is two handed for sure. And unfortunately Im 99% sure a mag mount will not be sturdy enough when off road on the washboards or whoops.

I saw a custom 3D printed mount a few pages back, that might be an interesting idea

 

Quad Lock

 

That looks pretty slick! I just kinda hate committing to one system like this - especially since I'd need to outfit 3 cars with mounts.

 

That's exactly why I abandoned the x-grip. The limitation with the Arkon mount isn't the magnets, it's how much steel you want attached to your phone. One of the phone mount discs on the inside of my case is fine for highway driving, but probably not enough for off-road. I just stuck an 8" crescent wrench to it, and I'm not sure I could get it off with one hand without breaking something. You'd just need to experiment a bit with how much it takes to get the grip you need.

 

I personally like magnet mounts but I keep hearing they aren't strong enough for off-roading but haven't tested it yet myself. I was thinking of making a small metal bracket for my phone mount. There would be a magnet to hold the phone in place and a small lip on the bottom that the phone could rest on. I assume this would be plenty to keep it from falling off. Now if I only had time to make such a thing.

 

Why not use a phone mount like the first one on this page? I've got a similar one and it works great and it's one hand operation. I've never had it fall out of the cradle while I'm out wheeling/driving rough roads and it has the wireless charger built in which is nice. Of course it's not for everyone but just curious.

 

nice!
same length screws for either top or bottom grab handle bolt?