Ideas for dash mounting

presslab · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:12 pm Post subject: Ideas for dash mounting

I'm mounting a tablet computer in the van. Right now I have a ball mount clamped inside the dash vent. It is okay but kind of flexy - the dash metal is flexing because of the long lever arm. The pros of this position is that I didn't need to drill into the dashboard, and I'm glad I didn't because it's not the ideal spot.

Anyone have any ideas of how I should mount this thing? I could use a shorter arm and put the ball closer to the front of the dash, but then I need to drill holes. Also the ball mount will be sandwiching the foam dash topper and it won't be very solid.

Another option is to somehow stiffen the dash around the ball mount. This is what I'm leaning toward right now.

Here's some more info on my project:
http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?p=652285

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti

VanWilder · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:17 pm Post subject:

Where you have it mounted now is it flexing the metal? I like where you have it now but I would maybe add a support halfway down the arm to give mo0re support. How big is this Tablet and what will it be used for?
_________________
VW
________________________
"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land"

presslab · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:23 pm Post subject:

VanWilder · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:17 pm Post subject:

First of all "Jar of Flies" Alice in Chains? will warp any dash regardless of supports. That is why I have it in my iPod. I would slip a simple solution in there by way of a "Squeeze Ball". Have you ever given blood? Slightly personal I know, but the ball you squeeze to get a hot vein, is what you need to simply place under the arm and ad some support. Orr a tennis ball or whatever just to add that needed support. Do you drive w that shhhhhhiiiiitttt rolling? lol.. A Movie while we drive at oh say 55-65 mile per hour? Sweet. You r my kinda trip. Let's do this!
_________________
VW
________________________
"83.5" Vanagon GL Air cooled "VanWilder"
VanWilder has given back to me more then I could ever put into it September 22, 2010
Malama Ka `Aina—"Respect the Land"

DAIZEE · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 7:50 pm Post subject:

couldn't you use the pull out ashtray space for the tennis ball or something just as extra support. Might be best to leave the ashtray in with lid wide open so the support doesn't rest of the radio.

Gosh in Ontario we'd be pulled over for driving with that first because it impairs view and two we have legislation about GPS, DVDs, etc... for the driver. Nice otherwise.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

Rhinoculips · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:22 pm Post subject:

How much does that thing weigh?

So here is my idea....What about using angled aluminum that slides into the right side groove of the instrument cover? You would have to cut/grind the vertical portion of the angled aluminum to get the mount to sit flush to the dash and still have plenty of area to drill. Then drill into the dash along the vertical portion of the groove. Then mount a plate of mild steel (painted black) or the like to the angled aluminum. Thus the holes would be hidden if you ever decide to remove the tablet. For added support you could extend the plate or material of choice to the ash tray and clamp it or hook it into the opening some how. I did a light weight version of this for mounting my gps and gauges. When I get my van back from the body shop, I will try to post some pics.

What ever you do, please let us know. Would love to see what you come up with.
_________________
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” - Edward Abbey

Click to view image

BillWYellowstone · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 9:13 pm Post subject:

Ontario has a rules against GPS? Dang. I can see the movie being played, but GPS can be much safer than trying to refold the map while driving, or looking for the city in the index in the back of the atlas.

hdenter · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 9:40 pm Post subject:

It looks to me that the bottom of the holder lines up with the leading edge of the dash. Why not just lower it a little so that it rests on the dash? I had a similar problem a while back with a cell phone holder that was on a long suction cup arm, when I let it rest on the dash all my problems went away.

Good Luck,

Hans
_________________
'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

presslab · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:07 pm Post subject:

I don't have an ashtray anymore. It's a vent for my Behr AC. When it's hot out I plan to just raise it up so I can get some blowage but that needs to factor into the support too, hmmm...

The driver can't look at a GPS while driving up yonder? That's a bit limiting, eh! We have laws here for no texting while driving, but GPS is ok.

In Japan they all have television in their car. The sound is always on but to see the video they need to pull the handbrake. At every stop light they will pull the brake to get in a minute of their goofy game shows!

I think I just need another hand to hold it up...

_________________
1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti

presslab · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:10 pm Post subject:

DAIZEE · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 6:21 am Post subject:

It has to be mounted in such a way that it does not obstruct the windshield and you can not be seen to be adjusting/operating it. It's sorta tied in with the use of cell phones and the hands off the wheel. It's doable tho, just don't get caught programming, etc....
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

GrindGarage · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 7:22 am Post subject:

Man if you get into an accident that is one nasty projectile.
_________________
-cliff

91 Vanagon AUTO
97 Single Port EJ22 all smallcar.com

presslab · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 10:00 am Post subject:

Looking under the instrument cluster, it looks like I could use some bar stock under the two mounting tabs on that side. This would lift it up slightly, leaving room for the cover to close. Then I could weld another bar to that one and snake it up and out through the crack. It would be stiff in the direction I desire, with a slight moment load to the side but I think it is worth a shot!

No holes to drill for this so no worries if it doesn't work. Thanks for the idea Rhinoculips!

presslab · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 7:56 pm Post subject:

Ok here is what I've come up with. I'm still waiting for the shorter RAM arm. It seems pretty stiff, the dash still flexes a bit but it should be better than the other location.

No new holes in the dash! I did trim the little edge on the foam topper but it's very minor and not noticable.

_________________
1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti

hdenter · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 8:06 pm Post subject:

Nice job! Clean it up and paint it black. I will have to remember this bracket if I ever run into a similar situation.

Hans
_________________
'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender

Rhinoculips · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 8:06 pm Post subject:

Very nice! Is there a reason why you took it up the side of the instrument cover instead of horizontally over the dash? Ease of build maybe? One less bend? If it still bounces to much, bending it so the bracket is horizontal may stiffen it up a bit. Regardless, I like it a lot!

What is this foam topper you speak of?
_________________
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” - Edward Abbey

Click to view image

presslab · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 8:23 pm Post subject:

Rhinoculips · Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:07 pm Post subject:

Ah ha! That makes sense on both counts. Be sure to post a photo when you get the shorter arm.
_________________
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” - Edward Abbey

Click to view image

presslab · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:40 am Post subject:

Here's the final setup. It's pretty stiff, although it could be a bit better if I cut a slot in the instrument cover to brace the part the ball mounts to. I'm pretty happy with it as is.

Thanks everyone for the ideas. Very Happy

_________________
1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti

BillWYellowstone · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:45 am Post subject:

Nicely done, now a question, wherre did you find the light switch below the hazard? I also have an 86, mine is a blank, and I want a switch there for when I add the driving lights.


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2