RAM Mount tough track on the dash

[Blue85]

Anybody try this? My idea is to buy some length of this stuff (aluminum or composite TBD) and mount it across the dash. Not sure if the front or the top of the dash is better. Possibly pull the dash and weld captured nuts behind the steel structure. Then install 1" RAM ball mounts on it and have all kinds of future mounting options for tablet, GPS, radio (or just the mic), whatever. I have an old touch-screen mount that ties to both front seat base, but I'm tired of it and want to clean up all the gadgets I have floating around in there. Possibly also install multiple 5V power outlets near this track so I can just velcro all the power cords in place.

I see there are some custom options on the market now for FJ, JK, etc, but I don't see why a track like this isn't an option for everyone. Plus, the newer rigs already have the dash about full of controls and screens, while a square body has tons of space available. I didn't want to do adhesive mounting, since I have a dash skin and I hesitate much less to drill for a "universal" solution that start popping random custom mounts in. Plus, other tracks could go in other vehicles and then move the equipment between them. When you don't need 18 gadgets, just remove them all and the only thing remaining is a track.

 

[Blue85]

I guess this will go on my winter projects list.

 

[ZooMad75]

Not a bad idea. The market for similar mounts on jeeps are thick with options. I’ve got a ram laptop mount I pulled out of a fleet truck that I repurposed to hold my iPad for nav duties. It’s built stout. So I bet that track setup is too.

My only hesitation is drilling holes into the dash to mount it.

 

[centexk5]

I love my RAM mounts. Just got a second one for my tundra.

 

[Blue85]

I have a lot of parts pulled together for this. The first question is whether to put the 17" black track on the top of the dash or the front. In the perfect setup, anything you're not using can be pushed way out of the way (I do run a center passenger sometimes), but can also be right in front of you. Also, with the fold and slide seats, I want to make sure something can't get smashed by the seat. I'm leaning towards the track on the front of the dash because I can't get the tablet low enough when the track is on the top (RAM mounts can only go 90 degrees from perpendicular). On the front, the ball can be moved off-center from the device to make it lower and still close to the dash, if needed.

Granted, if space is really tight, everything can be completely removed from the track in just a couple of minutes.

 

[Blue85]

I'll have to drive it some to figure out how to arrange things.

 

[SnackPack]

Are you a cop?

 

[Blue85]

The main uses for the vehicle are exploring, camping and overlanding. I still use an old-school stand-alone GPS to capture tracks because it's more reliable than apps. In the past I had it mounted down low and had to pull it out of the mount to read it (it's a handy 2nd speedometer when you can see it). It's frustrating to have your phones, mics, etc. bouncing around while you're wheeling, so everything needs a place. I gave up on looking clean/stock and decided to make it functional. I had to reach behind the tablet pole to engage the rear locker and reach around that stuff to shift the transfer case. Plus, all of the random mounts and cords looked worse than a giant track on the dash anyway.

I don't think the cup holder will stay there. I'll probably make provisions for 2 of them down low. I may try mounting a small UHF/VHF radio up high.

 

[Blue85]

So far, I would say it's too bouncy. The phone and GPS are fine, but the heavier tablet is bouncing with the truck. This is always an issue with square Swampers. I think a shorter arm would help, but I'm also scheming some kind of reinforcement to the inner dash steel. I bet the best thing would be a mounting bracket tied to the inner dash structure, so the bolts go through the track, the dash pad and this inner bracket, tying it all together. Probably hard to achieve.

Oh, and there are some real limitations to the mounting system. The arms can only angle in one plane, so you can't go side/side and up/down, without rotating the thing and going kind of diagonal (look at ball joint exposed on the cupholder above). Also, side-loading the ball with an arm off to the side seems to eventually loosen the ball from the track.