Welcome to the Official SoCal BS/ Shenanigans, Tundras and What’s Happening Thread

Where you installed your ball mount is about where my iPad goes. I recently received a full-size iPad to replace my mini and will find out on the next trip whether the window suction mount I use will hold the extra weight at high speed off-road.

In any case, I’ll either fit the ham in where the pull-out cup holder is, or have to find somewhere else entirely. But that’d likely be some combo of under the front seats or mounted outside the center console (it’d look lame but would work with how I pack for trips). It looks like I’ll have to pull the dash just to access the far-back screws to get the metal frame that holds the cup holders out— at that point, it’ll make sense to to install the ham myself if it will fit. I’m concerned it won’t because there’s some type of vertical metal support just behind that metal cup-holder insert, that may prevent me inserting the ham far enough into the dash.

My internet’s useless and won’t upload a pic. In any case, the pic won’t matter unless it prevents install; I’ll update one way or the other once I’ve figured it out.

 

Forgot to respond to the second part: I plan to run directly from the ham through the hole in the firewall (not to the ignition wire under the dash, as the cheap-ass local audio install shops suggest) to my SwitchPro under the hood.

 

So I had been using a window suction mount for my Galaxy tablet and it didn't hold up to the high speed off road test. I was having to constantly put it back on. I then went to a Proclip mount that clips into the radio bezel where the head unit is, that failed the off road test and broke the very first whoop I hit.

Last outing I went back to the window mount, but put adhesive on the back instead of just suction mounting and that actually held up very nicely. The problem with the window mount is it blocks your line of sight I found, also think it could have been giving me migraines there. I have decided that I want to try it on that ball mount on top of the dash with the tablet screen more in front of the head unit. Feeling hopeful on this.

My dash is completely apart right now because I'm rewiring some switches to look a little less Mickey Mouse clubhouse. After work I can maybe see about getting that cupholder out and look at that vertical metal support. That cupholder is so useless. I'm jelly of your SwitchPro - someday I'll bite the bullet.

 

Another personal experience with window suction mounts with heavier objects - temperature seems to play a roll in suction. Hot windshield suddenly gets the defrost vent with cold air? Bye-bye tablet.

 

Long term I plan to create a metal mount that hugs the floor between and just forward of the front seats, bolted at each side with the front seat bolts, and a riser up to where I want the tablet.

Before I do, I keep meaning to see if there’s a larger or taller console I can replace the original with, maybe from a Sequoia.

 

That's a very good idea, could mount other stuff too if it's sturdy enough. You've got my mind going haha..

With a Sequoia/ DC console on an AC you might be able to stick a narrow radio something in this spot that looks okay. I'm limited on space back there because there is a duct that goes to my rear vents where the blue squiggles are.

 

How tall is the part of the console between your seats? Mine is really low... not as tall as to be an armrest. What id like is a taller console = more storage.

I’ve measured everything, and I’m “fairly certain” the ham unit will fit if I can disconnect the metal box that holds the cup holders (I’ve already pulled out the cup holders). There should me no conflict with the depth limitations created by that vertical metal whatsit behind. But it seems I will have to take off the entire dash to remove that box, and only then will I know if it’s actually attached to the firewall and a main support of the dash... which I’ve read. Doesn’t look like it from what I can see.

I’m guessing if I head over to @Professional Hand Model ‘s build thread, I may find some pics to aid me in removing the dash, but searches specific to what I want to do haven’t led me anywhere helpful.

 

PHM's thread is a good place to stop and learn periodically no matter what.

My center console has lots of room and is deep, I like it. They come with a tray to hold plastic CD case but I took mine out. I've never seen an AC console so I can't compare the dimensions. I could use it as an arm rest if I wanted but it would be a tiny bit awkward. It's about half an inch lower than the armrest?

I think the console comes up to about 15.5" from the floorboard. Arm rests come to around 16"-16.5". Here's some awkward pictures I just took, don't mind the junk everywhere.

In regard to removing the dash, are you talking about#1 or #2 below? If #2, there are five screws located at the yellow circles, then you just gently go around and pry it out. There's four bolts that hold the head unit tray, removing that gave me more room to work when I added that ball mount. Not 100% sure on removing #1 though. I read that the air bag cover can't removed not that it should be in your way.

 

Thank for the pics of your console, looks taller than mine. But I’m not appreciating that area between the console and the dash (you posted earlier) because I don’t see a space I could mount my tablet high up.

I need to remove #1 (and #2 but that’s easy, as you’ve depicted). I’m gonna drive it out on an errand. When I get home I’ll try pulling it apart.

 

... I’ve ordered everything I can think of, done the chip board mod @Porschetech29 suggested (with cheerleading by @nishibot behind the scenes). I guess I’m about out of project related delaying tactics....

 

Hope you're able to figure something out before the trip! I've always thought this area was too low, it's out of reach when I'm driving. Maybe these yellow circles would be a good place to mount a fabricated bracket that holds a radio/ tablet etc but then looks come into play.

 

I di not envy you guys opening up the can of worms
...

 

Any one interested in a bakflip mx4? I have mine for sale it’s still on my truck so can’t post a for sale listing. Crewmax and has adapters for bed rails.

 

Can me and your kids jump on it during the next trail run to test it’s durability?!!

 

Can confirm it’ll hold an adult. I’d like to watch the jump test though!

 

LOL I’ve been curious to see some one on top as I think they say it holds like 300lbs

 

So that’s my ... 115 pounds ... plus... um, where’s my calculator... how much do your 4.3978 million kids weigh, Tony?

 

Not really in the market for one of these but for some reason I need to ask... reason for selling, and how much are you looking to get for it?

 

Going softopper. I have 1.56 million kids just ask @Sunnier. So when going camping or places my truck looks like this. So this top is useless for me. It’s a great cover but just switching things up.

 

I like that, if I

I love all those fishing rods look like antenna at some alien movie film set.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/13x13-jumper.88841/

See? Now we need to jump on the backflip!

 

LOL now they really going to jump on the bakflip haha

 

Well finally getting the +3 Shackles and 2 driverside and 1 passenger side shims installed today. Also having front and rear durobumps installed and Built Rite rockrails/sliders welded in. Already have 6112's at 2.5 upfront with Built rite UCA's and 5160's on the rear. James' crew at the Truck Shop doing the work.

 

Looks like Hawaii

 

It is indeed!
Aloha mother truckers! Haha.

 

You two getting mellow in advance of next week’s shenanigans is good for us all! Mother Trucker.

 

Going to be out in the desert lagging behind “I’m on island time!”

“oh wait, I forgot my tow haul boost button “

 

Yup, same cars just badged for mitsu or plymouth. I just picked up ANOTHER colt as well, lol.

If you can remote mount the base under the seat, then should be fairly easy to fab up a bracket for the faceplate. I would be interested in maybe making a bracket that slides into the cupholder slides (assuming the holder pulls completely out of the dash). I have a 3d printer and a cnc plasma cutter, gives me a reason to tinker!

 

Cool idea! Ideally I’ll get this worked out this weekend so that’s probably not a realistic timeframe to rope you into, but if I cannot do it the way I have in mind, it’d probably be worth it for me to use handhelds this trip and meet with you to see what’s possible. Alternately, @des2mtn”needs” a radio too. Hmmn, I think his doesn’t have the same pull-out cup holders.

In any case, for your brain to start working the problem: the plastic cup holder insert pulls out (already removed) but a metal box remains. That box is well-mounted and would be perfect housing except my base doesn’t fit. As for mounting a face to something that slides in where the cup holder insert was... it’d need to be Hulk proof = hard hits and playful hucks won’t dislodge or break it. Whereabouts do you live? You gonna come play in Anza-Borrego next weekend?