Giving that front ash tray a purpose - possible product feedback request (1 Viewer)

[bemerritt]

Like many of you, I am looking at organizing the gear in my front cabin (phone/radio/etc) and there just aren't that many options. One of the best locations is down by the ash tray, but there aren't a lot of options to accomplish that. With being on lockdown and having a 3d printer in my garage, I set out to make a mount for my radio head (Kenwood TM-d710ga) and figured I would try and make the design as universal as possible to be of use to others.

This is what I came up with after a couple of rounds of prototyping and figured it was time to put it infront of others for feedback and if they would at all be interested in it if it were to be made available.

It is a simple snap on cover that replaces the current cover, making it simple to return to factory looks. The 1 inch ball makes it compatible with all Ram style mounting options.

These images show the viewing angle from the driver seat, sonce shifted into drive. Obviously due to the dature of the llocation, being in park obstructs the view a bit, but there is clearance. Also, this is just with this particular ram extender, there are tons of other options.

 

[bemerritt]

Continuing due to picture limits. Here is the clearance.

So right now it works well. It locks into the stock position with a little bit of a snug fit. Which makes it a little more difficult to use the ash tray for its original purpose (storing bike lock keys), but it being snug also will help with any potential rattling.

My main question is, would people want to reinforce the new plastic plate with some small bolt/self tapping screws into the ash tray for further reinforcement. Right now uses the tabbed stock locations, which are fine for mass produced injected molded parts, but 3d printing isn't the best for that. Plus, heat cycling the ABS in the car won't help. When the ash tray is in its locked position, this isn't really a problem as the movement is restricted with the majority of the force being in a downward motion. So I am pondering what to do.

Personally, I'll probably use it without any reinforcement and see how it does. I know people are weary of putting holes in their cruiser, but these would be hidden with the stock faceplate.

Anyways, just wanted to bounce some ideas in efforts to hopefully provide a solution to a common problem. I'm open to all types of feedback.

 

[bemerritt]

Here is a picture of the tabs I'm talking about

 

[CharlieS]

This is very cool! Nice work.

I have my switchpros switch panel in that location on a homemade aluminum bracket, but if I didn't, I'd be into this solution.

 

[shelby95]

I’m in

 

[grinchy]

Love this solution. I keep looking at that location for stuff, and the not an ashtray is always in the way. If you don't want to go into production, you could send the file to bh3d; they produce a lot of cruiser prints and might add to their inventory.

 

[belmontjoe]

I’d be up for one

 

[silverhorse]

Great ideas we need as much storage space as possible. I noticed a lot of the taco and 4Runner guys have storage compartments on the transmission tunnel ..
as far as I know we have nothing available for this?

 

[gentimmy]

My feedback:

Sell me one, please

 

[Cruisin911]

I’m in for one. Love it

 

[bemerritt]

So the version I posted was literally Rev 1, fresh off the press. It worked, but was far from a sellable product. Fast forward way too many revisions. I was attempting to make it possdible to anchor the plate with either a 1/4-20 bolt that would double as holding the ram ball as well as just using double sided tape for those not wanting to modify anything.

the back looked like this

I was having no fun trying to line it up and maximizing the space for mounting was frustrating. The shift knob was really in the way and I wasn't happy with it. The last night it hit me, uhh, just dont use a plate and mount straight to the ash tray stupid.

This provided the most strong, highest clearance option. Function over form at last. Was reasonably happy with how the radio fit now. Can still access the menu buttons behind the shifter, and feels as rock solid as possible while mounted to the tray and not the vehicle. Easily removed and restored to factory.

As you can see, it is hard to see the plastic front of the ash tray anyways when something is mounted. Especially when its something semi-permanent such as this radio will be. So unfortunately, this is where the road ends on my end. But the good news is your just a 1/4-20 bolt and a threaded ram ball away from a decent solution.

 

[bemerritt]

Somewhat hard to see, but here is the bolt from inside the ash tray. There is a flat enough surface to make it happen.

 

[CharlieS]

I ended up with a similar conclusion for my switchpros, and it works fine.

It'd be cool if you put your design on Thingiverse or something, so others can benefit from it.

 

[JLH]

Nice, I've been pondering how to mount the control head of a Yaesu ft-100d. That 710 looks as big or bigger.

 

[Cruisin911]

Did you end up finishing this project? Or post it to thingverse? If you made a few, Id be interested in contributing to get my hands on one....

 

[elkeye]

Did you end up finishing this project? Or post it to thingverse? If you made a few, Id be interested in contributing to get my hands on one....

I would be interested in one.

 

[bemerritt]

Did you end up finishing this project? Or post it to thingverse? If you made a few, Id be interested in contributing to get my hands on one....

I would be interested in one.

I ended up trashing the idea and mounting straight to the ash tray. It was the most stable result. Also, with my radio mounted I can't even see the front.

With regards to the .stl, I never got it to a place that I would feel comfortable distributing. Trying to get all the angles right was pretty tough.

 

[CharlieS]

I'd be interested in the file as a baseline to play with, for personal use only.

 

[bemerritt]

Ill look thru my files and try and find a good one to start from.

 

[TeCKis300]

This is a great idea. Nicely done.

I'm thinking to do a poor mans version (I don't have a 3D printer). May take some moldable glue stick with a threaded peg/post and shove it into the ash tray receptacle. Maybe it'll be sufficiently stable and pressure fit to hold a component as you've done.

Any recommendations on 3D printers for casual play? I don't mind spending a bit more for capability and medium size prints.