Goodbye Worthless Clock = Hello Tablet Mount

[ericb1]

So i have been wanting to mount a tablet in the 80 for some time. I looked at all the mounts available, several home made ideas, and any pics I could find, and I could not find any good mount ideas for the 80. Being that I go pretty remote over rough terrain I was concerned that a single mounting point from the center console (the most obvious mounting location) would still have more flex than I feel comfortable with due to the length of the arm, and I would need to tie into a second location, up high to prevent flex of the arm. The most obvious point to tie into for a secondary mount would be the dash, or behind it. Not wanting to drill into the dash I started exploring behind the clock, which will be blocked by the tablet anyway.

Forward Mount - There is a small metal bar just below and behind the clock, I drilled 2 holes into it that align with 2 drilled and tapped (1/4X28) holes in the bracket. The holes in the bracket are just behind the vertical stand. I used 2 bolts that feed up vertically through the holes in the metal bar and secure it to the bracket I made

Rear Mount - The main dash support, a structural piece, about 8" back made of thick wall tube. I welded the rear of the bracket (with small cutt-out) to this

I fabricated a bracket as you can see in pictures that can easily be made for about $10. Please don't laugh, I didn't clean it up much as it is not visible. The bracket can be SQUEEZED in through the clock hole. It was then bolted to the front cross bar. I tapped the bracket (1/4 X28) where it mounts to the forward bar, as well as the ram mount location. The front bar is to thin to weld to, and I wanted some degree of removability if needed, the rear mount location can be cut if needed, and the front just doesn't have access to do so. I used 3/16 steel for the bracket to prevent flex. The back has to be angled down a little, and is welded to the main dash cross-member.

I bought a RAM ball mount and arm from amazon for about $25 total, and a tablet mount designed for cases, I will post links for them as well. The entire setup is mounted from just this location and no use of the center console is needed. As you can see I made a very sturdy bracket that should hold the arm with no problems. I am still a little worried about the RAM ball joint moving under heavy bumps. If this occurs I will use SUGURU to make a small stand-off that comes off the dash above the radio and supports the distal end of the arm. This will provide a cantilever effect and surely stop any movement at the ball-joint. I am fairly sure it will not be needed, however the arm is horizontal, so the lever effect will remain to be seen.

Anyway, I could not find any tutorials or even pics of a good 80 tablet mount, so I hope this is a help to someone. As for the tablet I got it used from a guy at work for $60. Its a Samsung Galaxy Tab2. It has built in GPS (main requirement) and a 10.1 screen, also a requirement. I rooted it, and got rid of all the BS. It uses a stock ROM cause there's just no reason not to in this application.

• Torque App - A Bluetooth transmitter transmits real time data from the OBD II, also clears and diagnoses fault codes

• Backcounty Navigator - I have multiple Micro-SD cards, 1 per state. Each card has a state and 3 layers of maps per state, Open Street Map, AccuTerra Single Layer (paid), and US TOPO Imagry. They can all be used offline and use the tablets GPS

• Full Factory Service Manual

Extras: Google Maps, navigator, etc

Materials Used:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002KO5XVU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0098QTFTO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WJA5ZY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O8LF26?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

Updates:

1. So there was a little flex due to the thin material at the forward mount. I slipped a piece of angle iron over the top of my double DIN radio and it fit snugly just under the metal and supported it well. While looking at securing it I found myself facing some Schedule 40 PVC and had an idea. I cut the PVC to the correct length and wedged it in. Since the the mount is bolted in from the bottom there are two bolt heads. I was able to use two pieces of PVC and get the bolt heads centered on them. The bolt heads will prevent movement and the fit very snug between the radio and the support bar. This ties it in well and movement is eliminated. The PVC should also not create any sound as a bonus

 

[ericb1]

 

[ericb1]

 

[ewillis]

PM moderator

 

[Fishinfortuna]

But wait, what are you going to do without a clock?

Nice use of real estate!

 

[GCRad1]

OK, that is cool!!!

 

[ericb1]

 

[ericb1]

With the radio removed the 2 bolts in front are easy to access. You can also weld in the rear portion from the radio hole. DON'T forget to disconnect battery. 2 grounds is bad.

 

[Wraith]

Eric, I am sure there is no such as coincidence,
Right ATM I am charging an as new Tab 2 Galaxy 7" that our son doesn't use, with the intention of fitting it to our 80 as a multi-use nav unit instead of the Navman on the windscreen mount which is going in the bosses car.
Half a world away [while waiting for it to charge to update it] and musing as to where it could go, either ashtray or clock space and how it be supported I decided to browse Mud.
Your title caught my eye and lo!! You've done this great bracket and mount for 7s big brother. LOL
Thanks very much for the write up and the details, I can't stand that clock anyway but an ashtray mount location may suit my wife more we'll see.
Cheers mate,
Paul

 

[ericb1]

I considered it lower as well but decided against for several reasons:

1. lower blocks the radio as well as my awesome $60 dual cup holders
2. placing it where it doesn't interfere with gear selector means you have to bend to touch it. This is touchable from drivers seat without having to bend forward
3. You can keep your eyes MORE* on the road in this location
4. This location allows it to be easily rotated and seen from backseat, and passenger for entertainment purposes
5. This does not block any windshield view for the driver

 

[greentruck]

I like the idea, but that might be a little brutal in a crash with the solid foot. I wonder if there's a way to make it swivel and set at the bottom, so it would give in the event of , umm, whatever.

Then there's the issue of what happens with the air bag...
Not an issue for the earlier trucks, though, without the magic cushions.

Not trying to throw a wet blanket on things, but worth considering.

 

[ericb1]

The tablet is not in a position where either occupant would ever come in contact with it unless they were dead to begin with. It's a full arms length from both and if you have compartmental intrusion from the front of an armored 80, well, you are already dead. You do bring up a good logic on the passenger side airbag however.

I daily drive a Prius and this is just me and my sons adventure truck. I am fairly certain with the angle and position the bag would hit it in it would just push the arm more mid-line. That being said I will probably disconnect the pass airbag, as it could turn the tablet into a real fast cut-off your head projectile. Probably not ideal for a daily driver, but just fine for a trail rig, thanks for pointing it out. I will post more pics when the tablet holder arrives, the angle is a little deceiving

 

[Dragos80]

I daily drive a Prius...

I suddenly lost all the interest in this thread.

 

[cme4lyt]

I suddenly lost all the interest in this thread.

ditto

 

[ericb1]

Oh come on. I commute 200+ miles round trip for work, I promise it is not by choice

 

[NLXTACY]

Oh come on. I commute 200+ miles round trip for work, I promise it is not by choice

There is no justifying your actions *shakes head*

 

[greentruck]

The tablet is not in a position where either occupant would ever come in contact with it unless they were dead to begin with. It's a full arms length from both and if you have compartmental intrusion from the front of an armored 80, well, you are already dead. You do bring up a good logic on the passenger side airbag however.

I daily drive a Prius and this is just me and my sons adventure truck. I am fairly certain with the angle and position the bag would hit it in it would just push the arm more mid-line. That being said I will probably disconnect the pass airbag, as it could turn the tablet into a real fast cut-off your head projectile. Probably not ideal for a daily driver, but just fine for a trail rig, thanks for pointing it out. I will post more pics when the tablet holder arrives, the angle is a little deceiving

Yeah, I didn't want to speculate on what might happen and end up sounding all discouraging, but those are some of the possibilities it's worth considering. We live with risk everyday and gotta make our own choices. I just wanted the possibilities kept in mind, because some things can be dealt with and some you just have to take your chances on.

Assuming everyone wears their seat belts and fairly normal "crash action" occurs, the airbag would keep you from contacting the mount. Sometimes you can roll around a bit before bag deployment or afterwards for that matter. Then there's the case where the bag hits the mount and deflates the bag before it can fully do it's job and you're back to worrying about whether the seat belt was in use.

Your scenario about what happens to the tablet occurred to me as particularly relevant, because even assuming the bag functions right, it could turn the tablet into a projectile and you wouldn't want it bouncing off humans.

Certainly, if the truck's not a DD, then much more limited potential to encounter harm. Disconnecting the airbag could solve the issue with the mount itself, but could have repercussions with insurance and liability. Odds are it would never become an issue, but you wouldn't want to have to explain things if it did if you didn't take some measures to minimize the effects of impact.

BTW, nothing wrong with a Prius as a DD, with a long commute why put extra miles on a truck you plan to keep? Our truck isn't a DD even though it's our only vehicle, since walking, biking and the bus get us around just fine in a university town and avoids worrying over parking.

 

[aae42]

i like the clock

was just thinking how awesome it is to have a clock separate from the radio

 

[ppc]

But wait, what are you going to do without a clock?

Nice use of real estate!

A bigger clock with more info maybe.

 

[Qball]

Oh come on. I commute 200+ miles round trip for work, I promise it is not by choice

Prius is simply an amazing machine, it's not manly but sounds like you are manly enough so you don't have to drive a manly car to be manly.