Rytoe Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 This is my first DIY so bear with me! This worked perfectly with the Garmin Nuvi 255w, the ball socket clip, a random chunk of plastic, and a couple small screws! First off props to Scooby Fan... this was his idea, I just changed it slightly and made it available for everybody. I collected info from a few souces and added my own ideas to make this work. Also props to Jazzy Engineering for the great instruction manual on how to take apart the center console and dash. You should get it if you want to make this install of your nav easier: http://www.jazzyengineering.com/Installation_Manual_1-2.pdf So first I pulled the cubby/vent unit out of the dash using a flathead with a cloth on it. It just pops right out if you carefully pry out the bottom. It only came out a few inches but that was enough for reaching behind it. Then I used the flathead to pry the side hinges of the cubby door out of their respective sockets and pulled the door out of the cubby hole and removed the springs. Ok, door is off, and vents are out of the dash: http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200011.jpg Next I followed Jazzy Engineerings instructions on how to take the center console out: http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200013.jpg http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200014.jpg Next I cut a slot in the bottom of the armrest storage using my Dremel, so I could feed the 12v power cable for the Garmin through it. By you have guessed that I am utilizing the 12v plug in the armrest storage. I did this for easy unplugging: http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200016.jpg Next I routed the cable under the center console and up the side of the head unit. It was a bit easier to pull the head unit out several inches so I could keep feeding the cable up the dash: http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200015.jpg I ran the cable under the shifter trim and along the right side of the head unit and up into the cubby. Using a 7/8" Drill bit I drilled a hold in the back of the cubby to bring the 12v wire in: http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200017.jpg Here's what the inside of the armrest store looks like: http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200018.jpg Now for the mounting plate. I bought a large cup holder made by Bell at Kragen Auto. It was black plastic and was nice and smooth. I mutiliated it and only used the large flat bottom part for my mounting plate: http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200028.jpg I cut the flat plastic part to be VERY tighton the sides. I cut it 6 7/8" wide. If you do this your plate will litteraly snap in and be a rock solid pressure fit. Height was 3 1/8" (I think? ) I drilled a 1 1/8" hole in the lower center (make sure to test it to see where to drill your hole) and used a small through bolt and small screw to fasten the Garmin clip to the plastic plate and I drilled a hole to accomodate the power plug that goes into the Nuvi: http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200019.jpg Back view: http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200020.jpg Then I popped the Nuvi into the clip and plugged it in, and slid the plate into the opening. It snapped in and fit perfectly: http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200022.jpg Here's the plate without the Nuvi: http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200021.jpg And that's it! The Garmin Nuvi custom fitted into the dash! If you leave the Garmin Nuvi always plugged in, it comes on when you turn the key to "on" and when you turn the car off the Nuvi senses that the power on the car is off and has an automatic shutdown with a timer of 30 seconds. So you dont have to worry about turning it off and on all the time! Here's the finished product: http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200023.jpg http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200024.jpg http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s120/rytoe/LGT%20nav/P2200027.jpg Complete with custom Subie startup screen I made in Photoshop! Fin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-Shop Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Good job on being resourceful. I like this mod. A wider Garmin would look even better. What model is that Garmin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rytoe Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 If you have any other questions or details you want clarified let me know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rytoe Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 Its the Nuvi 255wt. the "t" just stands for traffic. Its the same as the 255w only with traffic updates. I got it at best buy on sale for 169.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rao Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Looks good Rob IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CAR YOU SHOULD NEVER DRIVE IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rytoe Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 Thanks! It took me like 6 hours! I was flying by the seat of my pants the whole time. It should really only take about 2 hours. I also have never taken the dash apart, or any dash for that matter... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpc8bpc8 Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Looks great - I'm working on the same project in my car right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaSniper Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 great mod!, sadly us 5th gen'ers dont have a cubby hole there anymore.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rytoe Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 What about the subaru nav? I heard the older ones werent that great... you should have some options with the 5gen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluereserve Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 does that hurt the satellite reception? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rytoe Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 No because it isnt completely inside the cubby. Its more recessed than anything. It aquires signal in seconds and functions exactly the same as when I used the suction mount on the winshield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluereserve Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Wow that is awesome then. I think I have a new project thanks for the great idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluereserve Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Also what are the buttons on your steering wheel? Are they for the auto tranny or for radio controls? If radio controls this must be custom? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rytoe Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 Sure thing! The buttons are for shifting while in manual mode on the automatic transmission. you can use that or the shifter knob to do the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icee0711 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 great work, thanks for the idea, i got mine finished up and installed this afternoon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rytoe Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 great work, thanks for the idea, i got mine finished up and installed this afternoon! No Prob. What did you use for your plastic plate? I was Going to use Plexiglass and paint it, but went with black colored plastic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Fan Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Nice job Rytoe....thanks for the nod on the idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burnout8488 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 What about the subaru nav? I heard the older ones werent that great... you should have some options with the 5gen 5th genners get a Metra dash installation kit so they can install any receiver they like! Lucky... As far as this install.... I might actually try it, and that's blasphemy for me to say that. I usually hate navigation that uses a suction cup or clips onto your dash, but this looks quite clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rytoe Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 I was happy with the outcome. I wanted a stock look too but I found this to be a good compromise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rice_rocket Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 I've been humming and hawing about this.. Can it fit further in so it looks lodged in? I imagine that it's going to be tight.. I have the same model Garmin as well, and I'd just leave it so it looks like it doesn't come out so the crazy thieves won't break my window... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leg Man Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Lookin good, thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aal2oN Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Looks great..almost like its meant to be there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rytoe Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 I've been humming and hawing about this.. Can it fit further in so it looks lodged in? I imagine that it's going to be tight.. I have the same model Garmin as well, and I'd just leave it so it looks like it doesn't come out so the crazy thieves won't break my window... It CAN go in further but there is no way the clip will fit in there too. the garmin by itself is a super tight fit vertically. You would have to figure out a way to fasten it inside the cubby. I'm not sure about satellite signal too if in inside the cubby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icee0711 Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 No Prob. What did you use for your plastic plate? I was Going to use Plexiglass and paint it, but went with black colored plastic I did the exact same thing you did almost. When I was at auto zone i picked up one of those cup holders for 6.99. Cut it apart and stuck it in. This goes for the person wanting to maybe have it set in more. the top part where the plastic opens for the door to slide up will hold the plate in place and if you trim the rounded edge of the plate on the bottom to have "L" bends in them inverse to the way the rubber stick mat in there fits. Also, I cut the width a little shorter than what was suggested and put some standard auto weather stripping on the sides to seal it off and get a better hold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longislander1 Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Nice job. What you did is very creative. I've been looking unsuccessfully for a suitable mount for my iphone. Something like this would be great. I'm just wondering how you deal with thieves. In my neck of the woods, they break into cars even if they see the outline of a suction cup on the windshield. I think the empty clip on the door might cause them to do the same thing if they think the device is stowed somewhere inside the car. When I leave my car after charging my phone, I even hide the loose charger cord so it's not visible. Sounds paranoid, but I've heard too many break-in stories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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