D45

I have always wanted a navigational GPS for a long time, but thought the 3"-3.5" monitors were small, and too pricey!!

Well, I finally found one I like, at a great price:

Magellan Maestro 4250
P/N # MA4250-SGXNA

Very large 4.3" Touch Screen, voice commands and controls, that is Bluetooth compatible!

The mount and all other parts and accessories that came with this GPS are of very good quality. I knew I wanted easy access to use the monitor and I
also knew I wanted easy access to remove the monitor from the mount (for storage).

The monitor pops into the clamp very easily and is securely locked into place. The kit came with a nice soft padded case, for the monitor. Hopefully by mounting it a lower location and removing the monitor
will keep the theives away. Plus, I having the two front door windows tinted to match the rear two doors, to prevent people from peeking into the interior.

Mounting location was a problem. The windwshield is so far away (to the right of the steering wheel), to use the touch screen. I could mount it to the left of the steering wheel, but I wanted to save this area for
guages and/or a performance monitor.

I did not want to mount the monitor on the glass, both for theives and also for a custom look (I did not want the power cord) dangling or showing.

I further was not keen on mounting it on the dash, for the thief reason and also for the summer time heat, plus I did not want my view obscructed while driving.

I took the dash area around the HVAC control and the radio off. This was a large piece dash trim item, that removed with one screw and then it just pulled away. I only had to disconnect 4 wirinh harness cables and
this dash piece was removed from the dash.

From the pics you can also see my cell phone holder. This neat little gadget will hold the back of the clam-shell clip, for my Nextel. I know I cound have just use the sun visors, but this location is perfect.

Back to the GPS, I used a small sheet of 6 guage sheet metal, cut about 1/4" larger than the mounting disk. I then grinded down the corners into a round shape, and dropped it off at my local powdercoating shop.

Two days later and a $15 bill for the powdercoating and I was set. This sheet metal is mounted into the 'cubby hole' area, just under the HVAC controls. I used 2 small countersunk style, stainless steel machine screws (along with some stainless steel nuts and washers, and a dab of LocTite) to mount the sheet metal to this 'cubby hole'.

I then trimmed the rubber pad on the dash shell's cubby hole and slid in into the left side of the small compartment, on this dash shell.

Viola, here is the end results. Close to the driver, without blocking the HVAC controls and out of view from people walking by my truck.










Bare Mounting Plate:




Powdercoated Mounting Plate:






Dash Panel:




Nextel Holder:



"Cubby Hole":

D45

Mounting Plate Installed:



Finished Product:



It looks tight, but there is still plenty of room to access the HVAC contols on the dash. I added to some time to add and mount a small compact fire extinguisher into the lower storage area:

RRAMctd

Nice job, how is that for you cup holder. We sure do have to get creative to put any aftermarket stuff in this huge trucks. I am ticked off everytime I think of where I have to put my brake control.

EDR

D45 - Thanks for the write up and it looks good!!

My wife gave me a Magellan Crossover for Christmas and I've had the same issues with mounting it in my truck.

I have a couple of questions. Is the plate you made mounted inside the cubby hole? And how's the satellite reception with the unit mounted in that location?

I ask about the reception because while playing with mine in the house, it worked fine, but it won't pick up a strong (triangulated satellite) signal at work, due (I think) in part to the building materials and "reflective" window film.

I currently have mine mounted to the windshield, but I also don't like it exposed to the weather and prying eyes. I also don't like the power cord running up and over the dash - your location looks like it will keep the cord short and out of the way.

D45

No interference with the cup holder. In fact, I just put a large drink cup from a local gas station and it fit fine. Pop cans and water bottles are also good to go!

D45

The plate is mounted with two small bolts into the lower portion of the cubby hole.

I drove around for about 30 minutes today after the installation and had no problems with reception.

The satellite receptions menu showed everything was connecting with the satellites.

EDR

Thanks for the reply!

Almond Pale Ale

good idea!

How does the center console section come out? Is it just some pressure clamps and one screw (that's all I see on yours)?

D45

The entire dash panel area that you see if just held in place by one screw, near the bag hook area on the dash. After removing this screw, just gently pull back and the dash panel will come out.

Then, just unplug the 4 wiring harness connectors and entirely remove the large dash panel.

The cubby hole can then be removed. A phillips head screw driver or a nut driver is needed to remove the 4 screws holding the cubby hole into the larger dash panel.