Bob98SR5
12-04-2014, 08:54 PM
Hi folks,
I haven't done much with the 4Runner including driving it, since I bought the Golf. One thing that Ive struggled with was finding a good phone mount. I had a Kensington that worked really well, but the suction part was not very sun resistant and the clip part broke off on two of them. So I decided to see what I could do with some left over Ram mount parts. Now I did think about this many moons ago, but decided that I didn't want to drill into the console and have this Ram mount appendage sticking out. But I said function over form tonight.
First, gotta say how much I love Ram mount parts. They don't mess around. Good quality stuff and yes, you pay for it out the nose. But everything fits like a glove and they have a lot of unique options for any mount situation. It's almost like grown up Legos. Anyways, here's what I'm trying out now:
For the phone holder, I'm trying this out:
RAM Universal X-Grip® Cell/iPhone Holder with 1" Ball
Product Number: RAM-HOL-UN7BU
For the arm, I'm using this length:
RAM Composite Double Socket Arm for 1" Ball Bases
Product Number: RAP-B-201U
For the base, I bought this B-ball piece with a threaded bolt:
RAM 1" Tough-Ball™ with M6-1 X 6MM Male Threaded Post
Now unlike most applications, most people will buy a ball with some sort of base plate and screw it onto some kind of surface. They typically have a large footprint, so aside from the dash, there's really no other place to mount it. So that's why I bought this ball piece w/ the threaded bolt.
So basically all I did was to remove the radio console, find a suitable place on the front where it might work, and then look at the backside of the console to see where I could successfully drill a hole, thread the bolt through it, and then secure it with a nyloc nut.
Now I'm about to reinstall the radio console in the 4runner (830pm) and will take pics in the daylight. But for now, I'm happy that I've installed a more durable phone mount that won't have issues with sun damage or block my windshield.
One other note on the phone cradle. I have the newer style that I referenced above, but I also used this universal one for my Blackberry back in the days. It's called their Universal device mount or something like that. The nice thing about this is that you can remove and put in your phone with one hand. Basically you insert the phone on the bottom and push down. The bottom part is spring loaded. the arms on the side are adjustable w/ a screw driver. Leave a small amount of room, you don't want it glove tight.
The newer style you have to pinch two prongs which open the arms and then you insert the phone. Both cradles allow you to mount the phone horizontally if you so desire. But I'm waiting for a backing piece for the universal device mount, so i'll be using the newer style.
I'll let you guys know if its worth the radio console appendage look or not!
I haven't done much with the 4Runner including driving it, since I bought the Golf. One thing that Ive struggled with was finding a good phone mount. I had a Kensington that worked really well, but the suction part was not very sun resistant and the clip part broke off on two of them. So I decided to see what I could do with some left over Ram mount parts. Now I did think about this many moons ago, but decided that I didn't want to drill into the console and have this Ram mount appendage sticking out. But I said function over form tonight.
First, gotta say how much I love Ram mount parts. They don't mess around. Good quality stuff and yes, you pay for it out the nose. But everything fits like a glove and they have a lot of unique options for any mount situation. It's almost like grown up Legos. Anyways, here's what I'm trying out now:
For the phone holder, I'm trying this out:
RAM Universal X-Grip® Cell/iPhone Holder with 1" Ball
Product Number: RAM-HOL-UN7BU
For the arm, I'm using this length:
RAM Composite Double Socket Arm for 1" Ball Bases
Product Number: RAP-B-201U
For the base, I bought this B-ball piece with a threaded bolt:
RAM 1" Tough-Ball™ with M6-1 X 6MM Male Threaded Post
Now unlike most applications, most people will buy a ball with some sort of base plate and screw it onto some kind of surface. They typically have a large footprint, so aside from the dash, there's really no other place to mount it. So that's why I bought this ball piece w/ the threaded bolt.
So basically all I did was to remove the radio console, find a suitable place on the front where it might work, and then look at the backside of the console to see where I could successfully drill a hole, thread the bolt through it, and then secure it with a nyloc nut.
Now I'm about to reinstall the radio console in the 4runner (830pm) and will take pics in the daylight. But for now, I'm happy that I've installed a more durable phone mount that won't have issues with sun damage or block my windshield.
One other note on the phone cradle. I have the newer style that I referenced above, but I also used this universal one for my Blackberry back in the days. It's called their Universal device mount or something like that. The nice thing about this is that you can remove and put in your phone with one hand. Basically you insert the phone on the bottom and push down. The bottom part is spring loaded. the arms on the side are adjustable w/ a screw driver. Leave a small amount of room, you don't want it glove tight.
The newer style you have to pinch two prongs which open the arms and then you insert the phone. Both cradles allow you to mount the phone horizontally if you so desire. But I'm waiting for a backing piece for the universal device mount, so i'll be using the newer style.
I'll let you guys know if its worth the radio console appendage look or not!