GPS: Overhead / Rear-View Mirror Installation Mod w/ lots of pics!!

[LandCruiserSteve]

FJ-Ollie previously said:

They all do pretty much the same thing.

The differences (other than price) are...
The 376 comes with Preloaded North American City Nav Maps and XM Satellite Weather/Radio capability. I think you have to purchase the maps you want for the 276.

The 378 and 478 come with Preloaded North American City Nav Maps, XM Satellite Weather/Radio capability, and voice prompts via external speaker. The difference between the 378 and 478 is that the 378 comes with all North American inland water body software and the 478 comes with the coastalwater software to include US, Alaska, and Hawaii coasts.

Got it. So, the 376 and 478 are basically pre-loaded with all the maps and do-dads that the 276 has to obtain on an optional basis (minus the XM/Weather capability of course). I guess it all works out about the same once you buy the map software and optional speaker assembly.

I figured with the $430 total price I bought the 276 for, it would be a good building block to add on only the options I really need.

[Boss73]

I like it !!

[LandCruiserSteve]

Boss73 previously said:

I like it !!

Thanks, Boss!!

[LandCruiserSteve]

As promised, here are the procedures and pics for the GPS antenna and power cord cable routing.


1 - Remove the driver side sun visor by unscrewing the two Phillips head screws.




2 - Remove the sun visor retaining clip by turning it 1/8th revolution to the left and pull straight out.




3 - Using a non-metalic pry device (i.e., plastic knife) to avoid scratching the plastic, remove the upper and lower covers from the driver side grab handle.




4 - Using a 10mm socket, remove the grab handle mounting screws and the grab handle itself.




5 - With your fingertips, gently pull downward and outward on the top of the plastic A-pillar cover.




6 - Remove the A-pillar cover completely.






7 - After you have fed your GPS cable and/or power cord up through the opening on the dash created by the removed A-pillar cover, route the cable(s) over to the opening by the rear-view mirror. Notch the headliner as necessary to allow the cable(s) to exit the headliner to the side of where the mirror and GPS will be mounted.




8 - Tuck the loose cable(s) up under the headliner with your fingertips.




9 - Take the remaining slack out of the cable(s) and secure them to the existing wires running down the A-pillar with cable ties.




10 - Replace the A-pillar cover, the grab handle, the sun visor and the sun visor retaining clip in the reverse order of removal. Then install the mirror/GPS mount (as per the instructions in post #1).

[Tony5150RN]

This is the thread I've been waiting for for almost a year now. I've mauled over mounting options for this GPS unit for months now. Great idea, now I just need to buy an external antenna. Thanks Steve!

[Prof T]

Hey, Another great Steve install. You are the Man. Thank-you, Terry

[WESBC]

How exactly do you wire the power cable for the GPS? Instead of plugging it in to the Cig Lighter.

Now that I am on break for about a month, this will be one of many low cost mods that I will do to the FJ. I just need to find out how to mount my Magellan.

[thubub]

Steve, great fix, forgive my ignorance, is the 276c a current Garmin model, and if not what has it morphed into?
Thanks Tom

[LandCruiserSteve]

Tony5150RN previously said:

This is the thread I've been waiting for for almost a year now. I've mauled over mounting options for this GPS unit for months now. Great idea, now I just need to buy an external antenna. Thanks Steve!

You're welcome. And, thanks, Tony.

BTW, the GPS antenna is a Garmin roof-top magnetic mount (virtually identical to a satellite radio antenna).




Amazon.com: GARMIN GA 25BNC GPS ANTENNA LOW PROFILE F/GPSV 276C 376C - GPS HH ACCESSORIES - GARMIN PARTS - Model#010-10701-00: Sports & Outdoors


I ran the cable from it down behind the exterior A-pillar cover. (You can gently pry back the edge of the cover and tuck it in underneath.)




Once the cable is down inside the front door opening, it was routed into the engine compartment under the weather stripping.

From there, it was routed through the firewall through an existing hole/grommet, and then up through the opening on the left side of the dash board (which is exposed with the interior A-pillar cover removed).

[LandCruiserSteve]

Prof T previously said:

Hey, Another great Steve install. You are the Man. Thank-you, Terry

Thanks, Terry!!