[DAKn2]

I had purchased a 5 inch Garmin 2595lmt GPS with the intent of mounting it so that it looked like it the installation had always intended to be there; to have it hardwired with no exposed wiring; and to still have it removable should I want to put it in one of the storage bins should my parking location require it…

Anyway, I had tried a few different ways the past many weeks and today ended up actually using a motorcycle mount that I picked up on E-Bay to achieve both the look and functionality I was looking for. The mount allows you to use the black Garmin attachment for easy removal of the GPS itself; the ball mount is exactly the right size to make the fit very tight – it’s not going to move unless you move it; and it’s rock solid – it would drive me nuts if the GPS vibrated/moved at all – with this it never does.

I used the following DIY guides for assistance:

Center Council removal –
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137527


Rear Council removal and wiring –
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29773


A few notes:

• The mounting itself was achieved by removing the center council and bolting the mount through the sunglasses tray. I used blue Loctite to avoid the assembly working its way loose over time.
• My original thought for power was to just use a fuse tap and go straight to the fuse block as I did when I earlier hardwired my Escort radar detector, however, since the power cord is also the antenna for traffic I wanted to make sure I ran it in as long a run a possible to aid in picking up the traffic signals. I therefore went through the sunglasses tray, forward under the dash, then looped it back all the way through the center council and tapped into the wires for the outlet all the way in the back of the center council. I seem to get the FM traffic just fine.
• Since the power converter is built into the Garmin male power connector, I just purchased a female power socket with wires (from Advanced Auto if it matters). I then inserted the male Garmin connector into the female socket and then soldered those wires directly on to the center console power socket wiring. There is more than enough room to place the Garmin connector/female socket on the back bottom of the center console. I used a zip-tie to secure it in place. Since the power port is switched the GPS automatically powers on when the car is on, and then automatically shuts down when the car is turned off.
• Still to be finished (as can be seen from the pics)
- Grommet for where the Min-USB power connector comes through the tray.
- Although it really can’t be seen unless you’re kneeling to admire the aluminum door sills; I’m going to paint the mount a flat black.
- Glue the insert from the sunglasses tray down. If you look closely it is curling up slightly – again no big deal, but if you’re going to do a mod - do it right!


For those that are interested, here is a link to the mount on E-Bay. It’s dirt cheap for the quality you are getting –

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOTORCYCLE-G...a24cee&vxp=mtr


And now for the pics –

[jamesnb]

I would be appreciated if you could show me how to run (inside) the cable from the top of the dash to the cigarette lighter?

I have Nuvi 50, but I want to mount it and place the set on the top of the dash.

Much appreciated.

[j. cooper]

This is great man thanks for posting this. Im going to try it out.