DIY: "Alternative" phone mount project

NoPistonZ · 11-01-2009, 11:38 PM

**There are missing pictures of the install and parts due to the fact that I really didn’t think it would work!**

If you’re like me, you are not very happy with the availability of a good phone mount for the RX-8. Sure there are windshield mounts, vent mounts…even cigarette mounts and mounts for cup holders. I wanted something where it was more “stock” looking as a location, so I decided to try the Arkon SM225-S SmartPhone Mount - Universal 15 Inch Steel Gooseneck kit from www.gpscheap.com ($19.95). I chose this kit because it fits my new T-mobile G2 MyTouch perfectly. You can choose a separate mount depending on your phone.

Although it mounted fine on the passenger seat, it looked like *** and still shook when you drove, so I nixed it pretty quickly. However, I noticed that a small plug in the dash next to the glove box may be an option. I test fitted the gooseneck and needed a bolt to mount the gooseneck pretty low under the dash to get it to work and found it.
After more testing, it was evident that I needed some parts:

1 – 6mm-1.0 x 16mm Hex Bolt (this needs to be longer than the original due to a washer and the gooseneck mount)
1 - Home Depot Grommet Kit (only one and it’s in the electric section)
1 -6mm washer

When installing the gooseneck under the dash, there is only one obvious bolt closest to the final mount location and seems to fasten a white plastic cover. When installing the gooseneck, the adapter that is used to attach to the seat’s bolt on the floor must be flipped over so the gooseneck can mount properly through the dash.

**This takes the longest time because you literally have to massage the gooseneck’s shape to perfectly exit the mount hole (and face the driver) at the same time.**

The good news is when you do get it through; it is fairly flexible and can be manipulated into twisting a bit before the grommet is installed. Now when you put the grommet on when the gooseneck is through the mount hole, the back of the grommet will have to be trimmed about an inch with a razor to pop into position so it looks flush. Also, the gooseneck will have to be through by at least 2 inches for the twist lock to fit the phone mount mechanism.
Here are the final results that I’m very happy with. Very sturdy and looks kind of like it was designed for it too.

PS: Although I have a Jabra Bluetooth Speakerphone with FM modulation, the radio quality sucks because FM reception changes too much, so this way I can easily add a CD Lineout hack and phone charge cabling without looking like spaghetti hanging off of a windshield.

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getdamafiaonyou · 11-02-2009, 12:15 AM

Thats a really clean setup. That'd go great for mounting the cobb.

NoPistonZ · 11-02-2009, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getdamafiaonyou

Thats a really clean setup. That'd go great for mounting the cobb.

Ya..didn't think of that..nice. It can open up to for any portable device up to 2 3/4"

416to212 · 11-09-2009, 11:07 AM

This looks awesome! But I must be retarded because I still can't figure out your installation tips. I need a photo of how the goose neck runs wherever it goes, I just can't follow you.

BTW This is the best mount I've seen.

xun4gvn4everx · 11-09-2009, 11:09 AM

The set up looks really cool and useful. Thanx for the DIY!

rodjonathan · 11-09-2009, 11:23 AM

thats really eat i might try that for my cobb when i get it

NoPistonZ · 11-10-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 416to212

This looks awesome! But I must be retarded because I still can't figure out your installation tips. I need a photo of how the goose neck runs wherever it goes, I just can't follow you.

BTW This is the best mount I've seen.

Thanks everyone!

You are right...it was a surprise to me that the fitment would turn out like this. I'll try and snap a pic or 2 under the dash to show you where it mounts.

The gooseneck mount is originally designed to be mounted on the seat bolt on the floor for passenger side or driver side. It is flexible steel that can be moulded to your exacting specs. There are parts for that in the package, but I only used the flange that is attached to it in the picture above. The other side of the goosneck has a removable mount and the loom can be slid off of it, which I did do.

Because it's 15" long, I could find a bolt lower under the dash to mount it and "play" with placement and see where it ended up out of the mount hole in the dash. The hardest part of the whole install is manipulating the shape of the gooseneck to not only face the driver but to fit where the bolt attaches under the dash. This was obviously not intended as a mount under the dash, but the design is so "flexible" you can custom mount it anywhere if you have the patience. Ultimately, I chose this location because it bugged me that there was a cover over a hole in the dash that could not only be used to mount a phone, but have it nice and sturdy and wouldn't vibrate while driving (thanks to the rubber grommet)

Another reason I chose this was that it can be completely reversed like it never was there and the gooseneck mount kit can be used again elsewhere.

416to212 · 11-16-2009, 02:38 PM

Yeah you gotta get a pic of this from the bottom of the dash!

Thanks. Would you make any improvements? Any additional changes to the parts or anything to make this a better version?

NoPistonZ · 12-06-2009, 09:46 AM

Here are some shots under the dash to help anyone interested in where I attached the gooseneck base. I did have to reverse the bracket on the gooseneck to have it fit down here though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 416to212

Yeah you gotta get a pic of this from the bottom of the dash!

Thanks. Would you make any improvements? Any additional changes to the parts or anything to make this a better version?

I can't think of any improvements as this was a huge improvement over the original "seat mount" install by far!