Garmin SPIII In Dash

[p-ten]

I had the Street Pilot III already and I didn't like the way it sat on the dash.  I also don't like removing it all the time so I did this.  

I purchased an additional power cord ($12) for the unit and hardwired into the vehicle.  I did this because I wanted to keep the old power cord...tt has a speacker built into it.  Then I bought a small enclosed speaker from radio shack ($14) for the voice prompts.  It looks like a little cube.  This fit right behind the center HVAC vent in the dash.  THe SPIII has it's own volume control and the air still comes out through the vent.  I had to solder a mini jack on the end ($3).  I also bought the remote antenna for the unit and placed it right on top of the dash in the passengers corner. ($60).  I  used the original snap in mounting bracket for the SPIII so I could snap the unit out and take it with me or reload maps if needed.

Please excuse the rough edges in the pics.  I have to pull it out to fill and paint.

In case your worried about destroying the center dash. bezel or returning it to stock.  It's P/N 88987435 in black/charcoal.  It's $68.12 list.  Dealer charged me $56.00.  It was a difficult to locate this part because the two different P'N's on the piece did not pull up on the dealers computers.  I had to go there and point it out to them in person on their screen.


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[danlwil]

Looks perfect!

how is the visibility in that location? Is it easy to read or do you lose the picture because of the angle?

[p-ten]

Visibility is good.  I have my seat a decent way back.  The location makes it easy to use the controls because of the arm rest.  The only bad thing with the location is the distance from the windshield to the unit.  I mostly relay on the voice prompts though.  It looks like it will fit where the HVAC controls and that may be a more desirable location but I didn't feel like slicing all those wires.  Maybe when the warranty runs out.

[ShapeShifter]

Very nice!

-- SS

[GaryK]

I mounted mine with extra 12 volt cord and speaker, but used ram mounts to mount it higher more in line of sight and removable. These units are a lot better than $2000 ones that come in upscale vehicles. I took a picture but cant figure out how to post

[GaryK]

maybe the picture will go through this time

[Rewbob]

Hey GaryK... how 'bout some nice close-ups of how you mounted that.  

[GaryK]

here goes maybe

[Rewbob]

So that's bolted to your dash?  Eek.    Thanks for the pics.

[topperge]

p-ten, Great job on the install, it looks bad ass.  What did you use to fill the hole after you cut it and what paint did you use.  I'm looking for specifics I'm extemely interested in this mod since I'm thinking of putting 2 head units in there in a simliar fashion.  Thanks in advance

[ultravorx]

Good job on that as well.  I also did a similar install.  You can read about the post here
Pics of gps flushed in dash
Plus i have the step by step instruction on there to help you guys out!
Frank
Enjoy

edited for picture size