Custom Cell phone dash mount

robroy · March 19, 2013

Hi guys, let me start by first saying hi! This is my first post here. My name is Jared and I'm from Northern California. I bought new a 2009 GMC Sierra SLE Z71. For the most part I don't like heavily modified trucks as I prefer the stock appearance, but one of the things that has me miffed from day one is no good place for my iPhone. I finally decided it was time to order something nicer than the chincy window stickums. The first place I looked was RAM. I have used RAM products in the past and like how robust and smart their products are. After some searching of the RAM website, I found a package that fit the bill

(http://www.rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045049051056045085078055/Default.aspx)

As I wanted it hard mounted I began scoping a spot to drill into the dash to mount my new holder, no spot really stood out more than the other. I also didn't like the idea of drilling into the dash! My thoughts quickly turned to measuring and cutting an aluminum plate to blank the cubby hole opposite the 4 wheel drive switch.

This seemed like a good location, but after some quick measurments it was quickly realized that the curved surface of the Sierra dash and getting the new blanking plate to stay put would be prohibitave. I almost moved on from that spot when in a moment of wondered what switch or auxialry GM puts in this location. After some time on the phone with my local GM dealership I found a plate with a hole identical to the 4 wheel drive swith that fits in this location. For a modest some of $8.25 the part was ordered and the next day I was back to work on my project. With all of the parts now in hand it bacame apparent that I would need more than a drill to mount the RAM grip to the blank plate. I started by taking measurments of the back side of the planking plate and fabricating a piece of alumnium to fit it the port the 4 wheel drive switch would go into.

The aluminum plate would do two things, it would take the weight of the mount so that the plastic isn't holding up the mount and give me something to screw into as the hole in the plate was too large to be covered by the RAM base. After some quick measurements with my trusty square, a piece was marked off and cut out in my break. A little bit of filing and the plate fit perfectly in the recess where the 4 wheel drive switch goes. I next flipped the assembly over and traced the circle where the switch should be. This now give me a target to place the RAM base over and trace hole in the RAM base on the aluminum plate as indicators where to drill. With my drill holes marked, I pulled out the Mikata and drilled four holes in the aluminum plate. I then checked this against the RAM base. So far so good. From here I had a drill pattern for the plastic plate. With the aluminum plate in place I drilled through the existing holes and into the GM plate. Again double checking, when finished that everything still lined up, which they did.

In my opinion, its the small details that make these custom projects. Counter sunk hardware was sourced and painted John Deere muffler black to match the flat appearance of the mount and GM plastic. I also found some black foam to use as a washer in between the RAM mounting plate and the GM plastic plate. The black foam was traced and cut to fit the shape of the RAM mounting plate and the holes were punched. The mount and plate assembly was at this point ready to be installed in the dash.

After reading through some of the threads here I was able to figure out how to remove the dash in my sierra. A simple plastic strip was used to pry the trim away from the female clips.

With the dash out, I removed the stock cubby hole and installed my new plate.

Its all down hill from this point. The cables were all reattached and the dash reinstalled and VIOLA! a custom iPhone holder that looks like its meant to be there. $50, and 3 hours was all that it took. I hope this helps others who are also looking to upgrade cell phone mount and free up another cup holder in their Sierra!

Post Script; Can anyone tell me if the newer OEM radios will stream music via Bluetooth? I sure would love to get rid of that aux cable.

Chris · March 19, 2013

I use RAM's seat mount for my tablet

lhjanzen · March 20, 2013

Post Script; Can anyone tell me if the newer OEM radios will stream music via Bluetooth? I sure would love to get rid of that aux cable.

I have tried and failed.

scooby5121 · March 20, 2013

Very Nice !!

Scooby

BlackZ71Silverado · March 30, 2013

Looks good....................Did you change interior colors also?

BigBlueLB756 · March 30, 2013

You got the eye, Black!

robroy · March 31, 2013

Looks good....................Did you change interior colors also?

I did not, the before picture was of my dads truck. I forgot to take a picture of my dash before I started.

MikeNH · March 31, 2013

OE radio won't stream music via bluetooth. You'll need to go aftermarket for that.

outnumbered · June 20, 2013

Hey I found this thread just in time. I was just brainstorming ideas on how to do this same thing! Yours looks great! Do you have the part number for the plate you got from your local dealer?

xSNKRHEDx · August 29, 2014

Where did you find the panel/bezel to fit in the cubby hole? im struggling to find them... any help?

Texas Husker · August 30, 2014

Turned out great. I think it definitely pulls off the factory look.

Mrjoshua74 · June 18, 2015

That's got to be the most ingenious idea for a phone mount! Well done!!! The only thing I use that cubby hole for is to stash my chewing gum. I haven't looked any further down the comments, so my questions might have been answered already. 1st, what are the dimensions of the aluminum plate you used, and 2nd, where did you order that OEM GMC part from?

Kyle Soldani · June 21, 2015

That looks slick, well done! I'm a big fan of PanaVise for my Garmin and Tablet I have mounted on the dash though I really like RAM and their adjustable mounts.

Specifically for my phone I use a magnet that attaches to the dash and a small metal plate that goes on the back of your phone or case, nice and easy to snag if you need it yet sturdy to keep it in place.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KNLG3M?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Mike-1000 · June 30, 2015

Mine is a bit more primitive. I used the clamping portion of a mount that I broke. Add a piece of 2x4, some epoxy, some black paint and a little Velcro. The mount rotates 360 and my hillbilly engineered bracket is held on with Velcro.