Mouting Tape?

Have you tried adhesive backed Velcro? I have my ScanGauge mounted to the dash with that. Never has come loose except when I want it to. Plus, being able to easily remove and replace it is an advantage of the Velcro over tape. Here's a pic:

 

3m Industrial double sided tape. Once it sets it sticks so good you'll never be able to get it off your dash cleanly.


I hate the stuff

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ May 30 2007, 05:26 PM) [snapback]452420[/snapback]</div>

I agree! Any solvent that will remove the tape residue will remove the dash finish too. I prefer the type of mount that clips to the louvers of the vent, I have used them sucessfully fro GPS and they should hold the Sirius Sportster at less than 5 oz..

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ajprius @ May 30 2007, 05:38 PM) [snapback]452338[/snapback]</div>

I'm not sure. I'll check it this evening. I think's the Velcro brand, though.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ajprius @ May 31 2007, 07:41 AM) [snapback]452560[/snapback]</div>

You may not have had the industrial stuff, I can stick stuff upside down and hang off of it without it giving.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ajprius @ May 31 2007, 10:04 AM) [snapback]452631[/snapback]</div>

I order it through a catalog. When you want to take it off, it's not going to come off cleanly, it will take some of the dash and finish off with it. I would only use it on glass, maybe hard plastic. Stick to the velcro idea or make your own mounting bracket, and have it pop out from between the seems of the dash parts. That way it's as secure as screwing it into your dash without it actually being screwed into your dash.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ May 31 2007, 01:27 PM) [snapback]452646[/snapback]</div>

Any tips on how to do this? Or pics??? I'm having the same problem as the OP with my Sportster. I don't want to screw it in and haven't tried any industrial tape because I don't want to ruin the finish. I'm also not crazy about the vent or cup holder mounts. Your idea seems like it would be a great workaround.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Highly ImPriused @ Jun 1 2007, 06:40 AM) [snapback]453166[/snapback]</div>

Well I have access to a water-jet and a metal shop so it's easy for me to grab stuff, bend, and cut into shape.

The best way would be to just pop off your dash, figure where exactly you want it, and see if there's few screws in that general area behind the dash. Take some pics, make a lot of measurements and possible sketch out what you have in mind (don't worry about making it robust, a little bit of steel stripping goes a long way).

Go to a metal shop and have them cut a piece in the shape you need and round off the edges for safety, add a bend and few screw holes that you'll need (on both the inside of the dash and on the side you're mounting stuff on, make sure you get the spacing of the holes exact) and you're done. I'd powder-coat it or spray-paint it black for looks too. Shouldn't take them more than 30 mins.

Screw it in inside the dash, put your dash together and you're all done! No new holes anywhere and it can look clean and minimal.

It sounds worse than it is, anyone can do this.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ajprius @ Jun 1 2007, 01:00 PM) [snapback]453314[/snapback]</div>

Yeah I didn't mention it but I've seen all of those mounts or similar ones on eBay and am not thrilled with them either. I really want a dash mount that works. But since I'm probably going for the integrated Sirius eventually I don't think I'm going to go to the extreme of the custom mount fabrication. The vent clips might just be the way to go for now.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ajprius @ Jun 1 2007, 10:00 AM) [snapback]453314[/snapback]</div>

I have a nasty habit of breaking vents and vent clips when taking turns too fast..... Not in the Prius thou. I think if I attempted what I do in the SVT in the Prius I would roll it a few times.

I wonder what would happen if pretended the Prius was my motorcycle and tried to keep it on 2 wheels all the time.....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Highly ImPriused @ Jun 1 2007, 10:40 AM) [snapback]453336[/snapback]</div>

It's not extreme at all, just get a rough idea, and talk to a machinist.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ Jun 1 2007, 01:51 PM) [snapback]453345[/snapback]</div>

That's the extreme part to me. I don't know any machinists. And I really don't think it's worth the effort for me since I'm likely going to be installing an integrated system fairly soon. Maybe when I switch the Sportster over to my wife's car ...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Highly ImPriused @ Jun 1 2007, 10:55 AM) [snapback]453352[/snapback]</div>

Yellow Pages.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ Jun 1 2007, 02:07 PM) [snapback]453361[/snapback]</div>

(expletive deleted)

What part of it's too much of a hassle to me for a temporary installation didn't you understand. Looking up and dealing with a machine shop that I haven't dealt with before is part of that hassle. I don't know why I'm even bothering to explain this. But this is the second thread in which you've been rude to me now and it's rather annoying. For a guy looking to drum up some business around here you sure could learn to use a bit of tact.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ajprius @ May 31 2007, 11:04 AM) [snapback]452631[/snapback]</div>

I work for 3M and most of our Tapes have numbers as well, if you provide the number I can look up more information. But I suspect the real problem holding these parts together is that the dash is curved and the box is flat. You are not getting much contact area between these surfaces. If you lay the tape on the box first you get 100% contact to the box, and then press down, only a small area is actually touching the dash. Visa versa if you put the tape on the dash you get 100% contact there but then the tape top surface to box is low. Also my dash is textured and you would need a foam tape to make more contact with the rough surface (and a wider tape if possible).

The best tape solution would be a foamed tape, very thick say 1/4 inch or so. Now the tape has enough compression to get good contact to both surfaces.

The velcro™ ideas with tape to hold them down do the same thing to this problem, provide a thick cushion layer to take up this mismatch in surface profiles. Assuming the box is not too heavy even a modest tape on the back of the velcro™ should hold enough. If you can get wider tape/velcro this will hold more (adhesion is all about contact area). FYI at 3M we make a hook and loop solution (velcro is a trademark name, and not 3M's) or a solution with rigid posts (look like mushrooms on top) that form a more rigid connection. Dual lock is its trademark name, it is taller (thicker) than a hook and loop solution, and is "stronger" before disconnecting.