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Anyone install ball mount above mirror?

bwilson109

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Has anyone installed a Ram ball in this general vicinity? I run a radar detector with a windshield suction mount, but it falls off about every 6 weeks or so. Thinking about how I can mount it with a 67designs or a Ram arm. Lots of pics for dash-mounted balls, but I need to mount from above. I also like to put the windshield down from time to time, so this would solve that problem too. TIA
Jeep Wrangler JL Anyone install ball mount above mirror? 1CC0F157-A4DD-4ABC-9DC2-1C6D8F191AAC
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Has anyone installed a Ram ball in this general vicinity? I run a radar detector with a windshield suction mount, but it falls off about every 6 weeks or so. Thinking about how I can mount it with a 67designs or a Ram arm. Lots of pics for dash-mounted balls, but I need to mount from above. I also like to put the windshield down from time to time, so this would solve that problem too. TIA
Jeep Wrangler JL Anyone install ball mount above mirror? 1CC0F157-A4DD-4ABC-9DC2-1C6D8F191AAC
I have not, but this is a good idea, so I might in the future.

I'd use a ram t-slot ball after removing the panel and drilling a hole.

There are write-ups on how to remove the panel on the forum. Check the ones where people accidentally pulled off the entire mirror.
 

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Also check out Arkon for mounting stuff, cheaper and better then the Ram stuff in my opinion.
 

Down South

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I mounted a Garmin RV 890 GPS on my motorhome dash with it and it does well. The 890 is pretty big and heavy.
I don't know if that would place your radar detector too high or not. Just an idea.
 

ToolMan514

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If you pull off those panels, you'll find 2x 6mm studs hanging down that might help with stability. I believe their purpose is to affix the advanced-safety group cameras. I am using the driver's side one for a metal plate that my dash cam is taped to. I was already thinking of doing something with the other side to add a RAM ball...
 

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bwilson109

bwilson109

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If you pull off those panels, you'll find 2x 6mm studs hanging down that might help with stability. I believe their purpose is to affix the advanced-safety group cameras. I am using the driver's side one for a metal plate that my dash cam is taped to. I was already thinking of doing something with the other side to add a RAM ball...
Great advice here, thanks. I used 2 M6 hex nuts and an M6 hex coupler on the left side post, drilled a small hole through the plastic panel, and now I have a spot to attach a 1" ball. Just waiting for the parts to arrive. I'll add photos once it's done.
 

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bwilson109

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bwilson109

bwilson109

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So I finished the install and wanted to provide links to the stuff I bought in case anyone was interested.

Video showing how to access the M6 stud above the mirror:
Ram ball with M6 stud (for mounting to Jeep): https://www.rammount.com/part/RAP-B-379U-M616
Ram ball with 1/4-20 stud (for mounting to detector): https://www.rammount.com/part/RAP-B-379U-252025
Magnetic detector holder with 1/4-20 threads: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124030925360
Additional bracket for M1 camera (optional): https://www.ebay.com/itm/124275216690
67Designs mounting arm (nano size): https://www.67d.com/products/carbon-fiber-arms-for-ram-mounts-setups-matte
Power cord: http://invisicord.com/store.html#!/Escort-V1-Bel-Invisicords/p/304722580/category=0

Did it solve the problem of the detector's suction cup failing every 5 weeks: YES
Did it cost way more than I expected: YES
Was it worth it: OF COURSE
Jeep Wrangler JL Anyone install ball mount above mirror? IMG_3266
 

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Thanks for the vid about pulling off the top panels.
Is there enough power in the wires going into the mirror to power a dash cam? Anything I should check before attempting this?
 
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bwilson109

bwilson109

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Thanks for the vid about pulling off the top panels.
Is there enough power in the wires going into the mirror to power a dash cam? Anything I should check before attempting this?
If you have the powered mirror, you can tap in and get a 12V feed. The pink wire is the positive, and the black wire is the negative. This should run your dash cam just fine.
 
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bwilson109

bwilson109

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Just a quick update on this. Because the Ram ball at the top is a hard rubber material, the whole assembly would vibrate and affect my dash cam's video. I talked to Brian at Carolina Metal Masters, and he sent me a metal ball with an M6 threaded hole in the base. Now it's all rock solid. The guys at CMM do great work.

IMG_3626.jpeg
 

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I talked to Brian at Carolina Metal Masters, and he sent me a metal ball with an M6 threaded hole in the base.
Can you share a bit more about how the ball affixes to the Jeep? It's not clear from the video or photos how exactly the ball is mounted solidly to the Jeep. Especially if there is a plastic panel in between.

In the video above, it looks like there are 2, red painted studs above that panel. Are those the M6 studs? If so, it sounds like you used an M6 coupler with another M6 nut on the stud to lock the coupler in place.

From there, is there an M6 nut going all the way through the CMM ball mount that you thread into the coupler? or did you put an M6 rod into the bottom of the coupler with another lock nut?

Additionally, I'm curious if you are pinching the plastic panel between the coupler and ball mount? Or did you drill the hole large enough for the ball mount to lock directly against the coupler?

If you have any more info or photos that'd be awesome! Your install is super clean!
 
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bwilson109

bwilson109

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Can you share a bit more about how the ball affixes to the Jeep? It's not clear from the video or photos how exactly the ball is mounted solidly to the Jeep. Especially if there is a plastic panel in between.

In the video above, it looks like there are 2, red painted studs above that panel. Are those the M6 studs? If so, it sounds like you used an M6 coupler with another M6 nut on the stud to lock the coupler in place.

From there, is there an M6 nut going all the way through the CMM ball mount that you thread into the coupler? or did you put an M6 rod into the bottom of the coupler with another lock nut?

Additionally, I'm curious if you are pinching the plastic panel between the coupler and ball mount? Or did you drill the hole large enough for the ball mount to lock directly against the coupler?

If you have any more info or photos that'd be awesome! Your install is super clean!
The two M6 threaded studs that you see in the video on post #9 are going to be painted in the same color as your jeep from the factory. Those studs are used to secure the adaptive cruise control assembly - if your Jeep has that option, then you won’t be able to do this install.

I didn’t take a picture of the ball from CMM before I installed it, but it looks sorta like this (except with an M6 threaded hole instead of a threaded stud):
Jeep Wrangler JL Anyone install ball mount above mirror? 1649213735063

I drilled a hole in the plastic header piece the same diameter as the cylindrical base so that the ball mount just passes right through. It took some trial and error to make sure the hole was lined up directly below the threaded stud, so just be careful about that.

It’s been since October since CMM sent the ball to me, so you may have to remind Brian if you contact him.
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