MCJA
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Matthew
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2019
- Threads
- 7
- Messages
- 287
- Reaction score
- 596
- Location
- Olympia, WA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon EcoDiesel
- Thread starter
- #31
Dash Accessories
Status: Dash mounted accessories complete as of 7/16/2020; dash cam started as of 8/5/2020
I posted a write-up on my dash accessories project previously - but It really wasn't a great write-up. Too many words, not enough pictures. I left it intact for posterity's sake. But I wanted to add a better write-up to my build journal.
I completed my initial version of this project just a few days after buying my Wrangler. The rolling stone gathers no moss!
I started by dismantling the dash. Note that installing dash accessories doesn't require this much disassembly. I removed the dash panels as well to vinyl wrap them, and then again later to paint them instead.
I'm not a big fan of the red dash in the Rubicons, so I opted to vinyl wrap mine in satin white. It turned out great initially. But after a few weeks, the wrap started to pull up in some of the more contoured areas around the A/C vents. So when I changed out my phone charger/cradle later on, I pulled of the wrap and painted them with white PlastiDip instead. The PlastiDip turned out fantastic. It has a matte finish with a rough texture - which keeps the white from creating a glare.
The foundation of my dash accessories is the RAM Mounts Tough-Track for JL and JT. There are plenty of options out there - and I almost went with the 67Designs version. I chose the RAM Mounts version because it had features that would make it easier for me to hide my wiring.
I tapped power from the 12v "cigar lighter" socket on the dash using Quadratec's 12v power adapter. It's a bit unnecessary to use the adapter - you could easily splice a tap onto the power and ground wires that feed the power socket. But the Quadratec adapter makes it really simple. It plugs jumpers between the OEM wiring harness and the socket with matching plugs.
I wanted a fused circuit for each accessory I was adding, so I cut off the 10 amp in-line fuse on the Quadratec adapter and added a Littelfuse 3-circuit (6 position) fuse box behind the glove box.
I mounted the 3-circuit fuse box to the A/C recirculation vent behind the glove box. The holes in the fuse box bracket lined up perfectly with existing holes on the A/C housing. I used some 5/8" long nylon spacers and longer screws to mount the bracket.
Two of the circuits feed accessories on the dash - the phone charger/cradle and the dual USB outlet. I originally used an iOttie Quick OneTouch v2. It's a great charger - really easy to get your phone in and out. But it just doesn't have the grip necessary for rough roads or off-roading. I subsequently swapped out to a RAM Mounts Quick-Grip unit. It's waterproof and has a Kung Fu grip. Seriously. This thing will hold your phone through the apocalypse.
The phone charger/cradle is powered by a hard-wired USB outlet. It's a quick charge version - which means it puts out as much as 4.2 amps.
I mounted a dual USB outlet in the center of my dash dock. It's a QuickCharge 3.0 version, which means it supports all current forms of rapid charging across multiple manufacturers. I like having a USB outlet on the dash for accessories that I only use occasionally, such as my HAM radio, a GoPro, or any of my wife's electronics. I really don't like wires hanging down in front of my dash!
I mounted the dual USB outlet using a housing that I designed myself and had 3D printed at Shapeways. It's specifically designed to work with the RAM Mounts Tough-Track. If you're interested, you can buy one here in your choice of colors. It's a bit expensive ... but I can't control Shapeways' prices.
On my dash dock I use use a CB and HAM radio mount from JeepUniq. This keeps everything nice and tidy. If I need to charge the battery on my HAM radio, I can simply plug it in to the USB outlet on the dash. That keeps the wires up and out of the way.
The last circuit in the 3-circuit fuse box is for a USB rechargeable flashlight mounted in my glovebox. The flashlight has high / low / strobe modes as well as a lantern feature and a magnetic base. That's a really great feature for being able to use both hands when you need a little extra light.
I mounted another of the dual USB outlets inside the glove box. If you decide to do this, be sure to mount the USB outlet as close to the upper-left corner as possible. Otherwise, it will hit your A/C recirculator housing. I hold the flashlight in place using a single QuickFist.
Still plenty of room for junk in the glovebox.
Dash cam and auxiliary battery full write-up.
Here are the main components I used. Other parts aren't listed, such as hardware, RAM mounting balls and arms, wiring, etc.
Littelfuse 3-circuit (6 position) waterproof fuse box with bracket - Littelfuse makes great electrical products, and this is no exception. Really solid. Using a fuse box keeps everything nice and clean.
Quadratec 12v power adapter - This made the project easier, but wasn't entirely necessary.
RAM Mounts Tough-Track for JL and JT - This thing is rock solid and incredibly easy to install. I especially liked that I was able to route all of my wiring internally to keep it hidden.
RAM Mounts Quick-Grip waterproof wireless charging cradle - Solid grip, waterproof, rapid charge... what's not to love?
Waterproof dual USB outlet - Does the job; nothing exceptional.
Hard-wired USB adapter, QuickCharge 3.0 (rapid charging) - Same as the USB outlet; does the job but nothing exceptional.
CB and HAM radio mount - Nice integration of two different communication devices. JeepUniq offers a wide variety of combinations to fit your specific CB and / or HAM radio.
USB rechargeable flashlight - I know it's just a flashlight, but I really like this thing. I use it all the time. The magnetic base and lantern mode are great for working under your vehicle. I liked it so much that I bought another one for my garage.
Blackvue DR900X-2CH - Great picture quality, low-profile and inconspicuous. Mounts nicely beneath the adaptive cruise control housing.
Blackvue B-124X Power Magic Ultimate battery pack - Great functionality, but the complete lack of mounting hardware / brackets makes it a real pain to install.
Status: Dash mounted accessories complete as of 7/16/2020; dash cam started as of 8/5/2020
I posted a write-up on my dash accessories project previously - but It really wasn't a great write-up. Too many words, not enough pictures. I left it intact for posterity's sake. But I wanted to add a better write-up to my build journal.
I completed my initial version of this project just a few days after buying my Wrangler. The rolling stone gathers no moss!
I started by dismantling the dash. Note that installing dash accessories doesn't require this much disassembly. I removed the dash panels as well to vinyl wrap them, and then again later to paint them instead.
I'm not a big fan of the red dash in the Rubicons, so I opted to vinyl wrap mine in satin white. It turned out great initially. But after a few weeks, the wrap started to pull up in some of the more contoured areas around the A/C vents. So when I changed out my phone charger/cradle later on, I pulled of the wrap and painted them with white PlastiDip instead. The PlastiDip turned out fantastic. It has a matte finish with a rough texture - which keeps the white from creating a glare.
The foundation of my dash accessories is the RAM Mounts Tough-Track for JL and JT. There are plenty of options out there - and I almost went with the 67Designs version. I chose the RAM Mounts version because it had features that would make it easier for me to hide my wiring.
I tapped power from the 12v "cigar lighter" socket on the dash using Quadratec's 12v power adapter. It's a bit unnecessary to use the adapter - you could easily splice a tap onto the power and ground wires that feed the power socket. But the Quadratec adapter makes it really simple. It plugs jumpers between the OEM wiring harness and the socket with matching plugs.
I wanted a fused circuit for each accessory I was adding, so I cut off the 10 amp in-line fuse on the Quadratec adapter and added a Littelfuse 3-circuit (6 position) fuse box behind the glove box.
I mounted the 3-circuit fuse box to the A/C recirculation vent behind the glove box. The holes in the fuse box bracket lined up perfectly with existing holes on the A/C housing. I used some 5/8" long nylon spacers and longer screws to mount the bracket.
Two of the circuits feed accessories on the dash - the phone charger/cradle and the dual USB outlet. I originally used an iOttie Quick OneTouch v2. It's a great charger - really easy to get your phone in and out. But it just doesn't have the grip necessary for rough roads or off-roading. I subsequently swapped out to a RAM Mounts Quick-Grip unit. It's waterproof and has a Kung Fu grip. Seriously. This thing will hold your phone through the apocalypse.
The phone charger/cradle is powered by a hard-wired USB outlet. It's a quick charge version - which means it puts out as much as 4.2 amps.
I mounted a dual USB outlet in the center of my dash dock. It's a QuickCharge 3.0 version, which means it supports all current forms of rapid charging across multiple manufacturers. I like having a USB outlet on the dash for accessories that I only use occasionally, such as my HAM radio, a GoPro, or any of my wife's electronics. I really don't like wires hanging down in front of my dash!
I mounted the dual USB outlet using a housing that I designed myself and had 3D printed at Shapeways. It's specifically designed to work with the RAM Mounts Tough-Track. If you're interested, you can buy one here in your choice of colors. It's a bit expensive ... but I can't control Shapeways' prices.
On my dash dock I use use a CB and HAM radio mount from JeepUniq. This keeps everything nice and tidy. If I need to charge the battery on my HAM radio, I can simply plug it in to the USB outlet on the dash. That keeps the wires up and out of the way.
The last circuit in the 3-circuit fuse box is for a USB rechargeable flashlight mounted in my glovebox. The flashlight has high / low / strobe modes as well as a lantern feature and a magnetic base. That's a really great feature for being able to use both hands when you need a little extra light.
I mounted another of the dual USB outlets inside the glove box. If you decide to do this, be sure to mount the USB outlet as close to the upper-left corner as possible. Otherwise, it will hit your A/C recirculator housing. I hold the flashlight in place using a single QuickFist.
Still plenty of room for junk in the glovebox.
Dash cam and auxiliary battery full write-up.
Here are the main components I used. Other parts aren't listed, such as hardware, RAM mounting balls and arms, wiring, etc.
Littelfuse 3-circuit (6 position) waterproof fuse box with bracket - Littelfuse makes great electrical products, and this is no exception. Really solid. Using a fuse box keeps everything nice and clean.
Quadratec 12v power adapter - This made the project easier, but wasn't entirely necessary.
RAM Mounts Tough-Track for JL and JT - This thing is rock solid and incredibly easy to install. I especially liked that I was able to route all of my wiring internally to keep it hidden.
RAM Mounts Quick-Grip waterproof wireless charging cradle - Solid grip, waterproof, rapid charge... what's not to love?
Waterproof dual USB outlet - Does the job; nothing exceptional.
Hard-wired USB adapter, QuickCharge 3.0 (rapid charging) - Same as the USB outlet; does the job but nothing exceptional.
CB and HAM radio mount - Nice integration of two different communication devices. JeepUniq offers a wide variety of combinations to fit your specific CB and / or HAM radio.
USB rechargeable flashlight - I know it's just a flashlight, but I really like this thing. I use it all the time. The magnetic base and lantern mode are great for working under your vehicle. I liked it so much that I bought another one for my garage.
Blackvue DR900X-2CH - Great picture quality, low-profile and inconspicuous. Mounts nicely beneath the adaptive cruise control housing.
Blackvue B-124X Power Magic Ultimate battery pack - Great functionality, but the complete lack of mounting hardware / brackets makes it a real pain to install.
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