New A Pillar - Ipaq - Ipod - Mobile Mounting

[Restyle]

Thought I`d share my new Ipaq sat-nav mount system with you all.
Dont know if anyone has already done anything similar, but by mounting a Ball-Jointed interior Rear View Mirror onto the Drivers A-Pillar, this offers tremendous potential for holding all those Gadgets that normally either drop off their window suction mounts, or are out of the field of view when you need them most.

I`d made something similar a while ago with the MINIPOST , but found that they must have altered the angle of the Dash on the 05 models as the Ipaq was at the wrong angle & snagged on the Pillar.

The Ball Jointed mount was fixed in place via captive nuts welded onto a plate behind the Pillar Housing, (which incidentally is just £11 from BMW if you dont want to damage your original), But if the device you plan to mount is light enough & you dont fancy doing any drilling, then a mirror mount can be stuck in place via good quality double sided tape.

I was thinking about trawling the scrapyards for an appropiate mirror but got this brand new chrome one seen here from Stafford Vehicle Components for a not unreasonable £15.

A piece of Extra Strong Velcro strip was then stuck onto the Mirror Surface ready to attatch to pre-Velcro`d Devices

Let me know what you think .. or of any new uses or possible improvments to it

[Aqualung]

Pretty cool setup...does it interfere with you field of vision when you look to your side mirror?

[Restyle]

Not at all, as its within the top-dash area and not protruding anywhere near the side window.
I`m actually doing the 1st Mod to it today, by disposing of the actual mirror, & replacing it with a much smaller, (& neater), piece of 4mm ally onto which will act as the new Holding Pad

[jwardell]

Interesting idea. Isn't the A-pillar destroyed when removed though...did you just mount it to a new one?
Also if the air bag goes off you will have your PDA and that mirror propelled at the speed of sound...

[Restyle]

I bought a new A-Pillar cover, but in the event used the original - It can easily be reverted back to normal in around 10 minutes.
After the rubber door seal from around it is pulled back, the cover is removed by simply pulling it from its top edge.
There are No airbags mounted behind the cover
..aren`t the optional Head Air Bags mounted in the Roof ??
The Steering wheel airbag remains totally unaffected by this installation.

[jwardell]

Quote: Originally Posted by Restyle

I bought a new A-Pillar cover, but in the event used the original - It can easily be reverted back to normal in around 10 minutes.
After the rubber door seal from around it is pulled back, the cover is removed by simply pulling it from its top edge.
There are No airbags mounted behind the cover
..aren`t the optional Head Air Bags mounted in the Roof ??
The Steering wheel airbag remains totally unaffected by this installation.

Ahh..I forgot you guys had optional airbags. All MINIs have them here. And yes, the side curtain airbags start at the bottom of the A-pillar and go all the way up to the back of the car. Maybe it's the airbag a-pillar cover that is not reusable and there is a different part if you don't have curtain airbags. That would make sense since they wouldn't have to make space for the bags, and don't need to brake away when the bag fires.

And in that case...good idea

[tradiuz]

The airbag is not actually in the pillar, its in the headliner,in the seat, above the glovebox, and in the steering wheel. The reason it says airbag on the A-Pillar is due to the wiring running through it to warn paramedics using the jaws of life on the A-Pillar that it might deploy a possibly-fatal airbag.

[Restyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by jwardell

Ahh..I forgot you guys had optional airbags. All MINIs have them here.

So is it mandatory for ALL new cars over there to have these extra Roof airbags??

Quote: Originally Posted by Tradiuz

The reason it says airbag on the A-Pillar is due to the wiring running through it to warn paramedics using the jaws of life on the A-Pillar that it might deploy a possibly-fatal airbag

That makes Good sense

As mentioned earlier, I was working on its redesign today to make it neater & more aesthetic.
The original Mirror Glass to which the Velcro was stuck, has now been replaced with a smaller piece of 4mm aluminium plate. The total area of attatchment remaining the same.

[Baker]

I love the idea, my only problem with it is that it looks a bit out of place. I'm wondering if I can modify your idea any to achieve my own system

Kev

[Restyle]

Another SatNav device finds its way onto the Mount

[AidenL]

Very inventive...........

Does it explode?

[Restyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by Aiden

...Does it explode?

You`ll have to wait for my 2000th Post to see the latest Pyro Adventures
(Not long to go now)

[SugarBelly]

Very fine work, Restyle.

I faintly remember someone here building a post, inserted into the dash vent for a similar viewing position. Your invention seems an easier DIY build.

Q : Any chance you can take a shot demonstrating viewing text the size an ipod employs?

I don't mean to annoy.
Just got an ipod & wondering the normal things, - which adaptor, if attempting to focus on the screen is too distractiing while motoring, etc.

Either way, please offer build & mount hints as possible. Thanks in advance!

[Restyle]

Quote: Originally Posted by SugarBelly

I faintly remember someone here building a post, inserted into the dash vent for a similar viewing position. Your invention seems an easier DIY build.

That was probably one of mine as well (Link to it in 1st Post)


I havnt got an Ipod so got no idea of the size of its text, but I can easily read the Street name text on the Smaller mobile satnav so it cant be too different.

[SugarBelly]

Fab work, Restyle.

Still like your origial MINI-Post, too.