Hi, fellow E-nuts! :)

I did this mod last summer. I have posted about it a few times including one post that listed how I did it. However, I never did post pics of how the finished mod looks today. I took a few quick pics with my iPhone (please excuse the quality) and will post them here.

I decided to create a new thread detailing how I did my mod along with the pics in hopes that they will help answer some of the questions fellow members have asked concerning my setup.

Items:

Garmin Nuvi 760
Garmin Nuvi 760 power cord with traffic antenna built into plug
Garmin Nuvi 760 mount
Panavise in dash bracket (http://www.panaviseonline.com/product.php?id=1366)
Panavise mounting ball for gps mounts (https://www.panaviseonline.com/product.php?category=36&id=1673)
add-a-fuse (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GKEXK2/ref=pd_cp_e_1?pf_rd_p=250314601&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000FIWAP0&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1RQSDSVWNPT2TCTD8A14)/add-a-circuit (http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=071-585) mini blade type
cigarette lighter/12v accessory power outlet
distribution block for future expansion
stereo cable - 3.5mm, male-male
16g wire - red=positive, black=negative


Setup - power:

Install an add-a-fuse (w/ 10a fuse, may need to buy separately) to slot #18 (fuse for front 12v outlet) in the under dash fuse box (http://www.skidmore.edu/~pdwyer/e/udfrb.htm).
Mount the distribution block on a nice flat spot underneath the steering column (same spot as Genome's mounting point for 12v power socket here, post #3 (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=121030&postcount=3)). (see Figure 1)
Mount the 12v power socket on the opposite side of that flat spot underneath - LED light on Garmin plug gives a nice soft glow in the foot well. (see Figure 1 - not visible but underneath the distribution block)
Connect the add-a-fuse to the distribution block.
Run a ground wire from the distribution block to chassis.
Connect the 12v power socket to the distribution block.


Setup - mounting and wiring:

Remove radio trim: (see figure 2, item #8 )
insert wide flat head screwdriver wrapped in towel into slots underneath two bottom corner and twist to pop trim off.
pull on the trim carefully (use the wrapped screwdriver for leverage if needed).
Remove center panel trim: (see figure 2, item #7 )
Turn the key to on. without starting engine - put gear into NEUTRAL.
Pull on center trim to release clips. - 11 clips: 3 top, 2 by radio, 2 at environment control bottom corners, 2 on side of shifter, 2 below the shifter
Remove center panel - return gear to PARK - turn the key to off.
Remove tray cover: (see figure 4, item #6 - follow these steps)
Remove passenger dashboard side cover. (see figure 3, item #14) - gently pull from bottom to release hooks, 6 hooks
Remove passenger upper dashboard. (see figure 4, item #4) - 1 screw (right side), 1 hook (left side), 9 clips
Remove tray cover. (see figure 4, item #6) - 4 screws
Create exit point on edge of center trim even with the space between top left corner of the stereo opening and bottom of vents, just behind where the Panavise bracket will be. (screw for stereo, upper left) - Mine looks like a hole with a small part of the opening overlapping the edge of the trim, I used a drill to give the hole a uniform shape, make sure the hole is big enough for the cables and opening at the edge is big enough for each cable to pass one by one.
Create similar but smaller exit point in tray cover above or near the AUX socket.
Run stereo cable from area at upper left of stereo through the dash to passenger side dash above the AUX and power sockets.
Run Nuvi power cable from underneath the steering column, up the center console, to area at upper left of stereo.
Insert Nuvi power and stereo cables into hole through the opening in center trim. (see Figure 5 for end result)
Re-attach center trim. (see Figure 5 for end result)
Attach Panavise gps mounting ball to Panavise bracket.
Undo top left screw of stereo and mount the bracket using that screw.
Shave about 2mm of the upper left portion of radio trim to make it fit over the Panavise bracket.
Re-attach radio trim.
Attach Nuvi mount to mounting ball.
Plug Nuvi power cable to Nuvi mount.
Plug Nuvi power plug to new 12v power socket under the steering column.
Insert stereo cable into hole in tray cover.
Re-attach tray cover.
Re-attach passenger upper dashboard.
Plug stereo cable to AUX socket. (see Figure 6 for end result)
After that, just close things up and test.


To use, attach the Nuvi to the mount and plug in the stereo cable to the stereo jack of the Nuvi.

NOTE: None of the mods relating to the stereo cable running to the AUX socket is needed. I use the Nuvi as my Bluetooth device for my iPhone. The Nuvi's speaker is weak so I did the mod to have the Nuvi play its sound through my car's speakers.

Figure 1
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Figure 2
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Figure 3
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Figure 4
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Figure 5
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Figure 6
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Well, that's it. Nice and easy! :D

And finally, one more pics to show how my Nuvi looks on the dash. :)

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Fantastic write-up, Snuff. Thanks for posting. It is well beyond my capabilities and attention span, but I do have a related question...

I will probably mount my gps in the same spot, and was leaning toward the nuvi 760. However, given the location, I wonder if I might be better off with the smaller (narrower) nuvi 350? Thoughts?

Fantastic write-up, Snuff. Thanks for posting. It is well beyond my capabilities and attention span, but I do have a related question...

I will probably mount my gps in the same spot, and was leaning toward the nuvi 760. However, given the location, I wonder if I might be better off with the smaller (narrower) nuvi 350? Thoughts?


Thanks, VMac.

Believe it or not the mods were relatively simple. The steps posted were probably broken down more than they really needed to be. So don't feel intimidated. :)

I had a Nuvi 350 before getting the Nuvi 760. I had the same concerns that you have about the 760 being possibly too big for the area. The 350 does fit very well in that spot. And after I got the 760, it fits quite nicely as well.

Here is IbElement's thread with pictures of his 360 in that spot. (It was his idea and I pilfered it from him. ;-)) You can compare it with how my 760 looks.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=513372#post513372

My picture is dark so it may be a little hard to see things clearly. I am short at 5'5", my seat back leans back some, and my steering wheel is all the way up.

For me, the steering wheel blocks the bottom left corner of the 760's body from view while the screen itself remains unobstructed. The bottom left of the screen does get blocked but really only if I slouch on my seat.

I encountered the same situation with the 350. The wheel also blocked part of the bottom left corner of the 350's body. Not quite as much as the 760, but the difference was really very small.

I hope this helps. :)


EDIT:
PS, if you do decide to do the mods and need help, let me know. :)

Thanks again Snuff. I'm leaning toward the smaller one, but might have to go check them out in person.

As for installation... I trust you on level of complexity, but I just know that it would take me 6 months to finally get my act together and find the time to get it done. Maybe I can find a local shop to do it? Would be fairly cheap, no?

Thanks again Snuff. I'm leaning toward the smaller one, but might have to go check them out in person.

As for installation... I trust you on level of complexity, but I just know that it would take me 6 months to finally get my act together and find the time to get it done. Maybe I can find a local shop to do it? Would be fairly cheap, no?

Hmm.. good question. I don't know if it's worth taking to a shop. The steps themselves are quite simple. They may not even take on the job. Of course that's pure speculation on my part as I am not familiar with how shops do things. LOL

Maybe going to one of your local meets or getting together with a few members and have a mod party might be better. Take all the parts with you and and ask one of the other members to bring a technical manual if you haven't gotten one yet.

You're gonna have to meet the rest of us crazies some time anyway. :D

hey Snuff! hope u received my email. I was asking for your help with regards to installing the Elemnt vehicle to my new garmin 255w. Can you help me please. thnx

Thanks again Snuff. I'm leaning toward the smaller one, but might have to go check them out in person.

Ended up getting the nuvi 360 (currently $159 on Amazon). I'm going to play around with the stock mount to try out location options. And then slowly, gradually (over many months most likely!) gather up the parts and overcome the procrastination, to follow your instructions. :)

$159? That is a sweet deal. Very nice.

I have almost the same set up. Garmin 760 with the traffic 12VDC adaptor, and the Panavise mounts. I put mine on the other side of the radio. Here is what mine looks like. The Panavise mounts are AWESOME!!!

Out of curiosity, how or what did you do to make your HU light's blue?

Nice install Snuffleupagus,but if I could make a suggestion,your install would look much cleaner if you were to hide the wiring by popping out the center part of the aux. input and simply plugging it in from behind.:) You could also tap into the 12 volt socket from behind too.:cool:
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=65398&d=1234232634

Out of curiosity, how or what did you do to make your HU light's blue?

That is actually how the 08 HU looks like. I bought an 09 off one of our members here and replaced my 04's original HU.

Nice install Snuffleupagus,but if I could make a suggestion,your install would look much cleaner if you were to hide the wiring by popping out the center part of the aux. input and simply plugging it in from behind.:) You could also tap into the 12 volt socket from behind too.:cool:
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=65398&d=1234232634

I considered doing what you said with the AUX, but decided against it. That cable you see in the pic is the stereo cable from the GPS. I wanted the option to plug something else in there if I need to. If using the AUX for something else, the stereo plug can be pushed up towards the hole so it's out of the way and not in view. You can't see that entire setup normally from any normal viewing position so it doesn't look messy.

The socket is usually empty. I installed another socket underneath the dash for the GPS. That plug you see is actually my charger for the iPhone which is rarely used. I charge the iPhone when I sync it with my computer at night. I decided not to do a permanent setup for it since I take that charger out of the car often. I forgot to take it out for the photoshoot. :)

BTW, that power distribution block I installed is so that I can copy your setup and expand my lighting inside. Just so you know. ;-)

Oh,Gotcha. ;-)

I have almost the same set up. Garmin 760 with the traffic 12VDC adaptor, and the Panavise mounts. I put mine on the other side of the radio. Here is what mine looks like. The Panavise mounts are AWESOME!!!

Aztec, how do you like the gps way over there on the right? I just received the 360 and I'm torn almost 50/50 between your position, and the more common one in Snuff's first post.

I don't rely on the gps daily and almost never for constant feedack, so your remote version would probably be fine. And I could use the stock garmin mount that it came with... and not have to remove any panels for wiring.

Conversely, if I went with Snuff's version, is it pretty easy to remove the all the dash pieces?

Thanks,
Vance

Aztec, how do you like the gps way over there on the right? I just received the 360 and I'm torn almost 50/50 between your position, and the more common one in Snuff's first post.

I don't rely on the gps daily and almost never for constant feedack, so your remote version would probably be fine. And I could use the stock garmin mount that it came with... and not have to remove any panels for wiring.

Conversely, if I went with Snuff's version, is it pretty easy to remove the all the dash pieces?

Thanks,
Vance

Vance,

I am probably in the same boat you are. I use my navi more for the traffic, and on occasion, for directions. Having it on the other side makes it so its
not so distracting. Its not always in my face. Its easy to reach, and if you have a passenger that can help out, its really easy for them to type in addresses
or look up POIs. If you can use the stock mount, then its even easier. Although the Panavise mount is a 15 minute install. Super easy.

As for Snuffs version, I have no idea how hard it was. I didnt have any problems installing the alarm or fog lights, and I had to remove the most of the
center section for that. Its not that bad.

Just go with your preference. I would put it on the right side of the radio with the stock mount and see how you like it. This wont require any cutting or
removing panels. So if you dont like it, then you can go the other route.

Keep us posted on what you decide!!

I'm still debating the Snuff position versus the Aztec position on the right side. I have a slight preference for the Snuff position, but the Aztec position is so simple to set up (about 10 seconds to place the garmin adhesive disk in place, and you're done).

If I went with the Snuff position, has anyone used the standard garmin mount there? You would have to set the adhesive disk on the upper portion of the dash where it is flat enough, but the with the garmin mount splayed out flat (reaching straight ahead along the dash) it places the gps in about the same spot as Snuff's above.

I would then only have to drill holes in the trim and run the cord over to the glove box power outlet. But... how difficult is this (below) to do without breaking a tab or cracking the trim?


Remove radio trim: (see figure 2, item #8 )
[LIST] insert wide flat head screwdriver wrapped in towel into slots underneath two bottom corner and twist to pop trim off.
pull on the trim carefully (use the wrapped screwdriver for leverage if needed).

I was originally using the plastic disc but stopped. I had it on top of the driverside of the center dash. The suction cup would unstuck by itself from the disc intermittently causing the entire assembly to drop. I broke my base twice from this. The adhesive on the disc also softened in the summer heat (not direct sunlight) causing the assembly along with the disc to also drop. My frustration from this experience is what led me to seek alternative ways of mounting my GPS.

I'm still debating the Snuff position versus the Aztec position on the right side.

In a spontaneous fit this afternoon, I decided on third option. All the way at the bottom of the center panel. A couple of quick drills, and I could run the power cord from the jack inside the center console up underneath the little rubber pad in the forward tray. It ended up looking surprisingly clean for how ghetto the install actually is. :)

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/563845061_G7q6r-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/563844946_mQbhq-M.jpg

I don't know what you're calling ghetto, but that install came out really, really well. You have the advantage of having the SC console.

It is actually very similar to Bh241's install of his Garmin in his EX.

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=687682&postcount=10

I think it looks great. Nice job. :)

It is actually very similar to Bh241's install of his Garmin in his EX.


Ah, so it is! I hadn't seen that one. I had a little trouble removing the two plastic console pieces, but was relieved when they snapped back in much easier than they came out.


I think it looks great. Nice job. :)

Thanks Snuff... building my confidence for another mod. Decisions, decisions....

... building my confidence for another mod. Decisions, decisions....

What's next on the list? :)

Nice job VMac.:cool:

What's next on the list? :)

Good question. I've never been much of a modder, but the E seems to bring that out. Since I've removed the rear seats (pretty much permanently), and use it for hauling my bikes around, I was thinking of some kind of storage/platform customization. Since I like rolling my bike(s) in upright, I would only build the platform half-width. Have you seen anything like that on here? I've only seen the ones that are full width (they are excellent, and much better than I could do).

Good question. I've never been much of a modder, but the E seems to bring that out. Since I've removed the rear seats (pretty much permanently), and use it for hauling my bikes around, I was thinking of some kind of storage/platform customization. Since I like rolling my bike(s) in upright, I would only build the platform half-width. Have you seen anything like that on here? I've only seen the ones that are full width (they are excellent, and much better than I could do).

Roadtriperic had a setup similar to what you are looking for. Here is his thread about it. :)
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54269&highlight=recliner+platform

Roadtriperic had a setup similar to what you are looking for. Here is his thread about it. :)
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54269&highlight=recliner+platform

Wow, that would be perfect! I might be able to put something like that together by about 2012. :D

Wow, that would be perfect! I might be able to put something like that together by about 2012. :D

LOL!

Know what you do? Take all the materials and tools to a big mod meet and let the other members do it... I mean, work on it... uh, oops, no, I mean, help you with it. :)

But be forewarned. Some of our members are a little bit on the TOTALLY crazy side. You'll not only come home with a platform, you'll also have other mods you had no idea existed! :D

If anybody asks, I didn't tell you. ;-)