Overhead Visor Mounting Bracket
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 39
Overhead Visor Mounting Bracket
I wanted to mount my backup camera display up above the rear-view mirror, but I didn't want to drill any holes or cut or modify the headliner in any way. So, I devised a mounting plate that spans between the inner visor supports, and is held in place by them.
The first picture is my Revision "A" bracket. It was a little floppy in the middle, so on Revision "B" I added a 90 degree fold, which you can see in the subsequent photos. I also took the opportunity to move the RAM mounting ball to the right by 3 inches, which put the display in a better place, and also further reduced the floppiness.
I'm posting this design here because one could easily modify it to use for any number of applications. I'll also include a drawing with all of the dimensions.
The first picture is my Revision "A" bracket. It was a little floppy in the middle, so on Revision "B" I added a 90 degree fold, which you can see in the subsequent photos. I also took the opportunity to move the RAM mounting ball to the right by 3 inches, which put the display in a better place, and also further reduced the floppiness.
I'm posting this design here because one could easily modify it to use for any number of applications. I'll also include a drawing with all of the dimensions.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 39
Here's a drawing for the Revision "B" bracket as I made it, including the hole locations for a RAM B 202 mounting ball (GREAT products, BTW).
I made the bracket out of 0.050" aluminum. The studs are PEM 4mm diameter by 12mm long. The large holes on the ends were cut with a 1-1/8" chassis punch. There is a large "boss" internally in the visor clips that will fit snugly in these holes.
The radii in all four corners are 0.375". The bracket is bent 25 degrees at the 1.625" line to follow the headliner contour, and is bent 90 degrees at the 4.500" line to add stiffness. You could extend this 90-degree panel to mount switches or gauges or something else.
I got really lucky and found spray paint at Orchard Supply that matches my gray interior quite well: Rustoleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover in Satin Stone Gray.
If anyone has any questions, fire away!
I made the bracket out of 0.050" aluminum. The studs are PEM 4mm diameter by 12mm long. The large holes on the ends were cut with a 1-1/8" chassis punch. There is a large "boss" internally in the visor clips that will fit snugly in these holes.
The radii in all four corners are 0.375". The bracket is bent 25 degrees at the 1.625" line to follow the headliner contour, and is bent 90 degrees at the 4.500" line to add stiffness. You could extend this 90-degree panel to mount switches or gauges or something else.
I got really lucky and found spray paint at Orchard Supply that matches my gray interior quite well: Rustoleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover in Satin Stone Gray.
If anyone has any questions, fire away!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 39
Thank you!
The extra bend for stiffening really did the trick.
I'm curious as to how many models/years this would work with. Things seem to have not changed much since 99. Not sure about the newer ones, though.
The extra bend for stiffening really did the trick.
I'm curious as to how many models/years this would work with. Things seem to have not changed much since 99. Not sure about the newer ones, though.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 39
Tylus, I work for a small electronics equipment manufacturer, and we have a machine/sheet metal shop. It was scrap we had on-hand.
I would recommend buying sheet stock in small quantities from McMaster-Carr.
McMaster-Carr
Amazing company, everything is always in stock, fast turn-around, no minimum. A 12" x 24" piece of 0.05" 3003 or 5051 would be between $12 and $15.
I punched all of the holes, then I sanded both sides really well with an orbital sander before I bent it, so the paint would adhere well.
I would recommend buying sheet stock in small quantities from McMaster-Carr.
McMaster-Carr
Amazing company, everything is always in stock, fast turn-around, no minimum. A 12" x 24" piece of 0.05" 3003 or 5051 would be between $12 and $15.
I punched all of the holes, then I sanded both sides really well with an orbital sander before I bent it, so the paint would adhere well.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
Likes: 145
From: SE Georgia
Thx, I'll give them a look. I've got a few other projects in mind. Might be worth making a bulk order once I'm organized
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Medina Ohio
I installed a 10.2" screen that clips onto the rear view mirror. Camera is mounted just above license plate and makes it perfect for backing up to trailers. In any case the Screen is too heavy and when I hit bumps on the road the screen drops a little and after 5-10 bumps its pointed at the back seat.
I have the overhead console with the Lie-O-Meter, so not sure how a bracket like this would work, but that is awesome what you did and thanks for posting.
Thats me and the dogs in the video.
TVIEW REARVIEW MIRROR 10.2" MONITOR LICENSE PLATE CAMERA - YouTube
I have the overhead console with the Lie-O-Meter, so not sure how a bracket like this would work, but that is awesome what you did and thanks for posting.
Thats me and the dogs in the video.
TVIEW REARVIEW MIRROR 10.2" MONITOR LICENSE PLATE CAMERA - YouTube
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
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Raidscsi, thanks for the compliments. Loved the video, great dogs.
My camera display is a Pyle, don't have the model number handy, but like yours it was designed to clip on the mirror. I put it on there and tried it, but had the same problem as you, plus, it was not reflective enough to work as an actual mirror when "off". And, it was TOO reflective when working as a monitor. Having it on a separate bracket allowed me to tilt it down more to solve that last problem.
The license plate mount cam that came with the Pyle system, while it had some nice features, had a very poor image. I found this camera, which has an excellent image and is an incredible value:
Amazon.com: XO Vision HTC35 Universal Weatherproof Backup Camera with NightVision: Electronics
The only thing questionable about it is that it has distance lines overlayed on the image that you cannot turn off. Personally, though, I kind of like them.
I bought two of these, put one on the back of my cargo trailer, and one above my license plate on my truck. I also designed the license plate bracket for it, I would gladly post that drawing too.
Thanks again for the compliments.
My camera display is a Pyle, don't have the model number handy, but like yours it was designed to clip on the mirror. I put it on there and tried it, but had the same problem as you, plus, it was not reflective enough to work as an actual mirror when "off". And, it was TOO reflective when working as a monitor. Having it on a separate bracket allowed me to tilt it down more to solve that last problem.
The license plate mount cam that came with the Pyle system, while it had some nice features, had a very poor image. I found this camera, which has an excellent image and is an incredible value:
Amazon.com: XO Vision HTC35 Universal Weatherproof Backup Camera with NightVision: Electronics
The only thing questionable about it is that it has distance lines overlayed on the image that you cannot turn off. Personally, though, I kind of like them.
I bought two of these, put one on the back of my cargo trailer, and one above my license plate on my truck. I also designed the license plate bracket for it, I would gladly post that drawing too.
Thanks again for the compliments.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 39
I went to lunch in our company's Excursion, and got to see what Raidscsi was talking about with the center console. Definitely in the way!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 39
Finally got around to posting the camera link and the license plate bracket design:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-bracket.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-bracket.html
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