installing GPS antenna
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From: Colorado
installing GPS antenna
I want to install a small GPS antenna (it's about the size of one of those penny box's of matches) - sort of permenently - in my 350. I can put it inside on the dash where the windshield meets the dash or I can install it outside on the hood right in front of the windshield over the louver air intake. Weather proofing the unit is not my problem - I already have that figured out if I decide to place it out there. My question is how difficult it is to run a cable down to come out under the dash from either loacation?
If I can drop it down from the dash/windshield area it seems like I'm not needing to pass the cable through the firewall - but I don't know how problematic that may be. It might be easier to do that than to try futzing it down behind the dash???
I hate "stuph" collecting on and sliding all over the dash and really don't want to look at the cable strung over the area up there.
If I can drop it down from the dash/windshield area it seems like I'm not needing to pass the cable through the firewall - but I don't know how problematic that may be. It might be easier to do that than to try futzing it down behind the dash???
I hate "stuph" collecting on and sliding all over the dash and really don't want to look at the cable strung over the area up there.
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From: Dallas
You can easily get thru the firewall, there are rubber plugs in there and the floor that you can cut a small slit in and feed the wire thru. Another option you have (depending on how long the wire is) is mounting it like they do the satelite radios. A roof mount, taking the wire up thru the third brake light up on the top of the cab. I am not sure how exactly they do this, but they manage to seal it good and looks like a clean mount.
good luck
good luck
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From: Colorado
ordinarily I would agree - but in this case a slide-in camper will obstruct most of the roof area so I have to use a different approach and the dash or hood area is satisfactory. Even using the dash position through the windshield I have always been able to link 6 or more satelites which is ample for using my DeLorme maping SW. Now, if I were a Cruise looking for Osama......
Thanks all for your helpful feedback
Thanks all for your helpful feedback
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From: Colorado
PS - FWIW,
my DeLorme maping SW, StreetAtlas 04, is on my ThinkPad along with 40 - 50 hours of my favorite music. I feed the music off the computer into the dash radio via the cassett player and I'm not bothered with radio static or fade, commercials and the high cost of XM radio installation. The cassett cost me $15 at Best Buy.
my DeLorme maping SW, StreetAtlas 04, is on my ThinkPad along with 40 - 50 hours of my favorite music. I feed the music off the computer into the dash radio via the cassett player and I'm not bothered with radio static or fade, commercials and the high cost of XM radio installation. The cassett cost me $15 at Best Buy.
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From: Colorado
I'll have to learn where that AUX IN is located. I don't see any accessory recepticles on the face of my dash or radio at all. I'm guessing I'll need to pull the radio and get at it from the rear. Eventually, my plan is to neatly hard wire all my toy's into the cab on a pedestal mounted between the captian chairs - similar to what you sede in cop cars - but neater. Then I wouldn't have wires strung all over teh front area.
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Tuned
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From: Hickory, North Carolina
renaissanceman, I have an F250 SD. I mounted my XM sat. ant. on top of the cab toward the front, in the area where the rubber winshield trim meets the cab. (would this still interfere with your camper?) The cable is very small so I just tucked it in all the way around the windshield rubber then looped it in under the door gasket, then tucked it under the dash. I did not drill any holes and you don't see the cable at all. It was quick and easy to install and has not caused any problems. Also, I use a laptop a lot. Do you have a mount for yours? David
Last edited by SC_Dave; Mar 21, 2004 at 10:46 AM.
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From: Colorado
Originally posted by SC_Dave
renaissanceman, I have an F250 SD. I mounted my XM sat. ant. on top of the cab toward the front, in the area where the rubber winshield trim meets the cab. .... Also, I use a laptop a lot. Do you have a mount for yours? David
renaissanceman, I have an F250 SD. I mounted my XM sat. ant. on top of the cab toward the front, in the area where the rubber winshield trim meets the cab. .... Also, I use a laptop a lot. Do you have a mount for yours? David
Jerry
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