HOW TO: Ford dash cam

Longshot270

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Now, since I'm still working on the design there WILL BE CHANGES. In fact this is the 3rd time I've improved the design for my application. You will also notice the design can be manipulated very easily. Also, not all of the pictures will match up because I've changed the design multiple times since doing my first writeup somewhere else.
IMG_0006.jpg

(this is my cruddy camera that is usually zip tied to the bumper on trails...yes it feels lucky.)
Putting it together is pretty simple, here's what you'll need.

+ 6 inch Quick-mount porch post fastener, found mine at Lowes.
+ Any lenght bolt that will fit the camera. I think it may be a 15/64" bolt (that is at least the hole you'd have to drill for it), mine was just randomly in a pile from taking apart other stuff. Will also need a matching nut and 2 washers. You could also use a camera mount from a tripod but I've found out the hard way it doesn't always fit right.
+ One magnetic printer sheet (like the cheap stuff at Office depot for making vehicle advertisements).
+ Rubber cement glue

First:
Just to make sure you have the base...the package should look like this.


Next, take the base out and cut the magnetic sheet for a perfect fit on the perimeter of the base. Caution: This step requires common sense :jester: I dont know which side is up or down because I've never used one for fastening posts but one way will keep you from putting in the camera bolt. I think I glued the magnetic sheet on the "top" with the magnetic side facing out.

Now to install the bolt for the camera...
This pic is how it should look without the washers and nut. You will have a washer on each side of the plastic and a nut on top so that the washers can be tightened and "clamp" down on the plastic without breaking it.
user704_pic691_12734242401.jpg


I found that the camera mounts didn't work for Ford because the adjustment lever hits on the raised portion of the dash and either throws off the camera angle or makes a very loud vibration that shakes the camera while your driving.

This about how it'll look if you use a short bolt...
user704_pic692_12734245291.jpg

I used a bolt that was about and inch long for this pic, my current version uses one that is about 4 inches long. Bolt length will depend on how you place the magnet base in the truck and how long/tall your camera is. For large cameras like camcorders you will need the shorter bolt or place the base further back. Tall bolts are not recommended for heavy cameras because of the center of mass being too high.

Now for installing the truck side of the base...
You will need to cut another square about the same size as the first square. This will be glued to the truck.
My truck is an '08 but any truck/model with a flat spot big enough for the plastic base will work. Make sure you stick the two sheets together before you glue. There are directions and sides where it will not stick.
* The glue will only be applied to the printer side of the paper.

To camouflage the truck side of the base, I removed the rubber tray insert and glued the second part of the magnet sheet there. For this model of truck you'll need to cut a circle in the magnetic sheet because of the rubber tray's attachment.
IMG_0003.jpg

Going from left to right, you can see the bottom of the camera base (the magnet sheet) then inside the tray is the other magnet and then to the right is the rubber tray insert.

Now drop the camera base on and move it around until the magnets attract to test it...
IMG_0004.jpg


Then take it off and put the camera on, then reattach.
IMG_0005.jpg


When you are done filming or need to hide the camera mount's existence, twist to break polarity then lift it off the magnet base. Then once the camera is out of the way just replace the rubber tray.
IMG_0002.jpg


I'll put some videos up later once I've finished editing.
 

daddy

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Nice! :thumbs:
 

Bigredmariner

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Nice job, very simple and I know it's a hell of a lot cheaper than the $60 suction cup mount I bought.:thumbs:
 

Longshot270

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cool, but thats were my cb is
You can also apply the concept to the driver or passenger side if you want. For that though I would change the layout from a sheet of magnet paper to at least 4 small strong magnets that are counter sunk into the bottom side of the dash panel. You'd never see it but the magnets in the upper part of the base would be able to find it. Like I said, it is a concept not a true building plan so if it doesn't work one way you can make it work another.

Nice job, very simple and I know it's a hell of a lot cheaper than the $60 suction cup mount I bought.:thumbs:
I had a suction cup that I used to hold my trail GPS to the windshield but it never held. Said screw it and found something to hold it on the A/C vent. Works great because the screen doesn't get blacked out when it is hot out side...but that is a whole other deal. :D
...dont even ask how my stereo system(s) in the truck work. :lol:
 

mblouir

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Nice, man, that looks great! The bolt should be 1/4" x 20. Most (if not all) cameras have threads for that size. Seems like it would get perfect visibility of trail rides or whatnot. I only have one suggestion:

Throw a wingnut on the bolt to tighten against the camera. This will benefit in that you won't have to tighten the camera down all the way (or too far). You can screw the camera on 1/2 or 3/4 of the way on, then tighten the wingnut up against it. I made an old bike mount for one of my old P&S cameras using a bolt. It wiggled loose (or so I thought), but when I went to tighten it back down it went too far. Went through the body and into the lens (I heard a nice crack). Adding a wingnut (or something similar) would prevent any unfortunate accidents. Murphy's Law. :thumbs:
 

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