Corey's 2007 FJ Cruiser built for expedtion/overland, & daily driver
- Thread starter Corey
- Start date
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
NVIDIA Shield Tablet/Ram Mount Installed 10-22-2016
I have been noticing a lot more rigs going on back country trips using a tablet device to run Back Country Navigator and other mapping apps instead of a dedicated GPS unit.
I have an iPad Air, but Apple products do not have a built in GPS chip, so you have to add a Bluetooth one.
Not a problem, but my iPad Air also has a Bluetooth keyboard/cover attached to it, and I really do not want to have to take it off each time, plus the iPad is a little big for my tastes to have in the FJ Cruiser on a trip.
I posted up a thread on Expedition Portal in their GPS/Navigation section, and a member posted the NVIDIA Shield 8" tablet as a good one to use.
It has a fast processor, and just about all Android based tablets have the GPS chip installed, no need for tethering to a separate Bluetooth GPS antenna.
I got a hold of Matt at Ram Mounts out of Seattle, WA., and asked him what type of mounts would work with my FJ Cruiser.
I got a RAM Tab-Tite cradle for the tablet, and a few mounts listed below in the links.
Currently using the suction cup one, have not installed the rod one, and I may not.
All of the items listed below in the links are available off of Amazon too, and that is where I got mine.
This tablet is also a gaming one, so you know it will be fast.
As soon as I turned it on yesterday, it prompted me for my homes Wi-Fi login, and then it asked me is I wanted to copy/transfer my apps and date from my HTC One Android phone over to the new tablet.
I choose not too, as I have a lot of apps that are not needed on the new tablet.
I did find a screen later where I would pick which apps to transfer, and I did.
Google Maps and Google Earth work perfect on the new tablet, and I also downloaded the Pro paid version of Back Country Navigator, and have been messing around with it here at home.
I had the free trial one on my phone, and after updated to the paid version on the new tablet, I also installed the paid one on my phone.
Kind of new to apps like this, so there will be a learning curve.
My main objective with the software is to log forest service roads I explore up at Greenwater, and also log future campsites I run across.
Then when I want to get back to them, the tablet will guide me.
Also put in a two port USB charger into the stock 12v outlet on the lower dash to power the tablet to keep its battery topped off when in use.
The suction mount is not holding good enough to my dash though, it loosens up after a bit, and that is not good.
Later today, or perhaps tomorrow I am going to mount the one that attaches with the passenger seat bolt, that should be better.
I could probably get the suction mount to work if I attached it to the windshield, but I really do not want it blocking the view.
Links:
NVIDIA SHIELD K1 8" Tablet - Black
SanDisk Ultra 64GB microSDXC UHS-I Card with Adapter
RAM Tab-Tite™ Cradle for 7" Tablets including the Amazon Kindle Fire & Google Nexus 7
RAM POD 18" No-Drill™ Vehicle Mount with B Size 1" Ball on Round Plate with AMPs Hole Pattern
RAM Twist Lock Suction Cup Mount with Long Double Socket Arm and 2.5" Round Base that contain the AMPs hole pattern
BackCountry Navigator TOPO GPS
Pictures:
Cradle/mount with no tablet
Tablet inserted into the Tab-Tite plate and RAM mount
Screen showing the Back Country Navigator, you can see one of the swimming pools at my complex up and to the left of the yellow arrow
Two port USB plug, I have a ton of these, trying out a low profile one
They have a lot of informative videos on their YouTube channel too, and if you search Back Country Navigator, there are also a ton of end user videos.
https://www.youtube.com/user/crittermap/videos
I have been noticing a lot more rigs going on back country trips using a tablet device to run Back Country Navigator and other mapping apps instead of a dedicated GPS unit.
I have an iPad Air, but Apple products do not have a built in GPS chip, so you have to add a Bluetooth one.
Not a problem, but my iPad Air also has a Bluetooth keyboard/cover attached to it, and I really do not want to have to take it off each time, plus the iPad is a little big for my tastes to have in the FJ Cruiser on a trip.
I posted up a thread on Expedition Portal in their GPS/Navigation section, and a member posted the NVIDIA Shield 8" tablet as a good one to use.
It has a fast processor, and just about all Android based tablets have the GPS chip installed, no need for tethering to a separate Bluetooth GPS antenna.
I got a hold of Matt at Ram Mounts out of Seattle, WA., and asked him what type of mounts would work with my FJ Cruiser.
I got a RAM Tab-Tite cradle for the tablet, and a few mounts listed below in the links.
Currently using the suction cup one, have not installed the rod one, and I may not.
All of the items listed below in the links are available off of Amazon too, and that is where I got mine.
This tablet is also a gaming one, so you know it will be fast.
As soon as I turned it on yesterday, it prompted me for my homes Wi-Fi login, and then it asked me is I wanted to copy/transfer my apps and date from my HTC One Android phone over to the new tablet.
I choose not too, as I have a lot of apps that are not needed on the new tablet.
I did find a screen later where I would pick which apps to transfer, and I did.
Google Maps and Google Earth work perfect on the new tablet, and I also downloaded the Pro paid version of Back Country Navigator, and have been messing around with it here at home.
I had the free trial one on my phone, and after updated to the paid version on the new tablet, I also installed the paid one on my phone.
Kind of new to apps like this, so there will be a learning curve.
My main objective with the software is to log forest service roads I explore up at Greenwater, and also log future campsites I run across.
Then when I want to get back to them, the tablet will guide me.
Also put in a two port USB charger into the stock 12v outlet on the lower dash to power the tablet to keep its battery topped off when in use.
The suction mount is not holding good enough to my dash though, it loosens up after a bit, and that is not good.
Later today, or perhaps tomorrow I am going to mount the one that attaches with the passenger seat bolt, that should be better.
I could probably get the suction mount to work if I attached it to the windshield, but I really do not want it blocking the view.
Links:
NVIDIA SHIELD K1 8" Tablet - Black
SanDisk Ultra 64GB microSDXC UHS-I Card with Adapter
RAM Tab-Tite™ Cradle for 7" Tablets including the Amazon Kindle Fire & Google Nexus 7
RAM POD 18" No-Drill™ Vehicle Mount with B Size 1" Ball on Round Plate with AMPs Hole Pattern
RAM Twist Lock Suction Cup Mount with Long Double Socket Arm and 2.5" Round Base that contain the AMPs hole pattern
BackCountry Navigator TOPO GPS
Pictures:
Cradle/mount with no tablet
Tablet inserted into the Tab-Tite plate and RAM mount
Screen showing the Back Country Navigator, you can see one of the swimming pools at my complex up and to the left of the yellow arrow
Two port USB plug, I have a ton of these, trying out a low profile one
They have a lot of informative videos on their YouTube channel too, and if you search Back Country Navigator, there are also a ton of end user videos.
https://www.youtube.com/user/crittermap/videos
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
Thanks!
I do not think I would want anything bigger than an 8" tablet too.
I just got back in from trying the floor mount, too much of an angle with the bracket they give you.
I am going to try the suction mount again, maybe on the window in the far left corner and see if it holds strong enough, and if I can get it low enough out of my field of vision.
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
RAM Mount Finally Installed Properly 11-6-201R
Finally a dry morning!
I followed Zero's installation of his tablet and RAM arm/ball mount from fjcruiserforums website, and put the ball backing plate in the same position as he did.
This allows the tablet mount to be folded up flat against the flat surface that is just above the glovebox.
Simply unscrew the big plastic nut on the mounting arm to allow both ball ends to loosen, then you can adjust the angle up/down, and sideways of the tablet plate.
I drilled two small holes into the side of the dash, and used some screws that came with the mount.
It is nice and strong, and best part is I did not have to disassemble my dash by pulling the heater control/stereo surround panel off.
That would have been kind of a PITA as I would have had to unbolt the mounting bracket that holds the Yaesu ham radio faceplate too.
I use these flat USB cables too that I get off of Amazon, and no, I did take the time yet to shorten it up to make it look better, and I had not wiped down the black plastic yet either on the dash behind the mount, that all will come later.
Overall I am very happy with how the project turned out.
Cannot wait to hit Greenwater with it and start making some tracks and waypoints of some future campsites.
OK, on with some fresh pictures from today:
Ball mount screwed into the side of the dash
Mount folded up flat against the dash
Screen with the Back Country Navigator app opened, and the USB charging cable plugged in
Close-up angle
Wider angle
RAM backing plate mount without the tablet
Finally a dry morning!
I followed Zero's installation of his tablet and RAM arm/ball mount from fjcruiserforums website, and put the ball backing plate in the same position as he did.
This allows the tablet mount to be folded up flat against the flat surface that is just above the glovebox.
Simply unscrew the big plastic nut on the mounting arm to allow both ball ends to loosen, then you can adjust the angle up/down, and sideways of the tablet plate.
I drilled two small holes into the side of the dash, and used some screws that came with the mount.
It is nice and strong, and best part is I did not have to disassemble my dash by pulling the heater control/stereo surround panel off.
That would have been kind of a PITA as I would have had to unbolt the mounting bracket that holds the Yaesu ham radio faceplate too.
I use these flat USB cables too that I get off of Amazon, and no, I did take the time yet to shorten it up to make it look better, and I had not wiped down the black plastic yet either on the dash behind the mount, that all will come later.
Overall I am very happy with how the project turned out.
Cannot wait to hit Greenwater with it and start making some tracks and waypoints of some future campsites.
OK, on with some fresh pictures from today:
Ball mount screwed into the side of the dash
Mount folded up flat against the dash
Screen with the Back Country Navigator app opened, and the USB charging cable plugged in
Close-up angle
Wider angle
RAM backing plate mount without the tablet
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
Amazon
?You are welcome.
At some point down the road I will pull the surround that covers the stereo and HVAC controls, and see how the big screws are holding to see if it is necessary to use bolts for the mount.
But right now it is rock solid.
Going to put Gaia on the tablet this weekend to tryout too.
Was going to try Hema, but I hear in a thread in the GPS section on the site here many prefer Gaia over Hema.
prerunner221
Adventurer
I see you changed the plan on the way you mounted the tab. I'm looking to do the same thing, but can't find "Zero's Fj" build thread, so what parts did you use for this?
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
These two parts from post 167 above.
RAM Tab-Tite™ Cradle for 7" Tablets including the Amazon Kindle Fire & Google Nexus 7
RAM Twist Lock Suction Cup Mount with Long Double Socket Arm and 2.5" Round Base that contain the AMPs hole pattern
You can just take the suction mount part off of the latter one, but I am sure they offer that arm without the suction mount too.
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
Rotopax And Ladder Mount Installed 1-7-2017
For quite awhile I have been trying out how to carry a few jerrycans of water or fuel on my rig.
Cannot put them on the roof since the roof top tent takes up the whole rack, and I do not have a swingout bumper to install a jerrycan holder on.
Last week I saw on Instagram a nice patch for a headliner (I collect them and install on my FJ Cruisers headliner) for Overland Equipped.
I had never heard of them, and I headed over to their site and saw they had a Rotopax mount that goes behind a ladder on a rig.
Well I have a ladder, so I emailed Matt from there and then talked to him on the phone and ordered up the plate, and I also got a sticker and two patches from him.
He told me what I needed from Rotopax, so I ordered up two white water only two gallon cans, the DLX Pack Mount, and an extension so I could add a second can.
Matt and I were not sure if this was going to fit, as I may be the first FJ Cruiser to have tried this, I am not 100% sure.
But as you can see from the pictures it turned out perfect.
The only thing is the cans block my Overland Journal oval sticker, so I will have to mount a new sticker.
The hardware Matt includes use 7/16" nuts, and most of my tools including my nice Craftsman ratchet wrenches I have in my home and rig are metric.
I tried a 12 mm ratchet, but a little too big.
Fortunately my neighbor had a closed end 7/16" wrench.
It was very slow with it, so I will now be ordering a standard ratchet wrench set.
If I had one, it would have gone a lot faster.
But I am very happy with the outcome here, I think it turned out great.
The water will be used for drinking water when camping, and save me a ton of room over carrying a big water container in my rig.
I hope this helps some other FJ Cruiser owners who have been wanting to add either fuel or water cans to their rigs.
Links:
HEAVY-DUTY ROTOPAX MOUNTING KIT - OVERLAND EQUIPPED
Rotopax Two Gallon Water Cans
DLX Pack Mount
1, 2 and 4 Gallon Extension
On with some pictures
All the parts spreed out with Matt's ladder mount on top of the left can
I did not know what those two plastic clips are, and Matt answered me over on Instagram that they clip together two cans if used side by side.
One can mounted, no T lock handle on yet
The second can will push in over that black part.
Both cans mounted and T handle turned and tightened down to hold both cans
Showing Matt's round black plate on the backside of the ladder, it bolts to the Rotopax mount
Yes, there is some rear window blockage, but I do not really use the window anyways with the Maxtrax mounted there, and it is worse when the chuckbox is loaded in the rear for a trip
For quite awhile I have been trying out how to carry a few jerrycans of water or fuel on my rig.
Cannot put them on the roof since the roof top tent takes up the whole rack, and I do not have a swingout bumper to install a jerrycan holder on.
Last week I saw on Instagram a nice patch for a headliner (I collect them and install on my FJ Cruisers headliner) for Overland Equipped.
I had never heard of them, and I headed over to their site and saw they had a Rotopax mount that goes behind a ladder on a rig.
Well I have a ladder, so I emailed Matt from there and then talked to him on the phone and ordered up the plate, and I also got a sticker and two patches from him.
He told me what I needed from Rotopax, so I ordered up two white water only two gallon cans, the DLX Pack Mount, and an extension so I could add a second can.
Matt and I were not sure if this was going to fit, as I may be the first FJ Cruiser to have tried this, I am not 100% sure.
But as you can see from the pictures it turned out perfect.
The only thing is the cans block my Overland Journal oval sticker, so I will have to mount a new sticker.
The hardware Matt includes use 7/16" nuts, and most of my tools including my nice Craftsman ratchet wrenches I have in my home and rig are metric.
I tried a 12 mm ratchet, but a little too big.
Fortunately my neighbor had a closed end 7/16" wrench.
It was very slow with it, so I will now be ordering a standard ratchet wrench set.
If I had one, it would have gone a lot faster.
But I am very happy with the outcome here, I think it turned out great.
The water will be used for drinking water when camping, and save me a ton of room over carrying a big water container in my rig.
I hope this helps some other FJ Cruiser owners who have been wanting to add either fuel or water cans to their rigs.
Links:
HEAVY-DUTY ROTOPAX MOUNTING KIT - OVERLAND EQUIPPED
Rotopax Two Gallon Water Cans
DLX Pack Mount
1, 2 and 4 Gallon Extension
On with some pictures
All the parts spreed out with Matt's ladder mount on top of the left can
I did not know what those two plastic clips are, and Matt answered me over on Instagram that they clip together two cans if used side by side.
One can mounted, no T lock handle on yet
The second can will push in over that black part.
Both cans mounted and T handle turned and tightened down to hold both cans
Showing Matt's round black plate on the backside of the ladder, it bolts to the Rotopax mount
Yes, there is some rear window blockage, but I do not really use the window anyways with the Maxtrax mounted there, and it is worse when the chuckbox is loaded in the rear for a trip
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
Adventure Tool Company Tool Rolls 1-21-2017
Notice I did not say installed, as these are not actually installed, but carried in my cargobox.
I first found out about tool rolls I think from the Hanson's at Overland Expo.
Then I joined Instagram awhile back and started following Adventure Tool Company.
And what got me to finally take a real close look at these fine tool rolls was a video by Expedition Overland featuring Jeff and Kurt from XO.
Kurt is also the owner of Cruiser Outfitters in Utah.
I checked out Paul and Amy's Adventure Tool Companies site, and I first bought the WrenchRoll, then a few days later ordered the SportRoll.
The former will be for my ratchet wrenches, and the latter will be for adjustable wrenches, pliers, etc.
I did not have room to put my screwdrivers in, so maybe I will order another tool roll.
I planned on putting them into the SportRoll, but some are too long for it.
I probably could take out the SAE ratchet wrenches since I only need metric for my rig, and put the screwdrivers into the WrenchRoll.
Will try that at another time.
Before I had my tools in my cargobox just loose, but sitting on toolbox liner.
These ATC tool rolls will keep the tools much better organized.
Plus these are made in the USA in Colorado, very happy to support a USA company.
I will include a link below in the links section where you can read about their company.
I do not think you are going to find better tool rolls out there, these are crafted perfection.
Oh, and they smell great too!
If you are looking for a great way to carry your tools in your off road/camping/overlanding/expedition rig, look no further than these fine tool rolls.
Give them a follow too on social media, as they are always posting up cool stuff.
Links:
Adventure Tool Company
About Paul and Amy's company
The WrenchRoll
The SportRoll (with zippered side pouch)
Pictures:
Check out the wrapping paper, old string, and the card, this is an old fashioned touch which I like, so much different than Amazon
The personal card is a really nice touch too
The WrenchRoll, and I do think I am going to put the screwdrivers in where the big SAE ones are on the left
WrenchRoll rolled up, nice buckle system
SportRoll filled with pliers and adjustable wrenches
Side by side, the SportRoll is smaller
All cargobox drawers open, ATC rolls in the middle drawer
Closeup of the two rolls in the middle drawer
Notice I did not say installed, as these are not actually installed, but carried in my cargobox.
I first found out about tool rolls I think from the Hanson's at Overland Expo.
Then I joined Instagram awhile back and started following Adventure Tool Company.
And what got me to finally take a real close look at these fine tool rolls was a video by Expedition Overland featuring Jeff and Kurt from XO.
Kurt is also the owner of Cruiser Outfitters in Utah.
I checked out Paul and Amy's Adventure Tool Companies site, and I first bought the WrenchRoll, then a few days later ordered the SportRoll.
The former will be for my ratchet wrenches, and the latter will be for adjustable wrenches, pliers, etc.
I did not have room to put my screwdrivers in, so maybe I will order another tool roll.
I planned on putting them into the SportRoll, but some are too long for it.
I probably could take out the SAE ratchet wrenches since I only need metric for my rig, and put the screwdrivers into the WrenchRoll.
Will try that at another time.
Before I had my tools in my cargobox just loose, but sitting on toolbox liner.
These ATC tool rolls will keep the tools much better organized.
Plus these are made in the USA in Colorado, very happy to support a USA company.
I will include a link below in the links section where you can read about their company.
I do not think you are going to find better tool rolls out there, these are crafted perfection.
Oh, and they smell great too!
If you are looking for a great way to carry your tools in your off road/camping/overlanding/expedition rig, look no further than these fine tool rolls.
Give them a follow too on social media, as they are always posting up cool stuff.
Links:
Adventure Tool Company
About Paul and Amy's company
The WrenchRoll
The SportRoll (with zippered side pouch)
Pictures:
Check out the wrapping paper, old string, and the card, this is an old fashioned touch which I like, so much different than Amazon
The personal card is a really nice touch too
The WrenchRoll, and I do think I am going to put the screwdrivers in where the big SAE ones are on the left
WrenchRoll rolled up, nice buckle system
SportRoll filled with pliers and adjustable wrenches
Side by side, the SportRoll is smaller
All cargobox drawers open, ATC rolls in the middle drawer
Closeup of the two rolls in the middle drawer
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
BAFX OBDII & Torque Pro Installed 1-28-2017
I have always thought about getting one of those scan gauge tools in the past, but never got around to it.
I saw a post the other day by Lifestyle Overland on Facebook, and he had a tablet running in his 4Runner with the Torque app from Android running on it, and I was intrigued since I run an NVIDIA Shield tablet for the Gaia GPS/Mapping app in my rig for logging future campsites.
I asked him about the device he he was using in his OBDII port, and he said it was the BAFX Products one which is highly rated on Amazon.
I bought it via Amazon, and I went to the Play Store on my PC, and bought the Torque Pro app, and told it to send the file to my NVIDIA Shield tablet.
I like how you can be on a computer, but tell it to go to your phone of your tablet, very neat!
I have never looked at my OBDII port before, but I had an idea where it was since the emissions place hooks up their scanning cable to it when you go to get your emissions done here every other year.
I plugged in the device, and a red LED came on like it was suppose to.
Since the port has power all the time, the light will remain on when the rig is off, no biggy, very small current draw.
The instructions for the device to pair it with the Torque Pro app is very simple.
Have the scanner plugged into the port, fire up the rig, then go to your Android device and have it scan for new devices, and it said OBDII in there, and I selected it, typed in 1234 for the code.
Then you open up the Torque app, and it fired right up with the tachometer showing me my RPMs.
You have a few different screen you can go through, and I selected the one that shows all of the gauges on there such as tach, vacuum, water temperature, and a few others.
I will have to play around with it more later to see if I can add in more gauges.
Overall, I am pretty happy with it.
Links:
Android Bluetooth Wireless OBDII Reader & Scan Tool - For Android Devices Only
(Via Amazon)
BAFX Products 34t5 Bluetooth OBDII Scan Tool for Android Devices
Torque Pro (OBD 2 & Car) Not for IOS yet
Picture and a movie:
I have always thought about getting one of those scan gauge tools in the past, but never got around to it.
I saw a post the other day by Lifestyle Overland on Facebook, and he had a tablet running in his 4Runner with the Torque app from Android running on it, and I was intrigued since I run an NVIDIA Shield tablet for the Gaia GPS/Mapping app in my rig for logging future campsites.
I asked him about the device he he was using in his OBDII port, and he said it was the BAFX Products one which is highly rated on Amazon.
I bought it via Amazon, and I went to the Play Store on my PC, and bought the Torque Pro app, and told it to send the file to my NVIDIA Shield tablet.
I like how you can be on a computer, but tell it to go to your phone of your tablet, very neat!
I have never looked at my OBDII port before, but I had an idea where it was since the emissions place hooks up their scanning cable to it when you go to get your emissions done here every other year.
I plugged in the device, and a red LED came on like it was suppose to.
Since the port has power all the time, the light will remain on when the rig is off, no biggy, very small current draw.
The instructions for the device to pair it with the Torque Pro app is very simple.
Have the scanner plugged into the port, fire up the rig, then go to your Android device and have it scan for new devices, and it said OBDII in there, and I selected it, typed in 1234 for the code.
Then you open up the Torque app, and it fired right up with the tachometer showing me my RPMs.
You have a few different screen you can go through, and I selected the one that shows all of the gauges on there such as tach, vacuum, water temperature, and a few others.
I will have to play around with it more later to see if I can add in more gauges.
Overall, I am pretty happy with it.
Links:
Android Bluetooth Wireless OBDII Reader & Scan Tool - For Android Devices Only
(Via Amazon)
BAFX Products 34t5 Bluetooth OBDII Scan Tool for Android Devices
Torque Pro (OBD 2 & Car) Not for IOS yet
Picture and a movie:
Corey
OverCamping Specialist
Mine is tucked up pretty good where it is, but I would worry about it just falling out.
They do not sit in there very tight.
I wonder if they make a short cable that can go between the port and the scanner, this way I could tuck and Velcro it up higher.
pdxfrogdog
Adventurer
Yes, extensions and splitters are definitely available. Lots of options available including where cable exits male end (top, side), flat or round cable, length, etc. Just search on Amazon or similar. I use one to tuck an OBD2 dongle behind a panel in my lower dash. It was going to get torn out by my knee otherwise. Here are a couple examples (links go to Amazon) of what is available, though I can't specifically recommend one:
http://a.co/c2pYaPf
http://a.co/5DRUn6C