RangerSBR
Member
- First Name
- Steve
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2023
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 10
- Reaction score
- 25
- Location
- NE Pennsylvania
- Vehicle(s)
- 2022 Ranger Crew cab
- Thread starter
- #1
I purchased a bullet point mount for the dashtray. Looked around at posts here and elsewhere for how to remove the tray. Most said it just slides out if you put a screwdriver in to get the 2 clips pried up.
Suffice it to say on mine it did not just slip out. Lost one of the blue clips in the dash and both of the pins appeared to be beyond reuse. So I tossed the tray aside thinking i have to call and order a replacement.
That evening while at dinner was thinking about the situation and recalled there was the full plastic bar that ran across under the tray. I thought that maybe i could get some threaded inserts and install them where the 2 mounting holes on the bullet point bracket. Ran to Lowes and they dont sell that kind of item any longer.
On the way home I was looking at the hole in the dash and realized it appeared to be enough space to put an aluminum bar under. And I could tap that bar to match the mounting holes.
So when I got home it took less than 1-1/2 hours to work it out and mount. And this method is much more stable than I had expected from just bolting to the tray itself.
Here is what I did in case anyone wants to try the same.
The damaged tray
I had tried to just use one long bar across the width - but in the center there was no clearance to slip the bar in. So I used two smaller bars on each side.
I drilled out the tray for the mount holes on the bracket. Using those holes I marked the dash bar and drilled two pilots for those. And also drilled two pilot holes for securing the aluminum bar under the dash plate.
The holes in the aluminum bars were then drilled and tapped for 10-32 bolts.
I then enlarged the holes in the dash plate to clear a #10 bolt. Even my little screw gun would not fit, so used a manual method to "drill" the holes
The 2 bars were then secured with short bolts
The bullet point bracket was then bolted to the tray with the two bolts on the front
And the tray snapped back in and the two rear bolts secured
And I have a secure mount for my phone and room for a tablet or walkie or other item.
Was the only really fully productive and complete project so far. But very happy with it.
Suffice it to say on mine it did not just slip out. Lost one of the blue clips in the dash and both of the pins appeared to be beyond reuse. So I tossed the tray aside thinking i have to call and order a replacement.
That evening while at dinner was thinking about the situation and recalled there was the full plastic bar that ran across under the tray. I thought that maybe i could get some threaded inserts and install them where the 2 mounting holes on the bullet point bracket. Ran to Lowes and they dont sell that kind of item any longer.
On the way home I was looking at the hole in the dash and realized it appeared to be enough space to put an aluminum bar under. And I could tap that bar to match the mounting holes.
So when I got home it took less than 1-1/2 hours to work it out and mount. And this method is much more stable than I had expected from just bolting to the tray itself.
Here is what I did in case anyone wants to try the same.
The damaged tray
I had tried to just use one long bar across the width - but in the center there was no clearance to slip the bar in. So I used two smaller bars on each side.
I drilled out the tray for the mount holes on the bracket. Using those holes I marked the dash bar and drilled two pilots for those. And also drilled two pilot holes for securing the aluminum bar under the dash plate.
The holes in the aluminum bars were then drilled and tapped for 10-32 bolts.
I then enlarged the holes in the dash plate to clear a #10 bolt. Even my little screw gun would not fit, so used a manual method to "drill" the holes
The 2 bars were then secured with short bolts
The bullet point bracket was then bolted to the tray with the two bolts on the front
And the tray snapped back in and the two rear bolts secured
And I have a secure mount for my phone and room for a tablet or walkie or other item.
Was the only really fully productive and complete project so far. But very happy with it.
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