Outdoor Adventure USA

Nicely done, I might try something similar with mine if I don't rip the whole thing out and start over. I have hated my RAM setup since the day it showed up (with the wrong parts). It has been downhill from then on...

Great idea, simple solution to multiple problems. I like it. d

While I actually like my RAM mount, I think you're tray idea is good to save space. However, I pull my laptop in and out all day, so Velcro fasteners would get worn after a while, and a pain when new if you use enough to hold the laptop's weight - so a semi-permanent use would be more appropriate, IMO (I use the low profile Ram mounts, which allow me to completely shut the laptop)

A suggestion for cooling the laptop - if your laptop fan pulls through the bottom (most don't anymore), locate that area on your tray and drill vent holes. I did this for my original Toughbook for the bottom-firing speaker, and it worked great, so I'm sure you'd get good ventilation for the fan too. Some laptops vent through the sides and / or rear, so the bottom venting (and Velcro) won't matter...

cruiserlarry wrote:While I actually like my RAM mount, I think you're tray idea is good to save space. However, I pull my laptop in and out all day, so Velcro fasteners would get worn after a while, and a pain when new if you use enough to hold the laptop's weight - so a semi-permanent use would be more appropriate, IMO (I use the low profile Ram mounts, which allow me to completely shut the laptop)

A suggestion for cooling the laptop - if your laptop fan pulls through the bottom (most don't anymore), locate that area on your tray and drill vent holes. I did this for my original Toughbook for the bottom-firing speaker, and it worked great, so I'm sure you'd get good ventilation for the fan too. Some laptops vent through the sides and / or rear, so the bottom venting (and Velcro) won't matter...

I agree with all you said here Larry. I remove mine and reinstall it at least twice a day. When it wears out I'll switch to the dual lock tape. It has 10 times the life and 20 times the strength. I'll only have to use a fraction of the quantity. My laptop is vented out the back so the sealed bottom isn't an issue.

There's a reason that I like various forums. If comments are constructive, you can get some good feedback. On a few of the sites I posted my RAM mount tray modification to people mentioned the vents on the computer not getting enough air. After examining the bottom of my computer more closely I realized that I did need to help my computer breathe better even though it's main vent is in the back. There are various vent areas on the bottom that the tray was covering. The air gets pulled in from the back then pushed through the computer out these other vents. So here's the mount tray after it's been modified for maximum breathablility for the computer. This set up will allow the the computer to breathe even better than when it's setting on a desk since the air will pass right through and not bounce off of a surface below the computer.

BEFORE:


AFTER:

A few years ago I replaced the factory stereo in the BugEater with a Clarion DVD stereo. I thought it would give me some better quality tunes with the aftermarket speakers I had already installed and the ability to watch some DVD's as well. It turned out that the sound quality sucked and I ended up buying an amplifier to help things out. The first picture below shows the Clarion and the second shows the amp and some Bose speakers I added.
The sound quality improved immensely. The stereo was still a pain though. It wouldn't read my Ipod correctly and often times wouldn't see the Ipod at all. So I returned it to exchange it. Well, even the second one gave me grief but I lived with it. One of the other issues with the stereo was the fact that it had no stereo Aux plug to hook other devices like my laptop to. Well the other day it finally took a dump on me. I have a stereo built into my Kobalt toolbox (and a Fridge ) so I decided to hook that up in the BugEater. When I get more cash I'll replace the stereo in my toolbox. I installed the same model stereo that's in my Toolbox in my wife's 4-Runner a few years ago and we love it. The problem is that it is a single DIN stereo and the opening in the BugEater is for a 2 DIN stereo.
So I had to fabricate a plate for the opening. Below are some pictures of the process. After all was installed and complete, I was very impressed with the sound quality of the stereo. I can watch DVD's on my laptop and there's still an extra Aux connection if I need it. The Ipod works flawlessly with this stereo too. Sometimes more money isn't the best option. Now I just need to give the BugEater a long over due cleaning. An additional bonus is that the blank area above the stereo affords the opportunity for more switches.

Very nice Ollie.

A friend of mine "funjunkie" gave me a complex with his comment below and I had to make a change.

without hearing the difference I gotta say I am not a fan. I admire the lengths you went to to make it ok, but man, kinda feel its on the far side of good. Just constructive criticism bro. not tryin to get down on ya. Kinda like the friend who has the balls to tell ya your breath stinks or ya got spinich on your tooth.

So I went out yesterday and moved my ScanGauge into the blank spot to improve the appearance. I actually like the location of the ScanGauge better now and does fill the void.

Does that say 8MPG? Looks great though by the way!

Willie H wrote:Does that say 8MPG? Looks great though by the way!

No... It says 0 MPG because I'm not moving.

When I'm moving it's lucky to see more than 11 MPG.