How to Install a Custom GPS/Navigation System
A few weekends ago I finally got around to putting in a GPS system into my project car forfiveone and have compiled a step by step guide on what I did and how you can do it yourself.
While I have a version of this install with photos on the project car blog here:
http://www.451s.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1912846%3ABlogPost%3A467
Below is the step by step how to part of that post:
What needs to be done to get this to work in the smart is the following:
1) TOMTOM 720, 900, 920
2) Use of a drill, screwdrivers, sandpaper and 2 screws & nuts.
3) Take apart the desktop cradle, remove the rubber base to expose 4 screws, take them off and then remove the metal plate. Remove the mini-usb cable from the cradle.
4) Drill 2 holes into the metal plate near the front so that the bolt heads have clearance.
5) Remove the dash, first remove the button console by simply pulling up on the sides, it pops off. Then there is a screw in the middle that you need to remove in order to remove the dash top. Once the screw is off simply put your hand on either side of the top of the dash and pull, it will pop off.
6) Remove 4 screws from the factory CD player and remove the CD player and unplug the wiring at the back of the cd player.
7) Drill 2 holes into the remove top dash to secure the cradle to the dash.
8) Drill 2 more holes, one larger hole to run the usb-mini cable up through the dash and one smaller hole to run the power cable back down through the dash.
9) On the usb-mini end of cigarette lighter version sand down the back top and back bottom of the usb-mini end. On the back top sand down till almost level with the cable and on the back bottom sand down slightly. This allows it to sit properly in coming step.
10) Remove the bendy protective part of the wire housing that is at the usb-mini end.
11) run the usb-mini end up through the dash, starting at the OBD plug point and then going up behind the stereo and out the side of the vents, you can use the middle of the vent area to keep the excess cable length.
12) Run the usb-mini end of cigarette lighter version of the TOMTOM cable through the bigger hole you made in the dash.
13) Put the usb-mini end into the top part of the cradle. You will need to push/use a hammer/screw driver to get it to fit securely.
14) Put the 2 bolts into the holes you made on the metal bottom of the cradle and then screw the metal bottom to the top part of the cradle using the 4 small screws.
15) Double check to make sure that the usb-mini plug is level with the metal plate, it not further sand down the usb-mini plug, but be careful not to sand any of the edges of the cradle.
16) Secure the 2 bolts onto the dash with the nuts. If you used long bolts you like us might have to grind off the ends of the bolts to ensure clearance.
17) Almost done, now reverse steps #5 and #6 and your OEM GPS system is almost ready, just a couple setting changes on the GPS unit and your done.
18) On the GPS unit, if you want to play either the navigation part of what I opted for just the music/movies part via your smart stereo select on the TOMTOM the broadcast via FM radio option. You can do another step in adding a hard wire from the cradle to the AUX in jack, we where going to do that at first, still might, but the super clean look of leaving the cradle factory was going to be hard to reproduce with a 3.5 plug sticking up.
19) To get movies/videos on your TOMTOM 720, 900 or 920 you will need an aftermarket software program. There is only one that works, I’ve tested, bought and love it. Its available from Mobilnova and even if you don’t do the above install you should get that software as its really nice to be able to watch movies and in my case music videos in your car.
20) Last thing that I was on my TOMTOM 720 I selected turn off if loss of external power. This is great option as when the TOMTOM is on and I park to go get something and don’t want to take out/turn off the TOMTOM it will turn off for me. This keeps the big steal me sign to a minimum and to eliminate it simply put the TOMTOM in the glove box.
While I have a version of this install with photos on the project car blog here:
http://www.451s.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1912846%3ABlogPost%3A467
Below is the step by step how to part of that post:
What needs to be done to get this to work in the smart is the following:
1) TOMTOM 720, 900, 920
2) Use of a drill, screwdrivers, sandpaper and 2 screws & nuts.
3) Take apart the desktop cradle, remove the rubber base to expose 4 screws, take them off and then remove the metal plate. Remove the mini-usb cable from the cradle.
4) Drill 2 holes into the metal plate near the front so that the bolt heads have clearance.
5) Remove the dash, first remove the button console by simply pulling up on the sides, it pops off. Then there is a screw in the middle that you need to remove in order to remove the dash top. Once the screw is off simply put your hand on either side of the top of the dash and pull, it will pop off.
6) Remove 4 screws from the factory CD player and remove the CD player and unplug the wiring at the back of the cd player.
7) Drill 2 holes into the remove top dash to secure the cradle to the dash.
8) Drill 2 more holes, one larger hole to run the usb-mini cable up through the dash and one smaller hole to run the power cable back down through the dash.
9) On the usb-mini end of cigarette lighter version sand down the back top and back bottom of the usb-mini end. On the back top sand down till almost level with the cable and on the back bottom sand down slightly. This allows it to sit properly in coming step.
10) Remove the bendy protective part of the wire housing that is at the usb-mini end.
11) run the usb-mini end up through the dash, starting at the OBD plug point and then going up behind the stereo and out the side of the vents, you can use the middle of the vent area to keep the excess cable length.
12) Run the usb-mini end of cigarette lighter version of the TOMTOM cable through the bigger hole you made in the dash.
13) Put the usb-mini end into the top part of the cradle. You will need to push/use a hammer/screw driver to get it to fit securely.
14) Put the 2 bolts into the holes you made on the metal bottom of the cradle and then screw the metal bottom to the top part of the cradle using the 4 small screws.
15) Double check to make sure that the usb-mini plug is level with the metal plate, it not further sand down the usb-mini plug, but be careful not to sand any of the edges of the cradle.
16) Secure the 2 bolts onto the dash with the nuts. If you used long bolts you like us might have to grind off the ends of the bolts to ensure clearance.
17) Almost done, now reverse steps #5 and #6 and your OEM GPS system is almost ready, just a couple setting changes on the GPS unit and your done.
18) On the GPS unit, if you want to play either the navigation part of what I opted for just the music/movies part via your smart stereo select on the TOMTOM the broadcast via FM radio option. You can do another step in adding a hard wire from the cradle to the AUX in jack, we where going to do that at first, still might, but the super clean look of leaving the cradle factory was going to be hard to reproduce with a 3.5 plug sticking up.
19) To get movies/videos on your TOMTOM 720, 900 or 920 you will need an aftermarket software program. There is only one that works, I’ve tested, bought and love it. Its available from Mobilnova and even if you don’t do the above install you should get that software as its really nice to be able to watch movies and in my case music videos in your car.
20) Last thing that I was on my TOMTOM 720 I selected turn off if loss of external power. This is great option as when the TOMTOM is on and I park to go get something and don’t want to take out/turn off the TOMTOM it will turn off for me. This keeps the big steal me sign to a minimum and to eliminate it simply put the TOMTOM in the glove box.
Tags: gps, install, navigation
Replies to This Discussion
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This is great instructions, except this project might void your warrantee. This project may more involved then most people are willing to do. Check with your dealer before starting.
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Hi, thanks for the detailed guide.
Based on this guide I've also plumped for the 720 but in T form which comes with an TM receiver for traffic.
A couple of questions:
1. What is the best technique for removing the centre console? I've undone the torx screw under the hazard switch and pulled the centre console. There is some forward movement but I cant get it loose and am reluctant to pull too hard.
2. The traffic info comes from a plug in receiver. Basically a long piece of wire with a jack plug on the end.
This may well make using the dash cradle impossible if I want to use the traffic info. any suggestions? I haven't dismantled the desk cradle yet - haven't got the right size torx attachment
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Hi NS320,
Ah you are lucky, the traffic receiver doesn't work up here in Canada and to answer your questions:
1) there is clips holding it it tight, what I did if going from the end near the window pull up and towards the back of the smart. It takes a little pull but I removed my dash cover probably 10 times and still fits and comes off like it did the first time. The only nut that is holding it on is that front on under the switches.
2) While not impossible will require one more step. This is to drill a hole into the bottom of the dash cradle and up through the cradle itself. This hole will be used to run the plug into the bottom of the tomtom 720. The issues with this are the fit and finish and keeping the plug secured while connecting and discounting the gps from the cradle.
I was going to do this to run the headphone jack to get better sound quality, but the RF transmitter was great and I didn't have everything planned out on how to secure the jack, using the metal back plate and some crazy glue was the general idea.
Its a tough call as the traffic monitor system is a great value, plus if you are doing that you could easily also run a headphone plug and then if you do watch movies, music videos or plan music from your tomtom it will be perfectly coming out of the speakers.
Do let me know if you do the further holes as would be interested to know how you secure the plug.
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Thanks for the info.
Yes keeping the traffic jack in reliable contact could prove to be a problem.
I tend to lack patience when executing DIY which can result in costly mistakes and am reluctant to start making holes in the dashboard at present.
In the mean time whilst I decide what to do I'm going to go the Brodit route. It's a two part solution with an active Mount for the 720t . The only problem with this is that they don't as yet have a specific mount for the 451.
Will keep you posted.
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Well, thanks for the comprehensive instructions.
I have finally successfully copied your install.
I left out the TMC plug in module for the traffic. Siting the jack was too difficult.
I have however opted for TomTom traffic via GPRS which is just as good but better in that no wires are required.
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