DIY dash pod

The amount of velcro needs to be proportinate to the forces you might apply. That's something you will have to work out as you know the weight of the unit, make it as light as possible. The adhesive part of the velcro is where the weakness comes just make sure the adhesive surfaces are spotless and smooth and go for a bit of over kill. The double sided stickey tape like they use for mirrors is really strong, just make sure you can get a knife edge in the gap to remove the unit when you need to. The surfaces will clean up with turps. Out of what are you going to make the pod ? Timber is not a good surface for these types of adhesive tapes, aluminium would be great. My 2c worth.Carpe Diem

Melissa, it has been my experience that when you stick something rigid (your dash pod) to something rigid, like a dash board, by using velcro or double sided tape, it is very very difficult to get it off again.
You see, these things release by a peeling action, something you cannot do with a rigid wooden dashpod frame once its stuck at all corners.
You could wedge something under double sided tape and, very slowly, get it to release (if its the good stuff). The cheap stuff will tear in the middle more likkely.

With velcro, the best way to release it is by forcing a thin strip ( like a metal ruler) in between the hook and loop tapes. That way you can lift off one side and then peel the other sideways.
Keep that in mind when you lay on your strips, for later access with a wedge or a ruler :-)
Instead of tacking on a plastic strip to hold the velcro adhesive backing, why not varnish or paint the part to a smooth finish? That is, unless you particularly like the bare wood effect . A tacked on strip holds only as well as the tacks, you might need quite a few to equal the power of a good velcro grip.
Have fun making it.
Klaus

I made one years ago with drill and self tapping screws,

You gotta love the (almost) flat steel dash of a troopy.

When i changed to a (also home made) roof console, I covered up my drill holes with a dash mat

Melissa

All of the above advice is sound .... except I would avoid using turps as it leaves an oily residue. Shellite is the go but I strongly advise applying a spot to an inconspicious area first to make sure there is no adverse reaction.I wasn't even there when it happened ..

Rosco

G'day Melissa,
If you're going for the velcro option, there are various grades of quality around. The better quality ones won't let you down.
Your local canvas or vinyl worker may have stocks on hand.ne cede malis

Borrow a real dashpod off someone and copy it....

Mine has no velcro holding it on, there are mount holes in the dash that it uses, something Mr Nissan was kind enough to put there, none on the GU??

If you have a dash mat you will find that the hook part of the velcro will grip on that so use the hook part on the dash pod , rather than use the sticky sided one get some that they use for sewing and stick this to the pod with carpet glue it will last a lot longer and is stronger , you just have to make the dash mat fairly secure , This is not my car anymore
Peter York 4x4

Melissa,

I had one on my Prado. The Pod was screwed to a metal bracket, 1 either end and the metal bracket was velcro'd to the dash. You must make sure the dash is clean otherwise you will be in trouble. It lasted fairly well but when I changed vehicles I used wider velcro and also put a strip over the front edge. On the back I just made sure there was a wedge of high density foam to wedge it against the windscreen. This was all covered with a custom made dash mat. Worked fine with several vehicles but on my new one I have not opted for a pod as to me the dash vibrates too much on corrogations and in the long run may cause damage to the radio's. I have opted for a remote head UHF which is easier to locate. If the link works there are instructions on how to fit the pod using the method I had
GU Pod & FittingWe have so little time to enjoy our land

Hi Melissa, Could be worth making a template out of cardboard and once you like what has been achieved, get the saw out and knock it out in timber. You are probably better at wood work than me (which would not be difficult) but I find it saves changing the design half way through.

Regards

Mark

Melissa, when you are ready to mark off your patterns, be they cardboard, wood etc. A very useful tool which I use regularly at work to follow shapes is a contour gauge. Essentially it is 150mm rule approx 10mm - 12mm thick which has hundreds of needles (not sharp) running through it. These needles individually slide up and down to follow the shape of whatever it is you wish to build.
They are usually available from good tool stores and are usually less than $10.
Regards Andrew.