DIY: Cheap in-car camera mount

MightyBobo · 11-02-2009, 05:49 PM

*UPDATE*
I finally decided to update this post with a video of the typical performance for HPDE's. Notice, no annoying clicking at all.

So, I was running low on funds for my HPDE, but I wanted to at least tape SOME of my sessions with my cheap point and shoot. Did a little searching, and decided to make my own in-car mount. Now, Im also using the base from my current Tripod, which makes things easy for me - you will need to customize this to suit you.

First thing first, things I used:

- 3' x 3/4" square tube ($10 or so)
- 3x U-Bolts with the plates and nuts (all of which came together when you bought one...)
- 6x locking washers for your U-bolts
- 3/4" x ~4" bolt (not sure on the PRECISE length off hand)
- 3/4" wing nuts (for the long bolt)
- At least three 3/4" washers

First, I went and measured dimensions for the actual posts. I was ORIGINALLY intending to have u-bolts wrapped around each headrest post, but it turns out that the distance between the 2 farthest posts is exactly 36" lol. So, I compromised, and decided to go with 2 posts on the passenger side, and 1 on the driver side.

I started by cutting off ~2" worth of wooden dowel, and drilling a 3/4" hole through the center:

I then started using painters tape and a pen to mark where the head rest posts were, and then using the u-bolts themselves, I marked where I'd need to put holes through the aluminum.

Once done drilling all the holes for the u-bolts, I then turned the rod 90 degrees, and put a hole exactly halfway between the inside passenger side u-bolt holes, and the driver side u-bolt holes.

Finally, I began assembling the important part - the mount. I slid one 3/4" washer over my long bolt, and put it through that center hole. Then, I put the dowel over that. I then put one more 3/4" washer at the top, with a wingnut to cap it off. I originally felt this would make for easy removal/installation of the mount, but sadly it looks like I'll need a wrench no matter what just to get it tight enough. Also, It turned out that the 3/4" dowel was slightly too small for my mount, and the 7/8" was too big...so I need to wedge something over the dowel that will make for a tight fit for the head.

When all was said and done, you're left with this:

Youtube sadly compressed the **** out of this video, gotta figure out how to fix that.

Things I'm going to do to make it better: use those 3/4" wingnuts on the u-bolts themselves - that will make not only the bar much easier to remove, but easier to ensure its actually tight. Also, its getting a nice coat of paint here tomorrow, seeing as the sun was going down just as I finished it. Also, the video was a VERY dry run - I slapped it into the car as quick as possible before it got too dark. Lots of rattling, which I know the problem (base was hitting the wingnut on the dowel), and I know the actual base wasnt even tight on the dowel yet.

Other than that, I made a perfectly good camera mount and it maybe cost me $25 total, including the $6 paint lol. Your results will vary if you dont have a mount that you could put onto a dowel - I'll leave that up to you to figure out, but an "easy" solution would be to simply put a bolt through the center hole the same size as needed for the camera. Only downside is, it'll be facing up in the air. I wanted adjust-ability.

dad · 11-02-2009, 06:11 PM

Very creative, well thought out!

ZCarMan · 11-03-2009, 05:32 PM

Necessity is the Mother of invention. Well done!

MightyBobo · 11-03-2009, 11:58 PM

Painted it up today. Better pictures tomorrow, and maybe a better video.

FastJew · 12-09-2009, 08:13 PM

Looks good. Gonna take that idea and run with it a bit. Thanks!

Nikon FM · 12-09-2009, 08:51 PM

Great idea and work! I'm going to do this idea too. I'm thinking some plastic dip on the u-bolts to minimize marring and vibration.

Thanks!

MightyBobo · 12-09-2009, 10:55 PM

Thanks, the mount worked fantastic at my TrackDaze event (as you saw from the carnage Im sure). There was absolutely no vibration noise once I tightened the bolts properly - my install for the test video in here was very temporary due to lack of time - sun was dropping fast!

Feel free to leave some rep if you make it and it works out

kdo2milger · 12-09-2009, 10:58 PM

nice work Bobo

MightyBobo · 12-09-2009, 10:59 PM

Thanks - and I just realized, I never did get a good picture of it in painted form. Its sitting inside the car at the repair shop right now still, so I'll snap a shot or two once she returns home

AK370Z · 12-10-2009, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

Thanks - and I just realized, I never did get a good picture of it in painted form. Its sitting inside the car at the repair shop right now still, so I'll snap a shot or two once she returns home

Please do. I'm looking for a good (cheap) camera mount for a while. Thanks for the DIY

STOOF · 12-10-2009, 12:24 AM

wow Mad nice!

You sure that rattling isnt the U-bolts on the headrest posts? I was thinking you can get like a little rubber bushing to put on the posts to mount it around so you can eliminate the metal on metal contact.

MightyBobo · 12-10-2009, 05:09 AM

You guys are killing me lol.

OK, I'll say again - when I installed the mount for the example video above, the noise was mainly due to the fact that I did NOT tighten down the u-bolts enough, due to quickly fading daylight.

Now, Im not saying that there isnt SOME rattle when I tighten them completely, but the VAST majority of the noises in the video are due to two things:
1) Loose u-bolts
2) Loose camera mount on the wooden dowel, so it was knocking against the wing nut at the top anytime I'd hit a bump.

I will record another example when I pick the car up from the body shop on the way home.

370Zsteve · 12-10-2009, 05:17 AM

nice DIY, 2 snaps up!

kdo2milger · 12-10-2009, 08:58 AM

how come its at the body shop or did i miss that part?

MightyBobo · 12-10-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdo2milger

how come its at the body shop or did i miss that part?

Registered for my first HPDE (TrackDaze VIR - Nov 16/17)

11-02-2009, 05:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 52	DIY: Cheap in-car camera mount UPDATE I finally decided to update this post with a video of the typical performance for HPDE's. Notice, no annoying clicking at all. So, I was running low on funds for my HPDE, but I wanted to at least tape SOME of my sessions with my cheap point and shoot. Did a little searching, and decided to make my own in-car mount. Now, Im also using the base from my current Tripod, which makes things easy for me - you will need to customize this to suit you. First thing first, things I used: - 3' x 3/4" square tube ($10 or so) - 3x U-Bolts with the plates and nuts (all of which came together when you bought one...) - 6x locking washers for your U-bolts - 3/4" x ~4" bolt (not sure on the PRECISE length off hand) - 3/4" wing nuts (for the long bolt) - At least three 3/4" washers First, I went and measured dimensions for the actual posts. I was ORIGINALLY intending to have u-bolts wrapped around each headrest post, but it turns out that the distance between the 2 farthest posts is exactly 36" lol. So, I compromised, and decided to go with 2 posts on the passenger side, and 1 on the driver side. I started by cutting off ~2" worth of wooden dowel, and drilling a 3/4" hole through the center: I then started using painters tape and a pen to mark where the head rest posts were, and then using the u-bolts themselves, I marked where I'd need to put holes through the aluminum. Once done drilling all the holes for the u-bolts, I then turned the rod 90 degrees, and put a hole exactly halfway between the inside passenger side u-bolt holes, and the driver side u-bolt holes. Finally, I began assembling the important part - the mount. I slid one 3/4" washer over my long bolt, and put it through that center hole. Then, I put the dowel over that. I then put one more 3/4" washer at the top, with a wingnut to cap it off. I originally felt this would make for easy removal/installation of the mount, but sadly it looks like I'll need a wrench no matter what just to get it tight enough. Also, It turned out that the 3/4" dowel was slightly too small for my mount, and the 7/8" was too big...so I need to wedge something over the dowel that will make for a tight fit for the head. When all was said and done, you're left with this: Youtube sadly compressed the **** out of this video, gotta figure out how to fix that. Things I'm going to do to make it better: use those 3/4" wingnuts on the u-bolts themselves - that will make not only the bar much easier to remove, but easier to ensure its actually tight. Also, its getting a nice coat of paint here tomorrow, seeing as the sun was going down just as I finished it. Also, the video was a VERY dry run - I slapped it into the car as quick as possible before it got too dark. Lots of rattling, which I know the problem (base was hitting the wingnut on the dowel), and I know the actual base wasnt even tight on the dowel yet. Other than that, I made a perfectly good camera mount and it maybe cost me $25 total, including the $6 paint lol. Your results will vary if you dont have a mount that you could put onto a dowel - I'll leave that up to you to figure out, but an "easy" solution would be to simply put a bolt through the center hole the same size as needed for the camera. Only downside is, it'll be facing up in the air. I wanted adjust-ability. Elmo370z likes this. __________________ I don't own a car anymore. Last edited by MightyBobo; 09-22-2010 at 08:32 PM.

11-02-2009, 06:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 25	Very creative, well thought out! __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

11-03-2009, 05:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
ZCarMan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: MD Posts: 4,488 Drives: 09 Z34, 13 F-150 Rep Power: 25	Necessity is the Mother of invention. Well done! __________________ Jon Swift \| SPC \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| AAM \| Cobb \| Hawk \| Volk Racing \| Bridgestone Green Demon Eyes

11-03-2009, 11:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 52	Painted it up today. Better pictures tomorrow, and maybe a better video. __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

12-09-2009, 08:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
FastJew Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denton, TX Posts: 58 Drives: 2009/370z/TS/6MT Rep Power: 15	Looks good. Gonna take that idea and run with it a bit. Thanks! __________________ 09 370Z - FI TDX CBE/Stillen G3/FI HFC's are next 06 Xterra OR - 3" SL - 33" Pro-Comp MT's - Shrockworks Sliders & Rear Bumper/Tire Carrier - Stillen Cross Drilled Rotors/Pads

12-09-2009, 08:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nikon FM Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Snoqualmie WA Posts: 973 Drives: 03 996TT Porsche Rep Power: 606	Great idea and work! I'm going to do this idea too. I'm thinking some plastic dip on the u-bolts to minimize marring and vibration. Thanks! __________________ Buddy Revell: "One man's sooner is another man's later"

12-09-2009, 10:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 52	Thanks, the mount worked fantastic at my TrackDaze event (as you saw from the carnage Im sure). There was absolutely no vibration noise once I tightened the bolts properly - my install for the test video in here was very temporary due to lack of time - sun was dropping fast! Feel free to leave some rep if you make it and it works out __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

12-09-2009, 10:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 59	nice work Bobo __________________ Project *NISMO*

12-09-2009, 10:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 52	Thanks - and I just realized, I never did get a good picture of it in painted form. Its sitting inside the car at the repair shop right now still, so I'll snap a shot or two once she returns home __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

12-10-2009, 12:24 AM	#11 (permalink)
STOOF Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 5 Drives: 08 G37S 6MT Rep Power: 15	wow Mad nice! You sure that rattling isnt the U-bolts on the headrest posts? I was thinking you can get like a little rubber bushing to put on the posts to mount it around so you can eliminate the metal on metal contact. __________________ STOOF@180\|Custom

12-10-2009, 05:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
MightyBobo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 8,465 Drives: No cars; only bikes Rep Power: 52	You guys are killing me lol. OK, I'll say again - when I installed the mount for the example video above, the noise was mainly due to the fact that I did NOT tighten down the u-bolts enough, due to quickly fading daylight. Now, Im not saying that there isnt SOME rattle when I tighten them completely, but the VAST majority of the noises in the video are due to two things: 1) Loose u-bolts 2) Loose camera mount on the wooden dowel, so it was knocking against the wing nut at the top anytime I'd hit a bump. I will record another example when I pick the car up from the body shop on the way home. __________________ I don't own a car anymore.

12-10-2009, 05:17 AM	#13 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 42	nice DIY, 2 snaps up! __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

12-10-2009, 08:58 AM	#14 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 59	how come its at the body shop or did i miss that part? __________________ Project *NISMO*

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