GPS Hardwired and Mounted
 

This is the DIY on how to mount and hardwire a GPS device in the cubby storage on a 370Z. This setup will require that you leave the cubby cover open while you are using the GPS. I did this install back in February. So all these steps are from memory. Let me know if I left something out or if something does not make sense.

Number 1 – Parts needed
Numbers 2-3 – Disassemble the areas you will be working in
Numbers 4-6 – Prep’ing
Number 7 – Wiring
Number 8 – Testing
Number 9 – Mount install
Number 10 – Reassemble


1. You will need the following items:
a. Garmin GPS with 4.3” screen
b. Arkon APGN-VSM Vehicle Specific Mount Adapter Plate Connects 4 Hole AMPS VSM to Garmin Nuvi 17mm (Amazon.com)
c. Compact Direct USB Hardwire Car Charger Cable Kit for Garmin GPS Nuvi StreetPilot, Great for Vehicle and Bike. You will need additional wiring to attach to this in order to be able to make it to the fuse box. (Amazon.com) NOTE – Garmin doe not sell any hardwire kits that will allow you to use the Live Traffic feature, and I did not find any hardwire kit that would allow the use of this feature. If you can’t live without this feature then this DIY is not for you.
d. Add-A-Circuit ATM low profile blade style fuse tap (eBay.com)
e. GPS clip that comes with the suction mount

2. Remove the Center Panel.
a. Go here for a video on how to remove it: Video#3 Audio Install in a 2009 370Z on Vimeo. You only need to remove the center panel. So you do not have to do everything that the guy in the video is doing.

3. Remove the fuse box panel cover.
a. Remove two plastic retainers located behind the pedals. This will also allow you to run the wire behind the carpet.
b. Remove the plastic cover that’s right by the kick plates by pulling on it.
c. Remove the fuse box panel cover by pulling on it.

4. Use the Arkon mount with GPS clip attached to find the installation position.
a. Center the Arkon mount horizontally in the installation area.
b. Vertically position the mount where you can swivel the GPS clip. This will give you the ability to move the screen around to your liking after the installation process is done.

5. Drill four holes (2 holes minimum) for the mount after getting it positioned.
a. MAKE SURE YOU ARE CERTAIN OF THE POSITION OF THE MOUNT BEFORE MAKING THE HOLES!! I could not find a replacement storage area for sale. Therefore, if you screw this up you will be paying $400+ for the center panel without the red stiches and $900+ for the panel with the red stiches. The part number is 68260-1EA1A w/o red stiches and F8260-1A33A with red stiches just in case someone does screw this up.

6. Make the hole for the power cable.
a. If you go with the power cable that I chose then you will need to make a hole large enough for the head of the power cable to pass through. Make this hole where the mount will cover it up and close to edge of the footprint of the mount. I started the hole with the largest drill bit that I had and then I used a Dremel to make the hole bigger.
b. After you get the hole big enough, make a small path from the this hole leading just outside the edge of the footprint of the mount (this is where the power cable will go after the mount is installed). I created the path to the right side of the mount, but it’s your choice where you want it.

7. Run the power cable to the fuse box located close to the pedals.
a. The hardwire kit that I received was not long enough to get to the fuse box. So I had to attach another wire to it. Leave enough wiring in the console area for the installation of the mount later.
b. Use the Add-A-Circuit fuse taps for a neat and professional look. The instructions for the hardwire kit said to just stick the bare red wire into the cigar lighter amp socket. This does work, but I did not like the way it looked.
c. If you do decide to use a Add-A-Circuit fuse tap, you can use another 15A fuse. I’m using a 10A because that’s all I had laying around and it works just fine.
d. There is a bolt to the left of the fuse box that you can use for the ground wire.

8. Connect your GPS device and test it to make sure there is power.
a. Garmin GPS devices with Live Traffic will show a power cable error when the device first starts up, but you can cancel this and use still use it for directions.

9. Use the provided screws that came with the Arkon mount and attach it to where you made the small holes earlier.
a. You may want to use washers so that when the nuts are tightened it does not go through the holes.
b. Make sure you run the power cable through the hole before attaching the mount.

10. Reassemble the console and the fuse box areas.

It's a bummer about the lack of live traffic support. FYI the original inline power cable for the newer Nuvis with traffic support also has an 1/8" input for a traffic antenna. I found out that Garmin actually sells a cable for this that you can either suction to your windshield or hide somewhere where it gets reception. Here is an Amazon link for anyone interested. Unfortunately it won't work with the cable power kit you linked. You could probably make your own cable by stripping the wires on the end of the original Garmin cable, and then using the antenna extension to route the traffic antenna somewhere visible.

Great work on the DIY man, we really appreciate it! Repped.

Quick question, when you say "Garmin GPS devices with Live Traffic will show a power cable error when the device first starts up, but you can cancel this and use still use it for directions", does this mean the cable error comes up every single time the GPS powers up? I could see that getting annoying.

you can break open the male socket adapter, solder new power leads, shrink tube it (or just e-tape it) and mount it b-surface. it's not difficult to do. :)

I really like this mod. You can upgrade to a nicer GPS any time and the cubby lid provides enough shade to make the screen visible in bright daylight plus conceal everything by just closing the lid.

Yup, it comes up every single time you startup the vehicle. It only takes a split second to hit button to acknowledge the message, but I can see how it might be annoying.

I have thought about doing this, but I don't use the Live Traffic feature. My last GPS had this feature and I would ignore the traffic messages whenever I got them.

I might experiment with this if I can find a fairly cheap Garmin power supply.

Thanks!! As long as Garmin or other manufactures continues to make 4.3" GPS's you can upgrade every year if you want to.