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Topic: Drilling holes in Dash (Read 1591 times) previous topic - next topic

Drilling holes in Dash

Does anyone have experience drilling holes in the dash panel?  Would like to drill two 1/8th inch holes in my dash within the red circles to install a cell phone holder. 
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #1 –
Bill, try not to drill holes in your dash. There are some great 3M double stick tapes out there that work good on textured surfaces. No worries it won't fall off and you won't have those holes to look at when you change to a different holder. 
Jim and Dona
2002 U295 36'
Lily, blue healer. Our fury person
Manx mid travel Ecotec turbo
2022 Bronco badlands Sasquatch
Trail 90 and 110cc

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #2 –
I like the idea of not drilling holes, however, the back of the phone holder once had a suction cup on it and is not flat on the bottom.  I do have some very strong 3m tape but think I need more surface area on the holder.
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #3 –
Screw a flat plate to the holder then tape that to the dash.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #4 –

Look for a new phone holder that has a sticky suction cup. These hold much better than a regular suction cup.
Something like this:  Amazon.com: 【2021 Upgraded Suction Cup】 VANMASS Universal Car Phone Mount,...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #5 –
My cell phone holder. Magnetic base.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #6 –
If you do decide to drill, it's not a problem.  I have drilled two half inch holes for switches as well as a 1.25" for a USB Charger.  I just used sharp bits for the half inch and a good hole saw for the inch and a quarter.  No issues.
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #7 –
Bill, where you have the circle I put a hole through the dash and mounted a USB receptacle that is wired to the monitor switch so it is only active when the monitor is on.  I took the dash out and drilled the hole with a end mill.  That being said I would not have tried it with a regular drill bit for fear if grabbing and tearing the hole.
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #8 –
Noticed the pioneer head unit.  Can you share the model number and the installation details?  Sorry to hijack your post
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #9 –
Thanks to all for the great ideas.  Forest, I have ordered the phone holder you suggested and will give that a try first.  Should be here tomorrow.  Also liked the magnet phone holder and the mounting location. 
Peter, I know little about the Pioneer unit.  Haven't really played with it since buying the coach.  Just use for cameras as the Javelina system no longer functions.  The unit is a Pioneer AVIC-N3. 
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #10 –
Bill,

Side question:

I can import a phot into photoshop and add a red circle or text.
Do you know of an easier way?

Regards

Klaus
The world is not interested in the storms you encountered, but whether or not you brought in the ship.
Raul Armesto

2003 U 320 4020 Unit 6145

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #12 –
Kepeters, I took photo with IPad Pro.  Chose photo, select edit,  and tools are readily available.  Have never used photoshop but it was very easy. 
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #13 –
Do the 2 lines around your dash still light up when the headlights are on? If they do they probably won't after you drill holes, or so I've been told.. the illuminated dash should never be drilled or cut




Keith
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #14 –
Check out the Scosche Magic Mount and Magic Mount Pro XL.  They have 3M adhesive on the back and stick VERY well. I hold my cell phone with one and TPMS display with another.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #15 –
" Never met a 3M product I did not like".
Great American company.
Stick it on, others have said the same!

One of several mistakes in my life, had advice in 1999 or so.  3m. No future, sold my few  shares in my 401.
Fired that advisor couple yrs latter.

Still one level above broke.  Always stock was more than I could afford after that. 

Stick it to on, take advise from Mr, Fore  look close, lots of your trim etc is double side tape on, or Velcro. Probably mostly 3m or copies.

Bill, Tricia, Sassy  Mostly poodle. Maybe
It,s. 5 o clock somewhere,  ?
MoHo has 3 happy days,  Buy, everything works, sell.
  Hopefully the rest are pleasant days.

Pull 05 Jeep Liberty.

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #16 –
Make a small board to bolt to holder and then double stick tape the new board to dash. Some coaches have electroluminescent wires within dash and drilling often damages these lighted dashes.

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #17 –
Two lines around dash do light up when headlights are on.  I am familiar with the lighted dash panels, my 03 had that for sure but I'm not sure about the 2000 I have now.  Maybe some of the folks that have drilled holes in their dash can comment on whether or not it was a problem. 
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4
 

Re: Drilling holes in Dash

Reply #18 –
Folivier, thanks for the tip on the phone holder!  It was super easy to install and holds the phone securely and positioned where I wanted.  However, traveling and time will tell the tale.  And thanks to everyone for all the excellent tips!
Bill and Joyce, The House2 and Dashboard Pig III
2000 U320 4210 CAI (The House2)
Build # 5733
2019 F150 King Ranch FX4