No More Suction Cups! Replace suction cups for windshield mounts with a no-drill, permanent solution.

[Big_ern_101]

Like everyone else, I was sick of suction cups on the windshield. They always fall off at inopportune times, leave a mess on the glass, and are just ugly and a bodge.

I whipped up this little number in 3D printed ASA plastic. It mounts to the original visor mounting holes in the roof, retains visor mounting and pivoting provisions, and uses a 25mm diameter carbon fiber bar to mount your RAM mounts or whatever else clamps to a solid round bar. Clears the factory front console with ease and would allow for mounting other items as well.

Its super rigid as-is, if a guy wanted to really beef it up he could nutsert the roof mounting points and use a larger fastener but so far I would say that is unneccessary.

Wanna get some miles on these before declaring them 100% a success, could be convinced to sell them as a kit.

 

[Twoxentrix]

That’s pretty slick !
In my Sportsmobile (2006), the visors were repositioned under a shelf that spans the width of the windshield, but from the picture of your mounts installed it looks like the round mounting bar could be made a little longer (or at least allows the ability to offer room for variances).
I’d be interested in a ‘Kit’ if you decide to market this. Only question I have is would you be willing to sell a kit with a little longer bar than the 25mm if it was requested?

 

[Scalf77]

Nicely done. I just recently put in a similar solution on my Transit, Visordok Tube for Ford Transit. Being that they generally target Sprinters as their customer base, the price is inline. My unit uses both the visor mounting points and two other Transit shelve mounting points. This ends up being very sturdy.

 

[86Scotty]

Hey @Bigern, I have a friend who is a prodigious 3d printer. Would you be willing to share the files?

If you'd rather sell I think you could definitely sell some. Probably to me at least!

 

[Big_ern_101]

Thanks for the kind words - I wanna get some miles on it and make sure I am happy with it before deciding what the next steps are.

The bar could be made longer within reason - I believe a guy could pretty easily fit 3 or 4 devices total on it, but would need to be mindful for weight as currently this is only secured with the two sheetmetal screws that hold up the visor clips.

If a guy wanted an HD version, I would rivnut into the inner roof skin and use two allen screws along with the visor mount screws. Other option would be a complete visor replacement, but at that point just use the tray option.

 

[doublevan2]

Nice accessory Big_ern ! You didn't state the make of your van as related to this accessory - guessing a MB Sprinter from photos ? Would this work on a SMB ? I'd have an interest in your kit after your "road test."

 

[Big_ern_101]

This is for an Econoline. Mine is the Chateau model so it has the overhead console.

 

[doublevan2]

Can your design be adapted for E350 /E250 models without overhead consoles ?

 

[Big_ern_101]

This should work any Econoline with or without factory overhead console 92+

At least any that use the same style visor clips.

 

[Big_ern_101]

Good news - got about 500 miles on it this weekend including some pretty rough areas and gravel roads.

No major concerns. Needs two things:
-There is the weeest little bounce/vibration of the screen in some situations I need to make the ball where the RAM mount clips to more rigid. I necked down the print and its pretty thin wall, will try going to a bigger/thicker transition from clamp to ball.

Will also look at ditching the RAM mount completely and building a direct mount plate for the SPOD controller similar to what these guys did. I already have the critical dimensions in CAD just need to hit "print".

-I do not quite have full range of the visors, I need to thin up the transition area above the visors so they get full range of motion to lay flat against the glass.

Once these are addressed these will be available.

 

[doublevan2]

Great trouble shooting - keep us up to date and me on the "buy" list !

 

[shocku992]

Well done! I’m glad i stumbled across this before I finished my design. I was attempting to do the same, but I’m still new to CAD so it’s taking me a little longer. Once you are ready to sell / release the files I’ll definitely be on the list!

 

[mikracer]

I need a Chevy Express version!