Garmin Nuvi 760 install

[stevekt]

I picked up a Garmin Nuvi 760 a few days ago. I installed an extra 12 volt cigarette outlet under the center console to power the unit and ran the power cord through the AC vent. The vent still functions as normal and the fins still have full range of motion. The unit does not obstuct my view of the road at all and is close enough that I can comfortably use the touch screen.

Here is the Garmin unit installed.

This is what the cradle looks like. A nice feature of this model is that the power is plugged into the cradle not the unit so you do not have to unplug a cord in order to put away the GPS.

Cradle removed and power cord tucked away. The disc is mounted to the dash using heavy duty velcro.

Back up GPS unit installed.

 

[UHATEIT]

thats sexy, oh yeah your in socal. Whats the price on that unit?

Thats crazy that you installed a second 12v plug under the dash, great idea, so did you tap into the stock cig lighter wiring and connect a solo unit to it?

 

[MikeHTally]

Looks good man, great job. I have a nuvi 750. I may give this plan a shot. Did you have to cut the A/C vent? What do you think of running the cable under the center panel?

Currently, my cabling runs up from the console power and I ran a cable to the aux input to the GPS's output so I don't have to keep finding a different FM frequency to use.

 

[stevekt]

UHATEIT, I got the Garmin 760 at Costco for $349. To hook up power, I used an add-a-circuit and plugged it into the cigarette lighter fuse located in the fuse box in the passenger footwell. The cigarette lighter only gets power when the ignition is on.

This is an Add-a-circuit. Available at Pep Boys for a few bucks.

Add-a-circuit is plugged into the cigarette lighter fuse in the passenger footwell fusebox, it is the red wire in the center of the photo.

This is the passenger footwell. The black loom contains the wire that is hooked up to the add-a-circuit. You can see the ground wire coming out of the loom and attached to a screw. The entire length of wire from the add-a-circuit to the cigarette outlet was covered in 1/4" black loom for protection against sharp metal edges of the frame. The loom was zip tied to the frame here so the ground wire couldn't be yanked out. The loom was then run up into the center console. All the wire connections were done with crimps.

Here you can see the wire loom with a cigarette lighter outlet attached. I kept some length on the wire/loom just in case. The loom is zip tied on the right side to a metal clip to keep it from wandering/tangling/snagging etc. I selected this particular outlet because I liked the protective rubber outlet cover.

Here is the Garmin power cord plugged into the cigarette lighter adapter. Excess cord is wrapped up with velcro straps.

This is the backside of the AC vent with the power cord snaked through. There is plenty of give in the foam gasket so no cutting or drilling of the AC vent was needed.

I do not use the audio out on the GPS unit. I only use the speaker on the GPS itself to listen to the voice prompts. It is loud enough that I can hear it over the stereo. I suppose I could snake a headphone cord through the AC vent and into the media input on the back of the stock stereo. I prefer to listen to the radio and the GPS at the same time so I don't think I'll go that route. I have not had any phone calls through the GPS Bluetooth so I can't comment on how that sounds.

Everything done here is completely reversable. Nothing was cut, drilled, or spliced. The only thing that was semi-permanent was the dash disk and I'm pretty sure I can get that off clean with some goo-gone.

 

[freeflyfreak]

Excellent write up!!

But get them to move it to the "How to" section.

How does that center panel come off?

 

[MikeHTally]

Excellent write up!!

But get them to move it to the "How to" section.

How does that center panel come off?

Great write-up! But, yeah: Move it to the How-to section, and be specific on the center panel removal/reinstall. Thanks!

 

[Rotary_Powered]

Thanks, the back up navi made my day, I actually LOL a bit. Clean install.

 

[Rotus]

Nice install.

The only thing I would suggest is using silicone to mount the disk instead of velcro/glue. You may or may not be able to get it out with goo gone, but silicone just peels right off.

The friend that showed me this trick uses silicone in his X5 to mount his GPS and he's had a few mounted in there and whenever he switches, the old stuff comes right off without affecting the dash in any way.

 

[MikeHTally]

Followed your lead on my 750. Can't stand cables runnin' all over. I went through the vent, as well. I debated using my Dremel to notch the panel or the dash, but I'll leave the cables through the vent for the time being. The audio cable runs down inside the center stack, along the console to the "AUX" input in the cubby. It'll be nice not to have to hunt for a different FM frequency as we travel. My Ram is part way along this path now. Just gotta add the audio cable to the "AUX" on the JVC.

Thanks, Steve! Great idea.

 

[phillyb]

i also did this today. however, i have something else tapped into the cigarette lighter, so i think attaching this one is too much load for those wires. i need to find another source...

wish me luck!

 

[MikeHTally]

Excellent write up!!

But get them to move it to the "How to" section.

How does that center panel come off?

Open the glove box and grip the trim strip with your fingertips. Pull it toward you gently. The right end of it is hooked into the dash, so lift it loose from the left end. Once it's out, there are two screws holding the center panel. Remove the screws and lift the trailing edge of the panel. Work it loose gently. As you peel it up, you're removing two locator pins about 2/3 of the way forward, then two more clips in front of it (toward the windshield). Very easy to fish the wiring down the center stack to the back of the lighter and along the console.

 

[MikeHTally]

i also did this today. however, i have something else tapped into the cigarette lighter, so i think attaching this one is too much load for those wires. i need to find another source...

wish me luck!

Good thought, but if you're not drawing any current on that path anyway, it won't matter. What is the current requirement of the other device? Remember, the lighter circuit is at least 15A, if not 20A. As long as you independently fuse each device according to its requirements, you can put several lower-current devices on that circuit. If they're all running and you push the lighter in, it might pop the fuse. I don't use the lighter at all (haven't smoked in twenty-five years), so the circuit will never be used for that purpose. I may use it for lower-current devices, but I'll never use the lighter.

Having said all that, there are probably other switched-hot leads under that center panel. I just didn't want to go searching for one when I already knew where to find a perfectly usable circuit.

 

[Maxx Mazda]

I'm never a fan of "stuck on" additions, but that is about as clean as anyone could have made it. Nice job!

 

[phillyb]

i also did this today. however, i have something else tapped into the cigarette lighter, so i think attaching this one is too much load for those wires. i need to find another source...

wish me luck!

DUH, you ******* dolt...use the other cigarette lighter wires! they're right there in the console. i might even be able to run the wire from the nav to that cigarette lighter underneath the console and call it a day

Good thought, but if you're not drawing any current on that path anyway, it won't matter. What is the current requirement of the other device? Remember, the lighter circuit is at least 15A, if not 20A. As long as you independently fuse each device according to its requirements, you can put several lower-current devices on that circuit. If they're all running and you push the lighter in, it might pop the fuse. I don't use the lighter at all (haven't smoked in twenty-five years), so the circuit will never be used for that purpose. I may use it for lower-current devices, but I'll never use the lighter.

Having said all that, there are probably other switched-hot leads under that center panel. I just didn't want to go searching for one when I already knew where to find a perfectly usable circuit.

i don't have any added fuses, which is really what i should do, i'm just tapping existing lines, which adds load.

my test was as such: i have my boost gauge backlight tapped into the cigarette lighter. the main cigarette lighter works to charge my nav even when the new cigarette lighter is hooked up. i take the cord out of the og cl and plug it into the new one which is also tapped into the same place the gauge is tapped into. and it doesn't charge the nav.

 

[stevekt]

Minor update: The unit would wobble when I would tap the screen due to the dash disk held on with velcro. I found this to be annoying so I ditched the velcro and went with a layer of double sided Scotch Exterior Mounting Tape.

The disk and mount are now rock solid. It looks exactly the same as the pics above but the disk is a tad more flush with the dash. I've parked the car in the hot sun several times and the disk shows no signs of gumming up and releasing.

It's been less than 2 weeks and so far I'm really enjoying this nav unit and am very pleased with the install. Thanks to everyone for their compliments. Sorry i didn't get back to explain removing the center panel.

 

[MikeHTally]

I'm with you on the velcro wobble. I find that type of thing annoying as well. My mount kit came with a flat disc which has double-stick tape on it. That mount is secure so far. We'll see what the Florida sun does to it. (I don't take the mount off the disc, so it should be OK). (sun)