Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I was looking for a solution to mount my Edge Attitude monitor and figured out a way to mount it without drilling or using any adhesives. I also wanted to be able to use the grab handle. I came up with the Pillar Pin. It's a simple mount that replaces one of the bolts on the driver's (or passenger's) side grab handle. You simply pop the oval cover off of the grab handle and remove the bolt. Install the Pillar Pin and now you can mount any Ram Mount product that uses a 1" ball. You can mount the Attitude monitor, the Bully Dog Outlook monitor, the TST PMCR controller with digital gauges, a GPS, iPod, or a satellite radio controller or anything else you want to mount. It's close to your left hand and you don't have to shift body position to reach it. I've experimented with the Attitude mount in the upper grab handle bolt hole, and it gives you access to the lower part of the handle, but it was a little closer to my head than I liked. If I were shorter or sat further back from the steering wheel, It would have been fine. As the mount is placed now, I can grab the upper part of the handle and pull myself into the truck. It's become a habit now and it's very natural.
Here's a pic of the Attitude mounted in my truck:
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The actual pieces of the system are pictured below. The plate that the monitor is mounted on comes from Ram as a 6 ¼” x 2” plate. I cut one side down so it matches the length of the monitor. When I sell these, I’ll leave them full length so you can cut them down to whatever length you want. You can position the ball to one side like I did, or center it by cutting a little off of each end. I just took a black paint marker and painted the end where the cut was made to hide the bare aluminum. My monitor is attached with a 2" wide piece of Velcro that is not yet included in the kit. It holds it on VERY tightly and it’s difficult to get it off of the plate. It’s easier to just remove the assembly from the arm. Velcro with an adhesive backing can be found at any sewing store. The mounts are very sturdy and there is no flex when you press a button on the monitor.
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The Pillar Pin can also be used to mount a GPS using a couple of mounting arms and a double ball joint. This is the best way I found to mount the unit. I didn't try to mount it from the upper grab handle bolt, but it might work there also if the unit was below the bolt. If I put it over toward the steering wheel on top of the dash, I found that the weight of the GPS on the mount would tighten the pin and would eventually over tighten itself and could twist the insert that is behind the plastic handle. If this happens, the only way to fix it is to cut the plastic pillar cover off , cut a hole in the sheetmetal, grab the insert and tack it into place with a welder. It's not worth taking a chance of that insert spinning in there. Mounting a heavier item like the Garmin 2600 series requires that the weight of the unit put a downward force instead of a twisting force on the pin to keep it from overtightening. In the pics below, the GPS looks like it's kind of outside of the truck, but the door closes fine with plenty of room around the unit. You run the cord over or under the steering column to the cigarette lighter. Here's what it looks like:
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I have become a Ram Mounts dealer, and I can get any product they offer. I can give a TDR discount on many items that Ram Mounts sells. I can't give a discount on some of their items though. They, like many other manufacturers, have a Minimum Pricing Policy. I have placed an ad in the TDR Member Basement Enterprises section of the classifieds. I'll post a link here to the classified ad once the TDR Moderators approve the ad and it appears under the Product Promotion main category (it's the weekend, so it may not be until Monday). Here's what you'll get in your kit:
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I have made up 19 Attitude/Outlook/TST digital gauge mounts to see if there is interest. I will make more after Christmas if there is.
Ram mounts are not cheap, but they are a very clean, sturdy, no-drill, and adjustable way to mount many things in your truck. I can’t post prices here, but you can send me an e-mail at dmkelley@fuse.net. Send me your zip code and mention that you want a Pillar Pin so I don't think you're looking for a Fuel Tank Vent Kit. You can also call me at home (before 9 pm eastern) at 812-656-8223.
If you are interested in another mount like one for a GPS, go to the Ram website above, and find what you want. Write down the part number and send it to me or give me a call. They make specific mounts for many products. I'll make a list of what people want and place an order after Christmas. I can get the Dodge specific laptop mounts also.
Here's a pic of the Attitude mounted in my truck:
The actual pieces of the system are pictured below. The plate that the monitor is mounted on comes from Ram as a 6 ¼” x 2” plate. I cut one side down so it matches the length of the monitor. When I sell these, I’ll leave them full length so you can cut them down to whatever length you want. You can position the ball to one side like I did, or center it by cutting a little off of each end. I just took a black paint marker and painted the end where the cut was made to hide the bare aluminum. My monitor is attached with a 2" wide piece of Velcro that is not yet included in the kit. It holds it on VERY tightly and it’s difficult to get it off of the plate. It’s easier to just remove the assembly from the arm. Velcro with an adhesive backing can be found at any sewing store. The mounts are very sturdy and there is no flex when you press a button on the monitor.
The Pillar Pin can also be used to mount a GPS using a couple of mounting arms and a double ball joint. This is the best way I found to mount the unit. I didn't try to mount it from the upper grab handle bolt, but it might work there also if the unit was below the bolt. If I put it over toward the steering wheel on top of the dash, I found that the weight of the GPS on the mount would tighten the pin and would eventually over tighten itself and could twist the insert that is behind the plastic handle. If this happens, the only way to fix it is to cut the plastic pillar cover off , cut a hole in the sheetmetal, grab the insert and tack it into place with a welder. It's not worth taking a chance of that insert spinning in there. Mounting a heavier item like the Garmin 2600 series requires that the weight of the unit put a downward force instead of a twisting force on the pin to keep it from overtightening. In the pics below, the GPS looks like it's kind of outside of the truck, but the door closes fine with plenty of room around the unit. You run the cord over or under the steering column to the cigarette lighter. Here's what it looks like:
I have become a Ram Mounts dealer, and I can get any product they offer. I can give a TDR discount on many items that Ram Mounts sells. I can't give a discount on some of their items though. They, like many other manufacturers, have a Minimum Pricing Policy. I have placed an ad in the TDR Member Basement Enterprises section of the classifieds. I'll post a link here to the classified ad once the TDR Moderators approve the ad and it appears under the Product Promotion main category (it's the weekend, so it may not be until Monday). Here's what you'll get in your kit:
I have made up 19 Attitude/Outlook/TST digital gauge mounts to see if there is interest. I will make more after Christmas if there is.
Ram mounts are not cheap, but they are a very clean, sturdy, no-drill, and adjustable way to mount many things in your truck. I can’t post prices here, but you can send me an e-mail at dmkelley@fuse.net. Send me your zip code and mention that you want a Pillar Pin so I don't think you're looking for a Fuel Tank Vent Kit. You can also call me at home (before 9 pm eastern) at 812-656-8223.
If you are interested in another mount like one for a GPS, go to the Ram website above, and find what you want. Write down the part number and send it to me or give me a call. They make specific mounts for many products. I'll make a list of what people want and place an order after Christmas. I can get the Dodge specific laptop mounts also.
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