Installing a Ram mount without drilling into a 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner
Ram Mounts is truly one of the best options for mounting electronic devices.
Their patented design offers a great system to damp shocks and vibrations that can be transmitted into your smartphones, tablets and other communication devices.
That’s the reason why they have been a candidate of choice for many overlanders and off-roaders over the years. But if you are looking for a solution to mount your smartphone or tablet on your dash, you may have noticed that Ram Mounts does not provide a specific solution for the 4Runner.
Trail4runner.com offers a great solution to install the mount but many people (including me) aren’t too excited about drilling into the dash.
ProClip to the Rescue
ProClip is a mounting platform you can install into your 4Runner that will serve as a base for your Ram.
They are available in several placement options, which means, that you can have several devices installed in your truck at once.
For instance, I have one for my Pixel 2 XL and one for my iPad, and both of them are installed on my center dash. The installation only takes a minute, no special tools are required and you do not need to drill any holes.
This is exactly what we are looking for!
What I used for this install
- Ram Mount: Check Price (pick the one that fits your device)
- AMPS ball adapter plate: Check Price
- ProClip Center Dash Mount: Check Price
- 4x Screws: Check Price
Installation
To attach your Ram Mount to your ProClip platform, you will need to use a ball adapter plate.
Start by attaching the plate to the ProClip platform using 4 screws. Once attached, carefully follow the instructions provided by ProClip to install the mount on your dash.
Once the ProClip is installed, it’s time to attach your Ram Mount. Press the ball firmly into the ball adapter until you hear a “click”. That’s it!
PROs
- Quick and easy to install
- No drill
- Rock solid
CONs
- Can obstruct dash vent
Final Thoughts
Ram Mounts are awesome and I love that I didn’t have to drill into my dash. The ProClip clips into the air vent plastics vs. the air vents themselves for added stability. This solution is proven to be rock solid, and I don’t have to worry anymore about losing my phone or tablet while hitting the trails.
With the center dash mount, I have not noticed any problems with heat so far because the mount does not block the air flow. But if this is a concern, you could still get the left or console ProClip mount.
I give this how-to 5 stars – well-done sir!
One thing I’ll say is the amazon link he has for the x grip is the smaller version. Depends what phone you have. The one in his pictures are the larger x grip mount which is called ram x grip phablet which is the larger size for iPhone plus and other larger phones. The link he has in the article is the regular size for just a regular iPhone and not the iPhone plus. It might still work but ram recommends using the phablet larger size for the bigger phones. Luckily I realized the item number was different from ram’s website recommended for my iPhone 8 Plus and cancelled it on time and ordered the larger one. Some people say the smaller one will work too but I think there is more wear and tear on the rubber clamping parts and they tear or fall off if the squeeze is too tight and you are constantly putting it in and taking it out.
Just wanna say this site has helped me so much with my runner. I get so many awesome ideas from here just like this ram mount. I’ve always loved them but never wanted to take apart my dash and drill a hole in it and not having those tools at home. This is just an awesome solution that I had no idea existed. The clip that is made for the runner is so genius and I just love how you give us links to everything we need and make it so easy. I just ordered it and I hope it works out well. All my previous magnet phone mounts always started sag down, not just on the trail but just taking an exit on the highway it would just flip to the side lollll. I’m ocd about stuff like that and just want my mount in one place once I find the right position so this seems perfect. Hope it works out but thanks for this awesome idea.
Glad it works for you!
The desk mount Proclip is awesome until the clip breaks and drops your iPad.
FYI…I chatted with ProClip to see if their vent mount was strong enough to handle an iPad and they said ‘No, it is not intended for use with iPads’. I went with the console mount instead on my 4Runner. It may not be as easy to see up high but I don’t look at it more than every few minutes or I stop and look at what I need to check out and then continue on. It has been very sturdy and doesn’t block any vents or controls.
Nice! I have the console mount for my Garmin InReach and I have been debating whether or not I should move my iPad there (with a Ram arm to make it a little bit higher). That could be an option in the future!
Otherwise, even if it’s not intended, I never had an issue with the iPad after more than one year of use on the trails.
Victor,
The company RAM Mount appears to have made its own ball adapter with AMPS plate.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004O8LF26/ It is also a little cheaper than the one you have listed. I also know that the one you listed is for reference as to what exactly you used in your build but wanted to throw that out there for others looking to save some money.
Hey Jeremy,
Is that the correct link? That’s not technically the same thing as the AMPS ball adapter plate I am mentioning in this article, right?
I stand corrected. I realized I posted the male adapter, not the female adapter that you did.
No worries. I wish they would have the female adapter!
Thanks Victor for this information. This will help us solve all kinds of problems. There are two other mounts that one can try for other solutions with the proclip company. they also have phone and iPad accessories that one could use to solve those problems.
What are you using for the Tablet to mount it to the Proclip? Potentially the following RAM-B-101U-C?
hey there! I mentioned this guy in the article: https://amzn.to/2VpBOsA
I’ve ordered two of those, does your ram mount for tablets come with the arm with the ball end? In looking at the website it doesn’t appear so.
Thanks
No, you have to order them separately.
What part did you use for the arm and ball?
Hi Ira,
> What part did you use for the arm and ball?
All the parts I use are mentioned in the article (check “WHAT I USED FOR THIS INSTALL”).
Ram Mounts come with a ball. I mount them directly to the plate, and the plate is fixed on the proclip. I don’t have any arms, but feel free to get the one you like!
Let me know if these pictures help
He tries to make everything easy for us yet people don’t read the article and want to ask all these questions that are IN THE ARTICLE WITH EXACT LINKS. He does all this to help us out and make our lives easier yet some people are too lazy to read the article and make this man repeat the same stuff over lolll come on people. Just read the article. He leaves nothing out and has exactly everything we need in there.
Completed this setup today and it doesn’t seem like there is any simple pivoting option here. The pro clip isn’t very secure on my bottom dash and the ball isn’t allowing pivoting. Any video out there showing how this works for everyone else? Thanks!
False alarm! Was being too cautious. This is a solid setup! Zero jiggling this far. THANKS!
Yay!
Can these pivot easily for either driver or passenger viewing?
Yes, definitively.
Have you tested it on the trail with the iPad mounted? does it hold very firm on rough terrain?
I have been on a few trips over various terrains since I installed it and so far so good.