so I want to install a cigarette lighter outlet on my dash somewhere, where i can plug in my GPS without snaking it all over my dash, does anyone know how much room is behind the A pillar near the bottom? or do you think there is a better spot for it?

heres where i was thinking ( also i barrowed this picture from cdiekhans' suade headliner thread, i hope you dont mind.)

why not just run the wires for the GPS through the dash?

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1980 Jeep CJ7 Buggy
SOA, D44/ FF14B, SBC 350, SM465, NP205, 108" WB, 37" MTs

http://www.dpgoffroad.com/
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OK first off, that's the passenger side pillar (the picture is flipped horizontally). Secondly, there isn't a whole lot of room behind the plastic, maybe 1/2 - 3/4" in that location so you'd probably be hitting metal with the back end of the outlet.

What I did on mine was to run the power cord up thru the radio section of the dash, then I pulled the front strip of the dash (where the defrost vents are) off and took a hot-air gun to the section where the power cord would come thru; heated it up until it was soft (but not melting) and used the shaft of a 3/8" extension to make a small depression/channel that the cord could come thru. Worked great until I got a new cord that also has the data connection to my laptop - that one is just run behind the knee bolster and up around the left side of the dash (because I've been too lazy to take the dash apart again ).

run it through vent or defrost and snake it?

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03 Renegade (Black)
177k miles 3.7L gas - 45RFE
Command Trac / 4.10s
Lift: ft. 790+ rr. JBA4+
The last of the TrailReady Front&Rear Bumpers and TR Rock Rails
Jarhead Offroad light covers
31x10.5R15 RedLetter Grabbers on Blackrock Dunes
L.O.S.T #KD098632

I snake my GPS power wire along the bottom of the dash, above the kick panel, then behind the end cap and out near the gap between the A-pillar and the dash.

That routing makes the wire nearly invisible and puts the GPS between the A-pillar and the Insturment cluster. This location puts the GPS in a great spot to reference directions quickly and doesn't obstruct your view of the road.

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02 Liberty Limited
Silver Outside & Taupe Inside
Heated Seats, Sunroof & Infinity speakers
USA Spec I-Pod adaptor, Mopar Sub, Garmin GPS
Tow Package, Select-Trac
Rock Rails, Tow Hooks

What model GPS do you have?

I have a Garmin StreetPilot C330 which accepts an SD card which I can load topo maps on. The only drawback is it's size. It's as big as a brick and won't stay on the windshield. I'd sure like to find a place for it on the dash where I can see it.

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my trail & highway ride (and occasional tow rig)
04 Liberty Sport with a 2.5" lift, ProComp 245/75R16 AT's and two Hella700FF lamps (more accessories to come)

my trail queen
95 YJ with a RE 4" lift, 33" ProComp Extreme's, M8000 Winch, Lockrite Locker up front, Super35 in the rear and 4.88 gears

Have you tried a RAM mount for the gps? I have one for my gps and it is rock solid, I can barely pull it off without releasing the pressure from it first!

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02 KJ "Frank The Turtle"
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3111598

Mine is the Garmin Nuvi350. It's been retired (discontinued) but there are similar models out there that will provide the same screen size and convinence.

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02 Liberty Limited
Silver Outside & Taupe Inside
Heated Seats, Sunroof & Infinity speakers
USA Spec I-Pod adaptor, Mopar Sub, Garmin GPS
Tow Package, Select-Trac
Rock Rails, Tow Hooks

sleeve, thats where i sport my GPS anyways, my issue is the cord runs over the steering wheel than across my radio and such, its not long enough to go under the dash like you do.