How to Create Your Own Crossbar For a Camera and Camcorder
*** USE THE FOLLOWING INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS AT YOUR OWN RISK. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOU
OR YOUR CAR WHATSOEVER ***
Step 0:
Inventory
Things you will need:
Clothes Bar from
Advance Auto Part � Stock # PA 6013317 ($5.99 + tax)
Flat Punched 1/18�
Thick 1-3/8� x 38� Zinc Plated from Home Depot P# 30699-18040 ($2.49)
2
sets of 5/16� Hex Bolts with Nuts ($2.00)
Camera mount (7/8� OD) � I
got my camera mount from a camera tripod assembly.
Two Pliers
Hammer
Electrical tape or similar for surface
protection.
Approximately one hour of your time.
Step 1:
Disassemble Clothes Bar
Remove the clothes bar hanger clips from
each of the ends using a pair of pliers. Be careful not to bend or break
the hanger clips as they provide the spring action and play a key role in
mounting the bar. When the clips are removed, twist off the vinyl end
caps. Save them for later use.
Step 2: Removal of Corrugated
Shell
Remove the corrugated shell from the aluminum bar. It should
simply pull out of the bar. The shell can be discarded as I have not
found a use for it.
Step 3: Prepare & Clean the Aluminum
Bar
Take the aluminum bar apart. You should have two portions
(where the smaller one fits inside the larger on). Clean the surface of
the aluminum bar to remove the grease.
Step 4: Install End
Caps
Replace the vinyl end cap on the two ends of the bar. Make
sure that the holes on the end caps are aligned with the drilled holes on
the bar. Using electrical tape, tape the end caps into the
bar.
Step 5: Install Hanger Clips to Seat Belt Chassis
Bolts
Locate the driver side seat belt chassis bolt (this is where
the seat belt mounts to the car). Using a pair of pliers, stretch the
hanger clips so that they slip over the seat belt chassis bolt. It may be
easier to do this portion with another person. I did it on my own and it
was a bit struggle. Repeat the same step to install the other hanger clip
to the passenger side seat belt chassis bolt. Make sure that the clips
are wedge between the seat belt mount and the plastic
cover.
Step 6: Install Bar to Driver Side
Check and make
sure that the clip is wedged between the seat belt mount and the plastic
cover. Using the pliers grab one of the side of the hanger clip on the
driver side and maneuver it so that it slips over one of the two holes of
the end cap. Carefully manipulate the other clip so that it slips over
the remaining hole of the same end cap. Verify that the clip made contact
with the holes drilled on the bar and NOT the vinyl end
cap.
Step 7: Install Camera Mount to Bar and Assemble of Bar for
Final Install
Slip the larger bar over the smaller bar. Note that
they can be freely adjusted but will not come apart. Make sure that you
have also inserted the camera mount.
Step 8: Install
Bar to Passenger Side
If you have not place the larger bar over the
smaller bar, please do so. Check and make sure that the clip is wedged
between the seat belt mount and the plastic cover. Using the pliers grab
one of the side of the hanger clip on the passenger side and maneuver it
so that it slips over one of the two holes of the end cap. Carefully
manipulate the other clip so that it slips over the remaining hole of the
same end cap. Verify that the clip made contact with the holes drilled on
the bar and NOT the vinyl end cap.
Step 9:
Fabricate Stabilizer Plate
This is the plate that stabilizes the
bar from rotating under load. If you do have this bar as soon below, you
camera will likely to rotate under quick acceleration. If you have a
small digital camera, you will likely not to need it. But for camcorder,
I highly recommend one. Fold the flat plate so that one end is about 3�
inches from the other end. Use a hammer to assist you in bending the
plate. Make sure that the holes of the plate does line-up with the others
so that you can bolt across the plate.
Step 10: Prepare Plate
for Installation
Using electrical tape, wrap up the ends of the
plate to prevent scratches to internal plastic components of the
vehicle.
Step 11: Install Stabilizer Plate
Spread the
plate apart and wedge it over the bar slightly off center (either toward
the passenger or driver side depending on your preference) and position
the plate end between the carpet and the center console. Bolt the plate
so that pressure between the plates is strong enough to prevent the
rotation of the bar.
Step 12: Install
Camera or Camcorder & Play
Install the camera, tighten the nuts,
and make final level adjustment to the camera.
Shown without the
stabilizer plate installed (not recommended for
camcorder)
To disassemble
the unit, first remove the stabilizer plate, and then using the pliers,
pull apart the clips and remove the bar. The clips can be left attached
to the seat belt chassis bolts. The bar is put
away!