Removing Clipboard Panel

You can, see links below. You could offset the cost by selling your clipboard unit.

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Alternatively, if you know a young person embarking on a GCSE Product Design course then it might make for an interesting project, implemented using a 3D printer.

Tim

Looks a good option and better than buying from Germany.

Tim

This seems like a great idea. I wonder if something with a lid would be better, because of being in direct sunlight, which phones and things like that wouldn’t like. it might be a good place to add a wireless phone charging mat too.

The Bargee wrote:The first (ebay) link that Tim very kindly supplied

 https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/6041146891

takes you to another unit which does have a lid, also a charging mat and seemingly a USB port, but of course it is more money. I don't think it offers as much volume as the open tray which has a raised surround but your point about sunlight is a good one. The lid might also keep some of the clutter out of sight, so I am still, thinking about it and waiting until I pick up the vehicle before choosing.

Thanks. Sunlight is a problem if you do any touring in Europe in the summer. My iPhone has overheated several times just sitting on the passenger seat, even though the cab is cool and air conditioned. And heat is what mainly shortens the life of phone batteries. I’ve ended up using one of those mobile phone holders that clips into a vent so that it gets cooled by air from behind. But having it out of the way would be even better.

The Augustin Group listing says "NOT suitable for factory radio", but there's more detail on the manufacturer page which says not suitable for use with the 10" Uconnect radio. However I have the 5" Uconnect unit so it's probably OK.

It looks as though there are several variants of the same thing depending on what connectivity you want. No mention of LHD or RHD.

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USB and USB-C would be great, but I'm not thrilled about the fitting instructions which seem quite invasive, and a special tool might be required.

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There is a model that is USB and USB-C (700.0701.0014). It says it is for 2021 onwards, but I think they all do, and it looks the same. You can get it without any connectivity too.

If you scroll down, those instructions are repeated in English. I can see that the photos are from two different vehicles of different model years, one of which looks the same as mine, and one that's presumably newer. I think I would just get a local ICE specialist to fit it!

Bargee, just picking up on some of the points raised above:

From my experience of replacing the fixed clipboard with the lifting version, I can confirm that the central part of the dash into which these units fit are not handed L/RHD.

The specialist tool mentioned may be for removing the head unit, which is necessary to expose the front two fixing screws of both clipboard options. In my case the tool was simply the pair of U-shaped pins needed to release and pull out the head unit.

The HU in our van is the original factory fitted unit and despite its large fascia it is a single DIN unit. The DIN slot angles down into the dash, leaving sufficient space about it to accommodate the lifting clipboard unit. Looking at the pictures of the storage units in this thread I wouldn’t expect their depth to be greater than that of the  lifting clipboard.

If you opt for the USB equipped unit I recommend you take a suitable 12V feed from the fuse box below and to the right of the steering column. That way you can ensure you choose a feed that’s switched appropriately with respect to the ignition key position, and that it’s correctly fused. Better still, fit your own dedicated fuse which is then accessible within the box.

Will be interested to see which option you select and how it looks in your new van.

Tim