Also in PDF -  camera_mount.pdf

I designed and made this camera mount in about 2 hours, including a trip to the hardware store!  The descriptions apply to my 1994 model, but are probably similar to any Mkiv and might work with other cars.  You may find some variations that suit your needs better, but the basics work.

The basic idea is a very strong and stiff camera mount that attaches to the back of the rear seat, with the seat folded down.

Parts list:

(1) 1-inch pipe, 6 inches long, threaded at both ends

(2) 1-inch pipe flanges

(4) ¼-inch bolts, 1.25-inches long, with washers and nuts

(1) piece of ½- or 5/8-inch plywood, 4.25” x 28”

(1) tripod head

(1) ¼-inch bolt, 1 inch long

(1) small washer

(1) large flat washer

(1) large rubber washer

      wood glue

Several of the parts are pictured to the right. These include the 6-inch length of 1-inch pipe, one of the two pipe flanges, small, large and rubber washers, the 1-inch long 1.4-inch bolt, and the tripod head.

Several easy steps are involved in fabricating the camera mount as shown.  These steps include:

1.  Fold down rear seat back.

 

2.  Remove four small plastic fasteners holding the carpet down behind the seat (see right).  Note that these are fragile and may break (I broke 2 of mine).  The center piece should be pulled out through the washer-like plastic piece.  I also discovered that I could push the center piece in slightly and then remove the whole thing.  Pull the carpet back towards the back of the car.

 

3.  Remove 3 screws that fasten the carpeted back of the seat to the seat frame (The screws and two of the plastic fasteners are shown to the right).

4.  Slide carpeted back of seat towards the back of the car about ¾ inch, pulling it out from underneath the seat top upholstering, exposing the inner seat back shown below.

5.  Remove seat back panel.  It is 1/8-inch pressboard.

6.  Cut a piece of ½-inch or 5/8-inch plywood 4.25” x 28” as illustrated to the right.

 

7.  Mount plywood as shown approximately 5.75” from the top/front of the panel and centered between the ends.  The fit in the seat back should be confirmed prior to final assembly.  Plywood should be glued to the pressboard (I also put four ½-inch wood screws through the pressboard into the plywood).  The plywood is required to stiffen/strengthen the pressboard.

8.  Mark and drill four holes for the bolts to mount the lower pipe flange in the center of the plywood.  I used carriage bolts for a slightly cleaner look and fastened them with wing nuts to permit simpler removal, if desired.

9.  Replace the seat back, using the three screws you removed and re-fasten the carpet with the surviving plastic fasteners.

10.  Insert one end of the threaded 1-inch pipe into the attached pipe flange and screw the other flange on the opposite end.

11.  Mount the tripod head to one hole in the flange, using a bolt that matches the threads in the bottom of the tripod head (mine was a ¼-inch bolt, YMMV).  I put a rubber washer and large flat metal washer between the pipe flange top and bottom of the tripod head.

11.  Mount the video camera to the tripod head, exactly like if it were on the tripod.  You have the full range of adjustments available on the head.

I painted the pipe and flanges flat black to blend with the black carpet.  I leave the bottom flange mounted to the seat back.  I remove the pipe and upper flange when not needed (as shown to the right).

There are certainly a number of other ways of doing this.  This mount has been very stable – I have used it very successfully for road racing and drag racing.

Good Luck!

Questions or Comments?  Drop me an email!