Mod Name:Camera Platform
Mod Description:How to add a platform on the roof rack to
support a video camera or a Magnetic CB antenna
Date Added:February 2001
Level of
Difficulty:Easy
Estimated Cost:$2 for plate from Home Depot
$12 for 2 Horizontal Mighty Mounts by Yakima
$2 Thumbscrew and wing-nut. Threads the size of the Tripod mount in the bottom of the camera.
$12 for 2 Horizontal Mighty Mounts by Yakima
$2 Thumbscrew and wing-nut. Threads the size of the Tripod mount in the bottom of the camera.
Estimated Time:10 minutes
Special Tools
Required:None
Purchase a 5x7 plate from Home Depot. I used a plate that is normally used to nail roof rafters together. These come in various sizes. Chose the size that best fits your needs.
Drill two holes, one for each of the mighty mount bolts.
Drill one hole in the middle for the camera mount bolt to fit through. Screw the Wing-nut on upsidedown onto the thumbscrew. Slide that assembly through the plate and screw it into the camera. When tight, tighten the wing nut to completely tighten the camera to the plate.
The plate works very well as a platform for a CB radio Antenna. The Magnetic mounts will tend to scratch the vehicl over time. By mounting the antenna to the plate you avoid that problem. However, you will need to make sure the cable is tight other wise it may chafe the side of the truck.
Additional accessory: If your camera supports the iLink camera control you can purchase ($65) a Cam Eye II to allow control of the camera from the inside of the Xterra.
Here a couple of pics of the platform on the X:
