Auxiliary radio installation (HAM/CB) ideas?

[Martinjmpr]

(Xposted from ExPo: Adventure and Overland Travel Enthusiasts)

Last month I picked up (Dirt cheap!) a nice Kenwood 2m mobile unit (TM-261A.) Hooked it up to 12v power last night to confirm that it works, and it does. :biggrin2: It does have a minor "issue", the DTMF keypad on the mike doesn't work, although all other mike features do. Still, for $50 it was a steal and it came in the original box with the manual.

So now my quandary is: Where do I mount it? If it was a detachable-face unit, that would be easy. But it's not. It's a little smaller than a DIN size, so I guess I could try to mount it underneath my single-DIN aftermarket head unit. However, there are two things that make that unattractive:

1. I have zero experience pulling a dash apart to mount a radio like this, and

2. I am concerned about heat from a unit that can put out 40w - 50w of power. The radio actually has a huge heat sink on the back of it and my concern is that if that thing heats up and it's right underneath my head unit, it could damage the head unit.

So now the question is "where?" I looked at it last night and the only possible ways I could figure out would be:

1. On the right side of the transmission hump, facing upwards

2. On the dashboard.

Transmission - hump mounted (just to the right of the console) would be easier but would intrude into the passenger's space. I'd also be a little concerned about drinks spilling onto the radio.

Mounting on the dashboard - I'm not sure how you mount something to the soft material on the dash. Presumably, if you drill deep enough you hit some harder plastic, but how deep? And what kind of connectors? I hate the way it would look up on the dash but at least it would be accessible and out of the way. And my 4runner is not so pristine that I'd be opposed to drilling in the dash (although it wouldn't be my first choice.)

For those of you who have mounted auxiliary radios in your 3rd gen 4runners/1st gen Tacos, how have you done it? can you post pictures? Any other ideas of where to mount?

Thanks in advance for any ideas. :thumb3:

 

[J-money$$$]

my cb is on the trans hump on the passenger side. Its fine right there. no one has complained about it. I put some velcro on it and the mic as well so i just stick the mic to the unit.

I am pretty cramped in my 4runners so i didnt want it on the drivers side

 

[the great him]

yeah those things can crank out some heat, i wouldnt put it under your head unit. i had an icom, and it had a built-in cooling fan on the back as well as the heat sinks. anyhow it was a mobile unit, so i could go from vehicle to vehicle with it(also why i dont have it anymroe, someone else figured out it would go from vehicle to vehicle easy too). anyhow i wouldnt put it on the dash either, its right out in the open for someone to see and want, also you dont want to drill too deep into the dash, there is a lot or wiring and vents and other things you dont want to damage, so yeah if just put it on the trans tunnel. i am also looking to get another dual band radio and trying to figure out where to put it

 

[J-money$$$]

yeah those things can crank out some heat, i wouldnt put it under your head unit. i had an icom, and it had a built-in cooling fan on the back as well as the heat sinks. anyhow it was a mobile unit, so i could go from vehicle to vehicle with it(also why i dont have it anymroe, someone else figured out it would go from vehicle to vehicle easy too). anyhow i wouldnt put it on the dash either, its right out in the open for someone to see and want, also you dont want to drill too deep into the dash, there is a lot or wiring and vents and other things you dont want to damage, so yeah if just put it on the trans tunnel. i am also looking to get another dual band radio and trying to figure out where to put it

Good point on theft, Im sure no one wants my midland $20 cb radio. a fancy Ham radio or something may look a little more tempting

 

[Martinjmpr]

my cb is on the trans hump on the passenger side. Its fine right there. no one has complained about it. I put some velcro on it and the mic as well so i just stick the mic to the unit.

I am pretty cramped in my 4runners so i didnt want it on the drivers side

By any chance do you have a picture?

Also, did you just use self-tapping screws to go through the carpet and into the transmission tunnel? What length of screws did you use?

I'm thinking the trans tunnel would be the best. Not only the easiest but the holes drilled would be covered up by carpet so if I pull it out I won't leave any unsightly mess.

Thanks!

 

[98OzarksRunner]

My 2M setup is under the radio. I made spacers and mounted it with the factory radio mount. The dash comes apart easily and the radio mounting bracket comes out with 4 screws. There is enough room and ventilation that the heat dissipates well (my radio is 75 watts but I run it at low power unless necessary). I have run a similar setup in 2 1995 T4Rs with no heat issues. The CB is where the ash tray was.

 

[the great him]

Good point on theft, Im sure no one wants my midland $20 cb radio. a fancy Ham radio or something may look a little more tempting

yeah but an $1200+ icom dual band that all they had to do was unplug from the 12v power outlet and unhook(cut) the antenna line, yeah its best to hard mount it somehow.

 

[J-money$$$]

By any chance do you have a picture?

Also, did you just use self-tapping screws to go through the carpet and into the transmission tunnel? What length of screws did you use?

I'm thinking the trans tunnel would be the best. Not only the easiest but the holes drilled would be covered up by carpet so if I pull it out I won't leave any unsightly mess.

Thanks!

Sure do. Here you go

I used the stock mounting bracket for this radio. It has some holes in it for screws, and i just used 1 1/2" self tapping screws. if i remember right. I think i only used one right in the middle of the bracket. Its been there for about a year and has been fine. 1" self tapping screws are probably enough. I may have used 1" screws. I didnt want to screw with pulling that dash apart, This was a good enough spot with easy access

 

[Martinjmpr]

Thanks!

Hey, do you ever clean that thing?

Also, where did you get that T-case shift knob? That's pretty cool! :thumb3:

 

[Pikeman]

I am running my Cobra 18 under my single Din radio and my Kenwood TM-271 on the side of the transmission hump. My plan is to put the TM-271 under the single DIN and mount a Uniden 520 in the ashtray spot like Ozark did. Right now though it works fine n the side of the transmission hump and passengers have not complained.

 

[J-money$$$]

Thanks!

Hey, do you ever clean that thing?

Also, where did you get that T-case shift knob? That's pretty cool! :thumb3:

LOL I dont really clean it. That dust takes lots of wheeling trips to build up like that =), and the occasional tube door trips really make it dusty

The knobs are from inchwormgear.com Its the standard j-case pattern

Inchworm Gear - Toyota Rockcrawling Equipment


good luck with the cb

 

[the great him]

this is currently how i have my CB

 

[MTDewX8]

I am going to Moab in a few weeks and NEED a CB to go on the trip.

back and forth of what to get. like the idea of under the radio cause that one I like that fits has weather.
the ash tray is cool and clean. but the Unidin 520 dont have weather.

oh the choices. lol

thanks for the pics everybody.

 

[the great him]

I am going to Moab in a few weeks and NEED a CB to go on the trip.

back and forth of what to get. like the idea of under the radio cause that one I like that fits has weather.
the ash tray is cool and clean. but the Unidin 520 dont have weather.

oh the choices. lol

thanks for the pics everybody.

yeah i love my Cobra 18 WX ST II cb, to me i find the NOAA weather feature invaluable especially in an area like Moab where flash floods and weather can happen fast and change repeatedly thought out the day. and its also nice having the built in speaker front facing. to me its worth every penny i paid for it.

 

[CanukRunner]

They said it cant be done...lol

Its the best place for it really.. No holes were drilled because you can use the existing dash mount hole... i just used a longer screw to reach it. Then zip tied the other end of the mount (closest the door )to the metal behind the dash ( just remove a small plastic cut out and zip to something metal..lol)


You have to mod the standard mount that came with the radio make it look like this \------\ so it pushes the radio closer to the steering column ..

You can do a far better job buy drilling holes but i want to be able to keep my interior mint.

Oh ya! the 4runner comes standard with a perfect mic mount! it holds it tight for some reason too!!

Does not interfere with the hood latch or gas flap... i do have to go behind the CB to hit the clutch start cancel button.

There are two issues with the mount,

Issue #1 it just touches the door when closed but very lightly were you have to watch for it , but no visible wear in the door.

Issue #2.. if you sloutch down while driving your leg could touch it.. but So far I havent.. and if you move the seat back one notch you wont hit it.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I am going to Moab in a few weeks and NEED a CB to go on the trip.

back and forth of what to get. like the idea of under the radio cause that one I like that fits has weather.
the ash tray is cool and clean. but the Unidin 520 dont have weather.

oh the choices. lol

thanks for the pics everybody.

You can get a Midland 75-822 for less than a hundred bucks on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-75-82...K2YR/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317911563&sr=8-1

The 75-822 is an 'all in mike' radio, that is, the entire radio is contained in the mike. It also comes with a "rubber duck" antenna and a battery pack (actually two battery packs, one for regular and one for rechargeables) so you can use it as an HT (handheld.) If you don't put the battery pack on, you slide on the 12v adapter and it has an antenna connector (BNC, I think) to attach to an external antenna. At that point, you can put the mike wherever it will fit - I just put mine on a loop of parachute cord and hung it from the mirror. When bouncing around off-road, the mike sits in my lap.

You can see it hanging from the mirror here:

The 75-822 includes 10 WX bands, too.

Nice thing is there is no "installation" required if you use a mag-mount antenna. you can completely remove it with no trace.

 

[Martinjmpr]

They said it cant be done...lol

Its the best place for it really.. No holes were drilled because you can use the existing dash mount hole... i just used a longer screw to reach it. Then zip tied the other end of the mount (closest the door )to the metal behind the dash ( just remove a small plastic cut out and zip to something metal..lol)


You have to mod the standard mount that came with the radio make it look like this \------\ so it pushes the radio closer to the steering column ..

My left knee hurts just looking at that.

 

[CanukRunner]

Its actually really far from the knee because of the angle.. its your shin that should be worried..lol

 

[CanukRunner]

You can get a Midland 75-822 for less than a hundred bucks on Amazon.

Amazon.com: Midland 75-822 40 Channel 2 Way Radio: Car Electronics

The 75-822 is an 'all in mike' radio, that is, the entire radio is contained in the mike. It also comes with a "rubber duck" antenna and a battery pack (actually two battery packs, one for regular and one for rechargeables) so you can use it as an HT (handheld.) If you don't put the battery pack on, you slide on the 12v adapter and it has an antenna connector (BNC, I think) to attach to an external antenna. At that point, you can put the mike wherever it will fit - I just put mine on a loop of parachute cord and hung it from the mirror. When bouncing around off-road, the mike sits in my lap.

You can see it hanging from the mirror here:

The 75-822 includes 10 WX bands, too.

Nice thing is there is no "installation" required if you use a mag-mount antenna. you can completely remove it with no trace.

Yaa........ that would have been easier.......lol

Where were you a month ago!!!!???

The only think about my cobra is that the night watch back light is green like our dash and you can crank up the power (vr4) by opening the case...

That being said... I would have gone for that midland.. I have a dual watch midland handheld from waaaaaay back in highschool ( 4 watts out 7 watts in)... about the same size but the antenna was on top ( where you had to mount the antenna cable).... a hand held hard mounted destroyed the capabilities of having a handheld..

If I had known they had that adapter ( power and antenna in one cord ) in the new hand held I would have opted for that.

Good find.. that would be the way to go folks.

 

[MTDewX8]

You can get a Midland 75-822 for less than a hundred bucks on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-75-82...K2YR/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317911563&sr=8-1

The 75-822 is an 'all in mike' radio, that is, the entire radio is contained in the mike. It also comes with a "rubber duck" antenna and a battery pack (actually two battery packs, one for regular and one for rechargeables) so you can use it as an HT (handheld.) If you don't put the battery pack on, you slide on the 12v adapter and it has an antenna connector (BNC, I think) to attach to an external antenna. At that point, you can put the mike wherever it will fit - I just put mine on a loop of parachute cord and hung it from the mirror. When bouncing around off-road, the mike sits in my lap.

You can see it hanging from the mirror here:

The 75-822 includes 10 WX bands, too.

Nice thing is there is no "installation" required if you use a mag-mount antenna. you can completely remove it with no trace.

was told the range on these are not as far. Hard mount is nice. this one is nice too, but you can't get a PA to yell at people. lol. sounds like fun to me.
still trying to decide. I do like the idea of lack of instulation the Hand Held does have. choices choices.