GRMS Radio Install

[itskohler]

Hope everyone is doing alright!

I purchased the MXT275 and intend to install it when it gets here. Mounting stuff I have figured out, but I am waiting until its in-hand to decide where I want it. I am curious of how everyone hooks theirs up to power though. I want to tap a fuse from the driver side front fuse box, but the grounding wire is throwing me off. Is there a good ground point near the fuse box or do I need to run in through the firewall. And if I have to do that is it better just to run the positive wire and jump power from the engine bay?

 

[Malcolm99]

You would want to tap into the fuse box inside the cab, there is a few empty slots with power with ignition on which is what you want typically, and near by there is a few bolts to add a ground. I've been looking into these but would like a mic control/display integrated so I can hide the control unit out of sight like this design. What antenna are you going for and what location mount, typically the supplied antennas are not very good.

 

[Malcolm99]

Double post

 

[Fiffa]

Hope everyone is doing alright!

I purchased the MXT275 and intend to install it when it gets here. Mounting stuff I have figured out, but I am waiting until its in-hand to decide where I want it. I am curious of how everyone hooks theirs up to power though. I want to tap a fuse from the driver side front fuse box, but the grounding wire is throwing me off. Is there a good ground point near the fuse box or do I need to run in through the firewall. And if I have to do that is it better just to run the positive wire and jump power from the engine bay?

Personally, I'd go straight to the battery with a fuse not too far away from that connection. I would imagine that GMRS is similar to CB, which means any additional connections, shared connections, etc. would affect the signal and interference potential.

 

[itskohler]

You would want to tap into the fuse box inside the cab, there is a few empty slots with power with ignition on which is what you want typically, and near by there is a few bolts to add a ground. I've been looking into these but would like a mic control/display integrated so I can hide the control unit out of sight like this design. What antenna are you going for and what location mount, typically the supplied antennas are not very good.

I'd originally thought I'd tap the wiper fuse, but if there's an empty slot that gets power with ignition I'd just use one of those. For now I'm going with the stocker. Once I get NY roof rack I'll upgrade to the Midway 6dB and make a mount that allows it to lay flat when not in use.

Personally, I'd go straight to the battery with a fuse not too far away from that connection. I would imagine that GMRS is similar to CB, which means any additional connections, shared connections, etc. would affect the signal and interference potential.

Good call, I guess I need to update my battery terminals anyways.

 

[tx_shooter]

I put my MXT275 in the cigarette tray slot and connected it to an accessory only fuse block under the hood. That fuse block is wired to my battery so the radio can have power even when the 4Runner is turned off. I technically have it running to my secondary battery for accessories but that gets a little more involved than the original question.

 

[itskohler]

I put my MXT275 in the cigarette tray slot and connected it to an accessory only fuse block under the hood. That fuse block is wired to my battery so the radio can have power even when the 4Runner is turned off. I technically have it running to my secondary battery for accessories but that gets a little more involved than the original question.

What antenna are you running? I've had a lot of time to get caught up in the minutiae of it all and I'm already wanting to get a better antenna. Originally I wanted to go with the 6db Midway as a "long range" set up, but run the Ghost antenna for normal stuff. Did you have to take a part the dash to use the ashtray? I'm assuming I'll be ripping panels off to run wires anyways but just curious. Can I see a picture of it mounted?

 

[tx_shooter]

What antenna are you running? I've had a lot of time to get caught up in the minutiae of it all and I'm already wanting to get a better antenna. Originally I wanted to go with the 6db Midway as a "long range" set up, but run the Ghost antenna for normal stuff. Did you have to take a part the dash to use the ashtray? I'm assuming I'll be ripping panels off to run wires anyways but just curious. Can I see a picture of it mounted?

I did have to take the center bezel out to get the radio installed properly. As for antennas I put the NMO mount at the back of the roof rack. I have three antennas I like to use. First, the 3db Midland ghost antenna for daily driving use. Second, a 3db Browning flex base antenna for trail use. Last, I have a 6db tall Midland antenna for highway use but still have not found a situation with my 3db antennas do not cover the range I need for the group I am traveling with.

2001 4Runner build/fix log | Page 44 | ToyotaOff-Road.com

Pic of mounted radio and handheld in my build thread.

 

[itskohler]

I did have to take the center bezel out to get the radio installed properly. As for antennas I put the NMO mount at the back of the roof rack. I have three antennas I like to use. First, the 3db Midland ghost antenna for daily driving use. Second, a 3db Browning flex base antenna for trail use. Last, I have a 6db tall Midland antenna for highway use but still have not found a situation with my 3db antennas do not cover the range I need for the group I am traveling with.

2001 4Runner build/fix log | Page 44 | ToyotaOff-Road.com

Pic of mounted radio and handheld in my build thread.

Looks good! For now mine will be in the same spot but using the cig socket. I really don't want to rip it all apart now, then do it again to install my might bar switches.