Mounting electronics under the seat (ham, amplifiers, etc)

W

winchy_woman

New member
Hi everyone

I recently tested for my technician license and now my husband wants to put a radio in my 4Runner. We've decided it should go under the passenger seat, but we're not sure how it should mount.

In his Jeep, he drilled holes in the floor and used rubber well nuts. The area he drilled into was completely internal with no exposure to the outside and no wires underneath.
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Is this safe to do under the seat in the 4Runner? Is it ok to at least use metal screws? I see a lot of people mounting to boards that are laying under the seat but we want something a little more permanent.
 
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Hi. I assume you have checked for clearance around the equipment you plan to mount under the seat; including seat movement etc. That being said, I would do it this way - I would remove a section of the carpet (save it to replace when you remove the equipment) and install some velcro to the floor and bottom of the equipment. You can get some pretty strong velcro these days and eliminate the need for hard mounting. You may need to install a hard ground; but that could probably go to a seat mounting bolt with the proper prep.

The other potential issue is the heat generated by this equipment. How hot does it get? Not much ventilation under the seat.
 
I agree with flyrv9.

I mounted my amps under the seats. Check for clearance, especially if you have the multi adjustable driver seat. Velcro is your friend. I also used inner back seat bolt as a grounding point. I haven't had any issues with this setup.
 
Nice... velcro, I have plenty of that stuff and I didn't even think to use it.

Looks like my Kenwood TM-V71a is going to get a home in the 4Runner sooner than later.

Now I just need to crimp my own cables for the mic and head extensions...
 
A couple of members have stripped the interiors to install sound deadening. Hokie runner has some good pics here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...ng-new-audio-setup-post805769.html#post805769

I've installed a D710 under the driver seat, and a V71A under the passenger seat. I screwed the brackets straight into the carpet and backing after making sure there was no cabling underneath.

There is a grommet through the firewall that I ran the power through to the engine compartment, then to a bluesea fuse block that was wired to the battery.
 
[MENTION=124732]LawnDart[/MENTION]

I cant really tell for sure as the control head isn't in the picture, but is that the body for a yaesu ftm-400dr?

Those look like ports for a memory card and I dont think any of the radios came with that until the digital stuff started to hit the market.
 
Bumbo said:
[MENTION=124732]LawnDart[/MENTION]

I cant really tell for sure as the control head isn't in the picture, but is that the body for a yaesu ftm-400dr?

Those look like ports for a memory card and I dont think any of the radios came with that until the digital stuff started to hit the market.
Click to expand...

Yep. It's the 400xdr. I keep a memory card in it so I can move station data from that to my handheld yaesu.
 
Velcro is the way to go. The 'hook' side side will catch the 'loop' of the carpet and keep the unit in place. It doesn't have much strength for pulling apart (straight up or down) but it is great for restricting front to back and side to side movement which is the kind of setup you need for something mounted under the seat.

I've used it for radios and siren control boxes in past installations and currently have my Icom head and CB head mounted using it. No issues.
 
Bumbo said:
AND.... that's all the confirmation I needed to figure out I spend too much time at ham radio outlet...
Click to expand...

Super nerd!

But yeah Velcro works great. I also use an ICOM speaker for the Yaesu, and use velcro to hold it down. Works great.
 
LawnDart said:
Super nerd!

But yeah Velcro works great. I also use an ICOM speaker for the Yaesu, and use velcro to hold it down. Works great.
Click to expand...

Yup, I do go hard on the nerd out stuff sometimes.

Another option for speaker is to use the AUX jack on a car stereo if you dont need it for something else.

I have my Kenwood audio routed to the back of my Pioneer headunit... It works well because in the Kenwood menu, you actually have audio routing options to go to Audio jack A, or B, for both or either side of the VFO... Really nice feature. And in crossband mode, its obviously coming out of a different radio so no need for external speaker or car stereo...
 
Bumbo said:
Yup, I do go hard on the nerd out stuff sometimes.

Another option for speaker is to use the AUX jack on a car stereo if you dont need it for something else.

I have my Kenwood audio routed to the back of my Pioneer headunit... It works well because in the Kenwood menu, you actually have audio routing options to go to Audio jack A, or B, for both or either side of the VFO... Really nice feature. And in crossband mode, its obviously coming out of a different radio so no need for external speaker or car stereo...
Click to expand...

Nah, not needed. If I need more volume I just tune both A and B bands to the same frequency.
 
winchy_woman said:
Always need music, though :rockon:
Click to expand...

I very much agree...

My music/iPhone is connected to the Pioneer headunit via Bluetooth so I wireless stream my music and that's how I get hands-free phone in mine... so I have a free AUX jack regardless.

I also have 3 ham radios in my truck, so the AUX jack is used by my Kenwood which is primary a Crossband repeater which really doesn't need a dedicated speaker. I only move over to AUX if I need to setup, test, or monitor multiple bands at the same time if needed.

My primary radio "the drivers radio" is a Yaesu FT-2900 in the dash... lots of power, loud speaker, and big controls so its easy to use.
 
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