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Starting to install my ham radio into the new truck. Got the antenna mounted on the rack, that was the easy part. Drilled out one of their light bar tabs and it was done. Radio is a Yaesu FT-400XDR. Planning on mounting the control head at the back of the overhead console, running the wire over the headliner and down the passenger rear corner to the main body. Will run a remote mic jack up to the center console.
NMO mount using light bar tab.
NMO mount using light bar tab.
Using this existing seat bolt on the passenger inside of the rear seat.
Simple L bracket made.
Radio bracket attached. Did not notice at the hardware store getting small nuts / bolts that they were a mix in their box of flat head and Phillips.
Radio attached to the bracket. It would be pretty much impossible to remove the radio without taking the whole bracket off the seat stud, you cant access the lower bracket to radio screws.
Mounted behind the seat.
Found a body plug under the power inverter just a few inches away from the radio. Plan on running power out and antenna in through this hole. My primary concern is if the inverter is electrically noisy and might affect the lines running past it. Will have to test that out, would be great if that existing hole could be used.
Looks like you're doing a really professional set up.
I just run a Baofung and long whip antenna for listening to weather Skywarn guys so Ill know if there is hail or tornados coming. Always wanted to do HAM. Even bought the books and listened to lessons for awhile. Maybe I'll get back to studying for my general someday.
Yes, did a very similar install in my 2001 Expedition with the same radio when they first came out some years back. Biggest difference is that radio body was in the center console and wires ran down the front passenger pillar then through the dash and to the console. I also drilled a hole in the center of the roof on the Expedition for the NMO antenna mount. Overall happy with it, but have had to re-seal it once and right now im getting ready to move the mount to the roof rack after a low hanging object issue! Not wanting to drill holes in the new truck, trying to keep it to a minimum which makes the wife happy!
I purchased the bracket for the top center depression from Builtright but dont want the radio head sitting in the full sun all the time.
Here is the jotto desk I run in the 02 but I am not sure if I will add a radio to the 19. Not as much free space in these newer trucks.
jotto desk does not really make these types of consoles for the newer trucks; however, Havis makes a center console unit if you don't have the OEM console or you are OK with removing it. Here is their Ford version.
First, to the OP, beautiful Installation - very impressive!
Originally Posted by SARDiverDan
Here is the jotto desk I run in the 02 but I am not sure if I will add a radio to the 19. "Not as much free space in these newer trucks."
jotto desk does not really make these types of consoles for the newer trucks; however, Havis makes a center console unit if you don't have the OEM console or you are OK with removing it. Here is their Ford version.
Dan, quote of the Century... these new trucks are terrible for trying to find places to put ANYTHING! I started with a 2007 Ford Ranger Sport and it had a bench seat (thank God), so I was able to use a Jotto Console similar to yours, only it had a return at the bottom that came toward the bench seat and gave me more room to mount stuff. I had a Kenwood TS-480HX multi-Band HF rig and TM-D700 UHF/VHF FM Rig mounted in that and a Garmin Color GPS hooked to the D700 for APRS. Since my first Super Duty ('08 F-250), the console has been sitting in a corner of my shack in the basement). I've got some old pics but they're downstairs on my old PC in my office, which hasn't been turned on in months. I don't use the stairs much since several back surgeries...
EDIT: 8:45 PM - Found the pics... that's my old '07 Ford Ranger install!
Here is the install in my 2001 Expedition, along with picture of where I want to put the radio head in the 2020. Will follow up with more pics as it progresses.
Looks good, I just installed a Yeasu FT-100d in my truck about 3 weeks ago after my 20 year old Icom 2000 broke the buttons. Wasn’t able to put the radio behind the seat of my super cab as planned due to the sub on one side and too much stuff crammed in the other side. Ended up mounting to the front of my under seat storage.
I was looking at the FTM-400 but wanted to smaller faceplate for my plan of installing it in the sunglass holder overhead. Put the remote mic plugin under the dash. Turned out pretty good.
I removed my old 2M whip antenna from the hood mount and installed a Comet SS-460SB in the roof, taking a hole saw to the roof of my truck really was a butthole puckering moment but all went well.
Looks good, I just installed a Yeasu FT-100d in my truck about 3 weeks ago after my 20 year old Icom 2000 broke the buttons. Wasn’t able to put the radio behind the seat of my super cab as planned due to the sub on one side and too much stuff crammed in the other side. Ended up mounting to the front of my under seat storage.
I was looking at the FTM-400 but wanted to smaller faceplate for my plan of installing it in the sunglass holder overhead. Put the remote mic plugin under the dash. Turned out pretty good.
I removed my old 2M whip antenna from the hood mount and installed a Comet SS-460SB in the roof, taking a hole saw to the roof of my truck really was a butthole puckering moment but all went well.
That looks great... everything! I think my Kenwood TM-D700 head would fit in the sunglass holder as well, but definitely NOT the TS-480HX - that would have to go on the dash or the console somehow, IF I wanted HF in the truck! I still have my mini-screwdriver antenna for it. Unfortunately for me, my truck camper pushes ALL my antenna choices too far forward because of the camper overhang! I could probably cowl mount my uhf/vhf antenna on the driver's side cowl if I fabricated a bracket under the rear, upper corner of the hood, opposite the truck's radio antenna?
That looks great... everything! I think my Kenwood TM-D700 head would fit in the sunglass holder as well, but definitely NOT the TS-480HX - that would have to go on the dash or the console somehow, IF I wanted HF in the truck! I still have my mini-screwdriver antenna for it. Unfortunately for me, my truck camper pushes ALL my antenna choices too far forward because of the camper overhang! I could probably cowl mount my uhf/vhf antenna on the driver's side cowl if I fabricated a bracket under the rear, upper corner of the hood, opposite the truck's radio antenna?
i had my Icom 2M antenna mounted on a lip mount originally in that location on the drivers side hood, rode in the same spot on my F150 for 10 years as well. I installed a set of Rigid pod lights up on the hood and after I got a lot of glare back at me from the antenna, had been looking at a replacement 2M radio and figured if I was going to buy a new antenna I may as well go dual band.
i had my Icom 2M antenna mounted on a lip mount originally in that location on the drivers side hood, rode in the same spot on my F150 for 10 years as well. I installed a set of Rigid pod lights up on the hood and after I got a lot of glare back at me from the antenna, had been looking at a replacement 2M radio and figured if I was going to buy a new antenna I may as well go dual band.
Looks good, I just installed a Yeasu FT-100d in my truck about 3 weeks ago after my 20 year old Icom 2000 broke the buttons. Wasn’t able to put the radio behind the seat of my super cab as planned due to the sub on one side and too much stuff crammed in the other side. Ended up mounting to the front of my under seat storage.
I was looking at the FTM-400 but wanted to smaller faceplate for my plan of installing it in the sunglass holder overhead. Put the remote mic plugin under the dash. Turned out pretty good.
I removed my old 2M whip antenna from the hood mount and installed a Comet SS-460SB in the roof, taking a hole saw to the roof of my truck really was a butthole puckering moment but all went well.
Thought about doing the sunglass holder route, but didnt want to cut the door unless I could find a second one for backup and I could not locate one. The ft=400 head will fit in the sunglass door and the door still closes as normal.
Thought about doing the sunglass holder route, but didnt want to cut the door unless I could find a second one for backup and I could not locate one. The ft=400 head will fit in the sunglass door and the door still closes as normal.
I did the same thing when I was looking at the ft-400, looking for a replacement holder. I couldn’t locate one either, only the entire overhead console.
Man I have a 706-MKIIG in the basement somewhere. Used to drive around in a 99 trans am (fiberglass body) on 75 meters with good results. DId a lot of work custom brackets, mid-coil custon antenna, and a tuner connected directly to the frame. Good times. I should install it in the truck and get back into it.
Made some more progress. Ran the antenna wire, going down under the rear of the cab and using an existing rubber plug to get inside.
Ran the power from the radio, down under the cab and up to the passenger side battery.
Wires coming out from the factory hole in the rubber floor. Inside the cab, wires coming through the existing plug. I cut a small flap right above the plug so I could see what was going on, after everything is done and tested, will come back and caulk the plug for good measure, although the rubber is pretty tight around the wires it would most likely be fine if I didnt. This flap is about 6 inches outboard of the factory hole in the flooring in the first picture. Power and antenna coming out of the cab. Fished a string through this hole in the frame, this is at the passenger side rear of the cab, the white plug would be the power for the power running boards if you have them. Power wired enter the frame here heading towards the passenger side battery. Fished the string all the way to the front of the truck, this is inside the passenger front wheel well. Wires on both entry and exit of the frame have 6+ inches of loom over them inside the frame for protection. Wires run from this hole staight up along the inside of the wheel well to the passenger side battery.
Made some more progress. Ran the antenna wire, going down under the rear of the cab and using an existing rubber plug to get inside.
Ran the power from the radio, down under the cab and up to the passenger side battery. <pic>
Wires coming out from the factory hole in the rubber floor. <pic> Inside the cab, wires coming through the existing plug. I cut a small flap right above the plug so I could see what was going on, after everything is done and tested, will come back and caulk the plug for good measure, although the rubber is pretty tight around the wires it would most likely be fine if I didnt. This flap is about 6 inches outboard of the factory hole in the flooring in the first picture. <pic> Power and antenna coming out of the cab. <pic> Fished a string through this hole in the frame, this is at the passenger side rear of the cab, the white plug would be the power for the power running boards if you have them. Power wired enter the frame here heading towards the passenger side battery. <pic> Fished the string all the way to the front of the truck, this is inside the passenger front wheel well. Wires on both entry and exit of the frame have 6+ inches of loom over them inside the frame for protection. Wires run from this hole straight up along the inside of the wheel well to the passenger side battery.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
