Cab set-up for exploration...

[Martinjmpr]

Just wondering if I can get some folks to tell me how they've set up their cabs for exploration. I'm trying to get ideas. I've got an Xtra cab and need to be able to set up the cab for two people and probably a dog. The good news is I also have a shell so a lot of the gear can go in the shell.

With that in mind, how are you guys setting up your cabs? Specific issues would be:

- Communications: I'd like to mount a CB but there's not a lot of room there. Possibly under the glovebox or maybe even in the glovebox? I'd rather not cut on the plastic, and at least for now I'm keeping the stereo system stock.

- Navigation: I've got a Magellan Meridian GPS in a RAM windshield mount, seems to work OK, are any of you doing anything special to hold your maps or atlases?

- Accomodations for the dog: She's a fairly small (36lb) Australian Cattle dog so we don't need a huge accomodation for her. Over on TTORA I saw some interesting shelf designs people used to make maximum use of the extended cab area, we'll probably go with something like that.

About the only other things that would be nice "up front" in the cab would be the basic first aid kit (I carry mine in one of those orange plastic "sport boxes" that looks like a .50 cal ammo can) and maybe a small cooler for drinks. Everything else can ride in the shell.

Anyway, I don't know if there's a specific area for pictures, but if any of you Taco owners out there have photos of the cabs of your expedition-ready trucks, I'd love to see them.

 

[DaveInDenver]

- Communications: I'd like to mount a CB but there's not a lot of room there. Possibly under the glovebox or maybe even in the glovebox? I'd rather not cut on the plastic, and at least for now I'm keeping the stereo system stock.

I have my CB in the ash tray slot. My ham hanging from the ceiling. The CB mount required cutting. You can fit some CB in the slot under the radio, which might not require cutting.

- Navigation: I've got a Magellan Meridian GPS in a RAM windshield mount, seems to work OK, are any of you doing anything special to hold your maps or atlases?

I carry my maps and guide books in a pilot's case, which goes in the back of the truck. Any specific publication for the task at hand goes in the seat back packet, usually in the driver's side one if there is navigator.

- Accomodations for the dog: She's a fairly small (36lb) Australian Cattle dog so we don't need a huge accomodation for her. Over on TTORA I saw some interesting shelf designs people used to make maximum use of the extended cab area, we'll probably go with something like that.

I took out the back seats in my XtraCab and made a platform for my dog. It's just a sheet of plywood that is upholstered with a 3" thick piece of foam and some cheap faux tiger print fleece. Nothing fancy, but it gives him a solid surface to stand on. It sits high enough that he can see out, but not so high that his head touches the ceiling.

 

[Nullifier]

Well I have all my hard maps in the back of the passenger seat pocket. I have a cobra 75 series cb radio on the dash cause it is small and takes no room. My gps is mounted in the dash console in place of the radio. I plan to make an overhead console to hold the radio map lights etc. once my cab swap is done. My rig is a reg cab so I'm really pressed for space. can't wait to move into that xtra cab! All my control switches for lights lockers etc are on the passenger side dash since my truck does not have pass side airbag and it is easy to reach for me.

 

[Martinjmpr]

All my control switches for lights lockers etc are on the passenger side dash since my truck does not have pass side airbag and it is easy to reach for me.

Until I saw that last line I was getting ready to send a message that said "PLEASE tell me you don't have a passenger air bag!" I sure would hate to get hit by all that hardware coming at me at mach 1! :yikes:

Dave: I like the idea of an overhead mount, because it is close at hand and uses space that is otherwise wasted, but what does it attach to? Did you have to put some kind of reinforcing brace to hold the radio or is the headliner itself strong enough to hold it? Have you had any problems with off-road vibration and shaking loosening the mount?

BTW, whereabouts in Denver are you? I live near Tamarac Square, off of Hampden.

Thanks for the info, guys. And is there a general "photos of my rig" area that I've missed?

 

[kcowyo]

And is there a general "photos of my rig" area that I've missed?

Don't know if you've missed it but there is the "Readers Rides" thread stickeyed at the top of the General Discussion section. Probably mostly exterior shots though.

And I'll second the Cobra 75 for a great space saving CB option -

 

[DaveInDenver]

Dave: I like the idea of an overhead mount, because it is close at hand and uses space that is otherwise wasted, but what does it attach to? Did you have to put some kind of reinforcing brace to hold the radio or is the headliner itself strong enough to hold it? Have you had any problems with off-road vibration and shaking loosening the mount?

It is a very solid mount. If you take off the cover over the mirror base you'll find that it's held in place with 3 substantial bolts into captured nuts. Part of the old truck advantage is trim pieces occasionally just fall off and in this case revealed to me this great spot, which bounced around for about a month when the light went off. Anyway, seemed to me to be much overkill to hold on a mirror, but it is what it is. I made a bracket with a piece of aluminum and works great. It does vibrate and bounce, something I have not really looked into how to fix. My solution the first time was to stick a rolled up rag between the bracket and headliner, which solved it and I haven't found the need to really go back to it. I think making my bracket shorter is part of the solution.

BTW, whereabouts in Denver are you? I live near Tamarac Square, off of Hampden.

I work in the DTC and live roughly near DU.

 

[seth_js]

Another popular space saver for the CB is the Uniden 520 in place of the ashtray.

 

[Wanderlusty]

Another popular space saver for the CB is the Uniden 520 in place of the ashtray.

That is the one I will be installing soon.

Here is a quick writeup on the install. Some 'cutting' involved, but not to the visible dash itself, I believe. I think that the ashtray could even be re-installed for resale at some point.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9947&postcount=3