HAM mobile in a 3rd gen 4runner - photos?

[Martinjmpr]

With any luck I'll have my Tech license in just a couple of weeks. I've been taking the practice tests on AA9PW.com and passed every one. :wings:

I've pretty much settled on a dual-band mobile for my radio, my question is: How to mount it? I'm not much of a "fabricator" so I'd be looking to do something fairly simple and yet clean-looking. This will be in a 3rd gen (1999) 4runner.

Most likely I'll get something with a detachable faceplate (like the Yaesu FT7900), so I need to figure out a mounting for both the radio body and the faceplate.

Can anyone here with a similar vehicle post pictures and/or advice? I understand heat is an issue with any radio that can push ~50 watts. Is the area under the driver's seat too restricted for such an application? Under the passenger seat is a no-go as I have the factory rear-seat fan there.

I do have a single DIN slot available in the dash, as the factory double DIN radio was replaced by an aftermarket single DIN unit. I guess I might not need a detachable faceplate unit if I mount it in the single DIN slot in the dash...

Thanks in advance, and as I said, pics are greatly appreciated as they give me some ideas I might not have considered otherwise.

 

[4RunAmok]

The 2nd Din is where I would mount my faceplate for my 8800 if I didn't already use the 2nd Din for my Crossover for my stereo.

In lieu of that spot, I removed the ashtray assembly and mounted a ram mount ball up there (using the same screws that held in the ashtray tracks) and riveted a ram mount ball to the backside of the 8800 face mount, and used a ram arm to attach them together (a short one), it's adjustable, and sits low enough to be out of the way.

Not the cheapest of solutions, but effective.

 

[taugust]

Not sure who makes it, (Icom I think) but I bought a faceplate mount that made out of sheet metal, and designed to mount the faceplate on a flat surface and display at an (adjustable) angle. The faceplate mounts with velcro. I bolted into the center console cup holder, just behind the gearshift boots. I mounted the body of the radio under the driver's seat using the bracket supplied with the radio. Heat buildup is not a problem. The microphone hanger is mounted on the left side of the transmission hump, screwed into the gearshift boot frame, just far enough forward to clear the front seat when slid all the way forward. I really like this position. I know you are looking for pics, and mine is a Tacoma, but it should give you some ideas.

 

[4x4mike]

I've got a single 2m band Yaesu in my second DIN slot. I chose single band because it's the most widely used in my neck of the woods. It's also cheaper and I could mount in the dash like this. I can push up to 65 watts and heat isn't an issue. The unit is basically a heat sink with a screen. I operate at mostly 15 watts so all is good. Some radios have fans on them. There are pros and cons to this so do your research. Fan units will pull more power, not a problem if you operate with the truck on, can be noisy and pull dust and dirt into the unit. On the plus side you can cram them into spaces where air flow isn't as good.

I thought about a detachable face but didn't want the extra wires, goofy mounting plate in the way, etc. There are a lot of really clean installs here and on the web so check it out. Another thing to consider is an external speaker. If you stuff the cpu portion of the radio somewhere you might not be able to hear it. My stock speaker was fine until on the freeway with the windows open, I had to have it cranked up. I made a small speaker out of an old computer speaker and put it in the little open cubbie behind the parking brake. The wires are nice a hidden in the console. I'm really happy with my 2800-m. I also have an FT-60R for walking around. It's a dual band but I've never had the need for 440.

Oh, I used to have a Cobra CB in my din slot but removed it for the 2m. I now run a Cobra 75, the little unit with everything in the mic. It's decent but the nice thing is that it's out of the way until I need to use it. I don't like using it and you'll see once you get on the air. Now I need to get the rest of my group licensed.

 

[dms1]

I mounted my Kenwood under the drivers seat and used a mini tripod ball head connected to the center console to mount the remote head. As for the mic, I just tuck it under the seat when not in use and put it in one of the cup holders when in use. I'm still working on a solution for this.

What your looking at:

On Steering Column: Garmin Montana GPS

Center Console top to bottom:
Air Conditioning Controls
Alpine Radio
Scangauge, Right of Scangauge - Custom Chapstik Holder
Below Scangage Left - LED Light that goes into 12v Socket
Kenwood Head Unit - You cant see the cable for the Kenwood Head unit from the front
Visible black cable going across the console is for my Microsoft Zune which goes into one of those vent holders, which is not installed at the moment.
Kenwood Microphone

The Paracord attached to the Driver side hand grab has my Giotto air blower attached to it
Below that is a mount to put my handheld Ham radio or Handheld CB with a 12V Power connector ( which works for both with an adapter i made)

All of this gets power from a Blu Sea Fuse box mounted under the driver side kick panel (lower left)

 

[mikelite80]

I've got an 8800 with the faceplate mounted under the stereo, and the radio under the passenger seat. CB in the ash tray slot. My only problem with it is the USB from the stereo ends right by the mic jack. So if you unplug the mic it's a bit tricky to get back in. I just don't unplug either ever so not much of a problem.

Sorry it's dirty, it gets used

 

[Phreak480]

you can make an extension for the mic with the appropriate cable ( i think it was 6 conductor) and coupler from radio shack (or similar store) and route the mic connector to somewhere else. This is what i've done in my vehicles so i can have the mic plug in at a more convenient location such as between the seats as i have the head mounted up above the rear view mirror.