Yaesu FT-8800R Install on 05+ Tacoma

Well it is time to tackle communications, and what better to reach out and touch someone than a FT-8800?

The following are the parts I am using:

Yaesu FT-8800R
Yaesu YSK-8900 (Remote mounting kit)
Diamond NR770HB Antenna
Cheap HRO $12.00 external speaker

The location I chose to install the radio is underneath the driver’s seat. This was the easiest part of my install, so I will not get into much detail on this. Just run the wires, mount it and you’re good to go.



The head unit was a bit more difficult. First of all, I want to give credit to Wil for the idea on this install. Because I like having things look as stock as I can and clean as I can, I decided to recess the head unit into the headliner.

To do this, I first had to remove the headliner (meaning I had to take out practically every piece of plastic from the truck!)



In order to secure the head unit, I made a bracket out of some 18 gage stainless steel. This bracket spans the hole I will cut and has tabs that match the angle of the ceiling of my truck. This SHOULD secure the radio (I hope).




Next was to cut a the hole….MEASURE FOUR TIMES CUT ONCE



…..we have reached the point of no return.

I cut the hole slightly small, and then used a very high temp heat gun to heat up the headliner and mold it up. Then I used spray adhesive and rolled the grey lining around so you wouldn’t see the white crap on top.



I then used some 2 part epoxy to glue the bracket to the headliner and then fibreglasses over it just to be safe (the bracket is also sandwiched between the roof of the cab and headliner when installed, so it shouldn’t go anywhere)

And here is with all the wires routed.



You will notice that there are two wires coming from it, and the remote kit only has one. This is because I also wanted to relocate the hand control. I did not want to have it dangling from my roof, so one wire is from the radio to the head unit, and the other is from the head unit to the hand control.

And here is the head unit when everything is put back together:




Next up, installing the hand control and external speaker.


Yaesu FT-8800R Remote and External Speaker Install on 05+ Tacoma

Because I never like to leave things the way they come and have an obsession with making installs harder than they need to be, I decided I didn’t want to just mount the speaker; I wanted to try to conceal it and make it look as if it came from the factory that way.

To do this I decided to try to recess the speaker so that the grill was all that was showing and so that it was flush with the rest of the interior panels. I chose the center consol around my shifter. This gives it a low and discrete location, as well as allowing me to do one speaker per side (one for HAM and one for CB if I get one).

First step was to CUT A HOLE…..once again, measure MANY times, then cut.



Then it was a lot of filing and exacto knifing to get it to fit. Once I got the hole cut. I took the bracket that came with the speaker and cut it in half. This allowed me to flip it upside-down and use it to mount the speaker flush.



Once again, some 2 part epoxy and some fiberglass to be safe and here is the result:




I also decided to make a quick disconnect for the hand controller. This will allow me to disconnect it when not in use so I do not have a cord and stuff laying around.

To do this I got a simple 6 pin comm. Connection (female-female). I machined a bracket out of some aluminum so that I have a large flange and surface to glue and expoy too.



Then all that was left was to cut a hole, epoxy and fiberglass into place.

And here is the remote plug location and the speaker.



And inside the truck

 

Very nice install, but what is this exactly? lol CB radio?

 

nice install

 

Looks great man... I REALLY like how you integrated it the truck... very clean install.

 

A HAM radio is essentially a CB on steroids. CB are line of sight only. HAMs operate on a MUCH larger frequency band and have MUCH further reach.

To give you an idea, back in my high school station, we talked to the space shuttle while it was at the station. It is common to talk across the world (you can actually use the moon as a repeater and bounce signals off of it).

Do a quick Google search for HAM or Amateur Radio. Essentially, you have to be licensed to use it (take a class and pass test, etc), but the doors of communication open up a LOT. You can even use your radio (using certain repeaters) as a phone and make calls from it when you do not have cell reception. No matter how far out in the middle of nowhere you are, you will almost always be able to communicate with someone in case of an emergency, world wide.

 

Very sweet. I have a 7900 that I have yet to mount. I was going to mount on the floor under the seat and I was thinking what if I have a bad river crossing some day! I like the way you mounted under the seat - at least I'd be able to take on a little more water with out making it an additional $300 in damage.

Good job!

 

Another Yaesu FT 8900 mount, with NMO antenna mount described:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/au...ose-installs-ham-radio-nmo-antenna-mount.html

 

Adding a couple of pics of my mobile install in progress here on this thread to show a different method for mounting. This is the main unit mounted to the floor under the passenger seat, with DC wiring and control cable wire routed under carpet into console area.

I did not drill holes into the floor pan, rather used a generous quantity of velcro. Slit the carpet to accept the two vertical portions of the bracket, and affixed the industrial velcro material to the bracket. The bracket now goes under the carpet. Had to hold/push the carpet up with my hand while I lined up the bracket with the slots I made in the carpet. removed the paper backing from the adhesive side of the velcro and pushed the assembly down to the floor. The bracket is now sandwiched between velcroed to the metal floor, and the carpet laying on top of the bracket. I don't think the radio is going to move at all.





Have yet to receive dual band antenna, and will likely route it into the rocker sill space. Remote head will be in the console in front of the cupholders on a slide, such that i can pull it forward to use it, and slide it back down into cubby hole to minimize its prominent view from curious eyes with nefarious intentions. Design still being worked on. Mic connection will use similar jack mounted in the side of the console as shown in this thread.

 

DAmn thats good to know. Now to find one and install in my car.

 

Forgive my ignorance. But will this also pick up and transmit cb channels?

 

No. These will not work on CB frequencies.
https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?aid=7731

The FT-8800 operates on 2m/70cm frequencies. CB frequencies do not fall within these bands.
http://www.arrl.org/band-plan

You also need at least a technician license to operate a ham radio. A CB does not require a license.

 

Yeah. I was hoping that I could have one device that could do both. Understanding I would need a cert for ham. Thank

 

Once you go HAM, you will not miss CBs at all! You can also 'monitor' FRS radios too.

 

Yeah I think the big thing for me is that the guys I ride with have cb's so it's a challenge. I guess I'll get a handheld cb and call it a day.

 

Sorry to Tell you this but handheld cbs are weak. If you do you may want to get an external ant.

 

Yeah. I agree. But the less crap I have to perm install the better