Clean VHF/CB radio installs

I installed a Yaesu FT-7900R in my 2016 Tacoma today. The RF deck was installed behind right rear seat. I ran a circuit with 12 AWG from a 40A fuse in the aux fuse block I had previously in the engine compartment, through the firewall, under the threshold of the drivers-side doors to the storage tub behind the rear seat. I mounted a RIGrunner 4005H behind the seat to allow circuits for powering additional radios and other items. I used a 40A relay to switch power on-off for the entire RIGrunner controlled by a push switch installed in the dash. I ran the cable for the detachable faceplate and external speaker under the threshold of the passenger-side doors. I mounted the Yaesu MLS-100 speaker to the underside of the front passenger seat running the cable under the carpet to the underside of the seat. I have not decided which location to mount the faceplate yet so the faceplate cable is hanging out from under the passenger-side of the dash at the moment. Candidate locations for mounting the faceplate are (1) in the overhead sunglass holder, (2) The windshield GoPro mount, and (3) the top of front cubby in front of the gear shift where the Qi charger is.

The RF deck install behind the rear passenger-side seat:


Powered from a 40A fuse from the aux fuse block in the engine compartment:


The 12 AWG wire for the power and the 16 AWG wires for the relay switching power on-off for the Yaesu FT-7900R controlled by a dash switch are run through the firewall and under the drivers-side door thresholds and under the B-piller:






The cables for the external speaker and the detachable faceplate are run under the passenger-side door thresholds. The cable for the speaker can be seen turning and diving under the carpet to the underside of the front passenger seat:



The speaker is mounted under the front passenger seat (shown unbolted and lifted away from the floor):

 

Very clean install. Where is your faceplate going?

 

Details on the switch panel deal you made? Is it just ABS behind the snap in surround?

 

I did not make it. 3D printed from a design by a TW member. Details here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ecause-the-thing-i-wanted-didnt-exist.415922/

 

I mocked it up and test fit the Yaesu FT-7900R faceplate on the GoPro mount to see how it looked. I used some RAM mounts I had around and purchased a GoPro mount with a 1/4-20 threaded hole. The view and location were fine, but the passenger sun visor would not clear it. This does not work for me, so the GoPro mount is eliminated as a possible install location. I may look at a longer RAM arm to move the faceplate further toward the center above the mirror. Of course at that point you might as well mount to the mirror rather than the GoPro mount.

Some photos for those interested below. This was just a test fit so ignore the cables hanging off it.



Yikes, I need to clean my mirror, the flash makes it look filthy!




Sun visor does not clear:






I also test fit the faceplate in the sunglass holder. It would drive me nuts to drive around with the sunglass holder hanging down. The sunglass holder also eliminated for me as a possible install location.

 

Damn that's clean. I wonder if it could be altered to use 1x1 square switches so 6 could be used over 3.

 

The dash opening is smaller than 2x3 so that wouldn't work without butchering the lower dash panel, besides, you'd also need some additional space between the switches.

 

Looks like I need smaller switches lol

 

Nice, installs. I'm going to look for some options here.

 

I mounted the faceplate for my Yaesu FT-7900R in front of the gear shift using "Extreme Industrial Velcro". Seems rock solid. Ran the cable through a hole drilled in the back corner of the cubbyhole.

 

I'm wondering if you could stick a radio face in this spot.... a new panel would need to be made as the hole is too tall.... I'm thinking it could be an option.

 

I'm going to put a straight blank plate up when I get home in a week, maybe 1/8" to 3/16" thick, that can replace the cubby and be modified by the end user for whatever item you want to cut into it. I don't know of a radio that'll actually fit there but it'll certainly open up some options for some people.

 

Cool. I'd like to see what you come up with. I'm thinking that the area is big enough to house a remote face install.

 

Has anyone come up with a way to install an antenna on the bed of the truck with a tri-fold tonneau cover?

 

saw this in another thread.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ham-radio-antenna-install.432754/

 

Any info on the GoPro mount that you tried? I've been looking and can't seem to find the right one. I have some RAM mount stuff, and think I can get it to all work for my Yeasu FT8800.

 

Thanks! I ran across this thread when looking for ideas to mount it, but didn't think to post the install to this one.

 

What is that circle thing that is sticking out the cutout? My truck doesn't have that. Also what size bolts did you use to mount that to the inside wall of the engine bay?

 

I don't have a tonneau cover, but I have a canopy. This was my solution (inspired by others).

 

Clutch reservoir.