FarFromStock
FRF Addict
Here's my twist on the VHF radio install.
I didn't really want to have it permanently installed since I'll only use it for organized offroad excursions like TRR. So, I tried to come up with a way that it can be easily installed and removed without permanent modifications to the truck.
I purchased a dash tray and rubber mat for a regular F150 without the center speaker:
After removing the tray mat, the original tray attaches with two 7mm screws at the front:
After lifting the tray disconnect the speaker connector:
Here are the two trays side-by-side:
I then mocked up how I wanted the radio to sit in the tray and drilled the screw holes:
I added some bracing on the back of the tray to increase the rigidity. Not that it needed it, but more for my own peace of mind:
I measured and cut the new rubber mat to allow it to fit over the radio mount:
I drilled a hole in the tray and cut out a hole in the mat to allow the antenna and power cables/connectors to pass through:
Reinstalled the two 7mm screws and the radio was in:
I then needed to figure out how I wanted to mount the microphone. Again, I didn't want to make any permanent modifications to the truck. I had previously installed a ProClip dash mount for my iPhone, but it wasn't wide enough to hold both the phone and the microphone. So I modified the mount by adding some scrap plastic that I had from another project:
Mounted the microphone clip to the extension:
Reinstalled the modified ProClip mount on the dash:
And here is the finished product with radio, iPhone, and microphone in their final locations:
I'm sure this isn't for everyone, but it's a good solution for my desire to keep from permanently modifying the truck. I hope it sparks some creative thinking for others looking for a radio mounting solution.
Let me know what you think and if you have any questions.
I didn't really want to have it permanently installed since I'll only use it for organized offroad excursions like TRR. So, I tried to come up with a way that it can be easily installed and removed without permanent modifications to the truck.
I purchased a dash tray and rubber mat for a regular F150 without the center speaker:
After removing the tray mat, the original tray attaches with two 7mm screws at the front:
After lifting the tray disconnect the speaker connector:
Here are the two trays side-by-side:
I then mocked up how I wanted the radio to sit in the tray and drilled the screw holes:
I added some bracing on the back of the tray to increase the rigidity. Not that it needed it, but more for my own peace of mind:
I measured and cut the new rubber mat to allow it to fit over the radio mount:
I drilled a hole in the tray and cut out a hole in the mat to allow the antenna and power cables/connectors to pass through:
Reinstalled the two 7mm screws and the radio was in:
I then needed to figure out how I wanted to mount the microphone. Again, I didn't want to make any permanent modifications to the truck. I had previously installed a ProClip dash mount for my iPhone, but it wasn't wide enough to hold both the phone and the microphone. So I modified the mount by adding some scrap plastic that I had from another project:
Mounted the microphone clip to the extension:
Reinstalled the modified ProClip mount on the dash:
And here is the finished product with radio, iPhone, and microphone in their final locations:
I'm sure this isn't for everyone, but it's a good solution for my desire to keep from permanently modifying the truck. I hope it sparks some creative thinking for others looking for a radio mounting solution.
Let me know what you think and if you have any questions.
