Intro, and help with fitting a UHF

[Iain3 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Iain3]

Hi all, I couldn't find an intro page so doing it here, I'm Iain, I've had a Prado 150 GXL for about 8 months now, slowly modifying it for off-road trips. Latest addition was a UHF radio, and on that topic I have a couple of questions.

The model of radio is ICOM IC440N, it is all fitted but I could do better.

1) The radio is currently located in the side wall next to the glove box, it is pretty snug and slightly padded there. Is it ok to put some foam around the radio in case of vibrations from rough roads, or will this cause a risk of overheating?

2) The outlet to the handset is currently coming out between two panels in the foot area on the passenger side. It's pretty ugly, I'd like to get this fitted into the blank switches below the stereo, above the low range control, but can't access them, has anyone done this and written a guide? I've not found one yet.

3) Where and how to place the handset holder? There is plenty of discussion on this already, I've mulled over this, but while I am asking...is double sided tape really strong enough to hold it in place? The clip seems quite stiff, I imagine the first time I try to put the handset in the clip I will pull the tape right off. Also where to put it, somewhere around the centre dash area, accessible to driver and passenger easily. Any recommendations or anecdotes from the collective wisdom before I commit myself?

Cheers
Iain

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Welcome Iain. Some threads to get you started:

Intro
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...-Introductions

UHF
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...l=1#post403766

[andoland Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andoland]

I have fitted the same radio.

1) Mine is bolted to the panel on passengers side as shown in post #2 of this thread http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...highlight=icom. If that's where yours is I wouldn't worry about the foam padding, it's not necessary.

2) I have the same set-up for my microphone cabling as shown in post #21 of the second link that amts posted above. Looks neat and tidy and works just fine. Post #18 in this thread has the outlet in one of the switch blanks http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...highlight=icom


3) Mine is placed on the dash, on the vertical silver plastic trim on the RHS of the radio. I tried double sided tape but it doesn't cut it - mine fell off on the first hot day. I have the mic holder screwed into the plastic trim.

[Iain3 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Iain3]

Thanks for the replies, amts, intro added to the Intro thread, andoland your radio seems much more secure than mine, I'll look through your links a bit closer when I get home, and see what I can do.

Cheers
Iain

[andoland Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close andoland]

That's not my actual radio install but mine is the same as shown in the link.

[dagree Member Find all posts View Profile Close dagree]

G'Day and welcome to the forum Iain....

I have a Uniden UH7760NB with controls on the handset.

1) Probably no help to you but my main unit is mounted behind the kick panel on the passenger side out of site and the "Boss's" legs.

2) I fed the microphone cable through one of the removable switch panels with a rubber grommet to keep it stable. If removing the UHF when selling will look for a replacement panel.

3) To mount the microphone I made a right angled bracket and screwed it into the dash between the aircon outlet and the dash. Once again if removing before selling no holes to be seen!

Pictures are better than words

[Iain3 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Iain3]

Thanks Dagree, where did you get the rubber grommet?

I have now mounted got mine coming out of one of the central dash buttons, had to cut a hole in the button big enough to pass the plug through, there is a small rubber grommet that covers the hole so not so bad, but still could look nicer. Getting the blank switches out without scratching or denting it all was a real bugger. A couple of tiny dents but not too barely noticeable. I'll post a photo when I get a chance.

Got the handset mounted too so all done really, except maybe trying to get a rubber grommet to cover the switch, to make it look a little neater.

[dagree Member Find all posts View Profile Close dagree]

Rubber grommet was from Clark Rubber Iain but I believe the big green shed (Bunnings) also have them.

[Iain3 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Iain3]

Rubber grommet was from Clark Rubber Iain but I believe the big green shed (Bunnings) also have them.

Cool, thanks