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Seasoned...
Joined: Sat Oct 21st, 2017
Location: Near The Pointy End , USA
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This part of the project is honestly about 70% complete despite looks and presentation. What is holding up the full completion is the permanent routing of the antenna which is actually a 0DB antenna that will be replaced by a 3DB gain Black Antenna rod from Laird, and the trim plate that will finish off the final look of the display. Outside of that it is completed and functional. The citizens band radio is a separate install and I'll be showing some of that below too..
So shipment comes in early instead of late for once and I couldn't wait to get started. My Midland MTX105 w/weather alerts and my Uniden CB CMX560. Now before I get started I know that this is not a "Classic" Cobra 29 CB radio nor an overly expensive 2 way radio I opted to for. However, there were some key features required for both units and quality is still there. First, this vehicle has a lot of additional wiring upgrades throughout and although I find COMM's to be important, these two items are 85% of the time going to be used in mostly close proximity or shorter ranges than say someone with a hobby of CB radios would find sub-par shy of the install.
Since the CB radio is more or less satisfying a requirement of both here for trail use as well as another group or two. Its primary use will be severely limited to those times. I do not really need a forward nor large display and the conveniences of having a hideaway unit and all of the features and controls in the face works well for my particular application. The hideaway unit will reside next to the future hideaway unit of the iCOM 5100 H.A.M. unit at a later date and is mounted back behind the seat for that reason. On top of that, generally the Samsung tablet used as the Audio/Topography mapping/entertainment/communication focal point also seems to put off a whitish light, it'll blend in perfectly.
I have a special cavity being used to fulfill not only a clean install but a very detailed and some may say elaborate setup. Also I needed a spot that's higher up inside as we all know, or some of us anyway. I am not exactly shy about water crossing that come to the top of my grill, yet this was a concern for my electronics being placed at what I think should be a safe level in the vehicle.
The two hideaway units, my audio amplifier, the my new layered subwoofer enclosure, and a mid-sized FirstAid kit all have a special mounting place behind the seats in this standard cab truck.
The 2 way unit had three requirements, it had to have the right size, compatibility needs, and colored display since it was going to be seen in a forward sense. It was going to have to match the white display for the iCOM 5100 which will be another future interesting installation.
Onto the install of the Midland...
The place for install is in the factory ashtray area simply because I don't smoke nor does anyone in my truck and the ashtray itself seems to collect things that rattle and make noise; a win/win.
Removal of these two 7mm or T15 screws removes the slide plate for the ashtray from the center stack giving the final results above and revealing the wiring sub harness for the cigarette lighter (Constant 12 volt outlet) and the ashtray light itself. This will be removed from the vehicle and saved should (doubtful) I ever need to return it to stock.
Fits just like I had hoped.
A little trigger happy with the camera, as I took the pic before I drilled in the third screw, I swear there are three screws in it to hold it up! lol
Now since I have a secondary fuse panel that resides in the drivers side rear speaker location that has a direct source of hot and ground from the battery power. We are going to not only use a 3 amp blade fuse in the fuse holder in place of the inline glass fuse but we are going to have to extend the wires anyway. I've cut right at the fuse holder to get as much of the original wiring as possible.
As with all my electronic installs, proper protection of the wires and the routing of those wires is key to a clean install along with soldering of all connections. In reality, doesn't matter if you solder, crimp, or twist and tape. As long as you do those process correctly you should have a relatively trouble free install and whichever method you prefer is your choice. I've done them all and they're all effective.
And the final product just before powering it up and before the trim plate looks good. Its got a great upwards angle to me as the driver and once the cover plate is on will look even better.
A decent night shot. Once I get a trim panel on it and the iCOM unit mounted I will have to definitely get a full shot of it all lit up.
Next or soon I will show the citizens band radio install along with the rear firewall setup.
____________________
"Be never first, never last and never noticed." - Unknown
"The slave is held most securely when he is held by the chains of his own will and of his own fears, and when he is locked down by his own slavish desires for a comfortable life." - Michael Bunker
"Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur" - ~ attributed to Petronius (Gaius Petronius Arbiter (ca. 27–66 AD))
Roman courtier during the reign of Nero.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." - Thomas Paine
~ Undrstm8ed Truckumentry Write Up Pg.
~ Undrstm8ed Trailermentry Write Up Pg.
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