HAM and GMRS Radio Installs in 4th gen Tacoma -- Post Your Setups

[lets.go.overlandon]

Finally got around to installing my Midland MXT275 GMRS radio!

I wanted to go as stealth as possible with this install so I put the radio in the itself in the console and ran the handset connection to an RJ 45 port I got from Ebay.

The console was fairly easy to remove. I found this video that walks through the process in detail.

For the mic port in the console, I used this RJ45 port and it popped in beautifully! Since the mic is the controls for the radio itself I can just keep it in the console until I want to use it.

For power to the radio, I went directly to the battery but since I have the iForce Max, the battery is in the cab under the rear seat. It was pretty easy to fish the power under the carpet and then to the terminals of the battery.

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[SirLeigh]

Finally got around to installing my Midland MXT275 GMRS radio!

I wanted to go as stealth as possible with this install so I put the radio in the itself in the console and ran the handset connection to an RJ 45 port I got from Ebay.

The console was fairly easy to remove. I found this video that walks through the process in detail.

For the mic port in the console, I used this RJ45 port and it popped in beautifully! Since the mic is the controls for the radio itself I can just keep it in the console until I want to use it.

For power to the radio, I went directly to the battery but since I have the iForce Max, the battery is in the cab under the rear seat. It was pretty easy to fish the power under the carpet and then to the terminals of the battery.

How much of a pain was it to wire the antenna from there? Did you go through the center console and into the engine bay for it?

 

[Romer]

Nice install!

Curious is there is room for the main unit under the center console below where you put the RJ45 connector.

 

[lets.go.overlandon]

How much of a pain was it to wire the antenna from there? Did you go through the center console and into the engine bay for it?

Not too difficult. Just ran the wire through the firewall grommet and then routed it towards the front of the dash at the bottom. Then with the center console removed it was very easy to fish it through the gear shift tunnel. I just ziptied it in a couple of places to ensure that it wasn't going to be near the pedals or the gearshift itself. I can add some photos in a bit!

 

[lets.go.overlandon]

Nice install!

Curious is there is room for the main unit under the center console below where you put the RJ45 connector.

I don't think you could really fit it in there. It's a bit of a tight space and there's really nothing to mount it to in there. You could likely fashion a way to mount it in the rear storage/battery compartment though.

 

[davisjm0311]

Finally got around to installing my Midland MXT275 GMRS radio!

I wanted to go as stealth as possible with this install so I put the radio in the itself in the console and ran the handset connection to an RJ 45 port I got from Ebay.

The console was fairly easy to remove. I found this video that walks through the process in detail.

For the mic port in the console, I used this RJ45 port and it popped in beautifully! Since the mic is the controls for the radio itself I can just keep it in the console until I want to use it.

For power to the radio, I went directly to the battery but since I have the iForce Max, the battery is in the cab under the rear seat. It was pretty easy to fish the power under the carpet and then to the terminals of the battery.

That’s an awesome setup!

I just picked up a MXT575, and I think I’m going to do something similar.
How/where did you mount the clip for the mic? It looks like you have it on the grab bar maybe?

 

[Hammer]

Has anyone done an HF install yet? If so, what did you do about the RFI? I’ve thrown everything I can think of and find at it with no luck. Bonded it to no end, ferrites and noise filters on coax and power, different antenna locations, the whole deal. Best I can do is knock it down a few S levels but its still insanely loud.

 

[GoldInThemThrills]

Have any of you mounted a radio to the faux-molle paneling that's just below the grab-handle in the center console? I'd love to mount it without drilling if at all possible.

 

[Romer]

Finally got around to installing my Midland MXT275 GMRS radio!

I wanted to go as stealth as possible with this install so I put the radio in the itself in the console and ran the handset connection to an RJ 45 port I got from Ebay.

The console was fairly easy to remove. I found this video that walks through the process in detail.

For the mic port in the console, I used this RJ45 port and it popped in beautifully! Since the mic is the controls for the radio itself I can just keep it in the console until I want to use it.

For power to the radio, I went directly to the battery but since I have the iForce Max, the battery is in the cab under the rear seat. It was pretty easy to fish the power under the carpet and then to the terminals of the battery.

A\
I got the Rj45 port you did. Any tips on getting to the inside of the center consoleto install it?

 

[lets.go.overlandon]

That’s an awesome setup!

I just picked up a MXT575, and I think I’m going to do something similar.
How/where did you mount the clip for the mic? It looks like you have it on the grab bar maybe?

I haven't figured out a good solution for the mic yet. I think I'll probably design and 3d print a holder for it that I can remove when I'm not using it. I'm just holding it in the place I'd like to put the mount in the picture.

 

[davisjm0311]

I haven't figured out a good solution for the mic yet. I think I'll probably design and 3d print a holder for it that I can remove when I'm not using it. I'm just holding it in the place I'd like to put the mount in the picture.

Gotcha. I found a mount for the mic that fits on the CaliRaised dash mount. I’m thinking about using that and leaving the mic plugged in. Only reason for leaving the mic plugged in is that I haven’t found a solution that I like for covering the jack when its unplugged and I’m concerned about something falling in there.

 

[lets.go.overlandon]

A\
I got the Rj45 port you did. Any tips on getting to the inside of the center consoleto install it?

Yeah, in this video at 1:14 you can see how the console part is lifted up and that'll give you access to the underside of the blank switch. You'll just need to pop out the blank switch and then insert the RJ45. Then from the backside of the RJ45 you can connect it back to the radio just using a regular ethernet cord.

 

[lets.go.overlandon]

Gotcha. I found a mount for the mic that fits on the CaliRaised dash mount. I’m thinking about using that and leaving the mic plugged in. Only reason for leaving the mic plugged in is that I haven’t found a solution that I like for covering the jack when its unplugged and I’m concerned about something falling in there.

It ain't pretty, but you could do something like this: https://www.cableleader.com/rj45-ja...D95Pr23zvbTSScKCLPxtlZI8TD4PP58S_Pu0CCPnOdMww

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