Super Clean GMRS Radio Install!

[JScheier]

I'm gathering I'll have to apply some adhesive around the edge of the plug. Got any recommendations on what works best?

Depending on the size of the gap, sometimes you can wrap duct tape around the fitting (under the clips) to make it 'wider'. If the gap is too big, then usually adhesive is the only way to go. A drop or two of super glue is an instant guarantee that you'll need to pull that out in the future

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[RustysBronco]

Super glue it is! Finished product.

 

[RustysBronco]

@Administrator another REAL helpful GMRS install recommended for a sticky thread

 

[swamp2]

*TAKEN*

I've got my free/spare Penglin RJ45 panel mount feed through for this kind of stealth mounting offered up in the Pay it Forward forum section.

 

[jtgensler]

Just finished reading this thread while waiting on my MXT275 kit to show up.
Couple questions - what aux switches is everyone using?
I've got 1 & 2 available currently, without having to rewire something.
Planning on installing this & a pair of Diode SS5 pod lights - thinking switch 2 for the radio?

And how long is the cat5e extension cable that comes with the radio from Midland?
I'm hoping to mount my radio in the spot under the steering wheel as I've seen in the thread, but I want to run my mic from the area above the aux switches & have it be on a magnet to my overhead molle panel - I found that worked really well for the extra mic I added onto my handheld radios previously.

 

[Deadpool392]

Just finished reading this thread while waiting on my MXT275 kit to show up.
Couple questions - what aux switches is everyone using?
I've got 1 & 2 available currently, without having to rewire something.
Planning on installing this & a pair of Diode SS5 pod lights - thinking switch 2 for the radio?

And how long is the cat5e extension cable that comes with the radio from Midland?
I'm hoping to mount my radio in the spot under the steering wheel as I've seen in the thread, but I want to run my mic from the area above the aux switches & have it be on a magnet to my overhead molle panel - I found that worked really well for the extra mic I added onto my handheld radios previously.

Do you specifically want it wired to an Aux switch? I mounted mine behind the glovebox and grounded it also back there, then I ran the positive over to the fuse box under the steering wheel and used a fuse tap to get power from fuse 35 so it is only powered on when the Bronco is turned on. (Running or ACC)

 

[jtgensler]

Do you specifically want it wired to an Aux switch? I mounted mine behind the glovebox and grounded it also back there, then I ran the positive over to the fuse box under the steering wheel and used a fuse tap to get power from fuse 35 so it is only powered on when the Bronco is turned on. (Running or ACC)

I'm not opposed to doing that....aux switch just seemed the easiest way to do it without going direct to battery...

 

[Deadpool392]

I'm not opposed to doing that....aux switch just seemed the easiest way to do it without going direct to battery...

Super easy to do it the way I did, there already exists grounding points behind the dash you can use. This is the fuse tap I used:

Nilight 10 Pack Micro 2 Fuse TAP 12V Car Add a Circuit ATR Blade Adapter with 20A II Fuses Holder Add On Dual Circuits Adapters for Cars Trucks Boats (50058R),Blue, Red, Black, Yellow https://a.co/d/7c6Sqeq

Fuse 35, pop out the existing fuse and put it in the fuse tap, connect it to the positive wire on the GMRS with your preferred method. Now you can either turn the radio off by using the power button or it will automatically turn off when you turn the engine off. The only downside I have found, it does not stay on, at all, when I shut the Bronco off. I have to turn it back on in ACC for it to come on again with the engine off, not the end of the world but I was hoping it would stay on like the electronics until the door was opened.

 

[retiredarmymp]

Just something to think about; I direct wired my mxt575 to the battery so if I ever lost all power in the Bronco I would still have power to the radio and be able to communicate.

 

[jtgensler]

Thanks to everyone here for the advice & tips.
I installed my MXT275 last evening, opting to mount under the steering column & use a fuse tap to fuse 35 for accessory power.
For those that were debating - mine is turning on with the vehicle.
For now I just ran my mic over to the passenger side of my center console, but I plan on moving it to my overhead molle panel when I install a light bar next week & have all the trim removed for that wiring.

I'm not 100% sold on the antenna location I chose - I used my ditch light brackets drop mount to install beside the drivers side A-Pillar with the ghost antenna.

Anyone else utilize this location & have any feedback on antenna issues?

 

[Stillwater35]

I just did this project in my 25. For some reason I couldn’t get the M2M bracket to work like it did on my 22. So I abandoned that method and just went straight in the glove box.

I used the rugged radios a pillar mount and love it. I have 3 antennas. Ghost. 12” and a 36” midland. 3db, 4.1db and 6db respectively. Using the weather radio as a guide, the ghost really is not great in that location. The other two are amazing.

Also in the 25s the center console location really isn’t available anymore so I found a suitable place on the passenger side.

 

[Bschurr]

Thanks to everyone here for the advice & tips.
I installed my MXT275 last evening, opting to mount under the steering column & use a fuse tap to fuse 35 for accessory power.
For those that were debating - mine is turning on with the vehicle.
For now I just ran my mic over to the passenger side of my center console, but I plan on moving it to my overhead molle panel when I install a light bar next week & have all the trim removed for that wiring.

I'm not 100% sold on the antenna location I chose - I used my ditch light brackets drop mount to install beside the drivers side A-Pillar with the ghost antenna.

Anyone else utilize this location & have any feedback on antenna issues?

Thanks to everyone here for the advice & tips.
I installed my MXT275 last evening, opting to mount under the steering column & use a fuse tap to fuse 35 for accessory power.
For those that were debating - mine is turning on with the vehicle.
For now I just ran my mic over to the passenger side of my center console, but I plan on moving it to my overhead molle panel when I install a light bar next week & have all the trim removed for that wiring.

I'm not 100% sold on the antenna location I chose - I used my ditch light brackets drop mount to install beside the drivers side A-Pillar with the ghost antenna.

Anyone else utilize this location & have any feedback on antenna issues?

The MXT275 has power recall so, if you turn the radio off before you turn off the vehicle it will remain off when you restart. If you leave the radio on and turn off the vehicle it will turn on when it receives power.

I have a ghost antenna on a M2M ditch light mount on my passenger side and it works great! Maybe you are getting a bunch of interference due to all the dash/under hood wiring on the driver’s side…

 

[jtgensler]

The MXT275 has power recall so, if you turn the radio off before you turn off the vehicle it will remain off when you restart. If you leave the radio on and turn off the vehicle it will turn on when it receives power.

I have a ghost antenna on a M2M ditch light mount on my passenger side and it works great! Maybe you are getting a bunch of interference due to all the dash/under hood wiring on the driver’s side…

I haven't really "tested" it yet.
Just with my handheld from 50' away to confirm it's working.
I was just looking for feebacks. I could certainly swap it to the passenger side - I currently have a flag mount on that bracket but swapping them wouldn't be bad at all.
I did take all the extra coax cable & just coil it & ziptie it to keep it orderly.... I'm sure it's not great to have like 15' of extra cable there.

 

[Valhalla]

For those looking for pictures, it is hard to take good ones in the console, however here are mine.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/valhallas-long-term-build-thread.64748/post-1974372

 

[Stillwater35]

I was going to do this method but in the 25+ models with rear AC vents, the new ducts take up almost all the empty space in the center console.

For those looking for pictures, it is hard to take good ones in the console, however here are mine.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/valhallas-long-term-build-thread.64748/post-1974372

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