Batboard

I think I have my ideas set for the Ram radio install, But what about some pics of what the members here have?

I have an older Gamber Johnson post mount that has been modified, I am thinking of using it, at an angle, facing the driver.

There will be a VHf Maratrac, A 800mhz X9000, the Vision controller, and possibly a Uhf somehting or other.

Thanks
Tim

i'm working on a 2004 ram reg cab install right now. my digital camera was stolen or else i'd have pics up for ya. i'm putting a galls (no flames please. lol) center console in front of the bench seat. they have two of their own consoles that come in 3 pieces. i'm using just the front section of the newer model. the one with the silver on the sides. it fits nicely between the center seat and the dash and holds 3 units. i'll still be able to open the ash-tray (don't smoke anyway), but i'm losing the cup holder so i'm adding a 2-cup holder onto the side of the console.

i did a few mods to the console including drilling additional holes for cabling and installed two auxiliary fuse panels to the front side, one constant and one ignition switched panel each capable of 150 amps. in the console will be a CDM1250, scanner, and PA300. for switching, i have a tst touchtek VI remote switch panel. that will be mounted standing up off the top edge of the console, up towards the dash. the relay box for that panel is mounted to the passenger side of the console, underneath the cup holder. this will be for the off-road lights and corner strobes. mic brackets are on the drivers side, along with a button switch for my triple train horn.

i've been meaning to get another digital camera, so hopefully i'll have pics of the completed install. it's not done yet anyway but hopefully pretty soon. it's gonna be pretty radio/light sexy! LOL

I have a 01 Ram and made my own console box to fit between the seat and dash. It contains a Whelen siren, 2 Maxtrac's and a cobra cb radio. Switches are built into top and also of course it has to cup holders. Still have room to put in a traffic advisor control box which will arrive shortly. And it's covered with replacement carpet to match interior color of truck. Imagination will be your savior.

I mounted VHF Maratrac and UHF M216 in my 1995 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport. I didnt use a console or anything, but it turned out pretty good.

I took the Maratrac Bracket and drilled 2 holes in the side, and then mounted the remote head for the M216 above the Maratrac head and it looks cool.

My UHF is under the passenger seat and my VHF is under the middle seat.

Antennas are roof-mount NMO's 1/4 waves. All wiring is ran under the carpet. It looks pretty sweet.

Can post pics if wanted...

nick

I have a 97 Ram 4x4. The t-case shifter made this a tricky beast. I cut out the middle seat, did a little metal work, and then constructed a console out of plywood and covered with backless carpet. The top is made from 12GA steel that I had laser cut from a CAD drawing that I made to fit all of my stuff. Power is 120A circuit from the battery, and goes in to a distribution strip with individual fuse blocks. Here is a pic:



There's an A4 VHF Spectra, Kenwood TK-830 (UHF), Icom IC-2710 ham dual band, 800MHz Spectra, 900MHz Spectra, PRO-2067 scanner, Icom IC-V8000 2M ham radio, and a Whelen 295HFSA1. The switches control various lighting power circuits, as well as the IGNITION-OFF-ON switch that lets me have everything be ignition controller, totally off, or totally on regardless of the ignition.

You can see more pics at http://www.waltel.com/console/ , and I also put a plot of the CAD drawing of the top on there, minus a bunch of dims that would clutter it up.

I am still looking for a decent solution for labels for the switches, but I know what they all do at least.

The gray PVC pipe on the passenger side is for a laptop mount that I made out of SCH80 PVC, and it works quite well. The PVC is plenty strong even for my 7lb laptop on bumpy West Texas roads.

Jeff

Just goes to show you can never have too many radios.That is an awsome setup!!!

I guess I have two questions....

1) if you have all those radios, why do you need a scanner?

and

2) how do the antennas work mounted on the toolbox as you show them there. Are they no groundplane antennas, or are they regular. I am also considering that setup so I can run tall antennas and still make it in the garage.

Thanks
Tim

Tim:

1) It's always nice to have a scanner for on-the-fly programmability, and for being able to scan unlimited talkgroups/frequencies. It's also handy since we have an EDACS system here in our city. I do have an Ericsson MDX EDACS mobile that I'd like to put in there, but I don't have the room really.

2) The antennas are mounted to the front of the toolbox using NMO mirror mounts. It actually works pretty well; a toolbox is an excellent platform for mounting antennas. They are just regular antennas. From left to right: Antenex CWB1443 wideband VHF, Antenex CB144/440C dual band, Antenex CWB4405C wideband UHF, and another Antenex CWB1443 wideband UHF. On the roof are three Antenex Phantom antennas for 800MHz, 900MHz, and 2.4GHz. On the front driver side fender is an Antenex ABSCANC scanner antenna.

Even mounted on the toolbox, my antennas still hit most garages. My truck is fairly tall to begin with however. I find it easiest to just avoid garages whenever possible.

One thing not shown in the picture is an STX w/ convertacom that is mounted behind the console between the console and the back seat.

I'd like to get the PRO-2067 scanner out of there and replace it with a BC796D. I'd also like to install a lowband radio like a Syntor X9000 or Orion. The EDACS radio would be nice to put in there as well.

Jeff

JohnWayne, You could use the white plastic logos that snap into most switchpanels. Galls and other places have them. Just trim the mounting tabs off the back and put them on with a spot of silicone. They should be removable that way also. The install looks nice. I'm trying to figure out how to put almost as much equipment in a '99 Ram, your pictures will help greatly.

Thanks for the tip about the switchplate labels, Tech225. I wonder if I can get them custom made. I don't think Galls stocks ones that say BOAT (don't ask) or EJECT . I am thinking about getting some made from a place that does control panels and such. The plastic type with the routed letters. Or I may just let it be since I plan on buying another vehicle (probably a Tahoe) soon.

If I remember correctly, the 98 and up Rams have that obnoxious tilt down cup holder under the dash. I guess something like my console would work if you didn't care about using the cup holder. The t-case shifter is a little different, too, I think.

Jeff

The plastic type with the routed letters are the ones I was talking about. You should be able to get them fron TST or an ambulance manufacturer.
As for the drink holder, I took it out and am fitting in a Command Console where it used to be. Still cipherin' on that one though.

Jeff, that's a nice setup.

Do my eyes detect a Fobus? That's cool...

Gordon

Yep, it's a Fobus. I took a left-handed model and used a couple fender washers and a bolt and attached it to the console. Works pretty well, and is about 1/3 the price of the purpose-made hard mount holsters.

Jeff

Here's the pics of my install, it is not complete as there is a uhf maxtrac to go yet.

There is a Vision controller on top, then a VHF Maratrac, and finally a 800mhz X9000.

The Maratrac drawer is mounted under the center seat, the X9000 drawer behind the passenger seat, and the vision amp under the passenger seat.

Antennas are magnetics for now, pending installation of the Vision lightbar.



Tim

Man, that is an ugly color for a truck interior.

Nice install.

I'd be willing to be the white balance on the camera is off... Look at the white buttons on the controler - they all have a red tint to them.

-Alex

Could you post some more detail on the laptop mount? Especially the top section.