ControlNode's overboard Radio install

[ControlNode]

OK I've been planning this build for a little while, and it's far from done. But the parts are in, the work is starting.

Simple idea is to install GMRS radio in the Ranger. But that is no fun, so I'm installing the radio in the back, using a remote faceplate up front, routing the external speaker from the radio to a Lariat center dash speaker into my XLT. There are a couple of side projects with this as well, aux 3rd brake light on the tonneau cover that blocks view of the OE 3rd brake light when the cover is propped up in its full open position, and bed lighting. I'm wanting to 3D print a custom a piece to allow me to get the face plate exactly how I want it. I attempted to scan the related parts in using photogrammetry, I learned that mono color, black is even worse, is almost impossible to get with this process. So, think I found a solution for this, washable chalk spray paint for sidewalks. The parts are now bright and multicolored, the photogrammetry worked great so far.

More to follow as I progress on this project.

The scanned in result, not perfect, but I think good enough for my needs, and yes, I already cut the right accessory mount most of the way out, the scan even got the detail of some over cuts.

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[Dunneldeen]

I look forward to hearing more about the radio install as you go. I'm also planning a radio install and like the idea of putting the radio speaker inside the center speaker area that is currently empty in my XLT.

 

[ControlNode]

I hope to get more time on it again soon. I will state that most of the mobile radio external speakers are 6-8ohm and the Ford center speaker measures 3ohms, so likely a 4ohm speaker. I've bought 4ohm loads to put in series with the speaker to get the number to likely match what the radio needs, though Wouxun does not actually state that specification anywhere in the manual.

 

[RangerVol]

I'd like to see how you get your antenna inside and where you mount it.
I thought about putting a 2m/70cm radio in but I'm not drilling a hole. I can't really find a place to mount the antenna. I really don't want to put the antenna up front but looks like that maybe my only option
Buddy has Ram truck and used a stake hole antenna mount but the Ranger doesn't have stake holes in the bed rail.

 

[ControlNode]

Through the tonneau cover. Cap install as it would be in the antenna is off the truck.

Tonneau cover propped up in fully open position and plenty of clearance.

Right angle to keep cable out of the way in the middle of the bed.

@RangerVol I plan to use roof top magnet mount, easy to remove and should be a good ground plane.

 

[Msfitoy]

OK I've been planning this build for a little while, and it's far from done. But the parts are in, the work is starting.

Simple idea is to install GMRS radio in the Ranger. But that is no fun, so I'm installing the radio in the back, using a remote faceplate up from, routing the external speaker from the radio to a Lariat center dash speaker into my XLT. There are a couple of side projects with this as well, aux 3rd brake light on the tonneau cover that blocks view of the OE 3rd brake light when the cover is propped up in its full open position, and bed lighting. I'm wanting to 3D print a custom a piece to allow me to get the face plate exactly how I want it. I attempted to scan the related parts in using photogrammetry, I learned that mono color, black is even worse, is almost impossible to get with this process. So, think I found a solution for this, washable chalk spray paint for sidewalks. The parts are now bright and multicolored, the photogrammetry worked great so far.

More to follow as I progress on this project.

The scanned in result, not perfect, but I think good enough for my needs, and yes, I already cut the right accessory mount most of the way out, the scan even got the detail of some over cuts.

Good luck in your install...many here have installed GMRS (me too) in various forms and styles...check out @OFC Ranger install in the rear area for ideas...

 

[OFC Ranger]

Good luck in your install...many here have installed GMRS (me too) in various forms and styles...check out @OFC Ranger install in the rear area for ideas...

I think both of our setups are out of the ordinary due to having so many places to mount dingles, dongles, and dikfers.

 

[t4thfavor]

Fwiw, I got my antenna in through the vents behind the rear seats, and installed the radio body there. Ram power down the drivers door side track, mounted the faceplate in the useless dash tray and put the external speaker in the arm rest console. My radio is a kenwood d710ga and my install is documented on this forum somewhere.

 

[ControlNode]

Good luck in your install...many here have installed GMRS (me too) in various forms and styles...check out @OFC Ranger install in the rear area for ideas...

Yes, I've been looking at other installs for ideas. But, I still want to do things how I want them.

I think both of our setups are out of the ordinary due to having so many places to mount dingles, dongles, and dikfers.

Yes, you install has a lot to it and it's really good.

Fwiw, I got my antenna in through the vents behind the rear seats, and installed the radio body there. Ram power down the drivers door side track, mounted the faceplate in the useless dash tray and put the external speaker in the arm rest console. My radio is a kenwood d710ga and my install is documented on this forum somewhere.

I was just looking at running it through where the right vent would be, on my truck is just a cap but fills a hole just like the hole for the vent on the left side. Maybe it's another 21 cost cutting "feature".

I guess overboard is not sure to the quantity of stuff I'm installing, but overboard on the effort for the minimal amount of hardware I'm installing.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Yes, I've been looking at other installs for ideas. But, I still want to do things how I want them.

Yes, you install has a lot to it and it's really good.

I was just looking at running it through where the right vent would be, on my truck is just a cap but fills a hole just like the hole for the vent on the left side. Maybe it's another 21 cost cutting "feature".

I guess overboard is not sure to the quantity of stuff I'm installing, but overboard on the effort for the minimal amount of hardware I'm installing.

I believe both sides should have an un-used rubber grommet. I know mine does. My lighting wires come through one and on the other side my radio wires.

 

[t4thfavor]

I believe both sides should have an un-used rubber grommet. I know mine does. My lighting wires come through one and on the other side my radio wires.

The gen5 ranger has a steering column grommet on both sides, the usa passenger side grommet is unused from what I recall. A good lip antenna mount works well, and has a good shot at the unused grommet.

 

[ControlNode]

Today I got time to route the antenna into the cab. Ended up not using the heavier wire I bought as the was no way to work it though the grommets in the bed and the cab, just too offset and too little room.

Sealed the coupler to tonneau cover and greased the connections to keep water out.

I also did a quick temp run of the cat 5 cable to the front. Since I'm still waiting on the high current battery junction box for parts to add 50A dude into that I just put the power supply and Jackery in the truck for testing.

 

[ControlNode]

Working on the power leads today.

The BJB before adding the new 50A (partly disassembled)

And after adding the new 50A.

Turns out that 2015 Fusion high junction battery box is more like the Ranger one than I realized. Once I took off the power input side with a 200 amp fuse on it, it's the same part. So, if you want to add this fuse and the needed studs for it buy a 2015 Fusion High Current Battery Junction box for $20 on ebay instead of the $120 sellers are wanting for one out of the Ranger. Kind of annoying design because to ever replace any of those fuses you will have to, after of course disconnecting the battery, take off the upper fuse box. Then you have to undo every wire to the high junction box so you can get it out so you can access the top (shielded even with flag open) nut to get the fuse out.

 

[ControlNode]

I think under the hood looks close enough to stock.

Power hooked up.

The ground is the most noticable part. Is still less noticable than this pic once the to fuse box is back in place.

Can see the loom near ABS if you really look.

 

[ControlNode]

I finally got free time on vacation to work on the truck again. I got the speaker leads to the dash from the radio, wired in the 3.5mm jacks on that wire at the radio end for the 2 3.5mm patch cables. Then, at the dash put a 4Ω resistor in line with the Lariat 4Ω center speaker to get the 8Ω load the radio wants for its external speaker. Install of those with the Lariat dash trim and the radio is WAY easier to hear now.

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