2013 f-150 crew cab mobile rig install ideas

[Bigbadwolfb4u]

I would like some ideas on installing a Galaxy dx-949 ,with external freq.counter,and a smaller 300 watt linear in my 2013 Ford f -150,crew cab, there is just no room to put this radio because the center console contains cup holders,center glove box etc. There's no room to side mount on the center console,and no under dash room either.
Was thinking about maybe mounting to the front of the drivers seat which would be directly under my legs,but because of the electric seats and the rails for the seats is going to be a little tricky so it doesn't interfere with the seats back and forth motion( wife is short and seat has to be moved).
The truck has a sun roof so the cab ceiling is a little bit tight. The dash goes directly to the center console with the heat/air,and radio controls,so no room there either.
Also need to find an aestheticly good place to run the ant.coax instead of thru the window which I would not do anyway.
Thoughts? Maybe have it installed professionally?
Wish I would have taken some interior pics so everyone could see the layout of the interior,but could do that on a later post addition.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanx, 3's
bbw

[Bozo]

howdy @Bigbadwolfb4u!
I had a buddy that removed his entire glove box and mounted his radio, frequency counter, and is driver there. Regarding your coax. Most trucks have little holes behind seat that you can go out of and into the bed of the truck. That is how I ran my coax on my Chevy Silverado The amplifier can be put anywhere really, because there is only one position in my mind and that is the "On" position. LOL. I also had a remote that I ran from my toolbox to the front where I could control my amplifier...

Can you provide us with some images of your truck? You can upload them here [Please login or register to view this link] and it will give you the BBcode to put them on the forum.

[jessejamesdallas]

Maybe you need to think of a different radio...I have literally zero room in my Tacoma for a radio, yet I managed to mount a radio, and 1x2 amp inside with no problem, and the set-up does not get in the way of anything!

President McKinley, with a 1x2 Hooper Amp in the back tool box...(the little red rocker switch just to the left of the cigarette lighter turns ON and OFF the amp)

[Bigbadwolfb4u]

I may consider buying a different radio,but also am thinking about the glove box which was mentioned in a past post, however having to lean across the seat to change the channel or work the clarifer on ssb
would be a serious pain and dangerous.
Did you have yours installed professionally?
Thanks
bbw

[Bozo]

I may consider buying a different radio,but also am thinking about the glove box which was mentioned in a past post, however having to lean across the seat to change the channel or work the clarifer on ssb
would be a serious pain and dangerous.
Did you have yours installed professionally?
Thanks
bbw

@jessejamesdallas does all his own installs...

Just make the passenger change channels for you?

[Bigbadwolfb4u]

Naa that won't work, especially when I am alone.
I'll figure it out,I really don't want to get rid of the radio as I've done too many mods to it,extra frequencies,unlocked clarifer , custom face,backlites etc .

[TNT1450]

That's the trouble with modern vehicles... they're not manufactured with two-way radio installations in mind. It's hard to find space for even a small radio these days.

[Bigbadwolfb4u]

No doubt,which is the problem(s) we are encountering at this time.
Thank you for your reply and ideas in which if I do decide to go with the new radio I'm pretty much stuck with almost the same dilemma regarding the mounting as I don't think I even have room to do an in dash mount because there still isn't any room between the truck radio(am/fm),and the heat/air controller.
Btw,I had seen your post about the swr issue you were having with your own antenna,and wanted to ask if you had considered an antenna tuner to match your radio and antenna to get the lowest swr?
I have a mfj 949E tuner that I use with my base antenna that I am quite happy with because my antenna( Antron A-99) is mounted on a 40 ft tower which with the tuner eleminates having to climb the tower or pivoting the tower down to make adjustments.
The tuner was a bit expensive,but seriously made life a lot easier considering the options.
Take care,"3's)
Bbw

[jessejamesdallas]

I may consider buying a different radio,but also am thinking about the glove box which was mentioned in a past post, however having to lean across the seat to change the channel or work the clarifer on ssb
would be a serious pain and dangerous.
Did you have yours installed professionally?
Thanks
bbw

@jessejamesdallas does all his own installs...

Just make the passenger change channels for you?

Exactly...

[Low379]

I know this is a old post but hey what the heck I’ll bring it back up. I actually just installed a dx949 in my 2014 f150 super crew yesterday. If you are still interested in doing this hit me up. I’ll send you pictures of where and how I got it done.

[Bigbadwolfb4u]

Yes, please send me the pics ! Still haven't done anything yet as far as installing the radio, amp and antenna
Seriously appreciate your time and help
Thank you, BBQ, 73's

[Low379]

I’ll get some today, my antenna is a tri mag mount with a browning BR29 stick in it. I ran the coax through the cab vent on the back wall behind the seat. Tucked it under the carpet and fed it up to the center console. Do you have the full flow through console or the one that is open between the lower dash?

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This is the only one I have at the moment. I’ll take some more today.

[Bigbadwolfb4u]

Thank you for the information, I do have the full center console that goes to the dash, I even thought about opening the center stash box and seeing if it would fit there but decided that it would not get the airflow needed to keep the radio cool. I have cup holders after the center box and then a small space to put change etc . Let me shoot some pics today of my dash and console so you can see what I am dealing with.
Again, thank you.
3's BBW

[Low379]

I took the front piece off of the storage cubby and modified some spare mounting brackets I had laying around with some spacers and fastened it to the console inside the cubby. Kind of hard to see in the pics but it works pretty slick. Can still open the charging port door on the dash.

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Pic one

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Pic two

[Low379]

Pic 3

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Sorry for the poor quality pics

[Bigbadwolfb4u]

I been looking at the pics and this might actually work thank you for your time and help, will send pics of the finished ordeal later this week
3's BBW

[Low379]

Not a problem! If needed I can pull the radio off of the Mount to show how it is attached to the console. Does not wiggle or move around at all nice and solid.

[Bigbadwolfb4u]

That's not necessary at the moment but if I have any questions I will let you know, again
Thank you