2005 HD Dodge install

[316]

One of my friends is get back into radio, and I told him I would help him out with the installation.

But he wants it mounted to the roof of his dodge.

Here's what we have to work with.
Cobra 29 LTD Classic
Palomar 250
Cowtown Predator 10K

I already have the mount for the cowtown.

But the roof mount will be tricky for me, first time to do it this way.

Thanks guys.

[316]

also if you have pics to go by that would be very helpful.

[Mike D]

Have tried looking at some of the dodge diesel websites for ideas?

[Shaft]

If he does not have the overhead data read out, it should be pretty simple.

You'll have to take the plastic covers off of the A-pillars. This might require removing part of the weather stripping around the door.

Next you will need to take the sunvisors out. The swivel is held in with 3 screws. The sunvisor clips are held in with a clip. If I recall, you have to pull the outside down before the rest of it will release. If you have a dental type pick tool, it works well.

Once you have all that removed it should be simple enough to lower the headliner down far enough to where you can route wires and take measurements. You can usually mount to the frame of the cab that goes over the window. If you use 1/2" screws, it won't penetrate the roof. As far as mounting the bracket you can either mount it directly to the metal and then cut slits in the headliner with a razor blade, or if you are comfortable enough with the position of the bracket, mount the bracket through the headliner, but because of the thickness of the head liner you might need to use longer screws.

The most important thing to do is to hold the radio, with bracket attached up to the head liner and see how it's going to look. It is possible that it might block part of the rearview mirror.

The other thing I suggest would be if you are ever down around Houston look me up. I know some people up in Ft. Worth that can do it too if you want to pay a little money.

[231]

Sounds like you already have the antenna stuff figured out. On my '04 Laramie pkg (and '03 SLT pkg) I mounted mine between the cup holder and center console...low where it's easy to mess with while driving. It works great for me. I used heavy duty L brackets lag bolted on to the tranny hump, then used electrical steel strut to mount the radio bracket to. It's firm and strong. For the amp I simply set it behind the bottom of the radio where I can easily reach it. With the cup holder down it's not that noticeable. If he has power seats, there is no room under the seats for his amp. However, there is room under the center console that with a remote switch is perfect for an amp. Not much air movement...but for a small amp like that should be fine.

[316]

Well we got it knocked out and he loves it. Not were he wanted but now he like where I put better than his original idea. I'll post pick the next time I go feed my horse.

[watchmanstan]

Man that horse must be hungry by now. Just kidding. I have a 2006 and have mine mounted on stock bracket attached above console. I have a sweet 16 coming in though & will be switching everything around. Just curious how your friend's turned out.

[316]

No not hungry just every time I go out there either I don't have my camera or he's not home.

[Hardrive]

I have a dodge ram 1500, be very careful not to over-torq the 10mm bolts on the a pliers. I had a friend help me on my and the next time I went to remove them they were striped. It took about 2hr to remove one side and I had to replace the piler ($90) .

[steved]

Man that horse must be hungry by now. Just kidding. I have a 2006 and have mine mounted on stock bracket attached above console. I have a sweet 16 coming in though & will be switching everything around. Just curious how your friend's turned out.

I'll be curious how the Ram's computer likes the RF...my seatbelt light flickers with just my 3300hp and now my 4600 in my 2004.5 CTD. I have read about fried ECMs...the main reason I sold my 500 watt brick and went barefoot.

I have my 4600 mounted on the side of the center console...there is a guy on the diesel sites that sells custom radio mounting brackets just for the dodge rams...goes by BigBob. Mine isn't too bad...couldn't mount on the dash as it interfered with the 6spd shifter. The ONLY thing I do not like about my 4600 is that blasted bright blue illumination...too bright for night driving.

steved

[watchmanstan]

Tell the truth, I look like a nuclear reactor going down the road with that blue readout. Someone on here came up with the excellent suggestion to put a piece of window tint film over it at night & it will probably work great. As far as zapping my ECU, I haven't had any problems running my Connex or the Galaxy with Palomar 150 before. Secret is to ground everything and do not route antenna coax or power wires in the same area as any part of the existing truck harness. Mine is a Diesel & most guys I know that have had problems with the 2500/3500 concerned the fuel pump. I will post some pics this next week of the install & the final product.

[watchmanstan]

Just finished my Sweet 16 install. You can see pics by searching the word "cummin" and follow the replys on that post. As far as interference, I haven't had any problems with the idiot lights or other systems in the truck. I can key up about 1500 watts. I will probably turn the radio's dead key down some though as not to overwork the amp.

[316]

Yeah your install is pretty clean, hard to hide that beast though.