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My GMRS solution

Figmo

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If you’re looking for an inexpensive and super simple way to add GMRS to your Bronco, here’s my solution…

First, antenna mount: I figured, “why spend a bunch of money for a piece of metal, a couple of holes and some company’s logo plastered all over it?”. Instead, I just took a scrap piece of square tubing I had laying around, cut off about an inch and half, drilled a hole all the way through it. Couple coats of paint and done. Bottom hole is where the screw on the cowling next to the radio antenna holds it in place. Top hole is for a 3/8” antenna mount. I’ve got a ghost antenna but this would work for any type of antenna.

Next, where to mount the radio itself: I’ve always liked those radios with the detachable face. Just gives a lot more options. In my case, I’ve got a Wouxon KG-1000G but there are others out there with this feature. I wanted it to be accessible in case I ever need to connect the programming cable to a laptop. And close to a power source. Without having to tear apart a bunch of stuff to get at it. Answer? Glove box. I already had one of those cheap glove box organizers so just slid it into the top section. Upfitter switch power source is right there. (mine’s wired to AUX2)

Now where to put the radio faceplate? Wanted it to be easily viewable and not have to drill holes or glue crap to my dash. Also wanted it to be “out of sight out of mind” for any sticky fingered punks that may stop to admire my Bronco. A couple months ago I had picked up one of those cheap storage compartments that clip to the top of the windshield frame above the sunvisors. Nice place to put glasses, pens, flashlight, etc. What a great place to also mount the faceplate. My first thought was to cut a hole in the front of it and slide in the faceplate so that it was just barely protruding out the front - but ended up just screwing it to the front of that cup and looks every bit as good. And I don’t lose the storage feature of compartment. Right above the drivers side sinvisor. Nice and hidden yet easily viewable by me when I need it.

Lastly - the mic. For now, just velcro to the hard top headliner works great. But I will need to come up with a better solution this summer when the top comes off.

Less than an hour’s worth of work. No gaudy or expensive antenna or radio brackets to buy. Form and function are both just fine for me. YMMV

Maybe somebody else can take some of these ideas and tweak them for their own “perfect for me install”. Here’s some pics…

Ford Bronco My GMRS solution 3200628D-86AB-42E7-8D7D-BFA1DE33938A
Ford Bronco My GMRS solution B65D2D62-333B-4DC9-A87B-36B351582E08
Ford Bronco My GMRS solution B478D470-E20B-4A82-8959-DF8698CE6128
Ford Bronco My GMRS solution 35DD17B1-A4C6-432C-9BA5-FD23A504EB56
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Flourman

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Nicely done! I run a KG1000+ for a base station that will be moving to my camper.
 

Callelk

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If you’re looking for an inexpensive and super simple way to add GMRS to your Bronco, here’s my solution…

First, antenna mount: I figured, “why spend a bunch of money for a piece of metal, a couple of holes and some company’s logo plastered all over it?”. Instead, I just took a scrap piece of square tubing I had laying around, cut off about an inch and half, drilled a hole all the way through it. Couple coats of paint and done. Bottom hole is where the screw on the cowling next to the radio antenna holds it in place. Top hole is for a 3/8” antenna mount. I’ve got a ghost antenna but this would work for any type of antenna.

Next, where to mount the radio itself: I’ve always liked those radios with the detachable face. Just gives a lot more options. In my case, I’ve got a Wouxon KG-1000G but there are others out there with this feature. I wanted it to be accessible in case I ever need to connect the programming cable to a laptop. And close to a power source. Without having to tear apart a bunch of stuff to get at it. Answer? Glove box. I already had one of those cheap glove box organizers so just slid it into the top section. Upfitter switch power source is right there. (mine’s wired to AUX2)

Now where to put the radio faceplate? Wanted it to be easily viewable and not have to drill holes or glue crap to my dash. Also wanted it to be “out of sight out of mind” for any sticky fingered punks that may stop to admire my Bronco. A couple months ago I had picked up one of those cheap storage compartments that clip to the top of the windshield frame above the sunvisors. Nice place to put glasses, pens, flashlight, etc. What a great place to also mount the faceplate. My first thought was to cut a hole in the front of it and slide in the faceplate so that it was just barely protruding out the front - but ended up just screwing it to the front of that cup and looks every bit as good. And I don’t lose the storage feature of compartment. Right above the drivers side sinvisor. Nice and hidden yet easily viewable by me when I need it.

Lastly - the mic. For now, just velcro to the hard top headliner works great. But I will need to come up with a better solution this summer when the top comes off.

Less than an hour’s worth of work. No gaudy or expensive antenna or radio brackets to buy. Form and function are both just fine for me. YMMV

Maybe somebody else can take some of these ideas and tweak them for their own “perfect for me install”. Here’s some pics…

Ford Bronco My GMRS solution 35DD17B1-A4C6-432C-9BA5-FD23A504EB56
Ford Bronco My GMRS solution 35DD17B1-A4C6-432C-9BA5-FD23A504EB56
Ford Bronco My GMRS solution 35DD17B1-A4C6-432C-9BA5-FD23A504EB56
Ford Bronco My GMRS solution 35DD17B1-A4C6-432C-9BA5-FD23A504EB56
Where did you get the compartment above the visor?
 
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Figmo

Figmo

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Texasgrillchef

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I’m using the same radio as you are I love my kg1000g+

I got the wireless microphone addition and it’s awesome
 

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whmoorejr

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I'm following in your footsteps. Waiting for a sunny day to pull apart my interior to run cables from the glove box up to the visor. I have a couple questions for you....

How solid is the radio in there with the cheap insert? Does it rattle around at all?
Are you able to hear just fine with the microphone's speaker? Does the glove box physically mute the radio's built in speakers?

My first thought was to run a 3mm cable at the same time above the mirror to do a visor mount speaker or something along those lines.

My second thought (favorite so far), is to use an FM modulator or transmitter.... so if I really need to listen to the radio, I can just tune to that FM station on the Bronco radio and listen to GMRS in surround sound.

I know this original post is over a year old.... is this still your setup? Any issues?
 
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Figmo

Figmo

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I'm following in your footsteps. Waiting for a sunny day to pull apart my interior to run cables from the glove box up to the visor. I have a couple questions for you....
Year later and nothing has changed. All is working fine.

Don’t really know if the radio is rattling around in the glove box. If a radio rattles and you can’t hear it, is it still a rattle? LOL But seriously…I’m sure there is some movement in there when I hit big bumps but it’s never been something I’ve actually noticed. Nor has it caused any problems.

Hanging the Mic using velcro to the headliner turned out to be a permanent solution. The trick is that you have to support the weight of the cord on something or it does break the velcro loose when swinging. But having that Mic up there right next to your head means you can hear it pretty well.

And, of course, if in a conversation I’ve got the mic in my hand so I can hold it even closer to my ear if need be.

But I do like your idea of using an FM modulator. Thought I’m not sure how much I’d use that since normally I’m listening to tunes out of those speakers. But I can think of times when it would be preferred.

One thing I did change is that I drilled a drain hole in the cubby mounted over the sun visor. Not like it’s ever been exposed to enough rain to fill up - but enough to collect a bit of a puddle in the bottom of it. Glad I decided to use an upfitter switch to keep the head de-energized when not in use.
 

whmoorejr

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Not like it’s ever been exposed to enough rain to fill up - but enough to collect a bit of a puddle in the bottom of it.
Thanks for the quick reply.
I'm doing the sunglass holder thing too, but I cut the box part off with a table saw so it will just be a flat plate to mount the GMRS face to. (Basically, I just wanted the clips and a mount surface so I didn't have to drill into the bronco).

Glad I decided to use an upfitter switch to keep the head de-energized when not in use.
I havn't decided if I'm going to use an upfitter switch or put in a relay so the wouxon gets power when the vehicle is on. I figure, if I wire direct to the battery, that wire will run right past the inside fuse box where I can tap a "power when vehicle on" fuse to power a relay where the electricty will then continue it's journey to the glove box.

Another question I had you answered with one of your pictures. I wasn't sure if there was enough clearance for the wires to just run out the back of the glovebox or if I was going to have to cut a hole. It looks like your cables just ran right over the rear top of the box.... so I'm good there.

Last thing that I'm doing a little different.... I am running two lines of CAT8 cable.... I like it because it's flat (not round) so I think it will flop over the weather stripping a little smoother than the CAT5e that comes with the wouxon. One line to run the faceplate. The other is so I can have an ethernet port for the mic somewhere around the center console. (Soft top.... I already had to wait till 2023 for my 2021 order and they said my hard top would have pushed my order out another year.)
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