Super Clean GMRS Radio Install!

[NewBroncoOwner]

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[Bo-Ronco]

For everyone like me who has remote mounted their MXT275 and has found that the base unit speaker was insufficient with the base unit stowed away in the center console or behind your dash, it IS possible to enable the speaker in the hand mic (control unit). In order to do so, follow these instructions:

Short press the lock button, and then use the volume buttons to toggle between the following speaker settings:

Ho AF à: Base unit speaker on/control unit speaker off
Ho Ao à: Both speakers on
HF Ao à: Base unit speaker off/control unit speaker on

I was on the brink of ordering an external speaker when I stumbled across this feature. Good thing I didn't waste my money because the hand mic speaker is super loud!

Hope this helps!

 

[dsop]

I just finished this up on my own Bronco, thank you so much for this post! I started following it, and mounted the radio under the center console, using an auxillary upfitter switch. Since I have the 7sp transmission I couldn't use the transmission bolts under the center console (and couldn't use the hole in the firewall), so I ended up using a small trim push-bolt to secure it to a spare hole in the frame, and using some 1/2" weather-sealing foam to stabilize it (we'll see how it handles when I actually offroad).

The RJ-45 port I ended up mounting on the little trim piece above the front of the console like this:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/super-clean-gmrs-radio-install.42659/post-1372291

The antenna I had trouble with, because I couldn't find a nice way to go through the firewall without making a hole in the small "nipple" of the rubber grommet near the brakes in the firewall. Instead, I saw this post
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/gmrs-ham-cb-murs-etc-rear-antenna-mount.38817/post-1404669

and ended up running the antenna along the top rail and back to the rear D pillar. Cheers!

 

[Bo-Ronco]

The antenna I had trouble with, because I couldn't find a nice way to go through the firewall without making a hole in the small "nipple" of the rubber grommet near the brakes in the firewall. Instead, I saw this post
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/gmrs-ham-cb-murs-etc-rear-antenna-mount.38817/post-1404669

and ended up running the antenna along the top rail and back to the rear D pillar. Cheers!

Very nice! Have you tested your range yet with that antenna location?

 

[dsop]

Very nice! Have you tested your range yet with that antenna location?

Not yet, plan on doing it soon!

 

[vzqhsg]

So are more over the road truckers moving to this radio? I see they have a longer range.

 

[kimmnen]

Had a few minutes to get some pics of where I mounted my 575. The blue dot is the bracket for the module, the yellow dot is the approximate location of the bolt from the bracket. In the bottom up pic you can see the stacked washers I used to keep the bolt from blocking the radio. The other end of the radio bracket is zip tied to the module bracket, but, there is space between the module and it's bracket to use a short screw without hitting the module.

The gray dot is where the antenna connector is, the connector would be better as a 90 degree fitting, rather than the supplied straight connector, it is tight up against some support up there.

So far it has been solid, I've done a decent amount of trail running, high speed over washboards, a few hard whoops, and the radio is still solid in it's mount. So far all is good!

Thanks for finding this space. For the MXT575 this looks to be the best area to mount and "easier" to pull the radio if needed.... but the space is a bear to maneuver in. I had a bit of metal I just had to find a use for, and this looked like a fit. Trial & Error but I was able to make "bracket" to mount the radio. I was able to position the radio lower and it looks like there is plenty of room to make the antenna connection. Still have to run wires and make mic connection. Planning on doing the same mic connection at the console as others have done. I am feeling my 71 years and more.

 

[Bo-Ronco]

Very cool!

 

[JB1901]

After looking at a number of other installs we had a good idea on where we wanted to stash the MXT575 of ours. It's bigger than the MXT275 so we had to modify the bracket that is under the steering wheel column a bit to get the MXT575 to sit down lower below the steering column to not interfere with normal use. We basically just cut the corners on the bracket and bent the flap down. We used a hammer to flatten it out and it gave us a wider platform to screw the MXT575 to. Photos below. It took far more time to figure out how to get panels apart.

 

[The Beaz]

Only putting it there because its a super easy location without removing anything. I’m going to wire cat 5 to this location. I didn’t go with Ethernet connector near the usb outlet because I didn’t want to obstruct that storage area for when I connect the handset

Would love to know what ethernet cable extension that is...I used this pass through connector:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CDD2BRF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

and it introduced interference in the RX.....every single communication is followed by clicking that sounds like a rotary dial being turned rapidly. Ugh....so on the hunt for an extension with a round panel mount.....

 

[KompressorV12]

Would love to know what ethernet cable extension that is...I used this pass through connector:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CDD2BRF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

and it introduced interference in the RX.....every single communication is followed by clicking that sounds like a rotary dial being turned rapidly. Ugh....so on the hunt for an extension with a round panel mount.....

I used this coupler

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V317BYF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[retiredarmymp]

I was able to mount the MXT575 in the same place KompressorV12 mounted the MXT275 above the driver footrest. It is tight but I was able to make it fit.

 

[Scape Goat]

I'd be happy to walk you through the entire process!

I think you will save time by making a video. You seem to have a lot of fans!

 

[Bo-Ronco]

I think you will save time by making a video. You seem to have a lot of fans!

I did:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...h-super-clean-gmrs-radio-install-contd.43847/

 

[xim]

After looking at a number of other installs we had a good idea on where we wanted to stash the MXT575 of ours. It's bigger than the MXT275 so we had to modify the bracket that is under the steering wheel column a bit to get the MXT575 to sit down lower below the steering column to not interfere with normal use. We basically just cut the corners on the bracket and bent the flap down. We used a hammer to flatten it out and it gave us a wider platform to screw the MXT575 to. Photos below. It took far more time to figure out how to get panels apart.

Not sure why, but my 575 looked like it would never fit here - like the steering column was just to tight to the bracket. I gave on it for the moment. I'll have to reassess and try again

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