Very Clean Midland MXT575 GMRS Radio Install with Mountains2Metal Bracket and 67 Designs Mic Mount

[Jabaen]

Your link to the arm doesn`t work---what length did you get ?

Looks like they have more options now. I got the medium length arm (199mm 7.8”). Here is one of their new options.

https://www.67d.com/products/arm-builder-pro-series-arms?variant=43943283097854

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[Sparkherd]

I have not but if you do I am curious how it comes out as my Wildtrak will get (2) 5100's when it comes in.

randl.com has ID-5100 for $460 today.

 

[MtnTopComms]

randl.com has ID-5100 for $460 today.

Thx, I have my radios already. That's one of the better prices I have seen lately though.

 

[C6ZZGT]

Looks like they have more options now. I got the medium length arm (199mm 7.8”). Here is one of their new options.

https://www.67d.com/products/arm-builder-pro-series-arms?variant=43943283097854

Thanks

 

[husker73]

Your link to the arm doesn`t work---what length did you get ?

1	RAM Mount Hex M6 Thread with 1 inch Ball (RAM-B-273-M6U)
1	RAM Mount Long Arm B-Socket (RAM-B-201U-C) About 6 inches

 

[shansen]

Thanks to this current thread and this thread, I was able to install my MXT575 under the center console in a few hours today. Instead of wiring the power to the wire behind the glove compartment, since I was already pulling the antenna cable through the firewall grommet areas, I pulled the power wires through there as well. Negative wire to the body where the battery connects, and the positive wire to the green/brown cable that's wired to the AUX2 switch (15 amp).

Under the center console, mine had more room than the prior pictures, I have a 2023 Badlands w/Lux package for reference. Note that part of the Midland radio does touch the bottom of the wireless charging base that comes with the trim level I have. I'll monitor this to see if heat becomes an issue.

I did use a small spacer underneath the mount as pictured below, and drilled the hole in the mounting bracket a little wider to accommodate the bolt. I went with the same Cat6 port ArizonaGreg did. For holding the mic, I have a ProClip on the way and will use that with a Magnetic Mic. They have not arrived yet, so the mic is just sitting in the pocket.

 

[Gotchaa]

Does anyone have buyers remorse on this unit. I mean for $25 you can get a hand-held programmable radio with more bands an flexibility.

I’ve talked to Midland and they have zero intention of allowing programmability of this particular model.

So far I’ve been on a few trips where VHF bands were used, so carry handhelds as well. Kinda of defeats the purpose of this unit.

 

[Roofus]

Why not both? This unit is installed in my truck and I have a set of Rocky talkies as well. Different situations will of course call for different tools.

 

[Gotchaa]

Why not both? This unit is installed in my truck and I have a set of Rocky talkies as well. Different situations will of course call for different tools.

I do have both, what I find is that I end up using baofeng more as we end up using bands the MX doesn’t support because they are less chatty

 

[jsoa]

This is great information and love it, inspired me to install this.

Any concerns hooking this up to aux 5 instead of 2?

 

[Roofus]

This is great information and love it, inspired me to install this.

Any concerns hooking this up to aux 5 instead of 2?

It's 3 amps, so you'll be fine on any of them, but most will suggest to save your 30amp (#1) and 15amp(#2) for lights or higher amperage stuff.

 

[Mack]

To add to the great information shared in this thread I wanted to add my experience also. After a sad debacle with Midland (tested radio-good, ran all wiring, tested again-good, cleaned everything up and finished install, tested again-good. Turned radio on next day-radio failed). I don’t mind the failed unit as much as the horrible customer service system they’ve chosen to adopt. Anyway, radio, external speaker, antenna mounts and antenna all going back. I’ve moved on to a Wouxun Kg1000g+.

Since I had both units at once (planned to uninstall Midland and re-install Wouxun), I was able to compare them. Even though I’ve seen here that the Wouxun wouldn’t fit in the area above the glove box on the M2M mount, I noticed that the Wouxun was actually slightly smaller.

So, I attempted to mount it the same as I had with the Midland as explained by the OP. The challenge wasn’t the radio, but the damned mount Wouxun included. It’s pretty tall compared to the midlands’, so this created some challenges. TIP #1: In the end I installed everything and THEN tightened down the bolts between the M2M mount and Wouxun mount. Worked great. She’s tucked in snug as a bug. I did add the weatherstripping as suggested earlier to provide padding. TIP #2 Install the radio programming cable into its port before installing the radio. You won’t get to it post-install. I also installed the radio so the speakers (which are on “top”) are pointing downward towards the footwell to improve sound.

(looking forward through glove box opening)

As to everything else, the install went very similar to the when I installed the Midland using the OP’s method. I ran the faceplate control cable up to above the sun visor as I’ve seen elsewhere. I have a M2M Sasquatch basket that conveniently has holes that matched my Magnetic Mic mount. I installed that on the passenger side of the basket so I could tuck the cable up out of the way when not in use. It all went well.

I powered the radio via the delayed accessory location as outline in this document:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/attachments/bronco-compressed-pdf.234161/

via this method in another post I made:
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/control-additional-lights-with-high-beams…solution-finally.86891/post-2142695


Much thanks for the OP for this thread and all the input from others.

Good Luck!

One quick update:
If your considering this faceplate install location, make sure you understand the limits of the display backlighting. There are very limited settings(on, off, off after X seconds). There’s no dim and no text color or backlighting options. At Dark-thirty in the morning it just blasts you in the eyes. Not great for driving visibility.

How did you attach the faceplate to that plastic cover piece?

 

[Gluestick]

It's 3 amps, so you'll be fine on any of them, but most will suggest to save your 30amp (#1) and 15amp(#2) for lights or higher amperage stuff.

wait, what is just 3amps? I thought the 575 was closer to 10 amps full draw as it’s 50W peak output, plus backlight plus USB-C charger.

 

[Roofus]

wait, what is just 3amps? I thought the 575 was closer to 10 amps full draw as it’s 50W peak output, plus backlight plus USB-C charger.

At this point I'd be going by memory. I just followed what the spec sheet reported. Even if it's at 10amps I'd assume you'd be fine on aux 3-6. I've had mine installed on either aux 3 or 4 for 2 years and have never had an issue.

 

[Gluestick]

Alright, most of the way through the install using the M2M under dash / clutch pedal bracket to install the MXT575. But I’m thoroughly perplexed by what I’m going to do to have clean wiring when the midland low profile antenna cable is crazy long.

are there any premade shorter cables antenna cables for NMO fittings available? I need 6’ or less. Certainly not a ton more.

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