2nd Gen Explorer install of Yaesu 7800

MikeCMP · 03-11-2009, 08:35 AM

Hello,
Finally, after a long wait, and a long while after my original getting started thread, I have my radio installed in my truck. This took me a while, partially, b/c I totalled my last truck, and partially due to the fact that my daughter was born two weeks early. Now that I have her home I decided to finish up my install, and take some pictures.

I managed to install this without drilling any holes in my new truck, except in the little compartment where the radio sits. In there is where the jack, key less entry system, and air ride suspension systems hang out, and there happened to be a nice metal bracket I could mount the radio to, after using one available hole and drilling only one more.

Wires ran out an existing hole at the bottom of the plastic under the carpet, and under the plastic trim all the way to the front of the vehicle. The power cables go up to the battery through the shift lever grommet, and the head cable goes under the dash, and behind the console through a small rubber "gasket" between the console and dash.

the head is stuck on with double sided trim tape, as is the microphone mount. The external speaker is also help on with double sided tape, however, I am going to get a nice strong wire, and run it down through the trim, in case I am in an accident, so that the speaker does not become a projectile. I figure if I get some wire, I can make a nice connection to the metal bracket the radio is mounted on and tie the speaker down.

Running the wires took me about an hour and a half, finishing up the mounting took another hour or so.

On to the pics.

**rizzjc** · 03-11-2009, 08:47 AM

Very nice! I need to get a removable head unit and been done with it. So much cleaner to install in a gen 2. What's the ON/OFF switch for near your jack? Can you still open your rear window with the antenna there?

MikeCMP · 03-11-2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rizzjc

Very nice! I need to get a removable head unit and been done with it. So much cleaner to install in a gen 2. What's the ON/OFF switch for near your jack? Can you still open your rear window with the antenna there?

The ON/OFF switch is for the air suspension on this model. As far as opening the window, that is a little annoying actually. The lip mount was originally going to go on the part of the hatch that was above the tail lights in the other truck, thus avoiding any trouble, but on this truck there is plastic trim in the way. I don't remember my old truck having that, regardless, if you were to just open the glass, it would hit the antenna, but the antenna is a fold down, so, you fold it, and can open the glass no problem.

Then antenna is a comet SSB5NMO dual band in case you are interested.

Mike

03-11-2009, 08:35 AM	#1
MikeCMP Wannabe Elite Explorer OH 2001 Explorer Limited Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 13 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	2nd Gen Explorer install of Yaesu 7800 Hello, Finally, after a long wait, and a long while after my original getting started thread, I have my radio installed in my truck. This took me a while, partially, b/c I totalled my last truck, and partially due to the fact that my daughter was born two weeks early. Now that I have her home I decided to finish up my install, and take some pictures. I managed to install this without drilling any holes in my new truck, except in the little compartment where the radio sits. In there is where the jack, key less entry system, and air ride suspension systems hang out, and there happened to be a nice metal bracket I could mount the radio to, after using one available hole and drilling only one more. Wires ran out an existing hole at the bottom of the plastic under the carpet, and under the plastic trim all the way to the front of the vehicle. The power cables go up to the battery through the shift lever grommet, and the head cable goes under the dash, and behind the console through a small rubber "gasket" between the console and dash. the head is stuck on with double sided trim tape, as is the microphone mount. The external speaker is also help on with double sided tape, however, I am going to get a nice strong wire, and run it down through the trim, in case I am in an accident, so that the speaker does not become a projectile. I figure if I get some wire, I can make a nice connection to the metal bracket the radio is mounted on and tie the speaker down. Running the wires took me about an hour and a half, finishing up the mounting took another hour or so. On to the pics.

03-11-2009, 08:47 AM	#2
rizzjc Scubajoe - Radio Mod Garner, NC '97 AWD V8 XLT Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,246 Vehicle Specs	Very nice! I need to get a removable head unit and been done with it. So much cleaner to install in a gen 2. What's the ON/OFF switch for near your jack? Can you still open your rear window with the antenna there? __________________ *Joe, N1LVN* '97 XLT AWD V8 STOCK Amsoil Synthetics throughout. Amsoil Ea air filter. Bilsteins. Scanguage. Search ExplorerForum