2008 Ford F150

[tcm4368]

I've read the forums for some time and finally decided to send some pix of my installs. This is my 2008 Lariat that was ordered new in Feb 2008 and currently has 6,500 miles on it. Equipment consists of a Motorola CM300 UHF business-band radio, GRE PSR 300 scanner and a Motorola M800 phone. Antennas are mounted on a rack behind the cab.

[gambill1]

what is the brand of brush guard that you have on the front of the truck?

[tcm4368]

It's made by Ranch Hand out of Texas. I had it installed on my 2006 as well. I've had to special order them (2002 Ford F150 and 2006,2008 F150), as they normally don't stock the ones for half-tons, so I had to wait for mine to be built. Ranch Hand - Your #1 Source for Truck Accessories

[n8emr]

Looks nice, I would ditch the cigarette lighter plugs and hardware stuff to clean up the look.

[i_galbreath]

I like the lightbar cover.

[tcm4368]

I thought about putting a lighter plug between the seats, as it does make it hard to read the UHF with the extra cords in tha way. I kinda would like a set-up like i had in the 2006, but then can't have 3 up front if needed. I really don't need/want CB in the pick-up anyways....I have to listen to it in the truck all day. Portable scanner works ok for the most part. As for the lightbar cover, my local canvas shop made it for me for afew bucks. Only time I use it is moving oversize farm equipment.

[wd9cms]

Nice installations on all three of your post. How do you like the M800 phones???

Thanks,

Bill

[LowbandGuy]

Nice tidy installs. It is great to see vehicles that are clean and organized. I guess you recognize the benefits of looking after your gear. Those early to mid 90s Ford trucks were great for radio installs under the dash. I didn't know you could get a F150 Lariat without the console all the way to the dash. Makes it better for radios and phones.

[tcm4368]

Thanks for the comments. I'm by no means a professional, just a kid in his early 30's that enjoys doing it right. I take alot of pride in my equipment, it's advertising for my business. As for the phones, I really like them. I wish it was built like the old bag phones, with everything in the handset. I finally gave mine up in 2007 that I'd had since right out of high school. They work well, I run 5db dual load antennas on the trucks, and in the rural areas we run, can usually get as good or better service as I had with the old bag phones. I have three M800 mobile installs, and one bag phone that my father uses. They are a great improvement over the handheld phones.

[tcm4368]

As for the Lariat with no console, I ordered this truck new, and didn't want the flow-through console. It's nothing special, and can be ordered either way. I see alot of Lariats out here that way.

[tcm4368]

I had an old industial arts teacher that preached "if you can't find time to do it right the first time, when are you going to have time to do it over" My father and grandfather were the same way. Sometimes it was tough growing up as I had a project I wanted done right now. I've learned it's better to plan things out and wait untill you have a the right parts to make the job look and function like a professional did it.

[Exsmokey]

Both installs, this and on the 2006 look great!

I had a shop teacher (woodworking) in high school, a father, grandfather, and some great uncles that were the same way. Although it can sometimes seem like a curse, it is the best way to complete tasks. If you are in business or any other endeavor you make impressions on people more than you realize and how you modify and maintain your equipment speaks volumes about you. Even at that I have found that it saves money and time as well maintained equipment lasts longer while being there when you need it. Given the way my garage and vehicles look I've posted a sign in the garage that reads "God made most people perfect, the rest of us have to be organized."

Now someone else might have a truck with soda bottles on the floor, old sticky notes on the seat, and a black trash bag with duct tape covering the light bar. A customer, whether sub-consciously or not, sees those things and evaluates performance based on it. Some folks maintain their gear in a sloppy fashion and still do great work, but you have to see or hear about the work first to know that. If you contact a potential customer that hasn't, they may never become a customer.

What type of business are you in and what part of the country is involved?

[CT1396]

Hey tcm4368, who makes that bed rack? I've never seen one like that before. IMO, looks much nicer than the 'back rack'.

[windchaser]

Who made your light and antenna rack.

[mgolden2]

i'm looking to do an install with that exact motorola radio. If you have pictures of how you ran the power wires to/from the battery, could you post those too please? Thanks!

[emt8105]

Windchaser :From the shape of the light it looks like a Federal Signal Highlighter.

[OldDeadOne]

I'd like a link to that rack,that would be a cool way to put my antennas there.

[tcm4368]

Thanks for the comments folks. The rack is made by Go-Rhino and it's called "Extreme Racks" Purchased from Summit Racing quite reasonably if I recall it was under $200. Antenna mounts are mirror mounts with the "L" bracket removed. The base bolts to the top of the rack. Works well, as I have to install the short antennas when it's in the garage. These don't come apart at the wrong place like the roof mounts can. The light bar is a mag mount wired on a quick disconnect "GM alternator" style plug for easy removal if clearence is ever an issue. There are two halogen work lights mounted under the rack to illuminate the bed. All lights are run on relays under the hood with factory style rocker switches in the cab. These switches were mounted in the panel under the radio so it can be easily and inexpensively replaced when the truck is sold. (to eliminate holes) The CM300 fits nice in the pocket below the A/C. There are two holes drilled in the back of the pocket for antenna and power. Again this part can easily be replaced. The radio fits snug, and I used a piece of 3M double stick on the back to hold it in, it's rode there over a year and a half with no problems. I don't see as it would be hard to fabricate brackets to hold it inplace if it was deemed necessary. I appoligize for the lack of underhood pictures. just went to the garage, and it's too dark for good pix. I'll try and post some at a later date. All wiring under hood is encased in split-loom tubing. Also have a "master disconnect breaker" that will the isolate radios and lights from the vehicle if there ever is a problem. As for my business, we operate a trucking company hauling grain and some aggregate products in NW Kansas.

[windchaser]

thanks tcm4368 i already got stock # of the one i need. dennis

[tcm4368]

You're welcome. I think you'll find it'll work well for your application.