2019 Ford Ranger install

[petty4305]

Hey y'all,

I have a 2019 Ranger that I'm looking at installing a Yaesu 8900 in. Has anyone done this yet? The radio shouldn't be too hard to install, it just the antenna I'm worried about. Without drilling a hole in the roof, where is some good places for the antenna (with good SWR)?

 

[K6GBW]

On the Ranger you can use a Larsen KG 2/70 glass mount antenna. It can be put on the rear side window so there's no drilling required at all. I had one on an older Ranger and all I did was use a small round file to make a tiny U shape in the interior plastic to route the coax. It was one of the easiest and cleanest installs I've ever done, and the antenna actually works well. The only down side, is the KG 2/70 is a little pricey.

 

[irsa76]

You have several options with mounts for the Ranger. The most popular here in Australia, where Ranger has been the top selling vehicle for several years, is the hood hinge mount. I personally don't like this mount style as I don't like antennas visible in front of me, I also hate the equally common bullbar mounted antenna. Another issue with the hood hinge mount is the antenna will hit the windshield when you open the hood, not a massive issue for me considering I've run truck mounted antennas on sedans.
Not 100% certain on the earlier Ranger, but you can get mounts that attach to the rear view mirror mounts for the current model Ranger, this may not be acceptable to you as I've only seen them for the left hand mirror.
Other mounting options are on the lips of the pickup bed.
I feel the best option however is the 3rd brake light mount such as these from Bullet Proof Diesel:
Antenna Mounts