2025 F-150 Remote Head Options

[tweiss3]

Just bought a 2025 XLT for the wife this weekend. Traded from a Transit Connect, which came from the factory with a huge overhead shelf I was able to mount a radio head to. I'm sorta at a loss on mounting the Kenwood KCH-20 remote head. I see Troy Products makes the CC-21F1-OH 7" overhead console, but I haven't seen any installed photos, and I'm wondering about the integration of the lights and rear power window switch, as well as how it looks. There aren't many other places to put the control head. Any other product options besides Troy?

I thought I had a photo, but apparently I don't. It looks like this stock photo, except the space in front of the cup holders doesn't have the sliding cover, that is where the wireless charging pad is, and I'm 99.99% sure the wife really likes that feature, so access to it is required.


I thought about above the screen on the dash, there is a little spot to place something, but it would be in direct view and sun all the time, so I'm trying to avoid that. The radios were hidden in the Transit Connect, except for the roof antennas, so I'm hoping to find a solution that is reasonably hidden at first view from outside.

Any overhead photos would be appreciated as well.

 

[jeepsandradios]

Can you put the head in the center console. Do that for multiple SAR folks that just need to talk or listen. Is it critical to see the head ?

 

[mmckenna]

Those higher trim levels make it difficult.
Top of the dash is less than ideal, but can work in some parts of the country. I've got transit buses with Kenwood radios mounted on top of the dash and they've been fine, but I'm in a cooler climate than Ohio.

I agree with above, inside the center console would be my choice on that vehicle. We do that with our unmarked/take home vehicles and it works fine if you don't need to be diddling with the controls all the time.

Or, go with the hand held control head….

 

[tweiss3]

Can you put the head in the center console. Do that for multiple SAR folks that just need to talk or listen. Is it critical to see the head ?

That is a possibility, I'd like to be able to glance at it when I'm scanning to see what actually is being received. Otherwise, its swap zone at each state boarder and leave scan on. It would allow the mounting of the SDS200 as well, which I haven't even come up with ANY solution yet.

Those higher trim levels make it difficult.
Top of the dash is less than ideal, but can work in some parts of the country. I've got transit buses with Kenwood radios mounted on top of the dash and they've been fine, but I'm in a cooler climate than Ohio.

I agree with above, inside the center console would be my choice on that vehicle. We do that with our unmarked/take home vehicles and it works fine if you don't need to be diddling with the controls all the time.

Or, go with the hand held control head….

That's the thing, its an XLT, not even a premium trim level. Reasonable access? yes. often? No. Honestly most of the time its on/off via ignition sense, set on the home channel with the second deck muted and she just grabs the mic.

HHCH (KCH-21) is an option, I'll have to see if I can find one for sale, brand new that's expensive, but I would swap her 20 for my 19 and get an upgrade in my truck.

BTW, shopping for new cars, holy crap, there is a lot of offerings that couldn't even have been imagined 10 years ago when we last bought her a car.

EDIT: Now that I think more than 10 seconds, I left the KCT71 cable in the old car, so I have to either buy one, or the KCH21 would be $200 bucks less in the scheme of things.

 

[mmckenna]

That's the thing, its an XLT, not even a premium trim level.

Sorry, relatively to me. I've got a 2025 F250 XL with the bench seats, so I just stuck the control head under the dash.

My brother in law just got a 2025 F150 and I briefly looked at where to mount a radio in that, and it was going to be difficult.

Reasonable access? yes. often? No. Honestly most of the time its on/off via ignition sense, set on the home channel with the second deck muted and she just grabs the mic.

In the center console seems like the easy option. Like I said, lots of our take home cars are set up that way and it works well enough, but her needs may vary.

HHCH (KCH-21) is an option, I'll have to see if I can find one for sale, brand new that's expensive, but I would swap her 20 for my 19 and get an upgrade in my truck.

BTW, shopping for new cars, holy crap, there is a lot of offerings that couldn't even have been imagined 10 years ago when we last bought her a car.

Yeah, dealer was astounded I wanted a stripped down XL trim level. The options now are amazing.
Nice truck you guys bought. I really like those.


Not sure how much room there is between the shifter and the cup holders. Can you sneak it in there, sideways? Did that once with a 2009 Escape and it worked well, but no cupholders to block.
Other than that, taking over her charger pad would be the easy option.
Top of the dash can work if it's out of the way of airbags. I've got an F350 at work set up like that. Not my favorite install, but it's worked fine for about 3 years now.

 

[tweiss3]

Sorry, relatively to me. I've got a 2025 F250 XL with the bench seats, so I just stuck the control head under the dash.

My brother in law just got a 2025 F150 and I briefly looked at where to mount a radio in that, and it was going to be difficult.

He's probably in the identical situation. Yea, its way tougher than I thought it was going to be initially. Wife insisted on a few frills, so that added a bunch of stuff I probably wouldn't have chosen.

Not sure how much room there is between the shifter and the cup holders. Can you sneak it in there, sideways? Did that once with a 2009 Escape and it worked well, but no cupholders to block.

Not enough space, it looks like a lot until you set the backet there.

Related question, now that I'm ordering more NMO mounts for this new install. I'm guessing I should avoid the brass NMO mounts (galvanic corrosion on aluminum body), right?

 

[mmckenna]

Related question, now that I'm ordering more NMO mounts for this new install. I'm guessing I should avoid the brass NMO mounts (galvanic corrosion on aluminum body), right?

Not an issue if installed per manufacturer recommendations. For galvanic corrosion, you need an electrolyte, and that would be water. A properly installed NMO mount with the gaskets and O-rings will not let water get anywhere that this can happen.

I've got brass NMO mounts on lots of Ford trucks at work and have not had any issues, and I'm very close to the Pacific Ocean with lots of fog/rain.

 

[jeepsandradios]

As @mmckenna said if they are installed properly you will have no issues. We have been installing in aluminum for years. My F150 has 6 NMO mounts (all MSI brass mounts) and have had no issues in 5 years. Mine have been all over the NE with no issues.

 

[mmckenna]

So, I know you know this, but for the others that wander into this thread with concerns about permanent NMO mounts on aluminum body trucks:

I just swapped out one of the antennas on my work truck. This is a 2017 F350, NMO mounts were installed when the truck was brand new. Truck lives full time within a few miles of the ocean and a few times has been hit with spray directly. These antennas have hit a lot of tree branches, also, never once damage to the roof or NMO mount.

No issues in 8 years. I owe this to:
-Following installation instructions
-Using the correct tools
-Using the correct gaskets and O-rings
-Periodically removing the antenna and cleaning under it and checking gaskets, replacing if they look damaged.
-I periodically wipe down the gaskets with Armor-All and that keeps them in good shape.

Just like the rest of the vehicle, periodic maintenance is important to longevity. Ignore it and it will bite you in the ass.

 

[cavmedic]

I'd just use the spot for the wireless charger and find a better aftermarket one to use. If using an apple, you can get a magsafe charger that works better than most factory installed wireless chargers, and they make ram mounts for them . Not sure about android stuff

 

[ramal121]

Can you get a photo of the side of the console? If it has the indented junk pockets you can mount a head there and angled up to the driver.

Now I just hate to install anything to the left of the console, but a KCH-20/21 tucks away nicely without being in the way. Drill a 1/2 hole where you can't see it for a cable exit into the console.