Best small SUV for radio installs?

[N0BDW]

Hi folks,

I'm looking for recommendations on a smallish SUV (4WD or AWD) that is good for radio installs. I like having the remote head mounted just above the dash so it is in easy view/control of both the driver and the passenger. See my install in my Malibu for what I mean: Remote Head & Mic | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I'd be looking for seating for 4 persons (including driver), ample storage space (tool box, go kit, first aid kit, place to mount the radio body), and obviously ease of installing radio equipment (access to the battery, hole drilled for NMO antenna install)...

Anyone drive something that fits the bill?

I don't plan on more than 1 radio (at the moment I'd be installing a Yaesu FTM-350 which has a rather large head). The only possibility might be an additional scanner but that is a portable and I'd just do a windshield suction cup or cup holder or something.

I like the looks of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee but I'm not sure how that'd work into the budget... MSRP on the ones I'm looking at are around $36k, which is a little high but possibly workable (to give you an idea on price range).

Ben

P.S. I realize this may not be the most appropriate board for this thread, feel free to move if there is a better fit. This is, primarily, about which vehicles are best suited for radio installs.

 

[BonziBuddy]

Ford Escape would be perfect. I see a lot of government, utility companies, and security companies running them these days.

I'd go with the Chevy Tahoe personally. It's designed with radio use in mind... and they're all V8.

 

[AK9R]

I'm a Ford guy and I've always liked the Escape, though I've never owned one. Two of my friends have them, one of whom traded a Toyota Highlander for the Escape. Our field techs at work have been getting Escape Hybrids and the only issue I'm hearing is that they can't carry as much stuff as they used to in their mini vans.

However, keep in mind that the Escape is now a really old design. They first hit the market as 2001 models and the changes since then have been mostly cosmetic. The Escape is basically a 1998 Mazda 626 under the skin.

The 2013 Escape will be a totally new vehicle based on the European Ford Kuga though it will be built at the Louisville assembly plant that used to build Explorers (which are now built at the Chicago assembly plant). The new Escape will be more modern than the current model, but I think it will be a bit smaller and power train choices will be limited to a 4-cylinder and a hybrid.

 

[mass-man]

Second the ESCAPE...while I no longer have it, I loved it for the ease of installing radios. Easy to do a NMO in the top and run the cable. Found a hole to the engine compartment easily and while there was initially a bit of alternator whine, a ground strap and cap took care of that. Had a FT7800R and a handheld scanner in there with no problem.

 

[swstow]

ford explorer / comes in 2 and 4 whl drive / seats 6 to 8 depending on opinions / lots of room in rear ( 6 pass ) or with 3 row seats down / easy to install center console / good on gas / my 05 has almost 89,000 miles and stills runs great

 

[N0BDW]

The Tahoe would probably be nice, but is out of the price range.

The Escape is looking like my best bet. Now the question is.... get the current model or wait until they rev it?

Explorer might also be a possibility.

 

[RadioDaze]

Ben, I have to compliment you on your dedication to the hobby. Most folks try to figure out how to put radios in the vehicle they're stuck with. You are a true blue ham with your priorities in order! Please update us as it unfolds.

 

[AK9R]

The Explorer is brand new for 2011. No longer based on a truck platform. Now uses similar platform as Taurus and Flex which makes it basically a large front wheel drive car instead of a mid-size rear wheel drive truck. I have a 2009 Taurus and it's a decent car. The new Explorer has the same engine, a 3.5 liter V-6, as the Taurus. My Taurus is pretty quick, but the Explorer is heavier.

I think the new Escape will be a bit smaller than the current one. That combined with current trends in interior styling would make me concerned about radio space.

My local Ford dealer has quite a few Escapes on the lot. If sales are down, Ford may have good incentives (which you can find on Ford's web site) and the dealers may be in a dealin' mood.

 

[N0BDW]

The Explorer is brand new for 2011. No longer based on a truck platform. Now uses similar platform as Taurus and Flex which makes it basically a large front wheel drive car instead of a mid-size rear wheel drive truck. I have a 2009 Taurus and it's a decent car. The new Explorer has the same engine, a 3.5 liter V-6, as the Taurus. My Taurus is pretty quick, but the Explorer is heavier.

I think the new Escape will be a bit smaller than the current one. That combined with current trends in interior styling would make me concerned about radio space.

My local Ford dealer has quite a few Escapes on the lot. If sales are down, Ford may have good incentives (which you can find on Ford's web site) and the dealers may be in a dealin' mood.

I hear ya about radios in newer vehicles. The Explorer may work. Definitely want 4wd in whatever I get. This would be the first new car I'd own (both previous vehicles were previously owned). Not sure if it is practical to custom order from the manufacturer, but I think I'd like to do so unless I can find very similar to what I want at a local dealer. I'm picky about some aspects (I do NOT want a sun roof, for example).

Ben, I have to compliment you on your dedication to the hobby. Most folks try to figure out how to put radios in the vehicle they're stuck with. You are a true blue ham with your priorities in order! Please update us as it unfolds.

You betcha! This is a few months out (graduation is in May) at a minimum. Car has gotta last me at least until I start a full time job,
That said keep your eyes open for a thread in the post your (mobile) shack forum. As soon as I have new wheels, with radio and antenna attached, I'll post pics.

 

[AK9R]

Not sure if it is practical to custom order from the manufacturer, but I think I'd like to do so unless I can find very similar to what I want at a local dealer.

With most American manufacturers, ordering a vehicle is not a problem. With most foreign cars, even those assembled in this country, forget it. Dealers for both domestic and foreign brands will often do "dealer trades" with other dealers to get the car you want rather than go through the order process.

Some dealers are reluctant to order because that sale doesn't get a car off their lot. On the other hand, selling a special ordered vehicle to a customer doesn't impact their inventory financing (called "floorplan"--every new car on the dealer's lot is financed through the manufacturer) as much as a car that's been on the lot a couple of months. The longer a car sits on the lot, the more it costs the dealer, so they may be more flexible on price just to move old inventory.

The real problem for the dealer if you order a car is that they don't want to get stuck with an odd-ball combination of options or colors if you back out of the deal.

The real problem for the customer if you order a car is what happens if the current incentives or rebates change before you car is built and delivered. The discounts you think you are getting today may not be available in 4-8 weeks when the car is delivered.

I haven't driven or even looked at the new Explorers. I do know that the security force for the largest hospital corporation in Indianapolis (three major downtown hospitals plus two suburban hospitals) has a fleet of new Explorers. Don't know what they have in them for radios, probably nothing since the officers mostly use hand-helds, but they do have light bars on the roof.

 

[N9JIG]

Take a look at what I did with my 2009 Pilot at Pilot Radio

I bought this since I could put the radios in the rear cargo compartment totally out of view and have just the heads up front. While I was a Ford guy for years (2 Explorers, an Expedition and 2 vans...) I switched over to Hondas the last few cars.

Enjoy!

 

[N0BDW]

Take a look at what I did with my 2009 Pilot at Pilot Radio

I bought this since I could put the radios in the rear cargo compartment totally out of view and have just the heads up front. While I was a Ford guy for years (2 Explorers, an Expedition and 2 vans...) I switched over to Hondas the last few cars.

Enjoy!

I dig the setup. Very clean.

With most American manufacturers, ordering a vehicle is not a problem. With most foreign cars, even those assembled in this country, forget it. Dealers for both domestic and foreign brands will often do "dealer trades" with other dealers to get the car you want rather than go through the order process.

Some dealers are reluctant to order because that sale doesn't get a car off their lot. On the other hand, selling a special ordered vehicle to a customer doesn't impact their inventory financing (called "floorplan"--every new car on the dealer's lot is financed through the manufacturer) as much as a car that's been on the lot a couple of months. The longer a car sits on the lot, the more it costs the dealer, so they may be more flexible on price just to move old inventory.

The real problem for the dealer if you order a car is that they don't want to get stuck with an odd-ball combination of options or colors if you back out of the deal.

The real problem for the customer if you order a car is what happens if the current incentives or rebates change before you car is built and delivered. The discounts you think you are getting today may not be available in 4-8 weeks when the car is delivered.

I haven't driven or even looked at the new Explorers. I do know that the security force for the largest hospital corporation in Indianapolis (three major downtown hospitals plus two suburban hospitals) has a fleet of new Explorers. Don't know what they have in them for radios, probably nothing since the officers mostly use hand-helds, but they do have light bars on the roof.

Very cool, I would say that their use by a large security force is a pretty good recommendation in my opinion.

 

[key2_altfire]

I'm biased because I own one - 2010+ Subaru Outback. This is the newly released body style and it has (relatively) tons of dash space for control heads. But daylight goes away quickly if you can't or won't use detach-face radios; there doesn't seem to be much beneath-console space for full size radios.

Vehicularly speaking it has plenty of off-road creds, tons of ground clearance, great power/great brakes (steering sucks though), reasonable fuel economy and a fully loaded model goes for under $30k.

Other than that it has a 130 amp alternator for all your radio needs. ;-)

My first Subaru was a 2009 Outback and I really liked it. So when Subaru released the new body style in 2010 I just had to have one.

Another SUV I've found intriguing for radio installs is the Mini Countryman. It has an optional full-length, fully configurable accessory rail that runs all the way from the front dash to the rear seatbacks. Kinda like a center console made of aluminum rail. That obviously has about a million radio possibilities - I liked it so much I was considering duplicating this in my Subaru using 80/20 rail or some other aluminum extrusion. Mini offers a variety of snap-on sliding holders for cups, glasses, ash trays, etc.

 

[Token]

What do you want the small SUV to do? There have been a couple of suggestions of the Escape here, and my wife drives a 2004.

Keep in mind that the Escape is really a front wheel drive based AWD, not a 4x4. I mean while it has AWD, and it does work well in low traction situations, it does not have a low range for the transfer case (most small SUVs or Cross-overs do not) and it might not be good for "real" off-roading.

With that said, I have had the Escape in some locations that made people question my sanity. For example, in the Death Valley area I have taken it into the Saline Valley area and from that side gone up to the Race Track from the west. In fact, I have started n the Owens Valley, gone up over Cerro Gordo, then through the Saline, and up to the Racetrack. Not the Rubicon Trail, by any means, but not for the faint of heart if you are worried about your vehicle. That trip has broken more than one "real" 4x4.

We have had that thing everyplace in the desert. Of course, we do have a few more serious 4x4's here for when we really want to get off the trail. But the key is to remember the limitations of the vehicle and work within them, instead of trying to exceed them. Then again, today so many SUVs are limited. I believe I would take the Escape over a new TrailBlazer just about anyplace, for example.

Radio placement. Not too shabby and I was able to run power from the battery and coax without drilling any new holes, just using existing with a different grommet. I ran a Kenwood TM-742A Tribander (6/2/70cm) in it for a couple years. Put the radio behind the trim panel in the passenger side rear and the head in the cubby hole at the bottom of the center console. Nice and clean install. Two antennas, a 6M and a 2M/70cm dualband. The coax ran from behind the panel out through a factory grommeted hole behind the passenger side taillight, down to bumper level, up the side of the hatch, and to the factory lugage rack side rails. All very clean, no crimps to the coax, and no leaks. Later I replaced the TM-742 with a Yaesu FT-8900R Quad bander and three antennas, single 10M, single 6M, and 2M/70cm Dual bander. Same radio/control head placement and the same coax path.

But the wife takes the car to the big city occasionally, and drive-throughs and parking garages can be a pain with those antennas, but she is a ham though and wants a radio in the vehicle. So currently the Escape has a Yaesu FT-7900R and a single Diamond NR770HB Dualband antenna (2M/70cm), and the antenna is on a Diamond K9000M Motorized mount so it can be laid down for parking garages with the simple press of a switch.

The Escape is a good little SUV, no doubt about it, and my wife will likely buy another when it is time to get rid of this one. But, do not think of it in the same realm as a Jeep Wrangler or a Nissan XTerra. More like a Toyota RAV4 or the Jeep Patriot or Compass. The Explorer is a little more serious and heavy duty, but not much, and it is also heavier. I drive a company provided Explorer for my work vehicle. While it has a low range in the transfer case and just a little bit more ground clearence than the Escape, the extra size, overhang, and approach angles hurt the Explorer in off-road situations. I prefer the Escape most of the time, and if it had a couple more inches of suspension and a low range I would prefer it all the time.

T!

 

[W2NJS]

New-style Subaru Outback

I'm biased because I own one - 2010+ Subaru Outback. This is the newly released body style and it has (relatively) tons of dash space for control heads. But daylight goes away quickly if you can't or won't use detach-face radios; there doesn't seem to be much beneath-console space for full size radios.

Vehicularly speaking it has plenty of off-road creds, tons of ground clearance, great power/great brakes (steering sucks though), reasonable fuel economy and a fully loaded model goes for under $30k.

Other than that it has a 130 amp alternator for all your radio needs. ;-)

My first Subaru was a 2009 Outback and I really liked it. So when Subaru released the new body style in 2010 I just had to have one.

Another SUV I've found intriguing for radio installs is the Mini Countryman. It has an optional full-length, fully configurable accessory rail that runs all the way from the front dash to the rear seatbacks. Kinda like a center console made of aluminum rail. That obviously has about a million radio possibilities - I liked it so much I was considering duplicating this in my Subaru using 80/20 rail or some other aluminum extrusion. Mini offers a variety of snap-on sliding holders for cups, glasses, ash trays, etc.

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Amen + 100 to your Outback comments. I've had my 2011 3.6L OB for five weeks now and I love it. I put the 208's box underneath the rear floor in the very neat storage space, and mounted the control head using thin double-sided foam tape on the console between the seat heat switches; it looks almost like it's built-in to the console. For any owners of pre-2010 OBs out there, the new OBs are very, very different machines that drive differently from the older ones. They've actually become a smallish SUV which might be both good and bad in some ways. In any event, Subaru is still one of the best kept secrets in the car world, but that just my opinion.

 

[gewecke]

3/4 ton 4x4 diesel chevy suburban with a 6.2 turbo !!

Sorry, that's the smallest SUV that comes to mind. :lol:

n9zas

 

[hockeyshrink]

Toyota 4Runner

I'm a little late to the party, but my 2006 Toyota 4Runner handles my radio installs very well. The front of the center console ends in an open tray. I fashioned a simple bracket to sit in the tray and mount 2 control heads: one for 2m/70cm and one for HF. I also have a CB hanging onto the side of the console on the driver side, and a GMRS unit hanging on the side of the console on the passenger side. Running cables for antennas, power, and radios is pretty easy.

 

[Chilledboost]

subaru

from working at subaru i can tell you subaru = rod knock

 

[gambill1]

Here in WV there are a lot of ford escapes with state tags on them. and most have 2 to 4 antennas on top of them. There is a conslole that replaces the factory one for radios in these escapes.

 

[Daniel_Boone]

I was trying to be quiet and not speak my piece - but most small SUV's do not make a very good radio platform because most new vehicles are mostly plastic.

The body comprises the ground plane for the antenna and the bigger the body - the better the antenna is going to work.

On the other side - I saw a guy with multiple antenna's in my yard with a Ford Explorer that had excellent reception / transmit from his mobile radios.

Then again, I live high atop a hill with a clear view to the south and the repeaters he was hitting were all to the south or west.

I have pretty good TX / RX from my location.