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2011 Ford Ranger - Install Tips?

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N3KGD

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Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
305
Location
Erie, PA
Hey guys,

I'm going to soon retire my 97 Ford Explorer and purchase a 2011 Ford Ranger.

Here's the equipment that's going in:

1) Kenwood TM-V71A
2) Uniden Bearcat BCT15X
3) Uniden Pro 510XL (CB)

There will be three magnet mount antennas that will be evenly spaced out on the roof. The longest antenna (believe it or not - its my Kenwood) will be in the center, the Wilson on the left, and the scanner on the right.

I'm wondering if there are any organizing consoles for the Ranger, similar to JottoDesk. I don't see any premade for the Ranger series.

With my present setup in the Explorer, my Kenwood is mounted in the center of the top dashboard and my CB is safely mounted on the lower dash above the Emergency Brake release switch. The scanner is a new addition in the Ranger.

I can use this same layout in the Ranger, but I'd like to have a little nicer organization.

Can someone guide me in the right direction for a console to organize the radios for my new Ranger?

Thanks!
 

KM4WLV

Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
1,050
Location
Rockwell (Rowan County), NC
If you have the means (and I know I'm not going to be alone is this) you need to lose the magnet mounts & at the least use L-Brackets, or permanent mount them. As far as I know there aren't any type of premade consoles for the Ranger. In the past there have been some good home made consoles for the Ranger on here. Just do a search & they should come up.

Good luck & we look forward to some pics !!!
 

N3KGD

Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
305
Location
Erie, PA
Yeah, I would agree with your comment about loosing the magnet mounts. But, I'm not up to drilling through the roof to make a permanent antenna install. However, I do like your idea about the L-Brackets.

This way, the antennas aren't so high up, but also I don't have to worry about the damn mag mount tipping over because it hit a tree branch. Plus, it also preserves the new paint on the roof. Furthermore, you won't see three sets of wires running to the door crevice on the roof.

I can certainty do that, so I'm going to read up more on it.

I'll also provide pictures of my install when its all said and done, should be sometime next month.

Thanks FD5722!
 

KM4WLV

Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2006
Messages
1,050
Location
Rockwell (Rowan County), NC
Yeah, I would agree with your comment about loosing the magnet mounts. But, I'm not up to drilling through the roof to make a permanent antenna install. However, I do like your idea about the L-Brackets.

This way, the antennas aren't so high up, but also I don't have to worry about the damn mag mount tipping over because it hit a tree branch. Plus, it also preserves the new paint on the roof. Furthermore, you won't see three sets of wires running to the door crevice on the roof.

I can certainty do that, so I'm going to read up more on it.

I'll also provide pictures of my install when its all said and done, should be sometime next month.

Thanks FD5722!

No prob !! If I can help ya anymore as far as advice on equipment or installation just let me know !!
 

code3cowboy

Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2006
Messages
656
Location
CA-CZU
First use real antenna mounts.

The last ranger I upfitted got a Troy console. I went through the firewall on the driver side above the pedals (to avoid the heater stuff on the passenger side). The headliner drops rather nicely, but it has the cup shaped backing like the crown vics , so you can route your coax around neatly.
 

N3KGD

Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
305
Location
Erie, PA
code3cowboy,
Perfect! I just found the console to use in the Ranger from Troy Products. Thank you!

Also swstow,
It's automatic transmission with Bucket Seats.

I'll post more information when I get closer to the final install. Any other tips are appreciated.

Thanks guys,
Driv3r912
 

Duster40

Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
66
Location
Texas, Lubbock area
In my Ranger with auto-trans, I removed the mini-cup-holder from the trans hump,
along with the mounting base, & used the same screw mounting holes to mount
a 10 X 14 alum. plate. I have 3 radios mounted here.
A 'headache' rack/rear window protector will provide a perfect place for mounting antennas.
 

N3KGD

Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2007
Messages
305
Location
Erie, PA
Duster40,

Thanks for that info. Yeah, I have my setup all planned out now. For mounting the antenna, I'm going to use three L-Brackets that come out from the hood.

Two antennas on the left, NMO style, one for the scanner and one for the mobile transmitter. On the right, I'll have another bracket for the CB Antenna, also NMO HF style. That way, there looks to be two antennas on each side (one is for the AM/FM, as standard on the truck).

I'm going to do what you did. Remove the mini holder from the transmission hub and place the console there. I got a perfect one from Troy Products.

So, about this time in October, I'm going to go and purchase the truck and make the necessary installs.

When its all said and done - I'll post pictures in the Mobile "Pictures of your..." forum. I'll provide a link here too.

Thanks guys!

Nick
 
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tbrownell

Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2006
Messages
17
Location
Barry County, MI
I know this post is a few months old but fyi Gamber johnson makes a no drill bracket to mount their mcs series of equipment councils. their website lists it as obsolete but you can still get it at their other resellers. just google th3 part number. I have one of the mcs system units in my 2003 F250 with all of my radios and siren and toughbook dock on it and they use factory bolts to mount so you don't have to drill any holes at all. MCS-200-LEG - MCS leg kit -Explorer, Ranger - Car Laptop Mount - Vehicle Laptop Mount
 
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