09 Mazda 3 Sedan

[bassjunkie]

I got my shiny new Mazda on Wednesday and thought I'd share my installation so far, will hopefully grow a bit more

Installed is a Tait 2020 VHF Low. Radio is in the glove box - there's the perfect spot for it right in the back. For power I've got some unsightly cable going through to a cigarette lighter jack, as I'm still waiting for my add-a-circuit to arrive in the post (not many Australian stores sell them, or even know they exist.) For the antenna, I've only got a magnetic mount temporarily - I'm ordering 2 glass mount antennas for this radio and a scanner that I'll be putting in soon.

Also wouldn't mind putting an amber light bar in the back window and maybe behind the front grille, that'll be when I get more money, though, of course.









Btw: Photos taken at Mt. Panorama racing circuit - Australia's only fully public track (which I happen to live around the corner from)

 

[HarryWilly]

Never heard of Tait radios before but that looks like a cool piece of kit

 

[bassjunkie]

Yeah they don't seem to be used much in the U.S. but are quite popular here in Australia, and also in the U.K. Nice and reliable, can't fault them.

 

[b7spectra]

Um, someone sold you a car with the steering wheel on the wrong side!

Nice Tait!

 

[firetaz834]

Have to say, enjoyed looking at the photos of a right-side drivers position. Also, have heard of Tait, so it looks very good.

 

[WD4JKH]

Um, someone sold you a car with the steering wheel on the wrong side!

Nice Tait!

Maybe he is a rural mail carrier..

Just kidding - looks good!

 

[INDY72]

Here in the USA TAIT is one of the big LTR equipment dealers. When Buncombe County, NC was planning a UHF LTR Passport TRS, they had contracted with Tait for the mobile radios. As for the install, VERY COOL! Interesting the way you put that magmount right by the door. Running the cable around the door frame??

 

[bassjunkie]

Here in the USA TAIT is one of the big LTR equipment dealers. When Buncombe County, NC was planning a UHF LTR Passport TRS, they had contracted with Tait for the mobile radios. As for the install, VERY COOL! Interesting the way you put that magmount right by the door. Running the cable around the door frame??

Yeah, wasn't much cable so had to be shortest possible path (seeing as it's only temporary) - cable runs through the door then down the seat-belt plastic insert, under the chair and around the centre console. Ideally, when I'm doing the perm. install, I would like no cable showing at all - I can dream.

 

[hfxChris]

My biggest problem with my Mazda3 is that there's no place to put a scanner! So I bought a vent clip, works fine.
Nice install - and car

 

[bassjunkie]

My biggest problem with my Mazda3 is that there's no place to put a scanner! So I bought a vent clip, works fine.
Nice install - and car

Cup holders? The upper portion of the centre storage? Take out the ash tray underneath the air con controls and remove the lid?

I was upset cos I didn't have enough scanners to put everywhere

All depends on what type of scanner/size, etc, of course.

 

[James04TJ]

I would avoid the add-a-circuit for a LMR install. Take your power straight from the battery. IIRC there should be existing usable firewall penetrations on the Mazda.

 

[INDY72]

the mag mount have a 12 or 16foot cable? You can run it from the rear deck, run the cable though trunk should be a gap you can use where the seat hooks, then under the rugs. Done a LOT of magmount installs.

 

[JnglMassiv]

I bought a 2004 Mazda 3 (5dr) a month ago. So far, I adore it. Zoom-zoom indeed.

The previous owner installed a car-pc with a 7inch touchscreen. The dash layout is remarkably unchanged over 5 model years! Here's a shot for reference:

So far, no radios. As you know, it's really tight in there. I've been struggling to find a place to mount a std lighter 12v outlet (removed for the screen) and that's about 1.5 inches round. I've been considering simply trunk mounting the radio and running a PC interface but I don't any firm plans at this time.

 

[hfxChris]

Cup holders? The upper portion of the centre storage? Take out the ash tray underneath the air con controls and remove the lid?

Cup holders wouldn't work, since it wouldn't be anywhere near eye level, I would have to keep gawking down to see what channel it's on. Not sure what you mean by "upper portion of the centre storage" - there is no storage area in the centre dash area. Also not sure what taking out the ash tray would do for a hand held scanner...

 

[bassjunkie]

I would avoid the add-a-circuit for a LMR install. Take your power straight from the battery. IIRC there should be existing usable firewall penetrations on the Mazda.

Yeah, I was just hoping to have it on ignition only

 

[bassjunkie]

I bought a 2004 Mazda 3 (5dr) a month ago. So far, I adore it. Zoom-zoom indeed.

The previous owner installed a car-pc with a 7inch touchscreen. The dash layout is remarkably unchanged over 5 model years! Here's a shot for reference:

So far, no radios. As you know, it's really tight in there. I've been struggling to find a place to mount a std lighter 12v outlet (removed for the screen) and that's about 1.5 inches round. I've been considering simply trunk mounting the radio and running a PC interface but I don't any firm plans at this time.

That looks sweet - fits in nicely. Makes me want to go spend lots of money lol.

 

[creeperjeep]

Yeah, I was just hoping to have it on ignition only

A simple relay will solve that problem
Easy enough to do and small enough to hide