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.

 

[slowmover]

Consider LIDO Seatbolt Mount.
Several optioms.

 

[ofd8001]

You may want to look at: Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions for Jeep, RAM, Ford, Chevy, GMC, Toyota

I just installed one in my 2020 F150. it was for an iPhone charger, but there is plenty of room left for other things to be mounted. Unfortunately it is visible and thus a thievery temptation.

If yours is like mine, there is a storage tray/USB access area at the front of the console.

I've got my radios in the console itself (VHF, SDS 200 scanner and a Motorola XT). It is a pain to access for volume control, channel changing, but not the end of the world.

 

[KF0NYL]

Consider LIDO Seatbolt Mount.
Several optioms.

My 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line has even less room than a F150. I went with a LIDO seat bolt mount and it has worked fine for me. I ended up getting another LIDO mount for my 2010 F150.

I have a Buletpoint mount in my 2010 F150 but I only have a phone holder and a hand held radio holder mounted to it. Anything else would be above the dash and blocking my view. Plus I don't like having radios in direct sunlight all of the time. Vehicles get pretty warm in the summer here in Missouri. The southwest would be even worse.

 

[tweiss3]

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.

I have spare gaskets sitting around, they all got replaced at the 3 year mark, that's when they seemed to start drying out on the outside.

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.

There is a pocket, but it's so far down, seeing around knees would be worse than dealing with tucking it in the center console.

Consider LIDO Seatbolt Mount.
Several optioms.

I have that in my truck, the heavy duty version. I like it, but you still have to target the head somewhere. There isn't really a space out of the way.

My 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line has even less room than a F150. I went with a LIDO seat bolt mount and it has worked fine for me. I ended up getting another LIDO mount for my 2010 F150.

I have a Buletpoint mount in my 2010 F150 but I only have a phone holder and a hand held radio holder mounted to it. Anything else would be above the dash and blocking my view. Plus I don't like having radios in direct sunlight all of the time. Vehicles get pretty warm in the summer here in Missouri. The southwest would be even worse.

I did bookmark the bulletpoint system for later, thinking if I did do a dash mount, that would be the foundation.

I did grab some photos this morning, they are a bit dark this time of year. She has "moved in" already....

Inside console seems good for the SDS200, but really cumbersome for the remote head.


Lido seat mount would be in passengers knee room.


This would be her view over the dash, head would get in the way.


Not really decent room on the drives side of the console.


Close up view of that front pocket.



Not enough room between the shifter and cup holders. Head does get in the way of both.

So, I talked to her this morning. Took the KCH-20 head and bracket out with us to the truck. The charging pocket was immediately rejected, though it did fit nicely in there. Between shifter and cupholders did not work. Over the dash would be tolerated. I then mentioned the HHCH below the push-to-start and she jumped on that. In thinking about it, that is the ideal solution. I don't have to deal with routing/mounting the primary KES5 speaker. Previously it was right over the drivers head, but hidden. To be similarly pointed, it would be in the way. I'm not fighting the extra money needed, because she isn't pushing back on the radio install.

This also means I can step up from KCH19 to the KCH20 in my truck. Win on both.

 

[mmckenna]

I then mentioned the HHCH below the push-to-start and she jumped on that. In thinking about it, that is the ideal solution. I don't have to deal with routing/mounting the primary KES5 speaker. Previously it was right over the drivers head, but hidden. To be similarly pointed, it would be in the way. I'm not fighting the extra money needed, because she isn't pushing back on the radio install.

This also means I can step up from KCH19 to the KCH20 in my truck. Win on both.

Well, damn, that's about the best scenario possible.

 

[jfr454]

KCH-20 head for VM8000 fits well.
Speaker under the seat.