Ford Bronco Radio Console

[nonperson]

This is a console I've been working on for for my radios and stuff in the 92 Bronco. I'm not real happy with it and plan on redoing it when funds and time permits. In the mean time I figured I would try it out and see if there are any other changes I want to make to it. When I redo it I want to use metal.


The storage compartment is a little large so I could mount a store bought lock box in it and still have some storage room for other stuff.

I had the cup holder already and the center pocket on it fit my HT well. The top radio is an old UHF GE MLS1. I got four of these in a package deal and plan to use them on GMRS once I get them programmed and a GMRS license. They are type certified for GMRS. The one underneath it is a Kenwood TM 281 two meter HAM radio and I do have a license for it. I'm going to add a RCI 2950, 10 & 12 meter radio and a 70cm radio to the mix (unless I get a dual band 2 meter 70cm). I have a Galaxy DX949 CB radio mounted to the ceiling.

On the driver's side towards the front and under the dash I mounted a rechargeable flashlight witch is connected to an after market fuse panel mounted within the console. The passenger's side door panel is missing because I took it off to fix the window. The door panel is back on and the window now works great!

I normally wouldn't bother mounting the GPS like that but the suction cup crapped out on me and I already had that little mount. I'm gonna look for something to dress up and cover the screws on it. I currently don't have a stereo for the Bronco but will get one eventually.

The 2 meter is connected to a 5/8 wave Laird antenna mounted to the roof on the cab using a NMO mount. The CB antenna is a 1/4 wave and is currently mounted to passenger rear corner, where the tire carrier mounts to the body, above the brake light. It's not an ideal mounting location will be moving once I decide on a more suitable location for it.
The 2 meter antenna is giving me a fit! Can't get the thing tuned better across the band. Messed with it again today and the SWR was 2.0 ~ 2.1 on the upper half of the band. On the lower end of the band, it was around 1.6. Cut a tad off the whip only to see the reading go up a tad. It was the same on the Dodge Ram it was previously mounted on. It was checked with a MFJ analyzer and the impedance was real close to 50 Ohms.

 

[dshafer1]

Nice job, nonperson! I think it looks great!

 

[TrevDog]

I love custom consoles! That thing looks stock. Awesome job.

 

[b7spectra]

Where in GA are you? I'm up in NE Cobb and hang around on the .625 GMRS repeater - ATL 505.

 

[nonperson]

Where in GA are you? I'm up in NE Cobb and hang around on the .625 GMRS repeater - ATL 505.

South GA.

The GE radios are only two channel models and haven't been programed yet. The only one I know of that can program them is on ebay at $24.99 a radio which will include him fixing some minor common problems. Haven't decided on which frequencies to put in them yet. I'll most likely just use them all on simplex and have one spare.

 

[Dann]

Looks Good.

 

[Rt169Radio]

Looks interesting, is that GE MLS1 some kind of military radio? Or modeled after one?

 

[nonperson]

Looks interesting, is that GE MLS1 some kind of military radio? Or modeled after one?

Not that I know of. I think they came out of some old school buses or a business. I got them from a previous coworker. The MLS1 models require an old "suitcase" programmer. The only one, with one that still worked was out of state. There were some MLS2 models made that are programmed with a PC. The only way to tell is by looking at the last number of the FCC ID #. If it's a "0" then it's MLS 1 and requires a special programmer. If the number ends in a "1" then it's a MLS 2. You can find the cables for the MLS2 models online. Just FYI if any one comes across some of these.

 

[russellmaher]

I think you did a nice job on the console, thanks for sharing.

Russell

 

[n9mxq]

Professional looking job.. Kudos

 

[WD4JKH]

Nice job on the console - looks great! Thumbs up on using the MLS although the sloped face can make it a pain to mount and makes the radio sit at an awkward angle under the console.

The guy's 25 bucks for programming and minor fixes doesn't sound bad if the fixes include replacing the electrolytic capacitors on the top board which seem to fail often in the MLS I models. A common symptom is low receive audio when the audio output coupling caps start to go but if the one on the 9 volt regulator goes out you can have all sorts of weird symptoms. These are old but still good radios and with a little maintenance will last as long as you want them to.

Good luck with your project,
David

 

[nonperson]

Nice job on the console - looks great! Thumbs up on using the MLS although the sloped face can make it a pain to mount and makes the radio sit at an awkward angle under the console.

The guy's 25 bucks for programming and minor fixes doesn't sound bad if the fixes include replacing the electrolytic capacitors on the top board which seem to fail often in the MLS I models. A common symptom is low receive audio when the audio output coupling caps start to go but if the one on the 9 volt regulator goes out you can have all sorts of weird symptoms. These are old but still good radios and with a little maintenance will last as long as you want them to.

Good luck with your project,
David

In his e-mail he said that price included some minor common problems but I imagine replacing a capacitor would cost more. The one in the photos above powers up but has a low volume when I press the monitor button. I think this was one of his included fixes.

The radio was a pain to mount! Originally the face of it was flush like the Kenwood but when I was running the power wires I noticed the heat sink was touching the floor and it was impossible to connect a coax to it. I had to go back a trim some more to make it fit.

I got two MVS VHF radios like the ones you posted with MLS radios. One local shop said they can still program the MVS for $36. I thought about using them in the shack. Maybe use one for 2 meter repeaters and common simplex frequencies in the area. There's info on the net about modding and using them on packet.

Thanks for all the compliments everyone!

 

[WD4JKH]

I got two MVS VHF radios like the ones you posted with MLS radios. One local shop said they can still program the MVS for $36. I thought about using them in the shack. Maybe use one for 2 meter repeaters and common simplex frequencies in the area. There's info on the net about modding and using them on packet.

The MVS radios are PC programmable and you can find software and cables on the internet. They make good 2m radios and you should not have to make any adjustments. FWIW, your MLS radios could be used in the ham 440 band with and adjustment to the VCO, Unfortunately the MLS I models don't spread far so you couldn't put GMRS on one channel and ham on the other. The MLS II model will make the spread. The one in the picture is a MLS II on 6 meters.

David - WD4JKH

 

[Rt169Radio]

Not that I know of. I think they came out of some old school buses or a business. I got them from a previous coworker. The MLS1 models require an old "suitcase" programmer. The only one, with one that still worked was out of state. There were some MLS2 models made that are programmed with a PC. The only way to tell is by looking at the last number of the FCC ID #. If it's a "0" then it's MLS 1 and requires a special programmer. If the number ends in a "1" then it's a MLS 2. You can find the cables for the MLS2 models online. Just FYI if any one comes across some of these.

Okay, I was just wondering because of its shape and green color.

 

[nonperson]

Okay, I was just wondering because of its shape and green color.

Forgot about that. They are more of a grey color but in the light like that they do appear to have a green tint to them.

 

[Rt169Radio]

Forgot about that. They are more of a grey color but in the light like that they do appear to have a green tint to them.

Ah, okay. That means you have a color changing radio.

 

[nonperson]

Ah, okay. That means you have a color changing radio.

It's the same thing with the interior of the Bronco. I wasn't sure on the color because sometimes it looked like a shade of faded blue and the rest of the time it looked more grey. It wasn't until I installed the radios and saw pieces of the trim unexposed to the sun that I was certain it was grey.

 

[parnass]

Ford should have continued making the full sized Bronco. They were great trucks. My wife and I owned 5 of them between the two of us from 1986 through 1996.

It was easier to install radio gear inside a Bronco than in many of today's trucks.

 

[cifd64]

I would invest in some blank Havis plates (or have them cut for additional price) to shore up the mount. Otherwise, I like new instals in old vehicles.

 

[nonperson]

I would invest in some blank Havis plates (or have them cut for additional price) to shore up the mount. Otherwise, I like new instals in old vehicles.

I may look into something like that. I definitely want to redo it and want to use metal. I'm already going through some ideas in my head.