Looking For 2020 Tacoma Install Advice

[CanesFan95]

Might be shopping for a new Tacoma this year and am wondering about drilling 2 holes on the roof for NMOs and installing 2 radios. Prolly a ham rig and a scanner. Any tips or advice? Anyone done installs on 3rd generation Tacomas and can share experiences? Some problems I can foresee:

Pulling down the headliner
Wires, airbags, sensors, microphones, etc... getting in the way
Cleaning up the metal shavings after drilling
Where are the grommets
Wiring the radios directly to the battery
Mounting the radio control heads & bodies somewhere

 

[ladn]

Where are the grommets
Wiring the radios directly to the battery
Mounting the radio control heads & bodies somewhere

I have a 2018 (Gen 5) 4Runner which has some design similarities to the Taco.

• GROMMETS: There should be a plugged feed through on the driver side firewall, slightly below the brake master cylinder and to near where the large wiring loom goes through the firewall. It looks like about a 1/2" black rubber plug with a nipple in the middle. Remove this, cut the nipple and put it over your power (and control) wires. On the inside of the firewall, the hole comes out just above the carpet line and to the left of the brake peddle.
• WIRING to BATTERY: I ran #10 and #14 automotive "zip" wire (red & black) through the hole and grommet into the cab, then behind the driver's left side panel, under the door molding (through an open wiring channel). then exiting it out by the driver side pillar behind the driver's seat. The #10 wire is the power wire and went directly to the transceiver (Icom 2730A) mounted on a sheet of plywood and secured under the driver's seat. The #14 wire goes to a rocker switch installed in an unused hole on the 4Runner's switch panel. This switch controls a 30A waterproof relay I installed in the engine compartment. The relay is powered from an "always on" circuit on the 4Runner's interior fuse block (I tapped the seat power). The red (positive) #10 wire from the cab goes to one side of the relay, and a short section of #10 wire goes to the positive battery terminal through a 30A fuse. The black #10 wire goes directly to the battery negative terminal. I've used this power distribution system on several of my vehicles. I've found it easier than turning the radio off and on with the control head switch.
• CONTROL HEAD, etc: The Icom control cable routes from the radio box under the driver's seat, up and under the center console to the control head which I mounted in front of on of the little cubby holes below the infotainment center. I used an AMP metal clamshell cellphone mount to give the control head the proper viewing angle. The mount is screwed into plastic, but also braced with a short piece of 3/4" dowel for extra support. The control head screws into the clamshell. To improve the audio, I added a front facing MFJ speaker to the plywood radio box mounting board under the driver seat. This projects the audio at the driver's feet and provides adequate and clear audio. The mic hands on the Icom mic hook on the console.

There just wasn't adequate room to install a conventional mobile scanner or CB and I bemoan the fact that Uniden does not make a split mount mobile scanner nor does anyone make a split mount CB (and unfortunately the split mount "10M" radios are FM only. I use a Uniden 325P2 handheld scanner connected to an external antenna. The handheld fits nicely into on of the cup holders. I've been considering a Weathertec or similar cup mount for the scanner to hole it more securely.

 

[mmckenna]

nor does anyone make a split mount CB (and unfortunately the split mount "10M" radios are FM only.

CMX760 Bearcat Off-Road Compact CB Radio with Mic Display

Compact Radio for Off-Road with mic display. Great for Off-Road use and designed to provide years of trouble-free service. Its rugged components and materials are capable of withstanding harsh environments. It is the perfect choice when space or mounting options are limited. Product Overview...

uniden.com

They don't show the CMX-560 any more, not sure if they stopped selling it, but it's a basic model of this one. RF deck is about the size of a paperback book. Cable between the RF deck and the hand held control head is 4 pair with an RJ-45. I was able to extend mine with an Ethernet cable.
Not the "best" radio in the world, but will fit where others will not. Add a decent antenna, and it's a adequate performer.

 

[CanesFan95]

Thanks.

 

[Tobydog]

Okay folks looking at an install for my 2014 crew cab Tacoma. Current thinking is using 2 MOTOROLA XTVA units with XTS5000 portables. XTVA will be installed behind rear seat on driver's side and running HHCH along console down low to be covert. Wiring will be run to Blue Sea fuse block and wired to battery with breaker. Curious about drilling roof with NMOs to install 2 low profile 800 antennas and not sure about airbag sensors and airbag proper. Do not want to set it off. Any thoughts on need to drill hole of fender mount antennas. Trunking system is picked up well with no outside antennas and not really sure other than hiding radios as to a need for this. Thoughts?

 

[W4EMS]

For the 2020 Taco have the service body guy show you where/how to run the cables. I have my gear in the storage area behind the left rear seat.
I ran hot line thru a grommet in firewall into the flooring area in the "trough under the plastic cover that run along the floor under the doors and used same trough to run the FTM-400 head control cable back to the dash.
Dropped the headliner from the rear center and leveraged a 2x4 thru the back window to hold the headliner down while I drilled the NMO hole and installed it then snaked the cable down into the storage area. I did drill three holes into the storage compartment for the cable.
For the ground I used one of the chassis screws.

Two cautions, the satellite antenna and cable on the roof, I went forward of them. Also there are multiple airbags in the passenger area, make sure they point those out to you.

No problems to date with engine noise or other interference. While I was at it I tapped the hotline to run some USB outlets in the rear.
Good luck. The 2019 is a great vehicle.

 

[mikewazowski]

Thanks guys! I've got a 2019 Taco and will put radios in it at some point.