mkewman
Member
how do you find a safe place to drill? I'd like to mount a radio on my dash on my 99 ford taurus, but i have no idea where it's safe to drill! how can i find out without killing my car, or myself.
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Where to drill
- Thread starter mkewman
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RolnCode3
Member
Why do you need to drill?
If you just need to mount something to the plastic, you can use self-tapping sheet metal screws...they'll work pretty well. Depends on the weight of the item.
If you just need to mount something to the plastic, you can use self-tapping sheet metal screws...they'll work pretty well. Depends on the weight of the item.
mkewman
Member
well i'm afraid of doin that and hitting something or doing it wrong and completely ruining the dash.
RolnCode3
Member
Hmm. Well, the only safe way then is to get behind the dash and verify there's nothing behind it. Use small screws (since they only hold the plastic anyways), and you'll minimize your chances.
I would suggest, then, taking a couple hours and pulling the dash apart (as much as you need to to see where you want to drill) rather than the years of headache that'll come if you drill thru something important.
If you need some help, I have today and tomorrow (Tuesday) off. Don't have to work till Wednesday. Might be able to help out.
I would suggest, then, taking a couple hours and pulling the dash apart (as much as you need to to see where you want to drill) rather than the years of headache that'll come if you drill thru something important.
If you need some help, I have today and tomorrow (Tuesday) off. Don't have to work till Wednesday. Might be able to help out.
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wv8mat
Member
3m makes a real good dbl sided mounting tape, like 2bucks at radio shack
wheelman
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Here is how I did my Taurus
Hi,
I had a 1999 Taurus that I did a decent install on. I used a Pro-Fit bracket for my Yaesu FT-7800 control head and XM. Then, I removed the ash tray assembly and notched out the recess to allow my BCT-8 to slide in. Lastly, I used the speaker from my Motorola hard install car kit to fill the gap at the bottom. I filled in the remaining gaps with 1" black closed cell foam cut to fit.
I had this install in place for two years and it was great. This car had the 200 hp 24v engine and was a real sleeper. I used it as a stealthy high-speed commuter car and simply re-installed the ash-tray when I sold it. It looked perfect. Sorry the pics are so dusty... they were taken the day the radios came out to go into something else with an even cooler install.
WM
Hi,
I had a 1999 Taurus that I did a decent install on. I used a Pro-Fit bracket for my Yaesu FT-7800 control head and XM. Then, I removed the ash tray assembly and notched out the recess to allow my BCT-8 to slide in. Lastly, I used the speaker from my Motorola hard install car kit to fill the gap at the bottom. I filled in the remaining gaps with 1" black closed cell foam cut to fit.
I had this install in place for two years and it was great. This car had the 200 hp 24v engine and was a real sleeper. I used it as a stealthy high-speed commuter car and simply re-installed the ash-tray when I sold it. It looked perfect. Sorry the pics are so dusty... they were taken the day the radios came out to go into something else with an even cooler install.
WM
Attachments
Why are all the displays painted out?
kingpin
Trailer Park Supervisor
W4KRR said:Why are all the displays painted out?
His radios are stealthy too
K4APR
Member
mattgregg110 said:
Whatever you do, don't use that crappy double sided tape! Its tacky and schotty looking, plus a nice hot day and you'll come back to find your radio/scanner laying on the floorboard. Trust me, do it the right way. Check behind for wires or obstructions and then do it right with some screws. Self-tappers are the way to go. Just go slow so you don't strip out the plastic. Sometimes you will get lucky and have a thin metal plate behind the dash that you can screw into, once through the plastic dash. That makes for a very sturdy mount.
mkewman
Member
would i be able to go to a ford dealer and just ask where i can drill without having them charge me 500 bucks?
also, i wanna know where i can drill to get wires for power through anyone know?
also, i wanna know where i can drill to get wires for power through anyone know?
RolnCode3
Member
I'd be surprised if Ford would tell you. It's complicated...but then again it's not. To get an official answer from them would probably be complicated. But if you just pull the dash apart, it should be obvious what's OK and what's not.mkewman said:
Not sure about what you mean about drilling for power. There are two major ways to do this.
1. Run all of the power cables directly to the battery.
2. Bring a power distribution/fuse block into the passenger compartment and run everything from there.
If you're only powering 1 or 2 items, it's easy enough to run everything thru the firewall directly to the battery. If you're going to power a bunch of items, it can become economical, convenient, and cleaner (instead of huge lengths of wire running thru the vehicle) to bring a block inside, and fuse directly from there. If you don't feel comfortable working on vehicle electrics, I would get help...you can do LOTS of damage.
I worked for a ford dealership for 13 years. It shouldnt be a problem. Go to a service advisor and ask to speak to a technician. It wouldnt hurt to throw the guy or gal a couple dollars. They might even drill for you.
mkewman said:
Many car companies put out technical bulletins for two-way radio installation.
It cost me $4 to get the one for my Nissan.
The parts department should be able to look it up and order it.
I wanted to be sure on my new vehicle, because it's the first time I drilled anything with side airbags and didn't want any surprises.
Also if you follow the tech bulletin, you don't void the warranty.
:wink:
RolnCode3
Member
I could see the tech bulletins (I've seen them for other vehicles). I'm surprised the dealership would get into that as well.
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