Yaesu FTM-400XDR Install - 2019 F150

[K3VDM]

Installed a Yaesu FTM-400XDR in my 2019 Ford F150 a few weeks ago. I used a solenoid which is tied to an ignition fuse in the truck. The fuse block powers on and off with the truck. The antenna is a Diamond NR770HBNMO mounted on the front driver fender. The dash mount and behind rear seat mount are both Builtright Industries products.


Control Panel Mounted on a Builtright Industries Dash Mount


Radio, Fuse Block, and Solenoid Mounted on a Builtright Industries Panel


Microphone and Yaesu MLS-200-M10


Let me know your thoughts!
-K3VDM

 

[captainmax1]

Nice setup but a radio mounted up on the dash where I live would fry from heat very quickly. Is extreme dash heat a problem where you live?

 

[K3VDM]

Not really. I am in Pennsylvania. During the summer months, I plan on putting a small towel over the control head to keep the sun off of it.

 

[prcguy]

A friend had a late model Ford pickup and was able to fit the FTM-400 control head in a flip down compartment in the overhead console thing. It barely fit but looked factory stock when it was done.

 

[AK9R]

Not really. I am in Pennsylvania. During the summer months, I plan on putting a small towel over the control head to keep the sun off of it.

I have run a Kenwood TM-V71 control head mounted to the top of my dash in a Ford Expedition for years. I live in central Indiana. No issues.

 

[W9WSS]

Very nice install, however, you may wish to deploy some flexible plastic looming to dress up the rear compartment a bit. But as long as it does what you want it to do, the rest is just cosmetic.

 

[W3AWF]

Very nice install! Looks kinda like the one I did the other weekend

 

[K3VDM]

Very nice install, however, you may wish to deploy some flexible plastic looming to dress up the rear compartment a bit. But as long as it does what you want it to do, the rest is just cosmetic.

Yeah that's the plan. I had to take that back panel out because I brought the truck to Ford to fix a leak in the rear window. While it is out I am doing some cable management.

 

[K3VDM]

Did a little cable management behind the rear seat. I think it looks better.

 

[pointman1177]

curious what your antenna setup is like. love the install, exactly what I would do. I need more ideas for the new truck I ordered. Thanks!

 

[SurgePGH]

If i'm not mistaken that radio won't do well being powered of through a power interupt. It needs powered off with the power button or you run the risk of corrupting the SD card.

 

[03msc]

Isn't the card only used for programming? And that's done manually (i.e. telling it to read from or write to the card; it doesn't happen automatically). So, if that's the case, it shouldn't be accessing the card except during those periods. I'm not recalling a recording function but that would be a more likely reason for a potential corruption of the card.

 

[vagrant]

Isn't the card only used for programming?

No, it is required for the GPS to log and some other things which I forget at the moment. My radios have constant power and I use the APO ( Automatic Power Off ) feature after a set time.

 

[K7MFC]

Nicely done

 

[jeepsandradios]

My FTM400 has been run off a relay for 2 years in my JT with no issues. Turns on with key and off when I shut off key. APRS works fine. APO was used first but on tris it would shut off without me knowing. My card has all my programming on it in case I want to pull it back or program inside on my desktop.

 

[Solidjake]

I love the black metal plates you have everything mounted to, NICE!

 

[chief21]

If i'm not mistaken that radio won't do well being powered of through a power interupt. It needs powered off with the power button or you run the risk of corrupting the SD card.

I've been running the FTM-400 rigs in my two vehicles off an ignition relay for years with NO issues. Very convenient.