Fitting a UHf Radio in the centre storage box.

[dirvine]

I am contemplating fitting my small GME unit in the centre console storage box, and using the wires to the rear cigarette plug for power, and running the aerial cable along the transmission tunnel and drill a hole into the bottom corner of the box. I would then attach a remote speaker that would store in the box and only be pull out when using the radio. There is enough of a gap in the lid for the wires to hang out as well as the handset cable. I am considering buying a service manual for my car so I could learn how to pull things apart etc. But most manuals seem to say for Disco3/4. I know the centre console is different for a Disco 3 and wondering if someone has the manual can they tell me if it shows the centre console and how to pull it apart for a disco 4 My16.5?

[BMKal]

This should give you everything you need.

114266

[Tombie]

Is it a remote head unit?
Have you considered mounting it under the drivers seat?

[dirvine]

No its a small GME unit with controls on the handset but the speaker on the unit. It was not very good in my last car for sound as the location of the internal speaker tends to muffle the sound. I know a lot have installed the unit under a seat, but I want it out of sight when not in use. So i want to hide it all in the centre console.

[dirvine]

Thanks BKMal,
Just a question the first picture is of what? Also it says to remove the console I have to remove the upper section. I presume that is the area where the gear knob and hand break are. Can you confirm. If so do you have instructions for that. Thanks

[LRD414]

Here's a good thread for centre console removal:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-4/133980-d4-removing-centre-console.html

Cheers,
Scott

[Oztourer]

I mounted my Icom under the cubby box lid. See my post below:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-4/224534-icom-ic-450n-installation-plan.html#post2413172

[BMKal]

If you have controls in the handpiece, I would do as Tombie has suggested and mount the head unit under the seat (or somewhere else easily accessible - mine is under the FRONT of the console - about next to where my left foot rests).

Don't worry about the fact that you have no speaker in the handpiece - they are generally crap anyway (my Uniden handpiece speaker is the worst part of the radio). They all have an extension speaker jack on the head unit - simply plug in a small extension speaker and mount this somewhere you can hear it clearly.

Sounds like the only difference between the radio that you have and my Uniden is that the Uniden has a speaker in the headphone. I would not even consider mounting my radio in the centre storage box. ;)

[dirvine]

Thanks for all the input. My main concern is how to remove the centre panel where my gear knob is. As I said in my 1st post there are differences between 3 and 4 models.
My reason for putting it in the centre console box is that it is out of the way. Power is available by tapping into the cig lighter wires at the back of the console. I do not need to lift carpet etc to hide the aeriel cable. When not in use the Mic and the speaker will fit in the box and be out of the way. When I want to use the radio I just need to pull them out and switch it on. If it was under the seat I would still have the problem of where do I put the extention speaker? In all my cars before this one I have never used the centre storage box, so for me it is just a waste. Why not use it for something I need? If someone can give me details on how to remove the gear knob part of the centre console on a Disco My 16.5 so I can run the aeriel cable through there I would be most appreciative.

[LRD414]

....My main concern is how to remove the centre panel where my gear knob is.
As I said in my 1st post there are differences between 3 and 4 models.
...... If someone can give me details on how to remove the gear knob part of the centre console on a Disco My 16.5 .....
The thread I linked earlier is a D4 not a D3.

Here's a good thread for centre console removal:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-4/133980-d4-removing-centre-console.html
Perhaps you mean the rotary knob gear selector?
In that case it is basically the same process, just you don't need to remove the knob. The rotary assembly lifts with the whole panel.
In any case, I've attached the manual instructions too.

Regards,
Scott

[Tombie]

Hiding it under the seat is just as simple...

some tips
.. don't power from ciggie plug it induces noise. Run a lead to the battery

.. mounting unit under seat doesn't require lifting carpet for cabling. Push antenna and power cables up under edge of console without removing it. Easy.. then down under seat rail in conduit and into the unit...

[BMKal]

I haven't looked seriously at where to mount an extension speaker myself yet. On a previous vehicle, I had a small speaker mounted high up on the "B" pillar, just above, to the right of and behind my right ear. It worked really well in this position, as I could hear everything clearly with the volume relatively low, and did not annoy other people in the car (SWMBO hates listening to the UHF ;) ).

Would be very simple to run the speaker wire from under the driver's seat to this position. Only thing is - I have a sneaking suspicion that there might be an airbag in the "B" pillar somewhere in the D4 - definitely needs a bit more investigation before I go hanging a speaker there in this vehicle. :D

[jonesy63]

Hey Brian - do you have a centre speaker? That is a pretty good spot if you don't.
Cheers,
Rob

[BMKal]

Hey Brian - do you have a centre speaker? That is a pretty good spot if you don't.
Cheers,
Rob

Not a bad idea Rob. As it happens, I had the centre speaker grille out recently to install the Kuda mount ...................... and there is no speaker in there. :D

Not sure if SWMBO will appreciate the CB radio using a speaker in that location, but definitely worth a try. If I don't tell her, she may never realize ............ :wasntme:

One thing that I have discovered though, is that feeding wiring down through the centre speaker hole is no easy task. I tried to bring power leads to my GPS etc up that way into the back of the Kuda mount - without success. http://www.jonrb.com/emoticons/curse.gif

[letherm]

Not sure if SWMBO will appreciate the CB radio using a speaker in that location, but definitely worth a try. If I don't tell her, she may never realize ............ :wasntme:

Always ask for forgiveness not permission.:p

[dirvine]

Thanks to everybody and their advice. After reading all the links that you gave me and having a good think, I ended up putting the unit under the passenger seat and used the metal plate there to mount the unit. I ended up buying the aerial mount from labtronx, and ran the lead down the centre console pushing it up by hand. I read that there was already power and an earth lead under the cup holders which is a plug for the cooler box. So I used them. My Mic cable is a bit stretched when I am sitting in the drivers seat so I ordered 3 foot long RJ45 male one end and female with bolt mount holes on the other. When it arrives I will mount the female end in the plastic between the cup holders. That way when I am not using the Rrdio I can just put the Mic cable away. I don't really like having the mic showing or hooked on something when I am not using it. When I 4wd I generally have the mic on my lap so a hanging hoke is not for me. The only visible signs of the radio now is of course the aerial outside and the female socket connector for the mic.

[LRD414]

..... My Mic cable is a bit stretched when I am sitting in the drivers seat so I ordered 3 foot long RJ45 male one end and female with bolt mount holes on the other.
When it arrives I will mount the female end in the plastic between the cup holders. That way when I am not using the Rrdio I can just put the Mic cable away....

That's very similar to what I've done for much the same reasons, just you'll do without the mic holder/clip.
Details in this thread:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-4/224534-icom-ic-450n-installation-plan-3.html

This is mine:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/09/14.jpg

This is David's:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/l319-discovery-3-4/112744d1471328058-icom-ic-450n-installation-plan-img_9200.jpg


Cheers,
Scott