UHF install - non remote head unit version

[BSM]

So I've recently upgraded from my 2005 TDV6 D3 with 200k km's on the clock to a lavishly appointed 2012 D4 SDV6 HSE with bull bar, spotties, RWC and snorkel (Man what a ride!), and now I want to fit some of the other gear from the D3 including the UHF.

Now of course I'ts just not acceptable to be drilling any holes into the dash / console of such a fine vehicle, but my UHF is not a remote head unit version. It's a Uniden UH5000pnp, which has a very slim and compact body but just a dumb mic, and all controls on the body.

All the advice I've read on the forum that doesn't involve drilling into the console seems to relate to the installing a remote head unit version where the body can be hidden under the seat or under the panel below the steering wheel. But obviously I need to install the body where I can see and touch it.

In the D3 I had it screwed into the panel under the steering wheel, but I don't want to screw it in this time.

Some questions:

1. How do people mount the body on the panel under the steering wheel without using screws?
2. Does anyone mount the body vertically between the drivers seat and the centre console? If so how do you mount it there?
3. In there another alternative?

Thanks in advance

Brett

[AK83]

My brother had a 5000pnp.(in his Patrol)
He originally mounted it via velcro to the LH leg side of the lower dash panel, but it was annoying that you couldn't see it easily and quickly(eyes off the road too long).

I convinced him to mount it to the windscreen via a suction cup mount, low on the dash so to minimise road visibility and made him up a new coax cable to thread it through some barely usable gaps between dash and body.

a much better way to operate it!

[LandyAndy]

Hi Brett.
Under the dash isn't much good,as mentioned you cant see it and you will bang your legs on it.
Others have put them inside the console.There is the roof console too.Plenty of room to tuck cables between the glass and trims without removing anything.You cant see them from outside due to the black paint on the glass.
ENJOY
Andrew

[Grentarc]

A mate (who is on these forums) has his slim UHF mounted in place of his coin tray
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/12/661.jpg

[BSM]

Hi Brett.
Under the dash isn't much good,as mentioned you cant see it and you will bang your legs on it.
Others have put them inside the console.There is the roof console too.Plenty of room to tuck cables between the glass and trims without removing anything.You cant see them from outside due to the black paint on the glass.
ENJOY
Andrew

It's definitely not ideal under the dash, but don't those two options you mention Andrew require a remote head up style unit?

[LRD414]

Some questions:

1. How do people mount the body on the panel under the steering wheel without using screws?
2. Does anyone mount the body vertically between the drivers seat and the centre console? If so how do you mount it there?
3. In there another alternative?

Brett, if it was me I would honestly be buying a new remote head UHF to go with the nice new D4.

I reckon the coin tray option mentioned by Justin is probably the best, however to answer a couple of your questions .....

1. You could make a bracket similar in design as the mic bracket that Rich made in this thread.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-4/137429-uhf-radio-set-up-d4.html
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/12/655.jpg

Obviously altered to mount the unit rather than mic. This location would annoy me I think.

2. Vertical mount - my Dad has done this by making a bracket that tucks into the trim edges.
However, he used the passenger side because his left leg tends to rest against the centre console.
He finds this not ideal because the controls are difficult to see.

Regards,
Scott

[BSM]

Brett, if it was me I would honestly be buying a new remote head UHF to go with the nice new D4.

I reckon the coin tray option mentioned by Justin is probably the best, however to answer a couple of your questions .....

1. You could make a bracket similar in design as the mic bracket that Rich made in this thread.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-4/137429-uhf-radio-set-up-d4.html
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/12/655.jpg

Obviously altered to mount the unit rather than mic. This location would annoy me I think.

2. Vertical mount - my Dad has done this by making a bracket that tucks into the trim edges.
However, he used the passenger side because his left leg tends to rest against the centre console.
He finds this not ideal because the controls are difficult to see.

Regards,
Scott

Yes I like Rich's design. I was contemplating something based on that. The coin tray option looks good too, I'll have to pull mine out and have a look behind it.

[ATH]

I saw a colleagues D4 recently where he's mounted the body of his GME radio inside the little console which has the map reading lights in above the mirror and the remote head outside.
His arial is a short type and sticks on the outside of the windscreen and transmits the signal through the screen. HugeDomains.com - RfiWireless.com is for sale (Rfi Wireless) (http://www.rfiwireless.com)
I've got to check this out more as it seems like a top solution to me. Didn't mind drilling the odd hole in the Deafener but am a bit shy about it on a brand new vehicle! :D
AlanH.

[LandyAndy]

I saw a colleagues D4 recently where he's mounted the body of his GME radio inside the little console which has the map reading lights in above the mirror and the remote head outside.
His arial is a short type and sticks on the outside of the windscreen and transmits the signal through the screen. HugeDomains.com - RfiWireless.com is for sale (Rfi Wireless) (http://www.rfiwireless.com)
I've got to check this out more as it seems like a top solution to me. Didn't mind drilling the odd hole in the Deafener but am a bit shy about it on a brand new vehicle! :D
AlanH.
You don't need a UHF Alan.Who in their right mind would want to talk to you:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p
Andrew

[ATH]

Actually I work on the basis of "silence is golden" Andrew on my trips. Useless inane chatter is not allowed. :mad:
AlanH.

[DiscoMick]

Mine is fitted between the driver's seat and the centre cubby in the Defender because it was an easy fit. Not sure if that would work in a Disco. Remote head units are a good idea. Gutter mount aerials are also worth considering rather than on a bullbar.

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

[BSM]

Okay, so I get the point about purchasing a UHF with a remote head unit. I agree that is a nicer solution.

But here I've got a perfectly functional Uniden UH5000pnp that I've previously had installed under the steering area in my D3, and just going out and buying a remote head unit for aesthetic reasons seems, well, extravagant.

So inspired by Rich's examples that he's posted previously , I fashioned a bracket out of a couple of pieces of aluminium to hold the body the the radio onto the panel under the steering column. It's very discreet down there and while you do have to reach around the wheel to get to it, I'm not exactly changing channels a lot when I do use it.

The Mic will be mounted on one of those plastic ProClips just as soon as it arrives in the post. It'll do the job nicely thank you.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=117760&stc=1&d=1482461142
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=117761&stc=1&d=1482461142

[rocket rod]

Brett, I have the same unit as you and did the same thing except drilled straight into the flap rather than go for a mounting like yours. The one thing about that spot is the speaker is way down there as well so I have to crank up the volume a bit. For the mic mounting I drilled and glued the clip on the left side of the dash near the steering wheel.

[cjc_td5]

I have an mini size GME UHF unit that I have mounted to the side of the centre console in the gap between the console and the front seat. The top of the unit sits approx 1" below the top of the seat. It is out of the way and the controls fall easily to hand. By sliding the seat fully to the rear I could get enough access to install a couple of self tappers into the console to fix the bracket.

Just be aware that by mounting your UHF to the panel below the steering wheel, it would mince meat your lower leg in a big crash. Manufacturers go to extra trouble to make this panel soft and compliant as your lower legs are going to hit this panel HARD in a big crash. :(

[Tombie]

Damn guys. Neat installs but do you have no respect for your legs?

Something goes bad and these things do extreme damage to humans (seen it / had to deal with it)

Please keep gear like this out of the footwell area..

[BSM]

Just be aware that by mounting your UHF to the panel below the steering wheel, it would mince meat your lower leg in a big crash. Manufacturers go to extra trouble to make this panel soft and compliant as your lower legs are going to hit this panel HARD in a big crash. :(

Hmmm. Good point. Maybe I should get extravagant after all.

[LRDisco_Fever]

Brett,

Great work on the mount mate!

I am going to echo the "extravagant" option though 😉

Safety first of all, secondly, you treated your self to a brilliant new D4, why not treat yourself to a nice upgraded UHF as well. My fav setup is Scotts. Really well thought out and basically undetectable when not in use.

CDog. 😁

[BSM]

Okay, Call me a tightwad, I prefer to think of it as being persistent. I've deferred the extravagant option for the time being and had another go at mounting my Uniden in a place that is not going to be a problem for my knees.

First a little aluminium bracket for the body with hooked ends.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=118533&stc=1&d=1484375733

Then remove the centre console and check the fitting and that it doesn't interfere with the seat movement (sorry about the focus)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=118534&stc=1&d=1484375733

Wrap in PVC tape and attach velcro backing to hold it steady
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=118535&stc=1&d=1484375733

After centre console re-fitted
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=118536&stc=1&d=1484375733

With a Brodit bracket as a Mic holder.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=118537&stc=1&d=1484375733

[cjc_td5]

That's where mine is mate, except I mounted the bracket by drilling into the centre console. Cheers Chris

[jonesfam]

Very nice job.
Is your gear Knob back the front?
Jonesfam

[BSM]

Is your gear Knob back the front?
Jonesfam

LOL well spotted - I think you're right - I'm sure it came like that though.