Thread: ICom IC-450N installation plan

G'day all,

Here's my completed install. Really happy with it. Took inspiration from various people along the way so thought I'd share for anyones future reference.

The main unit is mounted under the passenger seat as per my previous post HERE.

The antenna mount was very easy to make and is ideally suited to the antenna I was recommended when purchasing given it's right angle attachment. Again, details of this model are in my previous post.

For the handheld, the extension cable runs under the back of the centre console which for those planning to attempt has an obvious 'step up' on each side where its easy to feed through. I've mounted it on the inside of the centre console with double sided tape. The seat only just presses against it too, so that helps it from trying to fall off.

I took other's recommendations and bought the Brodit centre console brackets from DSL Developments in the UK. Great fit and easy to put on and off as you require, no need to use the double sided tape if you just want to use when touring. I ended up buying one for each side, and we've mounted a Garmin swivel on the other side which after thinking about doing factory stereo integration is really all I need (and very cheap!). I like the Garmin platform for my waypoints and offroad mapping and having on this mount only when touring is the best of both worlds.

Last pic.
The reason I went with that spot for the extension cable is when you pick up the hand piece to talk you don't need to pull on the coil cable much to get the reach, unless its the passenger that wants to talk.

Also, others have discussed the Brodit clip sitting in a spot where you rest your left knee. I'm 6 foot and my knee sits above and behind it, though for those with shorter legs it might be at the same height.

Originally Posted by strydes

I've just started my install. I also used the passenger side empty bracket though went for a more low-tech setup.

I have mounted my Icom IC-450 in same position (see photo). Just had to 'enlarge' some of the cutouts on the Icom supplied mounting tray to allow a couple of M6x10 Button heads for a near perfect fit.

Did you run the power and antenna cables thru the bottom of the centre console, or along the passenger door sill, I assume the former?

Icom 450 under seat.jpg
From 2nd row passengers footwell looking forward

Originally Posted by laughto

Did you run the power and antenna cables thru the bottom of the centre console, or along the passenger door sill, I assume the former?

I ran the antenna cable through the firewall grommet just above steering column, same one as used for Traxide rear power cable and TowPro cables.
UHF power was spliced off the Traxide cable so that the UHF can be powered with vehicle off but if you're running power from cranking battery then the same firewall grommet would suit.

Once inside the cabin behind the steering wheel it is relatively simple to pass cables across to passenger side behind the centre console because there is a large void back there.
Then you can run along the bottom edge of the floor console until you're beside the passenger seat and then duck under to your head unit.

Scott

Originally Posted by LRD414

I ran the antenna cable through the firewall grommet just above steering column, same one as used for Traxide rear power cable and TowPro cables.
UHF power was spliced off the Traxide cable so that the UHF can be powered with vehicle off but if you're running power from cranking battery then the same firewall grommet would suit.

Once inside the cabin behind the steering wheel it is relatively simple to pass cables across to passenger side behind the centre console because there is a large void back there.
Then you can run along the bottom edge of the floor console until you're beside the passenger seat and then duck under to your head unit.

Scott

I am always very nervous about pulling things apart for fear of not being able to get them back together again, or worse still pulling too hard on something and breaking a connector which I invariably do. Getting access to the firewall from inside the vehicle is my next challenge i.e. what to remove from under the drivers side near steering column etc to expose the ingress point.

BTW, there must also be an ingress point on the left hand side of the firewall as this is where the cabling for my Anderson plug is run. This is behind the battery box, but is not clearly visible.

I'll try to get a bit braver and have a crack at this tomorrow

Originally Posted by laughto

I am always very nervous about pulling things apart for fear of not being able to get them back together again, or worse still pulling too hard on something and breaking a connector which I invariably do. Getting access to the firewall from inside the vehicle is my next challenge i.e. what to remove from under the drivers side near steering column etc to expose the ingress point.

BTW, there must also be an ingress point on the left hand side of the firewall as this is where the cabling for my Anderson plug is run. This is behind the battery box, but is not clearly visible.

I know how you feel but it's not as hard as you think.
The panel under steering column just pulls outwards when grabbed near the top.
Only issue: the metal clips can easily spring off and get lost. Usually easy to find once you remove the smaller panel below that one, which you will need to do to pass cables across behind the console.

The driver side grommet is easy to find and use. There's a couple of good photos in the D4 Electric Brake thread that I've copied here:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/...-brakes-4.html
Looking from engine bay


Looking up from driver footwell once panel is removed


Partially shows steering column panel pulled open, one of two metal clips visible


Cheers,
Scott

Yeah where is that passenger side access?

I want to run permanent power from the second battery to a terminal block behind the glovebox (a la BMKal) for things like the UHF and dash cam, but I don't want to have to go right across the engine bay and back again - plus the driver side grommet is already getting crowded with brake controller and rear power from the second battery (perhaps I should just splice into that and be done with it?).

Strydes,or anybody else.
Is the handpeice extension a generic cable or is it a special Icom product???
Mine is on the short side too.
Andrew