GMRS radio installation
 

Some photos of a Midland MXT275 15W 2-way GMRS radio I installed in my 2020 Defender 110.

The stubby 3 db gain "Ghost" antenna is screwed on a standard NMO lip mount over the hood (the mount stays there permanently, the antenna can be unscrewed and stored in the car when not in use) , the antenna wire goes through the firewall and into the cabin through the steering column's rubber boot. Thanks to another poster on this forum for the idea - there are no other easily accessible grommets to pass through the firewall that I could see otherwise.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...f6c07b5a15.jpghttps://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...1624ed10e6.jpg

The head unit is mounted in the empty "storage" space under the cup holder. I attached the supplied bracket to the sturdy rubber tray that sits down there, so no permanent installation holes are required - other than on the tray itself - and the head unit can easily be removed and used on a different car by just sliding it off the bracket if necessary.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...13f06ea17e.jpg
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The microphone with all the controls (one of the reasons why I like this Midland model - no controls or displays on the head unit, so you can hide that away from sight) hangs from a custom A-Tach mount and attached microphone holder (the holder comes with the radio) to the right of the touchscreen - my cell phone is on the same mount to the left. Since the microphone with coiled cord can be detached from the head unit, it makes for a clutter free console when the radio is not needed.
Power cable with inline fuse and antenna wire from the engine bay are tucked away along the driver side panel of the center console, and pop out on the side of the driver seat to connect to the back of the head unit, so they are not visible.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...de9ffe8fc9.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...be799125cb.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...45bbd07a5e.jpg
Hope this helps.

Nice! Clean look. Thanks for posting.

MONEY

Thank you!

Super sweet installation. You gave me ideas for my ham radio mount! :) The tray is a good expandable place to drill without crying over 🙃

@umbertob - Can you provide more info/link re: the handheld mount? Looks great and would like to find one. I see a "high" and "low" mount from A-tach. Is that the low mount or something else? Thanks.

Low phone mount from a-tach: https://www.atachmounts.com/Land-Rov...unt_p_332.html (pretty sure there are other similar or better choices on the market since last year.) Whichever mount you pick, I recommend you superglue / Gorilla glue the handheld mount - supplied with the radio - onto that a-tach or equivalent plate - the double-sided tape the Midland mount came with lasted about month or so in the hot SoCal summer last year before it failed. Three drops of superglue seem to have done the trick, permanently.

And one more question! (I hope) Did you create your own wiring harness from the cigarette lighter charger or did were you able to buy one / come with the set? Also, why did you run the power thru the grommet? Is it because you already ran the antennae wire through or was it just easier to go direct power to the battery? I'm thinking of taping into the fuse panel in the passenger side and wondering if you had any issues or were just trying to avoid the PITA. Ok, that was technically more than one question...

Here's a video from a Bronco install:
And Lucky8 has good ideas on wiring for their light pods in the 2nd half showing how to get through the grommet: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/21...f?v=1630502139

Thanks, @Bjs1234 ! That wiring harness is what I'm looking for. I can create one from the cigarette lighter, but would prefer one already made if they still have them. Their product site only shows it for a different model. While I love the way @umbertob mounted his, I saw that they have an Mic extender that other folks have used to completely bury the main unit. I may just put the plug down there and bury the "head unit" as well. I was just trying to minimize the number of splices I was going to do. I plan on running it to a fuse piggy back and the only thing I want to run thru the firewall is the antennae. I've been very successful avoiding it for lights by going with the Trigger Controller 6-shooter. Now I have to finally punch thru for the antennae. I've seen the Lucky8 wiring instructions that lead me to switch to the 6-shooter rather than go thru it.

That’s very seamless and tasteful as well. Really nice job and outstanding product!!

Looking good Umberto!

Antenna cable into cabin.
 

You say you ran cable through steering column boot in firewall. Any pitfalls here? Did you have to cut the boot? Have pics?
Thanks

Hi Umberto. How difficult was it passing the cable through the steering column boot and any issues so far, does that cable rub anything? Thanks.

Great installation tips...
 

Very nice install...thank you for the tips/information. I did almost the same install, with an MXT275. I just ordered that A-Tac mount for the mic, as the Midland adhesive holder doesn't stick very well to other surfaces on the Defender. I also opted to go for the Rugged Radios suction cup mount with the MXTA25 3DB Gain Ghost antenna, as I was leery of scratching the hood with the clip on style mount (and routing through the firewall). Opted to route the coax through the back door gap near hinge. https://www.ruggedradios.com/product...-antenna-mount

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...fec8988bdb.jpg

@umbertob - Is that the Walnut trim? Looks great. I think that's khaki, but I don't think I've seen it with that wood trim. Thanks.

Awesome inspiration! How did you run the cables?
 

Can I ask how you hid the cable runs in the center console? Where did you feed it in? I'm trying the same thing but this is honestly my only install snag!

My GMRS Setup: I installed Rigid Industries D-SS Pro Driving Lights on the Saltek Motorsports Hood Mounted Ditch Light Brackets and mounted the Midland MXTA24 Low Profile Antenna Cable and Midland MXTA25 Ghost Antenna to a bracket I fabricated.

The Midland MTX275 GMRS radio is mounted under the cup holders, power/ground & antenna are routed through the vents under the cup holder in the center console (vents are for the center console fridge).

GMRS Handset Mount:

I’m using a Magnetic Mic attached to a A-Tach Low Mount.

Magnetic Mic

https://magneticmic.com/product-info/

A-Tach Mounts: Defender High Mount

https://www.atachmounts.com/Land-Rover-Defender-Phone-Mount_p_388.html

The Midland MTX275 had a USB power outlet on it that I use to charge my Warn Zeon 10-S Platinum Which Remote.

I used Lucky8’s method of running wires in the cabin (link below) for the antenna. I routed the antenna cable to the center console by tucking it behind the floor covering sides in the footwell.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2178/4267/files/LK8_Def2_Roof_Wiring_Install_2021.pdf?v=1630502139

I did have to remove the center console side panels to run the antenna cable and power wires. I used the instructions from the PowerfulUK video (link below).

https://youtu.be/Xhc2TKK-e4s

Power/ground go through the center console to the battery compartment under the floor covering and front seat bracket. I taped them to a long zip tie to thread them through. The power is directly connected to the battery using a 5 amp fuse. The ground is attached to a grounding point in the battery compartment.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...4c2b8a5647.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...d9ab639a4c.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...d0693193ae.jpg
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https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...288a1b6a38.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...188f133fbb.jpg
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@GCSchmidt I bought that same Atach high mount for my GMRS handset. I bought it 6 mos ago and just tried installing it a week or so ago. Unfortunately, the darn thing pops off the dash with the slightest of bump in the car. Or sitting with heat. It will stay mounted for no more than a few mins then pops off and falls on the floor.

Are you having this same problem?

Atach told me it's been too long for a return (ugh) .. and we checked I'm installing it properly (it's simple, and I am.). But there is no way mine will "snap on" securely. In fact it's even rubbed a slight area of the surface of the leather off (mine is the leather, not the other PU/non-leather material) so I've given up and thrown it in the trash.

I wonder if it was just made incorrectly, but seems odd that yours works and mine doesn't.

I've had zero issues with mine, I also use one for my iPad and winch controller. Mine definitely snaps in very tightly and has never popped off and no issues on the dash material. Sorry your having these issues. It might just be a bad one. I did have to really bend it into place.

Hi guys that have put the antenna wire through the steering column/ bulk head seal…. Any tips? I can barely reach it and it seems like it’s really two seals. Like an inner and an outer? I stuck an xacto through and didn’t see it out the other end and think this is why:


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...f6a423f84.jpeg

when I look from cabin side, I do see what would the interior of the inside seal. And from the outside, I do see the outward facing portion (with white plastic fasteners) of the outer seal. So what I’m seeing seems to jive with the pic here. The seals do look different from inside vs outside.

how did you guys get through both and then feed the antenna wire through your holes? Appreciate any tips/tricks!

You have to remove the two black plastic covers near the windshield under the hood. They cover the fuse box and other items. Once off the boot is very easy to see and access. 👍

Access sucks, I’ll try removing the black covers.

but I’m really confused by the boot. Lucky8 photo looks to only be one piece of rubber (and their directions suggest it too). Here is their photo:
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...e01188d82f.png

which reminds me of only this piece:
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...89fc072f1.jpeg

but when I look under my hood, I don’t see that. Here is a pic from my car:
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...3fd53ba44.jpeg

which seems to be an outer boot. I think it’s this:
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...6f10de9ea.jpeg

and so I’m feeling stuck. Looks like I need to stab through two rubber shields? It ain’t easy—I stuck an xacto half way up the handle both directions and nothing came out the other side!

maybe they upgraded the seal? Did yours look like mine or Lucky8?

Mine looked just like the picture you posted. I had to remove the two cowl pieces under the hood by the windshield to see it. From inside the car it is hard to see and is covered by insulation that has to be pulled out of the way.

This is the one. You will not see it in the main part of the engine compartment. Hang on and I will send a couple pictures of what to remove.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...b8e9d85693.png

Oh so there is sort of two firewalls and removing the cowl piece lets you get between them? This only dealing with the one rubber boot…

Yes. Remove these and you will see it.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...c2e474989.jpeg

This was helpful, thank you!

Does anybody routed the antena cable through the second firewall (passenger side), where the cabin pollen filter is ?
I would like advice and some pictures to help me route through passenger rubber boot

Thank you

https://saltekmotorsports.com/switch...-installation/


Take a look at this. Step by step how to do the install you are talking about. Much more difficult than the steering boot but can be done. Hope this helps and good luck.

Scott

Thank you

When you go through the boot if you go through where the words Land Rover are it is only one seal. I poked a screw driver through and it comes out the other side. I did the same as you guys but ran power to the battery through the center column and used the A-Tach mount for the handheld and mounted the antenna with the Saltek light and antenna mount.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...63b995a438.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...9772734667.jpg

A few progress pics..

here the driver seat is out—oh you can see my radio and speaker mounted on the removable thing. More pics on that later.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...72a4cfe44.jpeg

Here I’ve routed the antenna wire up to where I’ve drilled a hole for the plug.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...6ff39833f.jpeg

a shot of the antenna lead coming in (other side goes center armrest, under steering column, firewall, engine bay then outside antenna).

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...52bea0573.jpeg

Here is my “rig” where radio and speaker are bolted yet removable. The face plate will be above rear view via Plumb case. I test routed the wire from radio to face plate via dash and a pillar and found a way I’m happy with. But Plumb piece doesn’t come for another week.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...e1b4e233e.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...7fff7fd44.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...299e54992.jpeg

Last set for now. Here I’ve done the hard wiring via battery under passenger seat. Another custom drilled hole plus shaved a half hole in the battery cover for wire.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...429a42605.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/landrov...8cf904f9c.jpeg
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You could get easy the wire under the rubber floor lining from battery to the console..

I thought about that but didn’t see an obvious route without removing more plastic. The seat rails are elevated in this area/ above that channel so I don’t believe anything is touching the wire as is. That and it’s about impossible to see the wire with seat in place meant I did it the slightly easier way.