pradopoint.com - Toyota Prado 4x4 Landcruiser Forum

Hey Guys,

I was told by a local reputable communications company that it was impossible to install a larger size 2 way radio in a 90 series Prado.

Well, didn't I prove them wrong! I thought I would share it with you for your inspiration!





http://www.clh.com.au/photos/radio.jpg
http://www.clh.com.au/photos/radio2.jpg

Looks good! Phillips FM90?

When do the new speakers go in?

Tait T2020 100ch 450 - 520Mhz, I mounted the speaker under the centre console just behind the 4wd Shift. The speaker is loud enough and is well hidden.

Sorry, the new speakers in the pic silly me .. They went in a day after the photo was taken hehe

Noice... that's where I've got my slimline TX3200... good to see a full DIN fits there nicely as well

Just started looking at installing my GME radio like you guys have done but stopped when i found the ABS and airbag modules. After hearing horror stories of airbags deploying when using a CB in other vehicles, was wondering if anyone has had any probs with the prado??

The pics in the first post show that airbags are installed so i pressume not, but thought id check anyway

VL400 wrote:Just started looking at installing my GME radio like you guys have done but stopped when i found the ABS and airbag modules. After hearing horror stories of airbags deploying when using a CB in other vehicles, was wondering if anyone has had any probs with the prado??

The pics in the first post show that airbags are installed so i pressume not, but thought id check anyway

I asked about 3 installers if they've had any issues with this as I heard that as well. None of them could recall any issues that they knew of and said she'll be right mate

I then had some issues with the ABS on my Prado and mentioned to the Toyota guy... 'could the placement of the UHF be effecting the ABS?' Nah, was his answer so I mentioned the rumors regards the ABS and Airbags and his answer was again... 'nah, never had any problems with installing them there'.

So, who knows... but nothings happened yet and I've seen heaps of units installed in that spot.... that said though

Thanks for the info Snaga, will install mine there as it seems right at home in the available space

Yep I have my Uniden in the same spot....

I will fix it there too an will post a few pictures later!You all have so excellent ideas!
And Snaga I count on your toyota mechanic!

smiller wrote:I will fix it there too an will post a few pictures later!You all have so excellent ideas!
And Snaga I count on your toyota mechanic!

Do you mean 'wouldn't count' ...?? neither would I
I take everything they say with a grain of salt I have a good mate who is a mechanic who I ask any advise of.

cheilig wrote:Hey Guys,

I was told by a local reputable communications company that it was impossible to install a larger size 2 way radio in a 90 series Prado.
Well, didn't I prove them wrong! I thought I would share it with you for your inspiration!


...

Hi cheilig, hi snaga
Cheilig, you are a lucky guy,that your radio fits there, I tried to fix my there,too, after having all parts.
It
It's a Stabo xm 3003 with DIN dimensions, wich means 48x180x164mm (hightxwidexdepth).What a desaster! On the back side of this bracket there is a seam wich indicates that a DIN-frame fits.

And it does more or less.

The power I took from the socket in the lower dashboard.

The wiring for The antenna was also done, after connecting everything the radio didn't fit into the frame because there is a part of a retainer you have to remove, without function, so don't worry.(look for the white arrows)

I hate to use a metal saw in my car, but I did it!

snaga wrote:...good to see a full DIN fits there nicely as well

It doesn't fit there! Sorry, behind this retainer there is not enogh space, so that the result is this. So I stopped when I had to remove the retainer of the airbag module! This seemed to be a bit too hot! I'm a wimp!


There is missing space in the wide and in the depth! So consider well if you want to fix your radio in this spot using a DIN (Deutsche Industrie Norm=german industry standard) sized radio and you also must have a surgeon's tools . In Germany it dos not fit! I will tell you the end of the story when the murder is out.
In this case smaller seems to be better or easier!

Bugger smiller

Is it the depth that stops it fitting

Snaga wrote:Bugger smiller

Is it the depth that stops it fitting

Hi Leon!
yes and no, after 7-8 cm it's not wide enough on the right side. But when the radio is too big it has to become smaller. Still unsure, what to use, hammer or saw

smiller wrote: Still unsure, what to use, hammer or saw

I feel terrible after seeing those pictures - I don't think I will show anyone my idea's anymore

The Tait 2way I installed was not a Remote Head either - it was a Local Unit but they are smaller then some other models of UHF Transceivers.

My Prado is a Grande and does have ABS but seems to miss everything.

I may have to put little a disclaimer on my idea's in future .. hehe .. Looks like I may have been lucky

Peoples - Check the size of ya 2way before you start hacking away at your truck!!!!

cheilig wrote:I feel terrible after seeing those pictures - I don't think I will show anyone my idea's anymore
The Tait 2way I installed was not a Remote Head either - it was a Local Unit but they are smaller then some other models of UHF Transceivers.
My Prado is a Grande and does have ABS but seems to miss everything.
I may have to put little a disclaimer on my idea's in future .. hehe .. Looks like I may have been lucky
Peoples - Check the size of ya 2way before you start hacking away at your truck!!!!

Hi Cheilig!
Everything is fine and your solution is excellent, I just bought the wrong radio, sorry! Implicating pictures just don't replace exact measurements! I should have known that, silly me! I just posted to prevent anyone making the same mistake! I got an idea and waiting for the weekend and more time.
So long
Christoph, KZJ95

Rumours abound about airbags.

After working for Toyota for 17 years as a master tech I have never seen one go off other than when it is supposed to, i.e. in a bad prang.

There are disclaimers about radios and the such but its them covering themselves as anyone would do.

The airbag needs a good signal from the computer to deploy it.

I would have no worries about putting a radio near but definately NOT in front of an airbag.

If you consider how many vehicles are fitted with radios these days, if it were a real problem then the net would be riddled with photos and facts.

Sounds like an idea for Mythbusters!

Strahan wrote:Sounds like an idea for Mythbusters!

Now there's an idea

After wasting so much time with sawing


I decided for the hammer and I took the big one



OK, the reception suffers a little, but you can't have all!



Now this is my result and my conclusion and advice is if you want to install a radio in this spot in a J9 definatly use a slim line one which will prevent you of some surprises.