Orange TS in Connecticut - Interested in Antenna and 12v mods

[PaulL7]

Picked up the TS to replace my Jeep Grand Cherokee. I have had GC's for the last 10 years and wanted something different. So far so good, some things better, somethings worse! Sad about the XM radio (yeah yeah, I know use an app. But I don't want to suck phone data, and I travel in less covered areas. So using Youtube premium music downloads for now). And the FM radio does not have great sensitivity for those few that listen to radio.

Great ride, quiet and comfy. I like all the dash/screen functions, seems well thought out and easy to use. Built in google is handy of course.

I am into amateur radio, and looking for ideas on running coax thru either door grommets or firewall. I have seen some ideas. Also a place to mount a "K-400" mobile hamstick mount or an NMO mount. Also disappointed there is no 12V port in the rear cargo area. I don't need 115v. Those rear cubbies would be a great place for the radio body if there is power there.

I also tow a 4500lb boat. Not far just a few miles to the lake. Still breaking it in, so have not towed yet. Will be very curious to see if this thing has real 4 wheel capability. The Jeep GC in low range could pull anything up the wet ramp.

 

[Antman10]

Picked up the TS to replace my Jeep Grand Cherokee. I have had GC's for the last 10 years and wanted something different. So far so good, some things better, somethings worse! Sad about the XM radio (yeah yeah, I know use an app. But I don't want to suck phone data, and I travel in less covered areas. So using Youtube premium music downloads for now). And the FM radio does not have great sensitivity for those few that listen to radio.

Great ride, quiet and comfy. I like all the dash/screen functions, seems well thought out and easy to use. Built in google is handy of course.

I am into amateur radio, and looking for ideas on running coax thru either door grommets or firewall. I have seen some ideas. Also a place to mount a "K-400" mobile hamstick mount or an NMO mount. Also disappointed there is no 12V port in the rear cargo area. I don't need 115v. Those rear cubbies would be a great place for the radio body if there is power there.

I also tow a 4500lb boat. Not far just a few miles to the lake. Still breaking it in, so have not towed yet. Will be very curious to see if this thing has real 4 wheel capability. The Jeep GC in low range could pull anything up the wet ramp.
View attachment 1272

Hey there!
Check out my build thread- I ran 8ga power to the cargo area from a circuit breaker under the hood. In the back I mounted a 12v fuse box which powers a 12v outlet, a usb charging box and my ARB compressor (I moved it from underhood where I mounted it originally). I use the 12v outlet for my ARB Fridge.
It's not hard at all to run the power. I will be installing some sort of radio setup in mine too. I only have used cb's over the years so I may pick your brain for some info if you don't mind! I can give you more info on the 12v wiring. Let me know and I can upload more pics.
Also with towing- I have a 4000+ boat too and I've towed it twice. I've never towed with a unibody vehicle and it's a little different. Because the body isn't isolated like a body on frame truck you hear a lot of pops and creaks. You will want a hitch antirattle device ( my second attempt is coming in the mail today) and grease the hitch ball. My wife gave me the side eye all the way to the launching ramp because of the wierdd noises lol. It tows pretty well though- the first few gears are really low so it gets moving no problem and maintains speed well. You won't have any problems at the ramp even without low range. Use Tow Mode. It does sag a good bit so airbags will be next on the list for me- they work great and are a pretty easy install.
Hope that all helps!

 

[evtide1]

I have this mount en-route, hoping it will work out for a drivers side NMO mount antenna:

Honda Passport Ditch Light Mounts | 4th Gen (26+) - Victory 4x4

Offering quality steel and aluminum goods for Toyota and Lexus 4x4s.

www.victory4x4.com

 

[PaulL7]

Hey there!
Check out my build thread- I ran 8ga power to the cargo area from a circuit breaker under the hood. In the back I mounted a 12v fuse box which powers a 12v outlet, a usb charging box and my ARB compressor (I moved it from underhood where I mounted it originally). I use the 12v outlet for my ARB Fridge.
It's not hard at all to run the power. I will be installing some sort of radio setup in mine too. I only have used cb's over the years so I may pick your brain for some info if you don't mind! I can give you more info on the 12v wiring. Let me know and I can upload more pics.
Also with towing- I have a 4000+ boat too and I've towed it twice. I've never towed with a unibody vehicle and it's a little different. Because the body isn't isolated like a body on frame truck you hear a lot of pops and creaks. You will want a hitch antirattle device ( my second attempt is coming in the mail today) and grease the hitch ball. My wife gave me the side eye all the way to the launching ramp because of the wierdd noises lol. It tows pretty well though- the first few gears are really low so it gets moving no problem and maintains speed well. You won't have any problems at the ramp even without low range. Use Tow Mode. It does sag a good bit so airbags will be next on the list for me- they work great and are a pretty easy install.
Hope that all helps!

Thanks. I did see that thred. I don't need that much power back there, maybe 10amps tops. So will investigate where else I could pull it from. I am still in the 'new car phase" where I am not ripping panels off yet, LOL.. I could get all the panels off my Jeep in 10 minutes to run power/coax/radio control cables.

Appreciate the towing info too. I only go a short distance a few times a year ,so will suffer through!

 

[PaulL7]

I have this mount en-route, hoping it will work out for a drivers side NMO mount antenna:

Honda Passport Ditch Light Mounts | 4th Gen (26+) - Victory 4x4

Offering quality steel and aluminum goods for Toyota and Lexus 4x4s.

www.victory4x4.com

I think that will work well. Almost pulled the trigger and then saw the JSport Mirror pocket mounts, so may try that first.

 

[Antman10]

Thanks. I did see that thred. I don't need that much power back there, maybe 10amps tops. So will investigate where else I could pull it from. I am still in the 'new car phase" where I am not ripping panels off yet, LOL.. I could get all the panels off my Jeep in 10 minutes to run power/coax/radio control cables.

Appreciate the towing info too. I only go a short distance a few times a year ,so will suffer through!

lol I never have that phase. I just start taking stuff apart as soon as I get a new vehicle.
There is a plug with what looks like 10ga wire behind the panel in the cargo area that has the 120v outlet and the hatch close button. It would be hard to get to that without removing the entire panel tho.

If you plug in the trailer brake harness that came with your passport and plug in the included 10a fuse under the hood you could use that as a power source. Then you only have to go from the drivers kick panel to the back. The sill plates and kick panel remove super easy. It's an easy job all inside the vehicle. Good luck!

 

[PaulL7]

lol I never have that phase. I just start taking stuff apart as soon as I get a new vehicle.
There is a plug with what looks like 10ga wire behind the panel in the cargo area that has the 120v outlet and the hatch close button. It would be hard to get to that without removing the entire panel tho.

If you plug in the trailer brake harness that came with your passport and plug in the included 10a fuse under the hood you could use that as a power source. Then you only have to go from the drivers kick panel to the back. The sill plates and kick panel remove super easy. It's an easy job all inside the vehicle. Good luck!

Thanks for the tip on the trailer harness, never thought of it. It worked like a charm! Ran the power wires back under the door panels to under the driver's seat. Powers the radio perfectly!

 

[Antman10]

Thanks for the tip on the trailer harness, never thought of it. It worked like a charm! Ran the power wires back under the door panels to under the driver's seat. Powers the radio perfectly!

That's great! Post some pics of the radio when you get a chance!