Install ideas for a BMW

[Motor On]

Would you be able to make it fit if you removed the front ash tray altogether and fabricated a mount to hold it in place, but gaining the needed depth? Or ordered a spare ash tray and dremeled out the back?

You can get the center console portion and the ashtray pieces really cheap off e46fanatics. I retrofitted the armrest into my car so I've got spare parts to chop away at to get it to fit just right.

Maybe I'll order some CB stuff this weekend

Well my Uniden 520 arrived today. I have spent the past 90 minutes trying various locations. Not sure I like any of them.

My idea of putting it in the front ash tray isn't going to work. There isn't enough depth behind it to slide it in far enough. It will stick out and prevent me from shifting into 3rd and 5th gears.

Your idea of putting it in the rear ash tray may work. But it will still stick up too high to roll the cover over it.

Since we have kids, placing it in the rear passenger side foot well (like Motor On's install) will create problems with kids kicking/banging it on entry and exit.

I think I am leaning towards putting on the driver's side of the transmission bump and have it sit next to my right leg. Only issue is if someone pushes the seat forward, it will jam up against the radio and mounting bracket. Potentially messing up the leather seat.

I need to think about it and see if I can come up with something.

[corstad]

Do you have a sun roof? Maybe you could put it up there ala Alex Roy

No way to fit it here:

I would love to. However that is the sun glass compartment. It is less than 2 inches deep and directly behind it is a solid piece of plastic that I think is part of the HVAC duct system.

Not sure if you can see in this picture from ATF's install, but there is the plastic part I was referring to. Just behind the red and white audio plugs.

[srtga]

That's a shame

That's a nice car and I'm sure you're like me. I'm reluctant to go hacking anything that isn't easily replaceable.

You really want it where you can work the squelch/RF gain though...

If you can't find a solution in the dash I would consider the overhead option. Might actually have some advantages... The downward facing speaker would mean you won't need an auxilliary speaker and you could mount a mic holder on the side of the CB case and tuck the mic cord over the top of the unit when You're not "on the road".

That would be hardcore but cool!

[corstad]

Would you be able to make it fit if you removed the front ash tray altogether and fabricated a mount to hold it in place, but gaining the needed depth? Or ordered a spare ash tray and dremeled out the back?

Your suggestion is exactly what I planned on doing this afternoon.

So, I took out the entire ash tray/sun glass compartment carrier to dry fit the radio prior to cutting out the back of the carrier. The HVAC duct work comes all the way down to the transmission hump and does not leave enough space to wedge the radio back underneath it.

I was very disappointed.

Before I took it apart, I had tried to estimate how much depth there was behind the carrier. I thought it would be a tight fit. I was off by at least 3 inches.

Thanks for your input.

[Motor On]

Have you considered installing it in the center console/armrest?

Open up the console to set things up before you start your drive run the mic out the top or through a small hole else where in the cabin, then tuck it all away as invisible when not in use.

Not sure if it would work on a 3 series but I do know there is a local PD that installed a radio in their SUV squad that way.

[corstad]

Have you considered installing it in the center console/armrest?

Open up the console to set things up before you start your drive run the mic out the top or through a small hole else where in the cabin, then tuck it all away as invisible when not in use.

Not sure if it would work on a 3 series but I do know there is a local PD that installed a radio in their SUV squad that way.

The center console arm rest isn't as big as it looks. I currently have my IPod installed inside it connected to the DICE Silverline Pro. The I-Pod takes up most of the space. And the width wouldn't allow a sideways install in the console. I thought about that.

I am going to do a couple of temp installs (no wiring) and drive around with it in various locations to see which works best.

[corstad]

Well I decided on the location. I located the radio near my right leg, in front of the seat. Here are some pictures of the results. I didn't take pictures during the install as it was cold and dark. I took me forever to thread the antenna cable through the trunk wire grommet. I hope this antenna last along time as I don't want to do that again!

And yes the snow banks are taller than my car

Thanks for all the suggestions and pictures. I really appreciated the input and ideas.

[BlackCat]

I need to get my pictures, i'll try to go out to the garage tomorrow, but i have an e46, and i put a CB27 and TMB8 lip mount in the center of the trunk, ran the antenna wire through that rubber grommet, up to underneath the passenger seat where i have the Cobra 75 wxst routed out between the seat and console. works perfectly and i get dead 1 to 1.1 on my swr.

Hey Chris, nice setup, I'm considering this same setup for my e46 m3. How was the fit of the TMB8 lip mount with the trunk lid and the rear window? I was looking at my car today and it seems like the fit is too tight for anything to go in that location. Did you have any issues clearing the rear window?

Thanks

[chris98891]

I need to get my pictures, i'll try to go out to the garage tomorrow, but i have an e46, and i put a CB27 and TMB8 lip mount in the center of the trunk, ran the antenna wire through that rubber grommet, up to underneath the passenger seat where i have the Cobra 75 wxst routed out between the seat and console. works perfectly and i get dead 1 to 1.1 on my swr.

Hey Chris, nice setup, I'm considering this same setup for my e46 m3. How was the fit of the TMB8 lip mount with the trunk lid and the rear window? I was looking at my car today and it seems like the fit is too tight for anything to go in that location. Did you have any issues clearing the rear window?

Thanks

Haha glad you liked it.

Well the fitment was...errr....not perfect? The first time i tried it I didn't know the line of material around the outside of the trunk was actually clay-like, so i put it over that and there was no way in hell it was going to close. took a lot of (nervous) coaxing.

once i figured out it was clay and would just pick right off, i pulled out an area just wide enough for the mount (you have to do this anyway to get a decent ground) and it slid on very well. even with screws on, it barely comes over the edge of that "lip" around the inside of the trunk. now the trunk closes with no problem (although i do get a little rattle from the outside whenever the subs get a-goin, haha)

feel free to pm me or ask on here if you want any more pictures or advice!

[BlackCat]

Well the fitment was...errr....not perfect? The first time i tried it I didn't know the line of material around the outside of the trunk was actually clay-like, so i put it over that and there was no way in hell it was going to close. took a lot of (nervous) coaxing.

once i figured out it was clay and would just pick right off, i pulled out an area just wide enough for the mount (you have to do this anyway to get a decent ground) and it slid on very well. even with screws on, it barely comes over the edge of that "lip" around the inside of the trunk. now the trunk closes with no problem (although i do get a little rattle from the outside whenever the subs get a-goin, haha)

feel free to pm me or ask on here if you want any more pictures or advice!

Thanks for the info Chris. The clay like material is actually a PVC sealer that is used to seal the seam of the trunk lid from water, where the different stampings come together. (Well at least that is the material used on Corollas and Vibes ) Once I save up some cash, I'll think about trying it out. I was mainly concerned about any interference with it installed, so it's good to hear you haven't had issues once it was installed. I shouldn't have to worry about the rattling since I took my subs out to regain trunk room. Have you looked to see if the rattling has caused much scratching of your paint? Oh yea, what did you use for your power and ground with it installed under your seat?