A-pillar RAM mount Write Up for 3rd gens

I've been looking for a good SOLID spot to mount the faceplate for my ham radio. I got this idea from the 2nd gen guys. It is a very popular mod for them, although it takes a little more work on the 3rd gens since we don't have a driver side grab handle.

2nd gen thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mod-a-pillar-ram-mount-gps-phone-holder.372250/

My parts list:
-1/4" threaded rivet insert (with the tool to insert it). I got the cheapie kit from Harbor Freight
-25/64 drill bit (that's the size hole you need for the 1/4" rivnut)
-3/4" drill bit (this is to drill the hole in the A pillar)
-RAM motorcycle handlebar mount http://www.rammount.com/part/RAM-B-367U
-1/4-20 x 2" socket head cap screw
-3/4" groove diameter rubber grommet
-1/4" nut to use as a spacer to bring the RAM mount out from the A pillar a bit
-Two 1/4" lock washers

Time from start to finish was about 20 minutes.

First pop off the cap that hides a bolt towards the top of the A pillar (it's the piece that says SRS airbag on it). Remove the A pillar trim piece carefully. Be careful, the side curtain air bag is behind the trim piece along with a wiring harness. In the picture below you can see the two mounting points circled. The bottom one is what we'll be using. In stock form there is a clip that goes into it to help secure the trim. We'll use the clip as a guide to drill the hole.




You have to drill out the hole of the bottom mount to 25/64" to fit the nutsert. Then using your nutsert tool set the threaded rivet.


Now comes the fun part. You need to drill a 3/4" hole in the trim piece. If you screw up it only costs about $50-60 to replace, not a huge deal. Remove the white clip from the trim, we use the clip holder as a guide to drill the hole since it lines up perfectly with the mount on the A pillar. First using the clip holder as a guide, drill a pilot hole using a smaller drill bit from the back of the trim piece.


Now from the front use a 3/4" bit to drill out the rest. Make sure not to drill too far through because you want to keep the clip holder on the back intact. I used a paddle bit do this and it was a bit messy. Would suggest a normal bit for a cleaner hole, but it gets covered up with the grommet anyway. You can clean up the hole with a razor blade too.



Now insert the rubber grommet around the hole to make it look pretty.


Now it's time to put the trim piece back in. Again, be careful as you don't want to damage the airbag or the wiring harness. Once the trim piece is back in you can screw in the RAM mount. I used one 1/4" nut as a spacer to have the mount stick out a bit more from the A pillar.

The order I used was: Socket head screw- lock washer- RAM ball- lock washer - nut


Now you can screw it in and you're done. Also make sure to but the factory trim bolt back in and snap the cap back on.

I have a 3" dual socket arm and a X grip coming, but for some reason those got delayed by Amazon. Here's the final product. This mount is extremely sturdy and it mounts your phone/gps/whatever off to the side, out of your view. It also doesn't block any vents, radio controls, switches, etc.

 

Nicely done!

 

Very nice!

Appreciate the write-up with instructions, tools, and pictures.

 

Nice man, that looks great! Did you learn how to use a ham radio online? I've been shuffling around the idea of getting certified.

 

I've been licensed for almost 10 years now. I bought a book and also did the online practice tests until I was scoring over 90%. I've been wanting to get into APRS so I got a Kenwood TM-D710g to replace my Yaesu FT-7800. There's a ton of cool stuff you can do now with APRS, a lot of it very useful when off roading without cell service.

 

Nicely done sir!

 

Sano!

 

5rolledtacos

10% discount code for hondo garage

Fyi

 

It's probably worth mentioning that when somebody t bones you, your cell phone is going to end up inserted in your forehead.

 

Why do you think that? How's this any different than any other cell phone mount? If anything it's one of the safer spots for a mount.

 

Isn't that defeating the point of it being clipped in vs screwed in.... So when the airbag goes off, it will be less effective due to having to bend the A pillar piece vs simply popping off? Am I missing something

I can appreciate the work that went into it and certainly understand why you'd want it but I just hope it doesn't comprise your safety and the functionality of the curtain airbag.

 

The passenger side is held in by two bolts due to the handle being there instead of one bolt and a clip. The driver's side is no different than that. Watch this video, the trim piece doesn't even come unclipped or break.

https://youtu.be/VfRxxjtFRsU?t=38s

 

Well very cool mod then!

 

think it doesn't need to move ?

 

The section that this is installed on doesn't move in the video (see side view and picture below). The airbag pops out of the aft seam and only the very upper part of the inside cover of the a pillar moves. The clip locations are the same threads as those used on the passenger side to bolt on the passenger grab handle. The passenger side has the same side curtain airbag. There just isn't a grab handle on the drivers side because people use the steering wheel instead.

 

I really hate using the steering wheel to get in/out of my truck. I’m pretty sure sooner or latter someone is going to be creative enough to make a functional grab handle for the driver side!

 

Actually, people use the steering wheel because there isn’t a driver’s side grab handle.

<end of Saturday am rant>

 

AND.....IT'S HERE!... JUST PRE-ORDERED MINE!
https://www.ktjo4x4.com/tacoma-oem-grab-handles-2016
3RD GEN TACOMA (2016+)
OEM DRIVER'S SIDE GRAB HANDLES W/ A PILLARS

 

Nice job @nvnv. I had the a-pillar mount in my 2nd gen and could not live without it. It was hooked to an Apple CarPlay head unit and I ran an iPhone cable for charging and CarPlay features. I just bought a new 2021 Taco and was so happy you posted this, I had no idea the handle bracket was under there. I'll highlight the features that are different.





Ram Mount Magnetic Holder: https://www.rammount.com/part/RAP-339U

3M cable (6' will be too short):

$15 Belkin BoostCharge Braided Lightning Cable - 6.6ft/2M - MFi Certified Apple iPhone Charger USB to Lightning Cable 6ft - iPhone Cable - iPhone Charger Cable - Apple Charger - USB Phone Charger - Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086H39P8S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8



iPhone cable tucked behind Ram Mount. I also used a 3/4" spacer to get the ball of the Ram Mount away from the A-pillar far enough to fit the charger cable thru the hole (hole is 1").





iPhone cable thru hole, you cannot see this if you drill on the underside. After pulling the dash apart I was hopeful the USB port could be plugged directly into the head unit or into the port behind the dash. No dice. I guess I could have taken the USB port out of the switch panel but decided this would allow me to easily connect other phones if needed.