Yaesu FTM-400XDR Ham Radio Install

Hey guys. I wanted to share my install of my ham radio in my truck. It was relatively easy minus the fact that I had to spend a good amount of time under the truck looking how to run my antenna cable from the cab to the truck bed.


Here is the equipment I used:


Yaesu FTM-400XDR:

https://www.gigaparts.com/yaesu-ftm-400xd-50w-2m-70cm-mobile.html


Diamond Antenna NR770HB:

https://www.gigaparts.com/diamond-antenna-nr770hb.html


Diamond Antenna C211 Cable Combo:

https://www.gigaparts.com/diamond-antenna-c211.html


Rago CB mount: 3TPAM mount by Expedition Essentials:

https://expeditionessentials.com/co...ta-tacoma-3rd-gen-usb-powered-accessory-mount



I started by mounting the rago mount on the end and started from that rear end of the truck. i popped open the rear tail light on the driver’s side. I bought the driver’s side antenna mount because I only had 16 ft of cable and i didn’t want the skinny coax cable exposed too much under the truck as opposed to most of the RG8 zip tied to everything. There’s a huge opening at the bottom of the tail light area to run the cable down and under.





I ran the cable underneath the truck on the inside of the frame alongside existing cable paths that were in the plastic tubing. tried to tie it as close to places i knew there wouldn’t be much movement and also to try to protect it from the elements and dirt roads etc.





There are a few spots you can punch a hole through and i chose one of those small black holes on the underside that runs closest to the driver seat.





I popped open the siding by the driver side and there was a plastic clip that goes into a hole but it’s just there to keep the existing wiring in place. you can pop that little plastic piece out, remove the tape, and there will be a hole that will be your route from inside the cab to the outside. i used a step bit to make it larger so i could push the connector through with ease.





i decided to put the main body underneath my seat so all the connections ended up going there. you can use the driver side step channels to run your power through the grommet going into the engine bay. you might need to cut the grommet to fit the connector to the main body through. i suggest you use a wire hanger or a glow-rod(green fiberglass stick) and use it to run through the connector and run the connector side from the engine bay into the cab. you just need to tape it really well or have a friend help you so you don’t lose the cable as it pushes through the grommet. ALL of this will be easier once you remove the driver seat. no need to disconnect the connections, just lean it back so you have enough room to work.





the cable for the unit was simple. just run it under the carpet across to the opening near the radio unit. you need to remove your radio and air controls in order to route the cable up to above the radio. for me, i used the 3TPAM by expedition essentials to mount everything with all 1” ram mounts.





still undecided where to pic my microphone so i just ran it straight to the body and have it coming up the right side of the driver’s seat. when not in use, i just put it in the center console.





I haven’t added an external speaker yet but I don’t feel the need for it. the body is loud enough to hear even when driving. i have it at 75 percent volume when i drive and 40-50 hen i’m stationary.



I hope this helps someone out there looking to do something similar! feel free to ask questions or hit me up if you need help doing something like this! total install took about 3-4 hours.

 

Running the wires under the carpet and cutting a slit in the carpet with a utility knife is cleaner

Noticed there is already a slit in that area. take advantage of it

 

ah cool! thanks hopefully i have enough cable. the coax is a little short

 

Is the hole at the bottom of the door or the side?

 

Got it thru found the rubber cover under the truck thanks for the tip

 

yeah on the underside there should be black dots that are soft to the touch!

 

Thanks

 

Looking to do this for my 2014 Tacoma. I don't have enough clearance in my garage to do a roof mount.

How has this setup been working for you? Years ago I had a bumper mount antenna on a different truck that ran along the whole height of the bed. I thought it had transmit and receive issues since so much of the antenna was so close to the bed. Looking to do similar as to your mount process.

Thank you!

 

this set up has been really great actually. my antenna actually can fold so when i need to go into a garage, it’s not an issue. I just didn’t want any RF radiation anywhere near the cabin as i was transmitting so putting the antenna as far back as possible was the best solution.

 

I know it's an older probably dead thread, but what did you use to mount the ram ball to the 400's head? I'm waiting on mine to be delivered, and I've read in a few places that it's not the standard 1/4-20. I could just wait til it gets here, but it'd be awesome if I could gather everything at once.

Thanks!

 

For sure you found out since January, just answering for future readers:

FTM 400 (and FT-897) take an M5 bolt. Around 9mm of thread depth.

I don't think Ram sells an M5 ball. If you can't find one, you can get one from pretty much any seller of the Taco Garage DMM rail. I would love to know who their supplier is!

 

Excellent share bro. I just got an FTM-300DR and your install looks clean. I really like that dash mount system.
The problem I have is that my drivers side is a power seat on my 2021 Taco.
73