I finally got around to installing my D-Star radio into the LC 100. I ran a power cable directly from the battery (fused at the battery end) .
I mounted the head unit above the sun roof controls and the RF deck in the center console. The antenna was mounted on the back lift gate. I currently run a short 1/4 wave antenna for around town. It allows me to drop into parking structures and my own garage without any issues. I do have a full wave diamond antenna that I will screw on when I go out on the trails.
Install Details:
1. I punched a hole in the driver side firewall grommet using a sharp screw driver. I then removed the driver side door base trim and ran the wire down the door line and crossed over to the center console under the seat.
2. I removed the shifter trim and console to drill a hole and the bottom of the center console so the power and other cables could be run into it.
3. To install the head unit above the sun roof controls, I first removed the shade holder to access the front of the head liner next to the windshield. The holder just pops out and you have to remove a screw in the center of it. I then ran a wire from the top console along the headliner next to the windshield (tucked it under) and down the front pillar and under the steering wheel trim and down the center console and into the wire meet up point.
3. Antenna install - used a diamond removable hatch mount. I wanted to mount it low enough on the rear hatch so my small stub antenna would not hit anything too low. I then put a small hole into the boot that runs wires between the hatch and the cruiser roof. I then snaked the antenna wire through the boot and into the roof liner. The antenna wire was run on the edge of the roof liner all the way to the passenger pillar where it runs down under the seat and into the center console to meet up with all of the other wires.
4. External speaker was mounted up and under the driver side dash above the gas pedal (out of the way). It's a fairly large speaker, so I don't have any issues hearing the sound.
5. I hooked up a SWR meter to verify everything was working. Granted, by 1/4 stub antenna does not have much adjustments, but I was able to adjust my full wave antenna down to a 1.2 - 1.5 on all 2m and 440 frequencies. The Icom ID-880 has custom display colors, so I was sure to switch the LCD Display to green so it matches almost exactly the same color as the rest of the Land Cruiser's instruments.
I went for a drive today and was really surprised how well the 1/4 wave antenna works. I'll always keep my full wave antenna in the back for the out of town longer excursions. I really don't notice much difference locally with the 1/4 antenna. I can get into all of the major repeaters on my 12 mile commute route, so all is good.
Next project: Mounting my HF rig - Kenwood TS-480. This will be a much more involved project since I will be using a screw-driver HF antenna (probably a Tarheal...)
I mounted the head unit above the sun roof controls and the RF deck in the center console. The antenna was mounted on the back lift gate. I currently run a short 1/4 wave antenna for around town. It allows me to drop into parking structures and my own garage without any issues. I do have a full wave diamond antenna that I will screw on when I go out on the trails.
Install Details:
1. I punched a hole in the driver side firewall grommet using a sharp screw driver. I then removed the driver side door base trim and ran the wire down the door line and crossed over to the center console under the seat.
2. I removed the shifter trim and console to drill a hole and the bottom of the center console so the power and other cables could be run into it.
3. To install the head unit above the sun roof controls, I first removed the shade holder to access the front of the head liner next to the windshield. The holder just pops out and you have to remove a screw in the center of it. I then ran a wire from the top console along the headliner next to the windshield (tucked it under) and down the front pillar and under the steering wheel trim and down the center console and into the wire meet up point.
3. Antenna install - used a diamond removable hatch mount. I wanted to mount it low enough on the rear hatch so my small stub antenna would not hit anything too low. I then put a small hole into the boot that runs wires between the hatch and the cruiser roof. I then snaked the antenna wire through the boot and into the roof liner. The antenna wire was run on the edge of the roof liner all the way to the passenger pillar where it runs down under the seat and into the center console to meet up with all of the other wires.
4. External speaker was mounted up and under the driver side dash above the gas pedal (out of the way). It's a fairly large speaker, so I don't have any issues hearing the sound.
5. I hooked up a SWR meter to verify everything was working. Granted, by 1/4 stub antenna does not have much adjustments, but I was able to adjust my full wave antenna down to a 1.2 - 1.5 on all 2m and 440 frequencies. The Icom ID-880 has custom display colors, so I was sure to switch the LCD Display to green so it matches almost exactly the same color as the rest of the Land Cruiser's instruments.
I went for a drive today and was really surprised how well the 1/4 wave antenna works. I'll always keep my full wave antenna in the back for the out of town longer excursions. I really don't notice much difference locally with the 1/4 antenna. I can get into all of the major repeaters on my 12 mile commute route, so all is good.
Next project: Mounting my HF rig - Kenwood TS-480. This will be a much more involved project since I will be using a screw-driver HF antenna (probably a Tarheal...)
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I have one of those SBB-1 antennas too, and have run it low like you have it, it works great on trail runs but I notice a difference trying to hit the repeaters, or anyone further away. It's better if it's up higher, or at the edge of the hood.. but you can't beat the stealth mode for branches, for highways you can always swap a 5/8 wave on, which I find slides under the back seat quite nicely. 
