Kenwood TK-8180 Mounting solutions

[WSFG890]

I am buying a TK-8180 radio and want to mount it in my Rav4. I do not want to drill any holes in my cars interior nor do I want to mount it in my dash. I am looking for solutions to achieve this. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

WA

WSFG890

[WRWE456]

Welcome!

Explore this site for ideas for mounting solutions for radios. https://www.lidoradio.com/

Cup holder and seat bolt mounts are popular. There are other company's that make similar mounts.

Then look for a magnetic antenna mount. If you go with a modular mount like an "NMO" mount you can swap antennas to find what works or remove it for garage parking clearance. Lots of options for what you want to do.

[WSFG890]

I have done a fair amount of research and not finding anything that mounts without drilling holes in the interior. I am hoping someone has done something similar that I can build upon for my own design. I am just looking for ideas.

[SteveShannon]

17 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

This question comes up pretty often.   Have you done a quicks 10second search on google before posting here or do you just like to have things handed to you.   There are many options from lido mounts to ram mounts and others, to fake stuff on eBay that may or may not work.  No one can tell you want will work for you personally in your situation.  Some are easier to install and some are a little more complicated but not hard to install for a diy’er.  Seeing your ability to do a google search on your own, id have to advise against anything that is even a little complicated.  Maybe a cup holder mount.  

Why don’t you simply not post if you’re just going to insult people?  Sometimes you’re helpful but then you post something like this that’s mostly just vitriolic.  You’re bad for this site, but more importantly your comments make me wonder for your own mental health. I hope you can figure it out. 

[Lscott]

4 hours ago, WSFG890 said:

I am buying a TK-8180 radio and want to mount it in my Rav4. I do not want to drill any holes in my cars interior nor do I want to mount it in my dash.

While the TH-8600 is smaller than a TK-8180 you might try a similar idea. I used one of the weighted bases for a GPS unit as the base. The weight kept it in the swallow recess on the dash of my Jeep at the time to keep it from sliding off. The weighted base also had a rubber mat on the back to keep it from slipping much as well. Also maybe using some Velcro strips on the dash might work too.

https://forums.mygmrs.com/gallery/image/414-th-8600-on-mountjpg/?context=new

 

[WRKW566]

Is there room in the center armrest? Heat from the radio would be a problem.

I looked at Internet pictures of the interior of a lot of Rav4's and that's a tight compartment. I can understand how finding a mounting location will be difficult.

One "solution" I have used is to build a fixture that positions the radio against the driver's seat between your legs. Bend up some flat stock and screw a couple cross braces into it and it can be a solid mount. routing power and coax to the radio becomes easier than working behind the dash. Big drawback is when you hit the car in front of you looking down between your legs to adjust the radio.

unrelated but related:

WRKW566 Rule One; If you can't adjust it from the steering wheel, wait until you are stopped. All knobs, buttons, touch screens are "off limits" while driving. So far, zero automobile accidents. (Shift lever exemption, manual transmission)

[Socalgmrs]

This question comes up pretty often.   Have you done a quicks 10second search on google before posting here or do you just like to have things handed to you.   There are many options from lido mounts to ram mounts and others, to fake stuff on eBay that may or may not work.  No one can tell you want will work for you personally in your situation.  Some are easier to install and some are a little more complicated but not hard to install for a diy’er.  Seeing your ability to do a google search on your own, id have to advise against anything that is even a little complicated.  Maybe a cup holder mount.