Looking for examples of where to install a radio: 2014 F150 Lariat w/SuperCrew cab.

[dosw]

I have a new-to-me F150 Lariat with SuperCrew cab. It's a 2014. The front console seems pretty full, though there's a "SYNC" panel at the base of the front panel that may have space behind it; I'm not sure. It's possible I could find room under the seat if I use a detachable faceplate style radio such as a KG1000G Plus (GMRS) or the KG -UV980P (amateur).

 

I'm looking for examples of successful installations that seem not too intrusive or not to have that "I bolted this thing to my dashboard" look. Additionally, examples of antenna mounting would be useful. I already can't park the truck in the garage, but would prefer not becoming so tall that I also can't pull into commercial or municipal parking garages. On my 95 Bronco a hood lip-mount works great because the cowling aft of the hood is also metal, so I'm able to achieve a good ground plane. But on the F150 the cowling aft of the hood is plastic, so the ground plane would be poor with that type of mount. Cab-top is probably ideal from a functionality standpoint, but a compromise in terms of what kind of antenna I can put up there (it would pretty much be the Ghost, or frequent swapping to accommodate height obstructions).

[Socalgmrs]

Get a Rubi grid type system (will also hold your phone or gps and a removable face plate radio like a Motorola mcs2000 or xtl5000.   As for the antenna for an off road no ground plane antenna and mount it to the bed behind the cab and get a 90deg folding mount.  
 

[WRYZ926]

1 hour ago, dosw said:

I have a new-to-me F150 Lariat with SuperCrew cab. It's a 2014. The front console seems pretty full, though there's a "SYNC" panel at the base of the front panel that may have space behind it; I'm not sure. It's possible I could find room under the seat if I use a detachable faceplate style radio such as a KG1000G Plus (GMRS) or the KG -UV980P (amateur).

I have even less space in my 2023 Ford Escape. I ended up putting my dual band and my KG-1000G main units under the driver seat and have the remote heads mounted on a Lido seat bolt mount. I did have to find space for external speakers since I can't hear the builtin radio speakers with them under the seat. I use a couple of Icom SP35 speakers mounted on the kick panel below the steering column.

One thing about the KG-1000G, and probably the KG-UV980P, is that you will need two speakers since Y adaptors do not work when trying to get both sides into one speaker. 

I don't know if the Comet SBB-1 antenna will be short enough for you or not. I know that antenna just barely clears my 7 foot garage doors. It works well for 2m and 70cm and mine will work on GMRS with an SWR of 1.8.

Here is my Lido seat bolt mount with two remote heads attached.

[tcp2525]

1 hour ago, dosw said:

I have a new-to-me F150 Lariat with SuperCrew cab. It's a 2014. The front console seems pretty full, though there's a "SYNC" panel at the base of the front panel that may have space behind it; I'm not sure. It's possible I could find room under the seat if I use a detachable faceplate style radio such as a KG1000G Plus (GMRS) or the KG -UV980P (amateur).

 

I'm looking for examples of successful installations that seem not too intrusive or not to have that "I bolted this thing to my dashboard" look. Additionally, examples of antenna mounting would be useful. I already can't park the truck in the garage, but would prefer not becoming so tall that I also can't pull into commercial or municipal parking garages. On my 95 Bronco a hood lip-mount works great because the cowling aft of the hood is also metal, so I'm able to achieve a good ground plane. But on the F150 the cowling aft of the hood is plastic, so the ground plane would be poor with that type of mount. Cab-top is probably ideal from a functionality standpoint, but a compromise in terms of what kind of antenna I can put up there (it would pretty much be the Ghost, or frequent swapping to accommodate height obstructions).

Install it in the sunglass holder above your head. Close it when not in use and it is hidden from prying eyes. I did and love it. I'm on the road and unable to post pictures 

 

[WRUE951]

My brother had a 2014 Ford F150 Lariat.  Your only option will be getting a radio with a detachable head, mount the brick under the center console, (he center console comes out pretty easy) and mount the head unit in the front cup holder via a cup mount..  You can either print one or buy one.   The Midland MXT 575 is another option for GMRS only.  mount the brick under the center console and throw the mic inside center console.  

[WRYZ926]

A cup holder mount is not the only option. A seat bolt mount usually works too. And there are plenty of other options available. A radio with everything built into the mic or a radio with a removable head unit will definitely make install easier.

[WSHH887]

There are molle panels that can be attached to the center console side. These allow installation of a radio there. There one for the Tacoma, and likely others, that has a panel on each side of the console with a bridge between. This give a lot of mounting options. 
 

 

[WSEZ864]

I'd agree with the advice to use a radio with a detachable faceplate/control head.

Lido makes a bunch of radio mounts. I had a 2012 F-140 4-door and used the seat bolt mount mentioned by WRYZ926. Worked great with a Yaesu Ft8900 remote head.

Maybe poke around at the Lido site, click on "Radio Mounts" and see if something grabs you: https://www.lidoradio.com/

I've hung the radio body ("brick") under the driver's seat on all three of my F-150 installations ('07, '12, '20).

Lido makes a mount that inserts into the CD slot, which I used in my newer truck with a home made block with a slot cut in it that sits in an unused console compartment.

 

 

 

[tcp2525]

On 4/15/2025 at 2:15 PM, WSEZ864 said:

I'd agree with the advice to use a radio with a detachable faceplate/control head.

Lido makes a bunch of radio mounts. I had a 2012 F-140 4-door and used the seat bolt mount mentioned by WRYZ926. Worked great with a Yaesu Ft8900 remote head.

Maybe poke around at the Lido site, click on "Radio Mounts" and see if something grabs you: https://www.lidoradio.com/

I've hung the radio body ("brick") under the driver's seat on all three of my F-150 installations ('07, '12, '20).

Lido makes a mount that inserts into the CD slot, which I used in my newer truck with a home made block with a slot cut in it that sits in an unused console compartment.

 

 

 

Pretty damn cool, I like!!!

[WRYZ926]

I went with the seat bolt mount because the Ford Escape only has two cup holders and I didn't want to lose one of them. My brother's GMC 2500 has four cup holders up front so he went with a Lido cup holder mount. 

There are lots of options and sometimes you have to think outside the box.

[dosw]

Just following up with a few pictures and thoughts:

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One is the old Bronco with an MXTA26 antenna. Inside is an RA-87 mounted under the driver's side console above the driver's right knee. Plenty of room there.

 

The other two are the newer F150. It's in pretty good shape, so I'm a little reluctant to make an amateurish attempt at routing wiring through the headliner to set up a rooftop drilled-through NMO mount. Yet that's probably the best option. I'm thinking I might get in touch with an audio installer and let them go at it. I think the roof is probably my best option, though as you can see from the picture I have a sun roof, and I'm not sure how far back the window equipment goes. Thus I don't know how far back I'll have to put the NMO mount to be out of the way while still having some ground plane available.

 

Inside, things are pretty tight. I like the idea of putting a radio under the center console, and then running the head unit up to the sunglass holder overhead, OR to a seat mounted bracket.