I found that mounting my stereo under the dash was convenient at the time, but not so comfortable in the end. After my 2nd Louisiana marsh fishing trip, I just couldn't get my leg comfortable and had to lean it over, which in the long run, wasn't good for either my leg or my ankle. It also interfered with the throttle controls as my leg would bump it back off ideal cruising speed in short order. So my buddy helped me remove it and we pondered where to put it. Since he made the handicap rails for me, it became obvious to mount a plate on the side and then mount the radio enclosure to it. All using aluminum rivets. Now I've never drilled into a round bar before but using a punch to make an indention, it was easy enough.
Course I kinda got ahead of myself initially as I drilled 6 holes for mounting, but soon discovered I couldn't find the other 4 holes below the top ones. Using a 3/16th drill bit for 3/16 rivets (had to rock the drill bit a tad for rivet to fully insert) so once I got one in, just line it up and drill another hole to get the plate lined up. Held the radio up with one hand, and drilled just a little to mark 3 spots. Removed the enclosure and drill the spots, put the enclosure back up and temporarily put rivets in the holes and guesstimate where the hole should be in the plate to feed the wire harness in. So used a step drill bit and drilled the biggest hole (3/4 in) which was just big enough to fit the connector through sideways with the harness bent down alongside to feed it through. Then just held up the enclosure and plugged everything in to the radio, slide the harness back and rivet the enclosure into place (after testing radio works).
I haven't got the split loom harness on it yet to protect the wires from sharp edges and when I get back from Louisiana week after next, then both handicap rails come off again for cleaning and powder coating. Course that means drilling out the rivets to remove the radio enclosure. While powder coating is being done, I'll look or think about something to plug the whole to contour to the split loom but still allow the wire harness to move between stereo housing and console. Actually thinking about some putty on both the backside of the metal plate and the outside of the hole through the console.
I also mounted a 12v plug adapter where the radio use to be, so I could plug in my GoPro for constant power in a skeleton housing (if its not raining). I had found a 12v accessory power harness that will go from the plug up to the cigarette plug for the gopro. I'll tape those two together to insure it doesn't come apart from the pounding. Once I get final pics of the powder coating, I'll post those too.
Oh and in case any wondered what I used for a mounting plate, its 5062 Marine Aluminum, same material I use for underskinning a pontoon boat. I can buy 4ft wide by 10ft aluminum sheets for $92 a sheet (current price) but I got mine 2 years ago at $72 a sheet, so I bought 3 and only used 2. The piece above was a piece of scrap that I never threw away.
and here's a view of the backside of the mounting plate, and the outside of the port side of the console showing the harness going through to the enclosure bottom side.
Now I'm ready for marsh fishing next week and still listen to my oldies but goodies ROCK & ROLL baby. Yeah that's right, I HATE country music my parents made me listen to growing up - I rebelled and rock & roll at night when I could pick up Chicago radio stations on my little transistor radio on the night waves. Yep military service only strengthened my resolve for good ole rock & roll. Like Ina-gadda-da-vida by the Iron Butterfly, even like some bubble gum music, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Cream, etc. Wished I still had my reel-to-reel tape recorder and 8 track tapes along with all those 33's I brought back from the Nam BX/PX's.
Course I kinda got ahead of myself initially as I drilled 6 holes for mounting, but soon discovered I couldn't find the other 4 holes below the top ones. Using a 3/16th drill bit for 3/16 rivets (had to rock the drill bit a tad for rivet to fully insert) so once I got one in, just line it up and drill another hole to get the plate lined up. Held the radio up with one hand, and drilled just a little to mark 3 spots. Removed the enclosure and drill the spots, put the enclosure back up and temporarily put rivets in the holes and guesstimate where the hole should be in the plate to feed the wire harness in. So used a step drill bit and drilled the biggest hole (3/4 in) which was just big enough to fit the connector through sideways with the harness bent down alongside to feed it through. Then just held up the enclosure and plugged everything in to the radio, slide the harness back and rivet the enclosure into place (after testing radio works).
I haven't got the split loom harness on it yet to protect the wires from sharp edges and when I get back from Louisiana week after next, then both handicap rails come off again for cleaning and powder coating. Course that means drilling out the rivets to remove the radio enclosure. While powder coating is being done, I'll look or think about something to plug the whole to contour to the split loom but still allow the wire harness to move between stereo housing and console. Actually thinking about some putty on both the backside of the metal plate and the outside of the hole through the console.
I also mounted a 12v plug adapter where the radio use to be, so I could plug in my GoPro for constant power in a skeleton housing (if its not raining). I had found a 12v accessory power harness that will go from the plug up to the cigarette plug for the gopro. I'll tape those two together to insure it doesn't come apart from the pounding. Once I get final pics of the powder coating, I'll post those too.
Oh and in case any wondered what I used for a mounting plate, its 5062 Marine Aluminum, same material I use for underskinning a pontoon boat. I can buy 4ft wide by 10ft aluminum sheets for $92 a sheet (current price) but I got mine 2 years ago at $72 a sheet, so I bought 3 and only used 2. The piece above was a piece of scrap that I never threw away.
and here's a view of the backside of the mounting plate, and the outside of the port side of the console showing the harness going through to the enclosure bottom side.
Now I'm ready for marsh fishing next week and still listen to my oldies but goodies ROCK & ROLL baby. Yeah that's right, I HATE country music my parents made me listen to growing up - I rebelled and rock & roll at night when I could pick up Chicago radio stations on my little transistor radio on the night waves. Yep military service only strengthened my resolve for good ole rock & roll. Like Ina-gadda-da-vida by the Iron Butterfly, even like some bubble gum music, Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Cream, etc. Wished I still had my reel-to-reel tape recorder and 8 track tapes along with all those 33's I brought back from the Nam BX/PX's.
