[ICOM] 2006 Toyota Tacoma Radio installation suggestions ?

[KD5SFA]

On some vehicles the main vehicle cpu is located in a box under the 
drivers seat.  Have you tried to mount the  transceiver box behind 
the seat on a board or something ?  Also try and ensure all your
cabling runs along the centerline of the vehicle if possible.

You didn't mention if you had a standard cab or not on the 2001.


A blurb from the ARRL site about mounting radios in Toyotas:
"Toyota is well aware that there is a sizable group of ham radio enthusiasts in the U.S. market. In fact, per capita, that population is even larger in Japan. Obviously, we would not intentionally turn our backs on these potential vehicle buyers.

As you know, the operating systems in today's vehicles are controlled by a growing number of very sophisticated electronic control modules. Most of these ECM's utilize MOSFET technology, which can be easily damaged by electromagnetic radiation from high power radio transceivers and associated system components.

Understandably, Toyota and the other automotive manufacturers have to be concerned about such potential problems, because they could affect the operation of electronic systems that control vital vehicle functions such as the ignition system, fuel management system, supplemental restraint system, cruise control, anti-lock brakes, and others. The very conservative position stated in selected Toyota technical manuals recognizes that, as the vehicle manufacturer, we have no control over the wide range of variable circumstances and unforeseen conditions that could be involved in the after-sale installation and operation of those system components.

In a "worst case" situation, vehicle electronic components could be damaged, and/or the proper and safe operation of the vehicle might be compromised if, for example, any of the following situations (and potentially others) existed:

- The transceiver is not "type-accepted."
- The power and/or antenna cables radiate RF current.
- Routing of the power and/or antenna cables results in inductive or capacitive coupling.
- Transmitter, feedline and/or antenna inefficiencies result in an unacceptable level of, RF radiation exposure to the ECM's.
- The standing wave ratio is unacceptably high.
- The antenna ground plane is inadequate.

We can understand your interest in obtaining information from Toyota that would provide detailed recommendations on how to properly install ham radio components in our vehicles or, conversely, how to avoid specific potential problems. As a result of several inquiries such as yours, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. petitioned our parent company in Japan to provide as much information as possible that would assist ham radio enthusiasts in making informed decisions.

Their response provides basic installation guidelines (outlined in the attachment) which we trust will be of assistance to you. Although it may not fully answer all your specific requests, Toyota must take reasonable precautions to limit our potential legal liability, because the full range of possible variables noted earlier could never be fully anticipated. Also, more detailed information that would provide the operational details of Toyota's electronic system is considered proprietary.

Contacts such as yours are always welcomed, because it allows us to monitor specific consumer interests in the U.S. market. Thank you for the time you have taken to call us, and your interest in Toyota vehicles.

Attachment

2-WAY RADIOS IN TOYOTA VEHICLES

Installation of a 2-way radio in Toyota vehicles should not present problems under the following conditions:
* The transceiver must be type-accepted by the FCC, and not modified in any way.
* Maximum output power complies with FCC regulations (100 watts).
* All installation and operating instructions provided by Toyota and the equipment manufacturer must be followed closely.
* The antenna must be installed as far away as possible from all vehicle electronic control modules (ECM) or other onboard computer/sensors.
* The antenna cabling must be routed no closer than 20 cm (7-7/8 inches) to any ECM or other onboard computers/sensors.
* Antenna and power cabling must not be routed along side or in conjunction with the vehicles wire harness. It is always preferable to cross vehicle harness at right angles when possible. Antenna and antenna cabling should be properly adjusted to obtain the lowest possible standing wave ratio (SWR).

It must be emphasized that, under the terms of Toyota's new vehicle warranty, and damage caused by RF energy from a higher power mobile radio is specifically excluded from coverage because it is not the result of faulty materials or workmanship. Accordingly, all such responsibility is assumed by the owner. "

http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/pdf/toyota.pdf


Hope this helps.....

73,
Jon
KD5SFA


-----Original Message-----
>From: "Davies, Doug A FOR:EX" <Doug.Davies at gov.bc.ca>
>Sent: Jan 23, 2006 12:29 PM
>To: ICOM Reflector <icom at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: RE: [ICOM] 2006 Toyota Tacoma Radio installation suggestions ?
>
>Hi Eric,
>
>I have a 2001 Tacoma and have a MKIIG installed and run a Hi-Q
>"screwdriver" antenna mounted on the right-rear leg of a Kargo Master
>roof rack.  I have the MKIIG main frame installed under the driver's
>seat and grounded to the frame.  I use the remote cable hooked to the
>face plate which I have mounted to a hard foam mold that fits inside of
>the ashtray.  Everything is grounded (bonded) to everything and I have
>used ferrite beads on all interconnecting cables and the battery leads.
>The battery leads go directly from the battery to the rig and both lines
>are fused.
>
>Having said all of this, I have a huge noise problem I have not been
>able to eliminate.  I have no idea what's causing it but it is a
>continuous hash at an S-5 to 7 level.  Many people have looked at this
>problem and none have been able to locate it.  I even had the Toyota
>service guys check it and they can't find it either.  I have put noise
>filters on the fuel pump at the entrance to the gas tank, I have
>shielded all of the spark plug and ignition wires and have even put
>filters on the fuel injection system.  None of these things has quieted
>the noise.  The noise is definitely entering via the antenna 'cause when
>the the antenna is disconnected, the noise disappears. 
>
>I have noticed that, on occasion, for whatever reason, the noise seems
>to drop down in level significantly.  It will stay that way for a period
>of time (not the same period all the time) and then return to its normal
>level.  I can't explain why it does this.
>
>This has been one of the most perplexing problems I have ever run into
>in my 30+ years as a ham.  I love mobiling and this simply pisses me off
><g>.  Please let me know if you run into anything similar to what I've
>explained here.  I need to know if this is peculiar to my vehicle or
>common to all Toyotas.  I have yet to run into anyone else with a
>similar installation so I have nothing to compare mine against.
>
>Looking forward to hearing from you and good luck with your
>installation.
>
>Doug  VE7DRF
>
>
>----
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