Rugged Radios Bronco Radio Kit Installation Instructions

For Additional Information

Scan the QR code to view the installation video ▶️.

View instructions online at ruggedradios.com/instructions.

Call our Tech Department at ? (888) 541-7223.

What's Included?

MOBILE RADIO

Two options are available:

• Option 1: (P.N. GMR45)
• Option 2: (P.N. GMR25)

RADIO MOUNT

(P.N. MT-RM-BRONCO)

• (1) Radio Mount
• (2) Mounting Bolts
• (2) Spacers
• (2) L-Brackets
• (4) Allen Key Bolts
• (4) Nuts

COMPATIBILITY:

FORD BRONCO 6TH GEN (2021-CURRENT)

ANTENNA MOUNT

(P.N. MT-ANT-BRONCO)

COMPATIBILITY:

FORD BRONCO 6TH GEN (2021-CURRENT)

ANTENNA COAX CABLE

(P.N. NMO-MT-13)

Superior to the rest, Rugged Radio's coax cable with NMO mount features a crimped NMO connection which provides a more secure, weather tight connection for reliability and durability when it matters most.

TUNED ANTENNA

(P.N. POINT5)

The precision tuned antenna maximizes your GMRS radio by delivering the best signal performance throughout the GMRS frequencies.

Visit ruggedradios.com for more information.

Version 1.0.0 | August 2022

Installation

TOOLS NEEDED

• 10mm Socket Wrench
• T-25 Torx Socket Wrench or Wrench
• T-30 Torx Socket Wrench or Wrench
• 1/8" Allen Wrench
• 3/8" Socket Wrench or Wrench
• 7mm Socket Wrench or Phillips Screwdriver
• 3/8" Drill Bit
• 1 1/8" Step Drill Bit
• Utility Knife
• File
• Small Crescent Wrench
• Drill
• Cutting Pliers

STEP 1: INSTALL RADIO MOUNT AND RADIO

Install the two small L-shaped brackets onto the front side of the radio mount (opposite the rubber spacer) using a 1/8" Allen Wrench, 3/8" Socket Wrench or Wrench, and the 4 nuts and 4 Allen bolts. Ensure the short part of the L-brackets faces inward. The Allen bolts should be installed from the back of the radio mount, with the nuts visible on the front. See Figure A. Do not fully tighten the nuts yet; leave them loose enough to adjust bracket placement.

[Description of Figure A: Shows the radio mount with L-brackets being attached.]

On your radio, remove the hex/Phillips screws from each side using a 7mm Socket Wrench or Phillips Screwdriver. Position your radio between the two L-shaped brackets, with the radio face towards the top of the radio mount (aligning with the mounting holes). Align the bracket holes with the radio holes and reinstall the hex/Phillips screws. Now, tighten the 4 Allen bolts and 4 nuts to secure the radio to the mount. See Figure B.

[Description of Figure B: Shows the radio attached to the mount.]

Using a T-30 Torx Socket Wrench or Wrench, remove the two T-30 Torx bolts from the grab bar on the passenger side of the center console. See Figure C. Place the two included T-30 torx bolts through the radio mount's two mounting holes, and place the two included spacers onto the bolts. Align the T-30 Torx bolts with the holes on the grab bar and install them using a T-30 Torx Socket Wrench or Wrench. See Figure D.

[Description of Figure C: Shows the location of the T-30 Torx bolts on the grab bar.]

[Description of Figure D: Shows the radio mount secured to the grab bar with spacers.]

STEP 2: RUN CABLING

Open the hood and secure it. In the engine compartment, on the driver's side of the firewall, remove the small black grommet located beside the master cylinder. (Note: For manual transmission vehicles, cables can be routed through a large black passthrough grommet on the driver's side firewall). Make a small slit in the grommet using a Utility Knife and route your power and antenna cables through it. Feed the waterproof connector side of the power cable and the UHF connector side of the antenna cable through the grommet first, so they lead into the cab when the grommet is reinstalled. See Figure E. Feed the cables through the firewall hole and reinstall the grommet. From the driver's side of the cab, pull approximately 3 feet of cabling into the cab. Route both cables to the passenger side of the vehicle, behind the HVAC controls and in front of the center console. Ensure the cabling is secured safely and does not interfere with vehicle operation. Attach the power and antenna cables to the back of the mobile radio. See Figure F.

[Description of Figure E: Shows the location of the firewall grommet on the driver's side.]

[Description of Figure F: Illustrates routing the cables through the grommet.]

STEP 3: INSTALL ANTENNA MOUNT AND ANTENNA

Using a T-25 Torx Socket Wrench or Wrench, remove the two T-25 Torx bolts from the driver side side-view mirror. Align the antenna mount to the two holes on the side-view mirror, ensuring the straighter side faces the front of the vehicle, and reinstall the T-25 Torx bolts. Using the antenna mount as a guide, drill a 3/8" hole in the plastic trim of the side-view mirror. See Figure G. IMPORTANT: Once you have penetrated the plastic, do not drill any further, as this could cause serious damage to your vehicle.

[Description of Figure G: Shows drilling the initial 3/8" hole in the side-view mirror trim.]

Remove the two T-25 Torx bolts from the side-view mirror again, and remove the plastic trim piece. With the trim piece separate from the vehicle, use a Drill with a Step Drill Bit to enlarge the 3/8" hole to 1 1/8". See Figure H. Then, use a Drill with a 3/8" Drill Bit to drill a hole in the trim directly on the small raised arrow next to the raised lettering that says "access". See Figure I. Using Cutting Pliers, cut a channel from the 1 1/8" hole to the new 3/8" hole. Use a File to smooth the edges of the channel. See Figure J.

[Description of Figure H: Shows using a step drill bit to enlarge the hole.]

[Description of Figure I: Shows drilling the second hole and identifying the 'access' marker.]

[Description of Figure J: Illustrates cutting the channel and smoothing the edges.]

STEP 3: INSTALL ANTENNA MOUNT AND ANTENNA (Continued)

Unscrew the NMO nut off the stud on the NMO mount side of the antenna cable. With the hood open, route the NMO mount side of your antenna cable from the engine compartment, around the inside of the driver side hood hinge, and into the side-view mirror. Once the NMO mount side of the cable is inside the side-view mirror, close the hood to allow easier access to the top part of the side-view mirror. See Figure K.

[Description of Figure K: Shows routing the antenna cable through the hood hinge area.]

Insert the antenna's NMO stud through the hole created in the side-view mirror plastic trim and the hole in the antenna mount. Hand-tighten the NMO nut. See Figure L. Inspect the bottom of the side-view mirror trim to ensure the antenna cable is routed through the channel. See Figure M. Snap the side-view mirror plastic trim piece back into place and reinstall the two T-25 Torx bolts into the side-view mirror. With the mount securely in place, use a Small Crescent Wrench to tighten the NMO nut to the stud. This nut requires very little torque; do not overtighten. Thread the antenna onto the antenna mount. See Figure M.

[Description of Figure L: Shows the NMO stud and nut connection inside the mirror housing.]

[Description of Figure M: Shows the completed antenna installation on the mirror mount.]

IMPORTANT: Never transmit without an antenna, as this can severely damage the radio!

[Textual description of NMO Nut and Stud diagram: Shows an NMO nut screwing onto a stud.]

STEP 5: ATTACH POWER CABLE TO BATTERY

Using a 10mm Socket Wrench or Open End Wrench, attach the power and ground cables directly to the battery. Do NOT ground to chassis.

IMPORTANT: Using a fuse box or bus bar may cause unwanted interference and decrease performance.

STEP 6: TEST 2-WAY RADIO

Radio Transmit Test

• Connect the hand mic to the radio.
• Power on the radio.
• Set the volume level to low.
• Select a channel to test on.
• Set another radio to the same channel.
• Press and hold the PTT button on the Hand Mic. Wait one second, then begin speaking.
• When finished speaking, release the PTT. A receiving radio should have heard your call.

Radio Receive Test

• Have someone transmit to your radio from another radio.
• You can use this incoming radio call to adjust the radio volume.

This completes your installation. If you have any questions, please contact Rugged Radios at (888) 541-7223. Thank you!

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