I needed a way to mount my Baofeng UV-82HP handheld HAM radio to the dash of my 2004 Jeep Wrangler. I wanted something simple and not too expensive. I liked the models that used a custom bracket that attached behind the passenger side grab handle, but I could not find anything for the TJ. After my search came up empty, I decided to build my own. Total cost was about $8.00 and it took me about two hours to complete with basic tools. Here are the steps:
1) I went to Home Depot and purchased an 8 in. x 8 in. 14-Gauge L Strap for $6.85. I went to Michael's and purchased a 9 in. x 12 in. Adhesive Foam Sheet for $1.00.
2) I created a pattern by using thin cardboard from a cereal box, and tested the fit. I have included my pattern below as a .pdf attachment. You can cut it out and trace it onto the L-Strap with a Sharpie. Make sure you print it 'Actual Size' so that it uses the full 8 inches of one side of the L-Strap. You may want to test fit the paper cutout before tracing it onto the L-Strap.
3) I used a jig saw with metal cutting blade to cut out the shape including the hole for the grab bar. The hole is a strange shape because it half way overlaps the hole that was already in the L-Strap. I used a bench grinder and file to clean up all the edges.
4) I don't know if this is necessary, but since this is a galvanized L-Strap, I used a grinder with a sanding flap wheel to grind the galvanized coating off. I wasn't sure if my paint would flake off of the galvanized coating.
5) I placed the bracket in my bench vise (on the dotted lines) and used my hand and a hammer to make the two bends. The bend angles are included in the .pdf pattern that is attached below.
6) I gave it about three light coats of black satin paint. After 24 hours, I cut out a small piece of adhesive foam and attached it to the front side where the radio attaches. This eliminated the rattling due to vibrations while driving.
7) Finally, I removed the glove box, then removed the grab handle by removing the two 10mm nuts from behind, attached the bracket and reassembled everything.
I am very happy with the final result. The radio is rock solid, but still easy to remove. It uses the belt clip to lock the radio into the bracket. My radio is the Baofeng UV-82HP. If you have a different model, you may need to cut the rectangle hole for the belt clip in a different location. Just test it out on some thin cardboard. Here are a bunch of photos. Let me know if you have any questions.
1) I went to Home Depot and purchased an 8 in. x 8 in. 14-Gauge L Strap for $6.85. I went to Michael's and purchased a 9 in. x 12 in. Adhesive Foam Sheet for $1.00.
2) I created a pattern by using thin cardboard from a cereal box, and tested the fit. I have included my pattern below as a .pdf attachment. You can cut it out and trace it onto the L-Strap with a Sharpie. Make sure you print it 'Actual Size' so that it uses the full 8 inches of one side of the L-Strap. You may want to test fit the paper cutout before tracing it onto the L-Strap.
3) I used a jig saw with metal cutting blade to cut out the shape including the hole for the grab bar. The hole is a strange shape because it half way overlaps the hole that was already in the L-Strap. I used a bench grinder and file to clean up all the edges.
4) I don't know if this is necessary, but since this is a galvanized L-Strap, I used a grinder with a sanding flap wheel to grind the galvanized coating off. I wasn't sure if my paint would flake off of the galvanized coating.
5) I placed the bracket in my bench vise (on the dotted lines) and used my hand and a hammer to make the two bends. The bend angles are included in the .pdf pattern that is attached below.
6) I gave it about three light coats of black satin paint. After 24 hours, I cut out a small piece of adhesive foam and attached it to the front side where the radio attaches. This eliminated the rattling due to vibrations while driving.
7) Finally, I removed the glove box, then removed the grab handle by removing the two 10mm nuts from behind, attached the bracket and reassembled everything.
I am very happy with the final result. The radio is rock solid, but still easy to remove. It uses the belt clip to lock the radio into the bracket. My radio is the Baofeng UV-82HP. If you have a different model, you may need to cut the rectangle hole for the belt clip in a different location. Just test it out on some thin cardboard. Here are a bunch of photos. Let me know if you have any questions.
