What is this? Under steering wheel.

[AMT]

I went to install my ham radio last night (Icom ID5100A) and wanted to follow @Captain Skip 's approach putting it behind the knee panel under the steering wheel. See photos from his install:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...in-jl-this-weekend-warning-photo-heavy.94341/

When I pulled the knee panel off, I was met with something already in that spot; no idea what it is. Anyone else encountered this device/piece of equipment before or have any idea what it is? (See photos below)
Any guidance would be helpful and appreciated.

My Jeep is a 2021 JLUR
Purchased late June 2021 from CDJR Fort Walton Beach
Base, no options Rubicon.

Photos (black coiled wire to the left is leftover from the VoSwitch):

Sticker on top. I Googled the number; no hits.

Front views:

From below:

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[Gregj]

I believe that is the power inverter for the 110 volt outlet. I see you don’t have heated seats as the heated seat module attaches to the underside of that bracket.

Gregj

 

[Magredvet]

I didn't know what it was (til now) but my 21 has one also

 

[YJdude]

Lots of better locations on any JL
Mine is on an overhead panel, but I have seen them under the seat and bolted beside the center tunnel

Why is mounting a unit like that (which is designed to be hidden away) out in the open a better option?
I never understood why so many drill into the center tunnel to mount their MXT275s. To me, mounting stealthy units like those in plain sight completely defeats the purpose, other than for, "hey, look at me...I have a radio here."

 

[Cllowe]

Some of us are just lazy lol

 

[Jeepiner]

Why is mounting a unit like that (which is designed to be hidden away) out in the open a better option?
I never understood why so many drill into the center tunnel to mount their MXT275s. To me, mounting stealthy units like those in plain sight completely defeats the purpose, other than for, "hey, look at me...I have a radio here."

Can't speak for anyone else, but in my case it was just the easiest option and made the most sense. Receiver is mounted to an overhead MOLLE shelf, smack dab in the center of the cab. (Pics here)

Primary benefits:
- Easy to service/remove if needed.
- Easy for all passengers to hear, given the built-in speaker.
- Great ventilation, no worries of heat issues.
- Not in the way of anything ... makes perfect use of an otherwise dead space within the vehicle

As far as stealth goes.. all I care about is having any and all electronic cables out of the way and out of sight. The receiver itself is utilitarian and sexy, so visually I don't mind it.

Plus with 5% ceramic tint, I'm not overly concerned with petty theft as it's near impossible to see inside the Jeep in most lighting conditions.

 

[AMT]

Can't speak for anyone else, but in my case it was just the easiest option and made the most sense. Receiver is mounted to an overhead MOLLE shelf, smack dab in the center of the cab. (Pics here)

Primary benefits:
- Easy to service/remove if needed.
- Easy for all passengers to hear, given the built-in speaker.
- Great ventilation, no worries of heat issues.
- Not in the way of anything ... makes perfect use of an otherwise dead space within the vehicle

As far as stealth goes.. all I care about is having any and all electronic cables out of the way and out of sight. The receiver itself is utilitarian and sexy, so visually I don't mind it.

Plus with 5% ceramic tint, I'm not overly concerned with petty theft as it's near impossible to see inside the Jeep in most lighting conditions.

Where did you run your power and coax to get it overhead?

 

[Jeepiner]

Where did you run your power and coax to get it overhead?

Power and coax both run along the edge of overhead MOLLE shelf, then down the A-pillar behind the plastic trim for a clean install.

Power shown via green line, and coax red. Coax goes underneath rubber cowl/door seal, then leads to passenger-side cowl mount & antenna. In the next photo you’ll see the butyl tape I used to ensure the seal isn’t compromised

 

[davewald]

Why is mounting a unit like that (which is designed to be hidden away) out in the open a better option?
I never understood why so many drill into the center tunnel to mount their MXT275s. To me, mounting stealthy units like those in plain sight completely defeats the purpose, other than for, "hey, look at me...I have a radio here."

The MXT275 has speakers on the main module as well as on the microphone, and you can set it so that sound comes out of both at the same time. That's a huge benefit to me. If I tucked the main unit somewhere out of site, the sound would also be tucked out of direct range of my ears. Mounting on the side of the tunnel gives me and the passenger the ability to hear transmissions, and it doesn't look bad at all. YMMV.

 

[Jtclayton612]

Why is mounting a unit like that (which is designed to be hidden away) out in the open a better option?
I never understood why so many drill into the center tunnel to mount their MXT275s. To me, mounting stealthy units like those in plain sight completely defeats the purpose, other than for, "hey, look at me...I have a radio here."

theres also brackets that mount to the tunnel using existing hardware which is what I’ve seen most people do, no drilling required.

 

[X-Treme]

Can't speak for anyone else, but in my case it was just the easiest option and made the most sense. Receiver is mounted to an overhead MOLLE shelf, smack dab in the center of the cab. (Pics here)

Primary benefits:
- Easy to service/remove if needed.
- Easy for all passengers to hear, given the built-in speaker.
- Great ventilation, no worries of heat issues.
- Not in the way of anything ... makes perfect use of an otherwise dead space within the vehicle

As far as stealth goes.. all I care about is having any and all electronic cables out of the way and out of sight. The receiver itself is utilitarian and sexy, so visually I don't mind it.

Plus with 5% ceramic tint, I'm not overly concerned with petty theft as it's near impossible to see inside the Jeep in most lighting conditions.

That's exactly where mine is mounted. It's up and out of the way and very convenient when using it.

 

[Headbarcode]

Why is mounting a unit like that (which is designed to be hidden away) out in the open a better option?
I never understood why so many drill into the center tunnel to mount their MXT275s. To me, mounting stealthy units like those in plain sight completely defeats the purpose, other than for, "hey, look at me...I have a radio here."

I put my mxt575 unit under the passenger seat. It allows the cord for the handheld to comfortably reach the left side of the passenger grab rail, without having to pull it tight to use. It also keeps the cord from having to cross over the center console or middle of the dash, so it doesn't interfere with the shift levers or locker buttons.

 

[rcc1123]

Why is mounting a unit like that (which is designed to be hidden away) out in the open a better option?
I never understood why so many drill into the center tunnel to mount their MXT275s. To me, mounting stealthy units like those in plain sight completely defeats the purpose, other than for, "hey, look at me...I have a radio here."

My MXT275 is safely tucked under the passenger seat. The only thing that shows is the microphone head unit. Works great that way but was a bit of a challenge pulling the antennae lead.

 

[Muddiver]

I put mine behind the glove box. I used an RJ45 extension cable that hangs down next to the center tunnel under the dash. I was going to cut a square hole and use a panel mount RJ45 female connect, but I got lazy as well. I do recommend the 12 volt adapter that Quadratec sells. Snaps in line with the 12 volt outlet on the dash. Very clean.

 

[AMT]

I put mine behind the glove box. I used an RJ45 extension cable that hangs down next to the center tunnel under the dash. I was going to cut a square hole and use a panel mount RJ45 female connect, but I got lazy as well. I do recommend the 12 volt adapter that Quadratec sells. Snaps in line with the 12 volt outlet on the dash. Very clean.

Is the RJ45 extension for the microphone wire or head unit wire?
Ended up putting mine under the drivers seat but need an extension for the microphone cable.

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