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Updated Rago dash mount

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Tundra234, Jan 6, 2023.

  1. Jan 18, 2023 at 6:06 AM
    #61
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

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    Let us know when you have your estimated delivery date. Hopefully you don't have any of the quality issues that a few have had recently.
     
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  2. Jan 18, 2023 at 1:58 PM
    #62
    Shadowfax1

    Shadowfax1 New Member

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    So I ordered at 1:50am and by noon a few hours later, I had a shipment notification already. So, should be here soon. Looks like they sent it 2 day UPS and it'll arrive tomorrow. Hoping I'll have no issues. Rago's reputation is phenomenal, but I know some have had some problems lately. Hopefully just a statistical outlier.
     
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  3. Jan 18, 2023 at 2:07 PM
    #63
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

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    Sounds good....let us know how yours is.
     
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  4. Jan 18, 2023 at 6:27 PM
    #64
    Red406Tundra

    Red406Tundra New Member

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    Might be ugly but they hold really well.
     
  5. Jan 19, 2023 at 9:27 AM
    #65
    Marvthehamster

    Marvthehamster New Member

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    I got the Rago dash plate mounted this past weekend. I used the ICS backing plate as well as their ball mounts. I need to finish the wiring for the USB charger but I'm happy with how everything works so far. I also need to get some black washers for the mounting screws that are visible from the top side.

    Also, these ICS ball mounts are pretty awesome. I can't imagine that there is a more solid mounting solution. The phone holder has great springs and keeps it nice and tight. The stubby arms and ball sockets keep wobble to a minimum.

     
  6. Jan 19, 2023 at 10:39 AM
    #66
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

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    My OCD kicked in...lol. Is the ICS logo at the baseplate on the passenger side facing the windshield? :D
     
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  7. Jan 19, 2023 at 10:45 AM
    #67
    Marvthehamster

    Marvthehamster New Member

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    haha, yea it totally is. I realized that the other day after I looked at the picture, too. I'll prob turn it around when I remount it.
     
  8. Jan 19, 2023 at 10:47 AM
    #68
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

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    Lol...just giving you a hard time. It looks good though. I'm still torn between the Rago or the Victory 4x4 plate.
     
  9. Jan 19, 2023 at 11:27 AM
    #69
    Marvthehamster

    Marvthehamster New Member

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    Now that I've installed the Rago I'd say it's one downfall is that the mounting points between the top plate and bracket underneath are in line with no offset. I think if you wanted to eliminate every possible ounce of shake out of this system something like the Victory mount might work better. If the Rago had a 3rd mounting point off axis of the 2 existing points I believe it would be better. It's a very solid system to begin with and I have no complaints, but if it may be helpful for your decision. There's obviously some people who have experienced some QA/QC and perceived customer support issues, as well. I had no complaints.

    The downside of the victory is it doesnt look like it has quite as many options for placement of mounts and the charging port is in the front. That front located charging port is probably easier to access, but it puts more wires forward and more "in the way" imo. The "lack of" mounting points may be a non issue, as well. I mean how many different mounts and configurations can you really come up with anyway?

    Lastly, both of these systems rely on a pretty thin piece of plastic (the dash) to be mounted. There is only so much that can be done within the existing architecture of the truck to make something like this work. I think both companies are brining a good idea and a good solution to the market to help us out.

    It's a simple thing, but it's so nice to be able to mount my phone up there on the dash instead of having it in my pocket or in the console somewhere. I cant wait to use it for on and off road navigation. I hunt and explore with OnX so it'll be great having that in my field of vision without taking my eyes off the trail or the hillsides looking for elk.

    On a sidetone, does anyone know of a good ball mount compatible iPad holder that would work with this ICS system? If ICS made a larger version of the phone mount that seems like it would be perfect but I dont see anything like that. The phone holder is fantastic, just not big enough for a tablet, obviously.
     
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  10. Jan 19, 2023 at 11:31 AM
    #70
    Shadowfax1

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    Marv, two quick questions if you don't mind.

    1. Is this the exactly correct ICS backing plate to use with the Rago dash plate? I want to use a backing plate too, but I didn't see a link to a specific ICS product anywhere in this thread. Just want to make sure I buy the right one.

    https://www.ics-fab.com/products/ics-lower-dash-mount-support-plate


    2. Why did you decide to use ICS ball mounts/holders instead of RAM or another brand?


    Dan
     
  11. Jan 19, 2023 at 11:40 AM
    #71
    Marvthehamster

    Marvthehamster New Member

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    Hey Dan,

    Yep, that's the ICS support plate I used. It comes drilled with the holes for the ICS dash plate so you'll have to drill your own for the Rago mount. If you look at my photo a few posts back you can see what the plate looks like under the dash when it's installed and you have the Rago mount attached. I also chose to drill an additional hole in the center of the support plate to route the wires through for the usb charging port. Also of note, I have heard people saying they needed longer bolts than what Rago provides in their kit to mount the ICS support plate. That was not my experience. I was able to use the bolts Rago provided and got the lock nuts tightened down with all threads engaged, as seen in my photo.

    I chose the ICS mounts over the RAM because I thought they looked cleaner and aren't as bulky. I wanted the least amount of "stuff" sticking out around my devices when they're mounted up on the dash. I also thought the ball mounts are basically infinitely adjustable. I was a little unsure of the ICS phone mount when I ordered it because I wasn't sure if the clamp would be stout enough to hold the phone reliably, especially on rough terrain. So far my concern appears to be unfounded. The ICS stuff is very nice and it's all machined aluminum. I also figured if it was more expensive then the other options it must be better, right? :)

    Hope that helps!
     
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  12. Jan 19, 2023 at 12:22 PM
    #72
    Shadowfax1

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    Yes, super helpful -- thanks for taking the time to detail your thoughts! I find the RAMs ugly in large part because of the bulkiness, so the ICS is an interesting option.

    I can't quite tell from your photos, but it looks like you're using the holder with the 5" shorty arm glossy (this specific one). Is that right? The longer the arm, the more risk for wobble or movement, especially on bouncy roads. Are you happy with the 5"? Long enough to not be a big reach while driving but not so long as to cause any excessive vibration or wobble while driving?

    And works out of the box on the Rago dash mount, right? No need to drill additional holes into the Rago?
     
  13. Jan 19, 2023 at 12:24 PM
    #73
    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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    I feel the entire dash moves and there is simply no way to stop this. In fact it's probably designed into the vehicle. Of course you don't normally see this movement until you have something mounted on these plates. As long as a backing plate is used I feel this is the best it can be. YMMV.
     
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  14. Jan 19, 2023 at 12:25 PM
    #74
    Shadowfax1

    Shadowfax1 New Member

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    Did anyone here decide to wire the Rago mount so it is always-on?

    I'd love to have my cell chargers always-on -- my favorite mod ever on my last car (4Runner). I miss having that. But, the USB on the Rago I believe has a blue light around its base. So that light would be on all the time too. I'm trying to figure out (A) if that'd be too much of a power drain; and (B) if there's a way to take that out so I can wire the USB for always-on charging.
     
  15. Jan 19, 2023 at 12:35 PM
    #75
    Marvthehamster

    Marvthehamster New Member

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    I actually got the "tiny" arm for my ICS mounts. I was concerned that 5" would be too long and introduce unnecessary wobble. https://www.ics-fab.com/products/tiny-arm-3-5 I think after installing the whole thing, a 5" arm would work fine and not be too bouncy, so long as you weren't hanging a brick off the end. The tiny arms make me reach a little further, but honestly it's not hard to get at and I can see it fine. The reach issue is a little subjective as it takes your arm length and seat position into account, but I'm 5'7" and have my seat where any normal person would have it (IMO ha!) and I have no trouble reaching the phone while it's in the mount. You can also shift the orientation from vertical to horizontal in a matter of seconds which is nice. In summary, I'd get the tiny's again for the drivers side cause there's less chance for wobble, they clear a normal sized phone just fine, and I can reach them without trouble. I MIGHT get a 5" for the passenger side but my wife hasn't had a chance to ride along and test it out yet, so verdict is still out on that one.

    Yea, these ICS mounts bolted right up to the existing threaded holes in the Rago mount. I think that mount hole spacing is some kind of universally used configuration. I'm honestly not sure if the longer slots in the Rago mount are meant to be mounting slots for something or if they're just cuts for the sake of looks? If you can mount something to those longer slots, you'd obviously need a threaded nut and washer on the underside for the screw to thread into and honestly that seems like it would be a headache to deal with when loosening/tightening/adjusting the mount.
     
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  16. Jan 19, 2023 at 12:39 PM
    #76
    Marvthehamster

    Marvthehamster New Member

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    Agreed. If I cared enough I would take the time to mount with and without the ics plate just to see if there's a real difference. I figured I wanted to do it once and even if the plate made a marginal difference, I'll take it. ETA: long term durability of the entire system (dash plastic included) is probably increased by using a backer plate.

    For those with the means, it would be super easy to just cut a plate of aluminum or thin steel to make your own. The ics plate isn't rocket surgery, they just make it easy by selling it to guys like me who have other stuff to occupy their time :)
     
  17. Jan 19, 2023 at 1:17 PM
    #77
    Marvthehamster

    Marvthehamster New Member

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    I plan to wire mine on with the rest of the accessory power outlets, so not constant on. I already ditched the translucent blue ring from the USB adapter but thats because it wouldn't fit through the hole in the Rago plate. I don't have it powered up yet so I don't know if the LED will emit some sort of white light through the space where the blue ring would have been. if it does emit white light through somewhere, I'll try to kill the LED. I don't personally want any light coming from the top of my dash since I sometimes drive with night vision goggles. I'll try to update this thread and let you know what happens with the LED once I juice this thing up, but I probably wouldn't wire the USB to be constant on unless I was sure it wasn't adding to battery drain. I'd hate to come back to my truck after several days in the wilderness to a dead battery...
     
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  18. Jan 19, 2023 at 1:23 PM
    #78
    azTony

    azTony member since sept, 2017 and over 1,600 messages

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    :popcorn: I for one am ready for night vision goggle stories and why needed driving the Tundra at night. I wanna go next time! :yes:
     
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  19. Jan 19, 2023 at 1:32 PM
    #79
    Marvthehamster

    Marvthehamster New Member

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    Being able to see in the dark is a wonderful thing. I recommend everyone try it! A good dual tube NVG setup with helmet and aiming lasers for your pew pew's will probably set you back about the same as a decent mid travel suspension.
     
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  20. Jan 19, 2023 at 1:34 PM
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    azTony

    azTony member since sept, 2017 and over 1,600 messages

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    Agree, it sure sounds like a blast!
     
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  21. Jan 19, 2023 at 3:39 PM
    #81
    Shadowfax1

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    Marv, does the ICS mount itself rotate with the phone sitting in it? And can it be rotated just by turning it, or do you have to loosen those knobs to do so?
     
  22. Jan 20, 2023 at 6:45 AM
    #82
    Marvthehamster

    Marvthehamster New Member

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    Gotta loosen the clamp to rotate the mount. The balls are “fixed” on both the bases and the phone mounts. Articulation and adjustment of the system is achieved via the ends of the arms which are a two piece clamshell sort of deal. The two halves are held together by a small T handle with embedded nut and a bolt so you can tighten/loosen with just your fingers. Hopefully that makes sense.
     
  23. Jan 20, 2023 at 1:44 PM
    #83
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

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    So I ordered the Rago mount and will go with the tiny arm that you used. Did you have to but the arm, base plate, screws, and holder all separately? I'm thinking of this setup to mount the SG3 when towing. Would it fit the universal holder? Its 5 x3.2 x1

    Screenshot_20230120_164329_Chrome.jpg
     
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  24. Jan 20, 2023 at 3:16 PM
    #84
    Marvthehamster

    Marvthehamster New Member

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    Yes, I bought the tiny arm, phone holder, and base separately. I don't think ICS has a "kit" with the tiny arm. I also ordered a couple sets of their mounting screws thinking they would be the screws that attach the base to Rago plate but I was incorrect. I think the screws I ordered were for mounting the ICS dash plate to their mount or something. They were way too big for the ball bases. Not that you were asking about the screws but I thought you might find it helpful when ordering.

    I don't know if the SG3 would fit in the phone holder. I think ICS lists the size range of devices that will fit that holder. I know a normal phone is no problem, but something bigger and thicker like the SG3 could be problematic. That said, if the device fits the holder I'm sure you'll be happy with how well it holds it.
     
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  25. Jan 20, 2023 at 3:24 PM
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    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the update. I actually just sent an email to ICS with the dimensions to ask. So what screws do I need for the ball mount to fit the Rago plate?

    Edit....Ragos page said it comes with 6 each 10-24 accessory mounting bolts.
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2023
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  26. Jan 20, 2023 at 3:33 PM
    #86
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

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    Use code "News7" for 7% off
     
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  27. Jan 20, 2023 at 3:53 PM
    #87
    Marvthehamster

    Marvthehamster New Member

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    Yes, Rago does include 6 of the necessary mounting bolts. They worked well but I needed to add washers to make them 100%.
     
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  28. Jan 20, 2023 at 3:54 PM
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    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

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    Gotcha. So all I need to order individually for 1 setup is a ball mount, tiny arm, and choice of phone or device holder? Their site is a tad confusing lol.
     
  29. Jan 20, 2023 at 3:58 PM
    #89
    Marvthehamster

    Marvthehamster New Member

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    Yep, that sounds right to me! Don't forget the second setup for your passenger side, though :)
     
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  30. Jan 20, 2023 at 4:18 PM
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    Tundra234

    Tundra234 [OP] New Member

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    Lol I hear you. I'm not even sure what I will mount yet.
     
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