Rago Dash Plate

Awesome setup. Exactly what I'm looking to do. I'm jealous! Nice job!

 

Thanks! It's worth the added time to make the install clean, after all I have to look at it everyday! Honest suggestion, a 90 degree drill attachment made all the difference in the world, couldn't imagine doing it without it.

 

Just a heads up for everyone looking to install this dash plate on a 2021 Tundra. Just got off the phone with Nichole at Rago Fabrication and confirmed that these plates ARE compatible with a the 2021s. Whoo-Hooo!! Just ordered my kit and looking forward to getting to work!

 

FYSA


and

 

UUuuugh.... Just my luck. I place my order, a day later, the dash plate (of all things) is on a Black Friday deal. Seriously Rago??

 

How good are the ICS ball mounts & Arms , for the pic it looks like ICS branded , but 67D ?

 

I’m pretty sure they are the same as the Tackform mounts which are the same as 67 Designs - the logo.

 

They are nice people. Call them up and ask them to be included in the BF deal. If they say no cancel your order and reorder under the deal

 

Is ICS letting y'all buy just the backing plate?

 

Yep. Just wish Rago would have an option as well (pre drilled). In my opinion, a required part to minimize shake/vibration and to allow the dask mount to have more than plastic and washers to hold onto...

 

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

 

Awesome set up! Thanks for the additional information and the pictures. I think every thread I've read on installing this plate, everyone is worried about drilling. lol. I'm about to install mine in a week or two.

I have a couple of questions

1.) The screws that are used to hold the Rago and ICS plates in place, is there enough space from the bottom of the screws to the top of the radio without hitting it?

2.) Any issues pulling the consoles apart or putting them back together? Any of the clips break?

Thanks!

 

1) Plenty of space between dash and head unit, even with the longer bolts that are recommended. The longer bolts make the install easier when trying to get the plate, washer and nut lined up!

2) Taking everything apart is simple. I recommend a trim removal tool so you don't mark and bend the plastic. Everything pops out with a gentle tug. I didn't break any clips. If you've watched all the videos, I think you're ready. Drilling into the dash was super easy with a 90 degree bit. It allows for accurate and clean holes and you won't need to contend with the windshield!

Let me know if you have any more questions, we're all hete to help!

On a side note, I took my truck in for scheduled service and the service guys kept asking if it was a special edition with the dash plate and AJT pieces! Service manager took some pics and I got some pretty awesome feedback! Totally worh the work!

 

I think I finally received all the parts I need to do this project. Anyone just use a hand drill to make the holes, or do I need to get a drill press?

Would the measurements for the holes be off on the ICS plate, if I was just to place the Rago mount on top and mark the holes that way? Or do I need to place the ICS plate under the dash and mark it that way?

Need to take off the negative battery cable? I know one person did it in a video...

 

I just used a cordless drill and lined it up against the Rago mount with some clamps to keep from sliding. I did use a punch to get the holes started. No issues.

I did disconnect the negative terminal, just in case. Too many wire to risk it.

Best of luck, its an easy install and worth the time! Post pics!

 

Yeah, pretty excited to do this project. Also a little scared I may ruin a clip that locks the dash into place.

So, you drilled the holes into the ICS plate outside the dash? I may do that, or at least, mark it.

Thanks for the information! Will definitely post pics!

 

Just put the two plates together, Rago on top, Mark and drill.

No biggie, just take your time.
Put a piece of wood under the piece you’re drilling so you get a clean hole through.
Go slow and don’t force the bit so it doesn’t grab.

Yes! Remove negative cable anytime you’re working in the dash like that.
Too many wires and potential to arc something.

Clips are well made.
Remove the two radio clips from the dash.
They more than likely will not come out with the radio.

One of my favorite mods.

 

I didn't have any of the clips break on me, they will tolerate the install easily.

I did all my drilling on the work bench. Moved the rago plate to dash and marked all the holes. Drilled them out with a 1/4 inch bit and the ICS plate fit right up to all the holes. I kept the toleances tight on the metal plates to minimize any wiggle. Measure twice cut once!

 

Hope these pics help for bolt placement.

 

I haven't decided if I want to run a USB cable up to the dash yet to supply power. But what is the name rubber "washer" in the hole of the dash where your cable is coming up? Definitely may look into that so the dash doesn't rub the cable.

Thanks!

 

I bought this kit...
https://www.ics-fab.com/collections/usb-chargers/products/ics-dual-qc-3-0-usb-charger

Have not installed the plate yet but I wanted usb on the plate. This is a good solution for that. HTH.

 

That rubber ring would be called a grommet. You can get kits of them with all the size cheap from Amazon or harbor freight.

Here's another clean way to have blue sea dual USB for fast charging on the dash. Ever want to undo it just trade or buy a new speaker cover.

 

I'm still in the planning stages of this install. lol. I just marked the areas to drill. I may have to add the USB port install since I'll have the dash pulled apart. Thanks again, guys, for the ideas! Will take pictures as I go and post.

 

Zilla18, do you remember where you got those dual USB chargers for your dash? Simple install of just cutting, stripping, and tying wires together? Sparks Toyota has one, but it's on their dealer website. $20 for shipping. No thanks.

 

$18 QC3.0 Dual USB Power Socket, Quick Charge Car Charger USB Adapter for Smart Phone PDA iPad iPhone Android GPS Use for Toyota

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P2WMLXK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This is the non voltmeter quick charge usb port from Amazon. No alterations to dash. I ran this directly to fuse panel by the parking break and tapped in with a add- a fuse to an open slot, so i could keep existing wiring in other 12 ports. Super easy. Soldered and shrink wrapped all connections.

 

$25 Quick Charge 3.0 Car Charger, CHGeek 12V/24V 36W Aluminum Waterproof Dual QC3.0 USB Fast Charger Socket Power Outlet with LED Digital Voltmeter for Marine, Boat, Motorcycle, Truck, Golf Cart and More

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F84VVB4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This is the quick charger with voltmeter. This one I had to expand the existion opening with a step bit to fit. I also had to cut existing terminals off and add the supplied blade connectors, utilized existing wiring. Super easy zero issues. Hope these help!

 

Definitely! Thank you!

 

Finally found some time to install this Rago dashmount and ICS back plate. Watched the videos a hundred times and reviewed the directions on this feed a few dozen times. Thanks everyone for posting pictures.

Drilled the holes with a hand drill. Bought a drill press from Harbor but decided to return it. I would probably never use it again. I did buy a bunch of clamps to hold the base and back plate together to mark them. Also used clamps to hold them down while drilling. I did drill the holes to 5/16 so the bolts would go in easily when fitting on dash. I used a punch tap to start the holes. The holes had metal sticking out so I used a sander but and a deburring tool to clean it up. Spent a couple days after working remeasuring the holes and cleaning the plates up. I didn't want to have the dash open and not have the holes lined up.



I did pull the negative cable off the battery. Pulling the console and dash apart hoping i don't break a clip was nerve racking. I was able to keep everything plugged in. I know it's not good to have the wires hanging down with the weight. Didn't feel like labeling the wires or keeping track. I bought the orange tools from ICS but ended up using the ones I already had because it had a curve which was good for prying. Also remember to use tissue in the bit to take out that back bolt holding the radio. I thought it was going to drop one time, so go slow. Tissue holds bolt in place.



I bought an angle tool to drill out the holes. But ended up just using a small drill for the back ones. The angle tool didn't fit the 5/16 bit. But the drill will hit the glass so make it straight as possible. I didn't drill a hole for USB cables like others because I wasnt ready. I want to install a dual USB charger to replace the cigarette lighter. Also I didn't drill a hole in the ICS plate and didn't realize it until all the bolts were in. I wanted to keep all the holes in the flat part.



I took the advice of others and bought longer bolts to fit the ICS plate under the dash. I kept my dash cover because I always have one on all my vehicles to protect from the sun. Plus I saw someone else kept theirs. I just used box cutters to cut the seams on the bottom part. Came out easy.


I can keep my patches on my cover. Plus the plate looks more flushed, I think.



Thanks everyone for answering my million questions, posting pictures and measurements for the bolts, washers, etc.