If you need a way to mount your mobile phone or other tech devices in your Jeep Cherokee KL, I present you with the MFC Offroad Utili-Dock. This modification replaces the stable OEM center channel speaker grill with a less stable but metal mounting platform that can support some heavier devices. The base has a built in speaker grill that allows continued use of the center channel speaker. Unlike the OEM grill that’s wedged into place, the Utili-Dock doesn’t have thick flexible sides to hold it. Instead, it’s more or less a flat piece of metal loosely secured by 2 screws that you definitely don’t want to over tighten. The photo provided by MFC shows a nice flat OEM look but from my experiences, this is not the case. The basic kit includes 2 Size “B” RAM Mounts that securely thread into the base itself. Realistically speaking, this is all most people will ever need. Installation is pretty straight forward and well documented on MFC’s YouTube channel. The overall fit could certainly be improved and the dock could be secured better with some further modifications to the mounting points.
For those who don’t mind paying a few extra bucks for looks, there’s also a 1” carbon kevlar cross tube add-on. I say this is for looks because although there are accessories that work with it, the proximity to and angle of the windshield significantly impact the ability to use it. Eventually I found a GoPro mount that works but it has to sit so far back, in hindsight, I should have just mounted it to the passenger side RAM Mount. I’ll also mention that while this hasn’t happened to mine yet, other customers have reported sun fade turning the tube mounts from black to bronze over time. These things said, the tube really does add to the overall aesthetic and is physically a solid addition.
After searching for a phone mount from various companies, I decided to go with Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions. They offer a wide range of products for the RAM Mounts including arms that will be needed if you intend to reach anything you’ve mounted while driving. As far as a phone mount goes, it’s a LONG reach from the RAM Mount to the driver’s hand. I went with the Xtra Long 20cm Carbon Fiber/Kevlar Hybrid Mount Arm which presents 2 concerns:
- On their website, Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions specifically states “NOTE: 20cm arms are not designed or recommended for use in vehicles. Longer arms or connecting multiple arms may increase the likelihood of vibrations.”
- Almost any arm mounted to the RAM Mount will also block the upper center dash storage bin.
Since I’m not mounting a camera to it, I’m not concerned with vibration beyond that of the arms rubbing on my dash. To help with that, I added their rubber Cable Management Kit and placed it where the arm contacts the dash. This gives a little cushion of padding that absorbs some of the previously mentioned vibrations, especially when the vehicle is bouncing around off-road. I was also pleased to discover the weight of the arm & phone mount is heavy enough to not bounce around much in the first place. Once I realized this, I was able to slightly loosen the arm mount which allows it to easily swivel upward giving access to the center dash storage bin. The options for the size “B” RAM Mounts are seemingly endless. After multiple configurations, I landed on one that also allows the use BPM’s Wireless Phone Charger with Motorized Cradle and my Midland MXT575 mic. As you can see in the photos, I still have the passenger side RAM Mount available.
The downside…While MFC Offroad is the only company to offer such a solution, they also have a habit of finding cheap parts they can use and/or rebrand as their own. This is exactly the case with the USB ports in the Utili-Dock. It’s obvious the company took the “cheap way out” and put in a low power 10 watt port they found on Amazon. Anybody running up to date devices will quickly discover the low power output and lack of USB C is far from ideal. Additionally, the included 2.4 amp ports failed on me almost immediately. After discussing the issue with another unsatisfied customer, I went in search of a better solution and discovered the Powerwerx Quick Charge 75W USB Device Charger.
This is pretty much a drop in modification to the MFC Offroad Utili-Dock. All you do is remove the 2 screws holding the OEM ports in place and remove the old part. The new ports come in a larger enclosure but luckily, each of the mounting holes lines up with a honey comb speaker cut out. The 2 screws closest to the windshield can be inserted at an angle through the speak grill. While they do not sit quite level, the angle is such that they can be tightened down very well without the need to modify the base in any way. Once installed, it’s rock solid and visually, you can’t tell. I can now charge everything from drone batteries to my laptop and never run out of juice.
Lets be honest, while the MFC Offroad Utili-Dock is a great starting point, it’s far from the cheapest solution on the market. In fact, it’s on the complete opposite end of that spectrum. By the time you’ve got it dialed in, you’re gonna be spending around $250 on the low end. If all you “need” is a basic phone mount, this isn’t for you. But, if you’re into off-roading, have a few devices to mount and don’t mind investing in the right “tools for the job”, this may be a viable solution.
A WORD OF CAUTION:
After doing a fair amount of business with MFC Offroad, I discovered multiple ongoing issues with their business practices. I intentionally no longer provide links to their website since I can no longer recommend doing business with them. I have my own experiences but suggest you run over to Google and search “MFC Offroad reviews” to hear from others as well before getting into bed with this company. Some of their products are good, others are not. If I want an MFC product these days, I look for a used one instead of taking the additional risks associated with buying direct from MFC Offroad.