Tony sits down with Nick from Tackform (tackform.com) to dig into the world of rugged, vehicle-specific phone, tablet, radio, and device mounts built for Jeeps and serious off-road use.**
Nick has been designing and producing phone and device mounts since 2012. The company started in the consumer space, expanded into motorcycles and commercial trucks, then pivoted hard into pickup trucks and SUVs—especially the Jeep community. They specialize in modular, all-metal systems using 20 mm (and larger 26-series) ball-and-socket arms, slim track and Assault Track (Picatinny-style) dash brackets, MagSafe/magnetic holders, spring cradles, and wireless charging options.
Key topics covered
- Why vent mounts and suction cups fail hard on Jeeps (and why solid, no-drill OEM-hole solutions matter)
- Building custom dash kits for Gladiator, JL, JK, and working backward toward TJ/YJ/XJ
- Wireless inductive charging cradles (including their new 25-watt version with Peltier cooling plate to fight heat)
- Magnetic mounts for GMRS handhelds and Midland MXT series mics
- Starlink mounting options (and why the 26-series ball is better for the heavier load)
- Load ratings, vibration control, billet CNC aluminum vs. injection-molded parts, and why they constantly iterate
- Funny customer requests and the realities of scanning new vehicles for perfect fitment
- The modular "Lego" ecosystem that lets you mix phone holders, radios, switch panels, and cameras
Nick walks through how Tackform approaches engineering for real-world abuse, why they prefer billet for many Jeep brackets (easier to iterate), and the challenges of getting hands on brand-new vehicles for scanning and prototyping.
https://www.tackform.com
Find them on Instagram (tackform.systems / @tackform), Facebook, and their YouTube channel for install videos.
- 00:00 – Show Opening and Guest Introduction
- 01:17 – Phone Mount Market and CarPlay Subscription Issues
- 03:03 – Developing Wireless Charging Phone Mounts
- 04:29 – Configurable Dash Kit Builder Overview
- 05:34 – Custom Power Wiring and Hidden Installation
- 06:39 – OEM Mounting Points and Integrated Power Ports
- 08:13 – Jeep Modification Culture and Device Mounting Trends
- 09:13 – Starlink Mount Solutions for Jeeps
- 11:01 – Ball-and-Socket Mount Architecture and Load Limits
- 13:53 – GMRS/CB Radio Mounts and Magnetic Attachments
- 15:43 – Product Development Process and Continuous Innovation
- 17:17 – Gathering and Evaluating Unusual Product Ideas
- 17:49 – Creative and Quirky Mount Ideas
- 18:45 – Safety Limits for Mount Extensions and Airbag Zones
- 19:19 – Vehicle Acquisition, Scanning, and Prototype Timeline
- 21:51 – Vibration Management and Material Rigidity in Mount Design
- 22:56 – Testing Deflection and Vibration on Plastic Tray Mounts
- 24:04 – Engineering Specificity and Design Optimization
- 24:44 – Balancing Design Complexity and User Needs
- 25:22 – Material Choice: Billet vs Injection Molding and Iterative Design
- 26:49 – CNC Machining vs Tooling: Cost and Volume Trade‑offs
- 28:44 – Aesthetic Design and Billet Manufacturing Appeal
- 29:40 – Adapting to New Vehicle Models and Resource Constraints
- 32:10 – Vehicle Scanning Process and Development Cycle
- 34:20 – Community Involvement and Simplified Kit Options
- 35:09 – Customer Commitment and Apology
- 35:57 – Highlighting Best‑Selling Phone Holder Products
- 37:23 – Wireless Charging Cradle with Peltier Cooling
- 39:08 – Phone Overheating, Wireless Charging, and Shade Solutions
- 40:53 – Inductive Charging in Autonomous Vehicles and Future Outlook
- 42:27 – Future of Vehicle Mounts, Subscriptions, and Emerging Technologies
- 43:46 – Tech Evolution and Subscription Model Critique
- 44:16 – Overview of Best‑Selling Products and Product Range
- 44:55 – Grab Handle Mounts and Product Variety
- 45:26 – Manufacturing Capabilities and Equipment Flexibility
- 46:17 – Managing Overseas Suppliers and Quality Control
- 47:05 – Automation Costs and Custom Manufacturing in the US
- 49:14 – US Manufacturing Facilities and Automation Examples
- 50:03 – Plans for Behind‑the‑Scenes Video Content
- 54:54 – Closing Remarks and Appreciation
Tackform All Metal Dash Mount Phone Holder Compatible with 2024 2025 Jeep Wrangler JL, 4xe and Gladiator JT
View on Amazon
Tackform TRAXX Slim Track / Assault Track Dash Mounts (MagSafe options) for JL and Gladiator
View on Amazon
Tackform Link Grab Handle/A-Pillar Mount with Magnetic Phone Holder Compatible with MagSafe, 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler JL, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator JT | All-Metal | CNC Billet Aluminum | Black
View on Amazon
Tackform Magnetic CB / GMRS Microphone Holders and related Jeep dash kits
View on Amazon
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