How do I mount a Rockford Fosgate PMX-8 in a Can-Am X3?

Use a RAM ball mount system: thread a RAM Size C Ball (RAM-236U) into the Reed Made Speed billet tapped mount, mount the base at your chosen location using the included hardware, attach a RAM arm and PMX-8 holder, then position and lock the arm. Power the PMX-8 through a dedicated Switch Pros circuit. Route all wiring through expandable sleeving secured with heat shrink at the ends.

What RAM ball size does the PMX-8 mount use?

RAM Size C Ball, Part #: RAM-236U. The Reed Made Speed PMX-8 mount has a 3/8-16 tapped hole (0.5 inch deep) that accepts the RAM-236U directly. The RAM-236U is sold separately and is widely available at off-road and marine retailers.

Is the RAM ball included with the mount?

No. The Reed Made Speed mount includes all hardware for attaching the mount base to your vehicle. The RAM Size C Ball (RAM-236U), ARM, and device holder are RAM accessories purchased separately to complete the assembly.

What vehicles does the PMX-8 mount work with?

The mount is universal — it works in any vehicle where a RAM ball mount system can be anchored. Customers have installed it in Can-Am X3s, Polaris RZRs, sandrails, boats, and Jeeps. The RAM ball system provides the vehicle-specific positioning; the RMS mount provides the machined connection point between the PMX-8 hardware and the RAM ball.

What SP-9100 circuit setting should I use for the PMX-8?

Assign the PMX-8 to a dedicated circuit set to On/Off behavior and Ignition input — the head unit powers on with the key. Check the PMX-8 spec sheet for operating current draw and set the SP-9100 overcurrent threshold 15–20% above the rated maximum. At typical operating volumes the PMX-8 draws well under 5 amps, so any available circuit handles it comfortably.

Rockford Fosgate PMX-8 RAM Mount: Secure Audio Mounting for Can-Am X3 and UTV Builds

August 4, 2026

The Rockford Fosgate PMX-8 is a compact marine-grade head unit built for powersports vehicles — waterproof controls, Bluetooth connectivity, and a footprint sized for UTV and off-road dash mounting. Getting it mounted securely in a Can-Am X3 or similar build requires more than the strap-and-clamp solutions included with most UTV head unit kits. A RAM ball mount system connected to a billet aluminum tapped mount provides a stable, vibration-resistant installation that holds position under the repeated shock loads a Can-Am X3 generates on rough terrain.

Why RAM Ball Mounts Work for UTV Audio

RAM mount systems use a ball-and-socket design with an arm between them. The socket grips the ball under tension — the tighter the socket is tightened against the ball, the more resistance it has to movement. Under vibration, a properly tightened RAM socket stays where you set it. Under impact, the joint can deflect slightly and return to position rather than transmitting the full shock load to the head unit's mounting point.

This is the same reason RAM mounts are standard on emergency vehicles, military equipment, and aviation platforms where vibration and shock are constants. For a Can-Am X3 running rough terrain at speed, the alternatives — adhesive pads, strap-and-bracket kits, or rubber-isolated cradles — cannot match RAM for long-term retention under that load profile.

What You Need: Ball Size and Components

The Reed Made Speed PMX-8 RAM mount uses a 3/8-16 tapped hole (0.5 inch deep) that accepts the RAM Size C Ball (Part #: RAM-236U). The RAM-236U is a widely available accessory sold separately. To complete the mount assembly you need:

Reed Made Speed PMX-8 mount — billet aluminum base with 3/8-16 tapped hole, hardware included
RAM Size C Ball (RAM-236U) — threads into the mount; not included
RAM arm — Size C arm in the length appropriate for your mounting location
RAM device holder or cradle — sized to hold the PMX-8 at the arm's far end

RAM's Size C system is the mid-size standard — common, stocked at most off-road and marine retailers, and available in arm lengths from 1 inch to 9 inches. Choose the arm length based on your positioning requirements in the specific vehicle.

Mounting Positions in the Can-Am X3

The Can-Am X3 dash has limited flat surface area after a Switch Pros mount occupies the primary center position. Common PMX-8 mounting locations in an X3 build:

A-pillar or roll cage tube: A RAM tube clamp attached to an A-pillar or cage tube provides a stable base. Run the arm inward to position the PMX-8 within driver reach. This keeps the head unit off the dash entirely and preserves dash real estate for other controls.
Dash edge or glove box area: With a short ARM, the PMX-8 mounts near the dash without blocking instrument visibility. Best for builds where the primary control interface is audio and controls need to be in reach from the driver seat.
Center console: Two-seat X3 builds with a center console can anchor the RAM base to the console, positioning the PMX-8 between driver and co-driver. Both occupants can reach volume and track controls without the driver taking eyes off the trail.

Installation

Thread the RAM-236U Size C ball into the 3/8-16 tapped hole in the RMS mount. Hand-tighten, then snug with a wrench — do not overtighten, as the ball's socket interface on the arm needs to rotate for positioning. Mount the RMS base to your chosen surface using the included stainless hardware. Attach the RAM arm to the ball, attach the PMX-8 holder to the far end of the arm, position the PMX-8 at the desired angle, and tighten the arm's locking knob to hold position.

Route the PMX-8 power, ground, and signal wires through expandable wire sleeving secured with heat shrink at the ends before connecting to the head unit. Connect PMX-8 power to a dedicated Switch Pros circuit — the PMX-8 draws well under 5 amps at operating volume, so any available circuit will handle it without constraint. Set the SP-9100 overcurrent threshold at 5–7 amps to protect the circuit without nuisance tripping.

Why Billet Over Plastic or Universal Brackets

Universal UTV head unit brackets are typically stamped steel or injection-molded plastic rated for the static weight of the head unit at the time of install. At speed over rough terrain, that static rating means nothing — the effective load on the mount multiplies with every impact. A billet aluminum mount CNC-machined from 6061-T6 and tapped to proper thread depth handles the dynamic loads a Can-Am X3 generates across a season of hard use. The tapped hole thread engagement is consistent and accurately located — it does not shift under vibration the way a formed sheet metal bracket can.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I mount a Rockford Fosgate PMX-8 in a Can-Am X3?: Use a RAM ball mount system: thread a RAM Size C Ball (RAM-236U) into the Reed Made Speed billet tapped mount, mount the base at your chosen location using the included hardware, attach a RAM arm and PMX-8 holder, then position and lock the arm. Power the PMX-8 through a dedicated Switch Pros circuit. Route all wiring through expandable sleeving secured with heat shrink at the ends.
What RAM ball size does the PMX-8 mount use?: RAM Size C Ball, Part #: RAM-236U. The Reed Made Speed PMX-8 mount has a 3/8-16 tapped hole (0.5 inch deep) that accepts the RAM-236U directly. The RAM-236U is sold separately and is widely available at off-road and marine retailers.
Is the RAM ball included with the mount?: No. The Reed Made Speed mount includes all hardware for attaching the mount base to your vehicle. The RAM Size C Ball (RAM-236U), ARM, and device holder are RAM accessories purchased separately to complete the assembly.
What vehicles does the PMX-8 mount work with?: The mount is universal — it works in any vehicle where a RAM ball mount system can be anchored. Customers have installed it in Can-Am X3s, Polaris RZRs, sandrails, boats, and Jeeps. The RAM ball system provides the vehicle-specific positioning; the RMS mount provides the machined connection point between the PMX-8 hardware and the RAM ball.
What SP-9100 circuit setting should I use for the PMX-8?: Assign the PMX-8 to a dedicated circuit set to On/Off behavior and Ignition input — the head unit powers on with the key. Check the PMX-8 spec sheet for operating current draw and set the SP-9100 overcurrent threshold 15–20% above the rated maximum. At typical operating volumes the PMX-8 draws well under 5 amps, so any available circuit handles it comfortably.

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