I've been searching thru the forum for location ideas on installing a CB antenna. I've got a tonneau cover on the back and my current thru-glass type isn't cuttin' it. I had an idea to find a mount for UNDER the truck and run the ant. up between the cab and bed. Any one try this yet or seen any mounting location under there that would work??

 

Have you thought about getting yourself a bumper mount?

 

Hi Spidy Welcome!

My last truck...no cover/lid.

I made a bracket to hold connector/antenna. Used flat (gavl) metal (approx) 1/8" X 1 1/2" wide. Forgot length..maybe 2' long?
Bent one end over (90deg) 2+ inches. Drilled that end for connector. Long end...I drilled/bolted thru front part of bed. (wall)

Now...alittle tricky getting bolts in..not much room between cab/bed...but it can be done. Run coax down..between cab/bed... under truck..into cab..

Be sure theres enough bottom clearance on bent (connector) end so top of bed dosent interfere with connectors/coax...you could make bend longer...but it maybe a problem this way because of your cover?

If that is a problem...i suppose you could make a bracket for connector (off of frame or?)..that would allow antenna to go up between cab/bed. Of course..if the room is there. My 99SC..yes.
Mounted that way, the antenna will be looking at alot of metal. I think it would work like that..but how good would the match/receive/send be? I've never done it that way.

At least 2/3rds of antenna length should be above cab. JMO!

I'm currently using a k40 mag. mount on top of cab...coax down back side between cab/bed...under cab...up thru floor inside, up to radio.

Anyhow...just passing on. You may get more tips/tricks.

Good luck...OT

 

Ok...dumb question here: Where did you hook the power up to? I want to install a CB and thinking about running the power right to the battery.
Gary

 

Hi Gary

No, not at all. That's exactly what i did.

In my case...i use a kicker in line. So i used 2 #8 AWG. One for ground/one for hot lead. Still go with at least #8 for radio/ground no kicker. JMO!

My 99SC...found rubber plug in firewall..next to power brake drum.
Ran the 2 wires (inside spiral wrap) thru that hole...up and across firewall. Found a "green" ground already on firewall..so..grounded to that...hot lead over to battery.

On other end...i used connectors...m/f...for radio/kicker...so i can unplug them.

Radio mounted on lower vertical part of my dash...ran wires from there thru hole in firewall. Kicker on floor just below. Only place that really works for me. Of course other ways+remote locations.

Good luck....OT

 

I ran the power to the accessory fuse in the fuse box. Used a spade connector to hook the CB power wire to the fuse. And the ground, they aren't hard to find. It's not as clean as it could be, but it works with no problems and you don't notice unless you take the fuse cover off.

 

Hey there Old Timer...

I have always wondered, where exactly can you buy CB kickers in the USA? In-line, like you have. And, how much are you "kicking" the power to?

Thanks!
--Justin

 

Thanks for the help!
Gary

 

Where is a good place to get the coax out of the cab so it can be run to the rear bumper or elsewhere?

TIA,
-Woovis-

 

Hi Woovis

There are various ways to do it.

For me...i found a rubber plug in the frame work (underneath) rear pass. side. I cut an X in rubber...hole in frame was just big enough to push coax/connector thru it into cab.

On top side some plastic trim/carpet was over hole...i forgot..either i had to remove trim or was able to pull it up enough to get at coax. No alterations to trim/carpet...its ok.
From there across floor..under front seats to radio.

Didnt know at the time...on my 99SC...also your truck may have same...as i recall there are 2 vents in the rear cab wall behind the seat. You might beable to get coax thru it? But...just keep an eye out for rubber plugs on the underside or elsewhere.

Of course...you can always drill a hole. Anyhow...that's what i did.

Good luck...OT