Here's the scoop. I have a 102" SS whip, with the stainless steel barrel spring, mounted to a ProComm stud mount mounted dead center of my Delta Gullwing tool box. As time has gone on, and the antenna has whacked tree, after tree, the top of the toolbox has started bending, to where the antenna is at about a 7 degree rearward rake.

I am looking for a way to either brace the toolbox (without it looking like a&&) or a mount that will not distort the box like this...

And no changing out to a shorty antenna isn't an option... I like being able to talk and hear when all the stubby antenna equipped guys in the 4x4 club are silent...

 

102" whip is going slap trees if it was mounted to the ground. Get a smaller antenna with a linear booster and you'll reach out with it

 

The legality of a linear amplifier not taken into consideration, there would be additional mounting concerns as they tend to have their controls right on the faceplate. I have the bench seat, so in order to keep the seat function, I would have to somehow remote control the amp. That poses entirely new issues...

 

dbhost how did you route the cb wire into the cab??? I've got a 04 screw that I wanna put my firestick on the toolbox I am gettin....my buddy put shims on his toolbox because of the cant his has now. it is not a permanent solution but it works

 

I ran the coax through the plastic plugs in the front of the bed, and then I made sure there was enough of a "service loop" to allow for cab / bed flex and tied the coax along the frame tying with zip ties. I then ran it up the firewall, through an access plug between the master cylinder, and steering column, then up and underneath the dash....

The stud mount for the antenna is 3/8" diameter if I recall right (3/8-18 studs are the standard if memory serves me well), so I went to Ace Hardware and grabbed a pair of Stainless Steel 3/8" x 2" fender washers. I am going to tweak the metal back straight, and then use these to disperse the antenna stress along the top. Another option would have been putting some 1/8" backer plate on the underside of the box top, and that is still not ruled out.

 

I don't have a solution for your problem. However, i will tell you what i have and how its mounted. I have a 55" Hustler that works really well, mounted on the tool box. Doesnt hit to many obstacles and still reaches out. Included are 2 pictures, you can take a look at. I ran a Firestik before and the Hustler way outperforms the Firestik. It is still long enough to perform

 

If I go with a different antenna than the 102", it will be a Wilson 5000, Predator 10K, or Monkeymade. The big coil antennas keep your radiating element length right, but condense it. Problem with them is off road, no flex to the antenna... That could be bad.

I talked with my BIL (he has a body shop). I am going to strip down the box, have one of his guys weld / blend in a second top skin of 1/8" plate and knock out a dent I put in the box, I will then prime, block and paint the thing, and then go through the whole reinstall...

I like the configuration of this box, but HATE the build "quality" of it. The metal is too stinking thin.

 

Not to hijack my own thread, but how do you like that Hi Lift jack? I have been thinking about grabbing one with the Hi Lift Off Road kit. (Basically all the winching goodies), and the locking mount.

 

Well if you're going ask, I think the jack is freakin awesome, got the attachment to pick up with the wheel and bout to get the off road kit myself.