Yet another CB install

[Dewi2005]

Nice install, and thanks for the pictures. Im getting ready to do my install as soon as the antenna etc arrive. May be a bit different as I cant mount the antenna where you did as I cant slide my roof racks back because they are holding my Manik roof rack.... Ill post some pics when done for alternate installs.

[ree]

Because the antenna is three feet long, it angled up quite a bit lying down on the front roof rack crossbar. So I slid them back.

Here it is with the antenna down.

[ree]

And this is the view of it from a bit farther back.

[Racer-X]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Alec W:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Racer-X:
Looks nice. I put my CB in the same place but I don't like it. It's in the way of putting key into the ignition and I can't see the display when driving. I plan to move it soon. I'm going to fab a bracket off where you have your ipod. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
It doesn’t really matter. Once you set the channel what’s to look at? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

True for the most part. But sometimes I like to put it on scan - last weekend for instance I was scanning and listening to truckers talk about road conditions and a semi accident that had all lanes blocked. During a period of long silence I would confirm it was still scanning. A few times it had hung on a dead channel because it was getting just enough signal to stop.

But your right, and if it wasn't for the ignition/key issue I wouldn't bother moving it. Even then I'm in no hurry.

[ree]

Now for mounting the handset. I didn't the get Cobra compact that a lot of others did. I got this Midland unit that can be used on batteries as a belt-hung handheld, off a AC adapter, or from a car adapter that hooks it directly to the antenna coax and get's power through an accessory power jack.

It didn't come with any provision to mount it on the dash.

So let's get a little white trashy.

[ree]

To get the handle off work out the plugs in the handles. These aren't covers for screws. They're just the caps on the clips that hold the pull handle on. As others describe in the references threads, work around the edges carefully with a small flatblade screwdriver. Once they're out enough, give them a firm pull and then they look like this:

[ree]

A lot of people have already done this install already over the years. So there's nothing really new. But I remembered to take a few pictures during parts of the install showing things that other modders didn't. I thought I'd share.

Some the the threads I worked off of are:
CB installation - no holes - no drills
CB antenna - single or dual stick
CB installed... for real


Parts:
Midland 75-822 all-in-one handheld with the car adapter atached,
Firestik SS-J4 Jeep fender mount
3-foot Firestik Firefly antenna
9-foot Firestick MU8R9 coax
Valor 203EZ foldover mount

[ree]

Next I removed the belt clip from the handset, layered this makeshift stud bracket under it and screwed it back together.

[ree]

And with the antenna up.

[ree]

Mounting plate secured. Scraped under lip of rails to get good ground with chassis. I opted to put the bold head down and have the bolt threads pop up simply because it was easier fiddling with the washer, plate, lock nuts, nuts, etc this way given the size of my box wrench.

Note to readers. Don't tighten it down now. You'll need a little play in order to add the antenna mounting stud.

[RIC-H0]

Good job!
Nice detail on the install!!!
Dremmels rock!
What did the CB radio and antenna cost you?

[ree]

Then pull the handle firmly

[ree]

I didn't get pictures in between the headliner and the roof since it was too hard to get the light in there, hold it open and take the picture.

But once the coax is through the roof and pulled over to the sides, then it can be routed behind the pillar trim by pulling it out.

[ree]

That is all for now.

[ree]

Now for a hook on the dash. I tried to get it to hand with some heavy coat hanger but I just wasn't talented enough to shape it right.

So instead it wandered the house looking for some raw material I could do something with.

Can you believe that there is an alternative use for these computer expansion slot bay covers that you just toss in a box when you add adapter cards to your computer?

[ree]

There is. This is what I made with my dremmel and pliers.

[ree]

Back up top, I liberally allied sealant to the gasket where the coax went through, reseated it and screwed the marker light back on.

Then I mounted the stud to the mounting plate and the firering connector to the stud. This is it from straight above.

[ree]

Because of the way I oriented the bolts for the mounting plate, I found some nut caps I had lying around that just happened to cover the threaded end of the bolts to reduce the liklihood of snags.