CB Mounting (both antenna and CB radio)

[Dirt4dinner]

Hey gang,
I am entertaining the idea of adding a CB to our '99 Runner. Not so much because we need one...but because I get bored easy.
I am wondering if any of you could make any recommendations on mounting the antenna and head unit? What works? What doesn't?
Most importantly, has anyone found an antenna mount that looks good, but doesn't require permanent damage to our vehicle?
Thanks...photos are always welcome!

 

[Rock Slide]

There's quite a few different routes to go.

Three of the more popular brand of CBs:

Corbra 18wx st
Cobra 75wx st
Cobra 19dx

The Corbra 18 can be mounted in an empty DIN location under a single DIN head unit. This unit also has a front firing speaker with all the controls on the front of the unit.

The Cobra 19 is similar to the 18, but it is smaller and does not have the front firing speaker...although a PA speaker can be added. This unit can mount in place of your ashtray.

The Cobra 75 is portable. All the controls are in the palm of your hand. Allows you to move it from your DD to your trail rig (if that's the case) and still only need one CB. A PA speaker can be added.


As far as the antennas, Firestik is a popular brand. Some prefer to mount the antenna on their TJM/ARB front bumpers, others mount them at the rear tailgate area.

Here's a write up on a Cobra 75 install: Cobra 75

Here's the 2nd part of the write up with the rear mounted antenna: Rear Mount Antenna

 

[Dirt4dinner]

Those write ups where exactly what I am after. I would love to go with the single DIN unit to install under our stereo. That would look really clean! Our Runner is a daily driver, not lifted or modified in any way, so clean is the look I have to accomplish (or the wife will kill me). Thanks again!

 

[Rock Slide]

well if that's the case, the 18 is just for you. A lot of guys run this set up and it does look nice installed.

Some people running the 18s have had a problem with theft, so they have chosen the 75 model so they can unplug it and take it with them when not needed.

 

[Rock Slide]

Here's a good CB website too:

Walcott CB

 

[Dirt4dinner]

From what I had read elsewhere, the Cobra 75 is really only good for communication up to a couple 100 yards. I am hoping to get much more out of the CB I install. Does anyone have the Cobra 18? Will it communicate for a at least a few miles when on a freeway? I want to use it more for entertainment talking to truckers than for communicating while wheeling with friends. I am anxious for your opinions.

 

[Dirt4dinner]

I just got back from the CB Exchange, a local yokle shop here that does nothing but CB radios.

I learned a TON! It turns out that if you want to get any decent reception/ transmission while traveling, the antenna REALLY REALLY needs to be dead center in the middle of the roof (magnetic style). The CB antenna transmits using the metal roof of the 4Runner, if you mount it on the back corner than 90% of it's transmission/ reception will come from the direction the 4Runner is heading....meaning you lose nearly everything happening behind you.

Same goes if you mount it on the front of the Runner someplace, you miss out on whats going on ahead of you. The only way to get coverage in all directions is to put that sucker right in the middle of the roof.

So my plan is, to buy a Cobra 18 WX ST II and have it tweaked and tuned. Then I am going to mount it under my JVC CD deck in the second spot.

I am going to run the Coaxial cable from the back of the CB, around the bottom of the driver door, then under the back door, up the pillar behind the back door and let a plug hang out there near the headliner someplace around the top of the seat belt. This decision will be based on what hides it the best. When I want to use my CB on a road trip I am going to have the magnetic antenna and just enough coaxial coming off of it to get into the door and plug into the long piece from the CB. BINGO, no ugly antenna unless I need it.

So, my antenna won't be on all the time (I don't like the look of those big whip antennas anyways)....but when it is on, I will be getting the best possible performance out of the CB.

Now it's time to start shopping.

Oh, the antenna I am going with is the 36" Wilson 1000.

 

[Ghostrider]

Has anyone mounted the antennae on the rear air spoiler above the hatch or on one of the cross members of the roof rack. It seems that either would be high. Not being a electronics person I am sure there is some reason such as grounding that stops this

 

[Dirt4dinner]

I have seen many photos of guys mounting them in the middle of a safari rack, that should work good. You just need to have equal amounts of roof on all sides of the antenna to get a transmission that goes in all directions.

 

[Dirt4dinner]

I am going to try it first....if I don't like the performance I will go to a taller one. I don't like the look of whip antennas at all....so I figured I would try a short one to start. Not to mention the CB I bought came with a shorter one.

 

[gapboi210]

I had a cb but didn't install it. My buddy gave me his 11ft antenna. i was looking at how to mount it. It looked like I was going to have to mount it on the rear and anchor the tip on the front. Couldn't figure out a way to mount it with out looking like and idiot. When we had it on his truck it was just str8 up in the air. At around 80 mph it would lean back and looked like it would almost touch the car behind us lol.

 

[Dirt4dinner]

Mine got mailed yesterday. So hopefully within the next couple days. It doesn't look like it's going to be tough.

I am going to run coax from the CB to the head line just above the back driverside door. There will be a plug sticking out of the headliner, then I will just plug and unplug the antenna onto that as I need to use it.

I will keep you posted as it goes.