CB radios and mounting.
- Thread starter Daron-t4r
- Start date
Daron-t4r
New member
So I went to denver this weekend, and after being flagged down by some bums outside the shop, I finally got inside. The man who was in there was OLD as 04rnr said, but he was really helpful. I ended up buying a Uniden PRO520XL CB radio. The guy there then tuned it up from 7 watts of output to 22 watts! Its a real small unit, and its just as powerful as some of the bigger ones.
I also bought a 4' tiger antenna, which is what the guy there recommended. Considering I don't know too much about these setups I went with what he recommended. I also bought (looking at it now) the same exact mount as zimm had. I plan on pretty much copying what he did with my 4runner (thanks for the pics again!!). The shop was out of quick disconnects when I went in, so I'll get one next time I go to denver. I'm really stoked about this setup and can't wait to get it working!
Which fuse are you guys using for power to the CB? I've never wired anything to the fuze box before, so that should be a fun learning experience.
04rnr was nice enough to offer me his old PA speaker, so I'll get that wired up as well. I'll update this thread while I work on it, then throw pics on my build thread when I'm done
I also bought a 4' tiger antenna, which is what the guy there recommended. Considering I don't know too much about these setups I went with what he recommended. I also bought (looking at it now) the same exact mount as zimm had. I plan on pretty much copying what he did with my 4runner (thanks for the pics again!!). The shop was out of quick disconnects when I went in, so I'll get one next time I go to denver. I'm really stoked about this setup and can't wait to get it working!
Which fuse are you guys using for power to the CB? I've never wired anything to the fuze box before, so that should be a fun learning experience.
04rnr was nice enough to offer me his old PA speaker, so I'll get that wired up as well. I'll update this thread while I work on it, then throw pics on my build thread when I'm done
04rnr
New member
Thats awesome, I told they was old :biggrin2: but they are good.
as far as which fuse, Id reccommend doing the Add a Circuit, simple and easy no need to tap something else: LITTELFUSE 071-585 Mini Add - A - Circuit
you can pick them up at most any auto parts store.
Dont forget to set the SWRs on the antenna, heres info on that: Setting the SWR of Your Antenna© - Firestik® Antenna Company
snowbrdr033
New member
In my 3rd gen, I mounted it on the passenger side, near the floorboard, up against the center, if that makes sense. Just screwed it right through the carpet into the metal. Worked great and never got busted/messed with.
I bought a cheap, 100W PA from Radio Shack and ran the power/speaker wire through the firewall to the battery and to the PA in the engine bay. It's pretty easy to do, just takes time to figure out where to lay the wiring so it is well-hidden.
Worked very nicely!
I bought a cheap, 100W PA from Radio Shack and ran the power/speaker wire through the firewall to the battery and to the PA in the engine bay. It's pretty easy to do, just takes time to figure out where to lay the wiring so it is well-hidden.
Worked very nicely!
04rnr
New member
Im sure it could, if you could get to it, but have your heard your stereo with that speaker covered?? it makes a huge difference, you could mount an external speaker in what I call the tissue holder, heres a link: Integrated CB/Bluetooth ext. speaker - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum
binga
New member
I mounted mine to the stereo metra adapter- so if I ever want to remove it, it's a $20 piece of plastic.
The mount is bolted to the side of the bumper, so when the tailgate is shut- no holes to show either. It fits in garages.
Looks great Zimm. I have been hunting around for a way to mount my antenna and was looking for a bracket like yours. I have seen them for 3Gs but not for the 4th. I might try and pick one up next week when I have a little free time.
Daron-t4r
New member
Ok, few more questions before I embark. How would you all recommend wiring the CB for power. I was first going to do add-a-circut out of the fuse box, just because this is part time power ( so I dont' have to worry about turning the radio off when I leave the car), but i read in this thread, that wiring directly to the battery is cleaner power, and easier to then tune SWR. The thread claims that if you wire to a fuze block from the battery, and then wire your CB to your block, that you get better performance. What is the general consensus on wiring?
Also, to Zimm, I'd like to know how you wired your CB, but more importantly, can you give me the specs on the bolt you replaced on your back bumper?
Thanks, Jordan
Also, to Zimm, I'd like to know how you wired your CB, but more importantly, can you give me the specs on the bolt you replaced on your back bumper?
Thanks, Jordan
I wired to the cigarette lighter in the center console. CB barely pulls any power, so a tap into the power wire is all you need.
Bolt is a 1/4" stainless bolt with nylock nut on the back side. Replaces the plastic push pin. Without it, the bumper cover flexes when the antenna wobbles in the wind.
Daron-t4r
New member
In that case, I'll think I'll use an add a circuit. Any idea which fuze to use for this? And, zimm, where did you ground to?
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iDRiVaT4R
New member
I just drilled a hole in my roof and installed the Wilson 1000 I had taken out of my 5th gen TE. That I did Sunday. On Monday I installed my Cobra 75 CB radio. I used an Add-A-Fuse and just used an open Constant-Power-on port on the fuse box in the dash. I routed my cables to under my seat and I'll just screw on the handset to the box when I use it. After taking the dash apart, figured it was just easier and less destructive to stick the box to the carpet via Velcro under the seat.
I had routed the CB box in the 5th gen to my center console, and kept the cb radio hooked up 24/7. I just hid the radio at the bottom of the center console and used a divider to keep it separated from the rest of my crap. Was always a PITA to remove everything from my center console just to get to the CB radio, so avoided that this time.
SWR readings: Ch. 1 (1.1) Ch. 19 (1.0) Ch. 40 (1.0)
I had routed the CB box in the 5th gen to my center console, and kept the cb radio hooked up 24/7. I just hid the radio at the bottom of the center console and used a divider to keep it separated from the rest of my crap. Was always a PITA to remove everything from my center console just to get to the CB radio, so avoided that this time.
SWR readings: Ch. 1 (1.1) Ch. 19 (1.0) Ch. 40 (1.0)
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Doozi
New member
All of the wires should be pretty well shielded so I don't think that it would be a problem, but I'm far from being an expert in this category.
I'm running mine down the driver's side... pulled all of the interior panels tonight and started routing the antenna cable. I'm following a wiring harness most of the way and zip-tying the cable to it as I go.
Don't forget to make sure that your mount is well grounded. FireStik recommends running a 12-gauge (minimum) wire to a ground point if you're mounting to plastic like I am. I'll bolt an eyelet to the backside of the mount and run it down to the frame.
I'm running mine down the driver's side... pulled all of the interior panels tonight and started routing the antenna cable. I'm following a wiring harness most of the way and zip-tying the cable to it as I go.
Don't forget to make sure that your mount is well grounded. FireStik recommends running a 12-gauge (minimum) wire to a ground point if you're mounting to plastic like I am. I'll bolt an eyelet to the backside of the mount and run it down to the frame.
Doozi
New member
I added that bolt and made a steel backing-plate for the inside of the bumper. It seems to flex quite a bit and I didn't realize that the rear hatch would hit the antenna while opening and closing. Is yours still holding up well?
Acidmeld
New member
I mounted my cobra 75 box behind the glove box.
The connector just tucks behind the panel when not in use.
Used the ECM bracket for good ground. Used cig circuit for power since I never use the outlet. (yes, that is an air freshener mounted right next to the air intake for the a/c.)
I mounted the antenna in the hinge seam. (gotta get rid of the steel logo being the cheesehead I am.)
Ran the antenna wire thru the firewall. There was a grommet covering a 3/4" hole. It was like it was designed for an antenna.
Got the 3' firestik ii on the pass side.
The double deck system has a great little hiding/storage spot for the antenna behind the rear seats. Easy to remove with the quick disconnect.
The connector just tucks behind the panel when not in use.
Used the ECM bracket for good ground. Used cig circuit for power since I never use the outlet. (yes, that is an air freshener mounted right next to the air intake for the a/c.)
I mounted the antenna in the hinge seam. (gotta get rid of the steel logo being the cheesehead I am.)
Ran the antenna wire thru the firewall. There was a grommet covering a 3/4" hole. It was like it was designed for an antenna.
Got the 3' firestik ii on the pass side.
The double deck system has a great little hiding/storage spot for the antenna behind the rear seats. Easy to remove with the quick disconnect.
