CBI Ditch Light Brackets for CB/Ham Antennas

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BettysNephew

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These brackets appear that they may be a very clean way to mount antennas on the 4R without drilling holes in the body and allow clearance enough to not scrape going in/out of my garage. Before the inevitable comment, I have searched and found several threads with pictures regarding these mounts, but have a few questions for the folks that have them on their 4R's.

1. Has the interference issue that raises the rear of the hood been addressed/fixed by CBI?

2. Is the end of the bracket where the light mounts large enough in diameter to have a 3/4" NMO mount hole drilled in it?

3. Is there enough clearance between the bottom of the bracket and fender to allow a NMO mount to fit without interference?

4. Since the antenna will pivot back when the hood is raised, will it hit the windshield or does the hood arc out enough to prevent this? It somewhat appears in the pix this will not be a problem but hopefully someone can verify.

Thanks
Dave
 
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BettysNephew said:
These brackets appear that they may be a very clean way to mount antennas on the 4R without drilling holes in the body and allow clearance enough to not scrape going in/out of my garage. Before the inevitable comment, I have searched and found several threads with pictures regarding these mounts, but have a few questions for the folks that have them on their 4R's.

1. Has the interference issue that raises the rear of the hood been addressed/fixed by CBI?

Yes. You cut the plastic that is in the way.

2. Is the end of the bracket where the light mounts large enough in diameter to have a 3/4" NMO mount hole drilled in it?

I'm not sure of this one, but I do have a friend that is using the bracket at a antenna bracket on his 4th gen.

3. Is there enough clearance between the bottom of the bracket and fender to allow a NMO mount to fit without interference?

?

4. Since the antenna will pivot back when the hood is raised, will it hit the windshield or does the hood arc out enough to prevent this? It somewhat appears in the pix this will not be a problem but hopefully someone can verify.

He hasn't had any issues with this that he has brought up. Sure it's going to bend some if it hits something, but you're probably gonna have to smack it real good for it to hit the windshield. It it does though, most CB whips are fiberglass anyways unless you have something else you plan to use.

Thanks
Dave
Click to expand...

Check out the bold.
 
Thanks folks, that is good info. I did put a small square on the hood bracket and I do not think the antenna will touch the windshield when the hood is opened. Sent an email to CBI and hope they come back with good news.

I've got a heat gun and more time than money so I will do it that way. I also reside in the heart of rust country so do not want any more corrosion due to salted water from the roads to get inside of the firewall area
 
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Talked to CBI today and the Ditch Light Brackets for the Gen5 can be used as antenna mounts. They just omitted to make them available individually as they do on Gen4 but will be adding this option to their website soon. I have found a coax that will allow clearance to mount the CB antenna without interference so will be putting both antennas up front. I will post pix and further info when I have everything going on the Runner.

Thanks to all for input on this.
 
BettysNephew said:
These brackets appear that they may be a very clean way to mount antennas on the 4R without drilling holes in the body and allow clearance enough to not scrape going in/out of my garage.

Dave
Click to expand...

Great idea!!!


Miguelon said:
Don't cut the plastic, I found it much better to heat the plastic with a heat gun and then slam the hood shut. After doing this about 3 times, I got a perfect fit.
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Awesome info!!! When I was researching into the CBI bracket, I wasn't too happy about the installation that requires cutting of the plastic cover. I wasn't sure what is underneath there, and whether cutting it will compromise any whether protection. Plus the fact that if I don't want the bracket anymore, there will be an irreversible cut'ed hole.

Miguelon, do you have some zoom'ed in pic of yours?


BettysNephew said:
Talked to CBI today and the Ditch Light Brackets for the Gen5 can be used as antenna mounts. They just omitted to make them available individually as they do on Gen4 but will be adding this option to their website soon. I have found a coax that will allow clearance to mount the CB antenna without interference so will be putting both antennas up front. I will post pix and further info when I have everything going on the Runner.

Thanks to all for input on this.
Click to expand...

PLEASE pics PLEASE!
 
I just ordered the brackets today. When I install them, I will tape another piece of metal to the bottom of the bracket that is slightly wider than the CBI bracket in order to provide rub clearance below and to the side after the heat forming is finished.

When this project is complete there will be pictures and a parts list of what I ended up using for the install. I am still determining which antennas I want to use which may change the coax assemblies I purchase. I would prefer to have the antennas be reasonably close in appearance if it is possible. Please be patient as there is a lot going on in my life right now and I do not have a lot of free time available due to family commitments.
 
BettysNephew said:
Talked to CBI today and the Ditch Light Brackets for the Gen5 can be used as antenna mounts. They just omitted to make them available individually as they do on Gen4 but will be adding this option to their website soon. I have found a coax that will allow clearance to mount the CB antenna without interference so will be putting both antennas up front. I will post pix and further info when I have everything going on the Runner.

Thanks to all for input on this.
Click to expand...

When you say both antennae , do you mean Ham and CB? Arent they supposed to be 12 feet apart? I am mounting CB on front drivers and HAM on rear passenger for that reason.
 
I do not plan to have both radios on at the same time as we do not have many trail rides or overland cruises in Iowa. The worst that can happen is that my propagation pattern will be affected by the nearby antenna, but I suspect there will be more issues with the roof panel plane having a bigger influence on the radiation. I have seen 2m/70cm separates mounted much closer together without issue. If anything, the amateur radio at 50 watts will take out the final of the CB which would not really be a big loss as I seldom listen to it. If that would occur I will get rid of the CB. I doubt the 5 watt CB will have little if any effect on the 2 meter.
 
Miguelon said:
When you say both antennae , do you mean Ham and CB? Arent they supposed to be 12 feet apart? I am mounting CB on front drivers and HAM on rear passenger for that reason.
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Was searching back through some older threads I was sub'd to and realized you have HF capability and CB. You are correct that those antennas need to be further apart. Sorry I missed that earlier, my error.
 
BUMP....Any photos yet? I'd really like to see the entire install. I am looking for a clean way to mount my HAM in my '15 trail.
 
OK folks, got started yesterday by mounting the passenger side bracket. I got it bolted up to the hood and taped a couple of pieces of scrap wood to the bottom of the bracket and then heated the firewall shroud with a heat gun. After what seemed like the correct amount of time, I closed the hood and pushed down on the corner. Had to do this twice to get the hood to close without being raised up. This is what the shroud looked like after reforming. I may have to do this once more to get a little more clearance but so far so good. I may have gotten the plastic too warm so will go a bit less aggressively in the future.

BTW: Dealing with some personal issues that are very time consuming so updates will be a bit on the slow side but I will post as this progresses.
 

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So, do the mounts move as the hood is lifted and closed? Will there be any clearance issues with the antenna? Hitting the body of the car when the hood is open?

I look forward to more pictures!
 
Yes the mounts pivot when the hood is opened but do not scrape or rub against the edge of the fender. When the hood is fully up the antenna doesn't look like it will touch the windshield. Just a test by holding the antenna on the mount as my NMO has not yet arrived.
 
BettysNephew said:
Yes the mounts pivot when the hood is opened but do not scrape or rub against the edge of the fender. When the hood is fully up the antenna doesn't look like it will touch the windshield. Just a test by holding the antenna on the mount as my NMO has not yet arrived.
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For what it's worth...if you are looking for a place to take the coax through the firewall, there are two rubber plugs (one on passenger side and one on driver side) that come out. They give a clear shot into the cabin of the vehicle (upper dashboard area). In my old Civic, drilled a hole and ran the cable through that popped it back in. It keeps the water tightness, doesn't require any unnecessary (not easily repairable) cutting. If you ever want to take it out, all you have to do is buy another plug (around $2) or just fill the hole with some liquid electrical tape. The only minority irritating thing is that you will probably have to remove the connector to get the cable through...Just food for thought

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