Hellamatic - Build Thread

[aston4]

I'm curious what you're solution will be for threading the RG58 antenna cable up to the roof? I've been thinking about snaking it up inside the headliner and then somehow lining up and drilling a hole exactly into the mounting point for my stock SR5 roof rack rails... or something like that... or maybe just replacing the stock AM/FM antenna and then getting a splitter... if only i could figure out where to mount a regular sized CB radio in the 4runner though.

I miss the old days when there was plenty of space under the dash to stick a radio. I've tried that all in one Cobra thing you have pictured, but the sound quality is just awful so I've gone back to real radios. Right now mine just hangs out on the floor or passenger seat when I use it.

 

[Hellamatic]

I'm curious what you're solution will be for threading the RG58 antenna cable up to the roof? I've been thinking about snaking it up inside the headliner and then somehow lining up and drilling a hole exactly into the mounting point for my stock SR5 roof rack rails... or something like that... or maybe just replacing the stock AM/FM antenna and then getting a splitter... if only i could figure out where to mount a regular sized CB radio in the 4runner though.

I miss the old days when there was plenty of space under the dash to stick a radio. I've tried that all in one Cobra thing you have pictured, but the sound quality is just awful so I've gone back to real radios. Right now mine just hangs out on the floor or passenger seat when I use it.

Check out the install [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] did - I'm probably going to copy his setup. He ran the cable up through the headliner, through a factory loom, and through the hatch. The speaker output on the Cobra 75 can be tied into your Aux audio jack to route the output through the stereo speakers to improve sound quality. The other option for mounting the antenna is to do what [MENTION=55815]Okki[/MENTION] did and go through the hatch and use a lip mount bracket. I've been putting off my install bc I'm still thinking about how I'm going to do it all - I'll do a write up with pics regardless of what I decide to do.

 

[Vegas]

Sweet build... And mod'ing in such cold temps! Well played sir....
Great write-up on the painless wiring harness!

I got my CB this week been debating the installation... A lot of the write-ups people listed the diamond 400k as the mount so I found it a little hard to piece together my own antenna...

This is what i figured out this week...Keep in mind.... Stuff you probably already might know.

Antmans thread is a None grounding set-up so since you have a sweet roof-rack you don't want to go that route. I think you can more interference with that setup.
Okie's thread, he had had to build his own fire-ring cable... (Which scares me)

This thread by Ryan_S is great too:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/audio-electronics/69401-cobra-75-wxst-install-5th-gen.html

This cable comes already built too:
Firestik FireRing CB Coax with FME | Right Channel Radios


And I think this mount looks great but not sure if it will fit for your setup...it's ARB so should be built tough and nice and low profile... But twice as much as the mirror mounts out there.


ARB CB Antenna Mounting Bracket - CB Radios & Accessories - Radios & Sound - Interior Parts & Accessories - by 4 Wheel Parts
Or
CB Antenna Mirror Mount for Oversized Bars | Right Channel Radios

Can't wait to see your write up on the install.

 

[Okki]

Check out the install [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] did - I'm probably going to copy his setup. He ran the cable up through the headliner, through a factory loom, and through the hatch. The speaker output on the Cobra 75 can be tied into your Aux audio jack to route the output through the stereo speakers to improve sound quality. The other option for mounting the antenna is to do what [MENTION=55815]Okki[/MENTION] did and go through the hatch and use a lip mount bracket. I've been putting off my install bc I'm still thinking about how I'm going to do it all - I'll do a write up with pics regardless of what I decide to do.

I used RG316 cable with mini-connectors since it's a smaller diameter cable which is easier to route (it's a MIL spec cable) and get out the cab. I used a Diamond K400 mount on the hatch, but you could just as easy use a Diamond K900 (electric raise/lower) mount or something similar on the rack using the same cable exit point I used. If you are planning on running roof lights and/or use an electric mount for your antenna, a thinner cable will be pretty much a requirement in order to run everything through existing channels.

Okki

 

[Hellamatic]

Sweet build... And mod'ing in such cold temps! Well played sir....
Great write-up on the painless wiring harness!

I got my CB this week been debating the installation... A lot of the write-ups people listed the diamond 400k as the mount so I found it a little hard to piece together my own antenna...

This is what i figured out this week...Keep in mind.... Stuff you probably already might know.

Antmans thread is a None grounding set-up so since you have a sweet roof-rack you don't want to go that route. I think you can more interference with that setup.
Okie's thread, he had had to build his own fire-ring cable... (Which scares me)

This thread by Ryan_S is great too:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/audio-electronics/69401-cobra-75-wxst-install-5th-gen.html

This cable comes already built too:
Firestik FireRing CB Coax with FME | Right Channel Radios


And I think this mount looks great but not sure if it will fit for your setup...it's ARB so should be built tough and nice and low profile... But twice as much as the mirror mounts out there.


ARB CB Antenna Mounting Bracket - CB Radios & Accessories - Radios & Sound - Interior Parts & Accessories - by 4 Wheel Parts
Or
CB Antenna Mirror Mount for Oversized Bars | Right Channel Radios

Can't wait to see your write up on the install.

All good options - I still haven't decided which way to go though. Honestly, getting the CB installed is pretty low on the priority list - I've had it sitting around for a couple months now, and I have been busy with bigger fish to fry in the mod department. I'll probably get around to tackling it when it slows down at work around March or April.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

All good options - I still haven't decided which way to go though. Honestly, getting the CB installed is pretty low on the priority list - I've had it sitting around for a couple months now, and I have been busy with bigger fish to fry in the mod department. I'll probably get around to tackling it when it slows down at work around March or April.

A good CB antenna mount would be a Shrockworks front bumper. I chose to go on the driver's side and is barely noticeable.

Oh you don't want to buy a $1400 antenna mount? Copy LOL

You could get something for the Baja Rack and keep the antenna short that way but still get good height.

I have the Diamond mount for the hatch for my HAM antenna and seems to work well also. But that antenna is quite a bit lighter.

 

[Hellamatic]

A good CB antenna mount would be a Shrockworks front bumper. I chose to go on the driver's side and is barely noticeable.

Oh you don't want to buy a $1400 antenna mount? Copy LOL

You could get something for the Baja Rack and keep the antenna short that way but still get good height.

I have the Diamond mount for the hatch for my HAM antenna and seems to work well also. But that antenna is quite a bit lighter.

The Shrockworks bumper would be my ideal mount, and is definitely on the wish list - however, I have been quoted a 6-12 month wait to get one up here in the great white north. I'm entertaining the idea of taking a road trip to the Shrockworks shop in Texas, getting it installed down there, and liquidating my factory bumper before going back thru customs. I also like the CBI bumpers you can get for the 1st thru 4th gen Runners, but they don't do a 5th gen yet - I emailed them yesterday to see if they have one in R&D and what the timeline is. They would be more convenient to deal with, as Idaho is substantially closer than Texas.

 

[Vegas]

The Shrockworks bumper would be my ideal mount, and is definitely on the wish list - however, I have been quoted a 6-12 month wait to get one up here in the great white north. I'm entertaining the idea of taking a road trip to the Shrockworks shop in Texas, getting it installed down there, and liquidating my factory bumper before going back thru customs. I also like the CBI bumpers you can get for the 1st thru 4th gen Runners, but they don't do a 5th gen yet - I emailed them yesterday to see if they have one in R&D and what the timeline is. They would be more convenient to deal with, as Idaho is substantially closer than Texas.

I vote road trip to Texas... and while you're there if you could say hi to Harper for me and buy him the beer I owe him for his help with installing my lift, I would appreacite it.... I would then owe you a beer on my next road trip to Canada... :beer:

 

[TxBxSx]

The Shrockworks bumper would be my ideal mount, and is definitely on the wish list - however, I have been quoted a 6-12 month wait to get one up here in the great white north. I'm entertaining the idea of taking a road trip to the Shrockworks shop in Texas, getting it installed down there, and liquidating my factory bumper before going back thru customs. I also like the CBI bumpers you can get for the 1st thru 4th gen Runners, but they don't do a 5th gen yet - I emailed them yesterday to see if they have one in R&D and what the timeline is. They would be more convenient to deal with, as Idaho is substantially closer than Texas.

We are currently shipping these bumpers in the 4 month range if that helps your decision at all. As a matter of fact, Dusty Driftwood is organizing a group buy here on the forum in General Discussion gauranteeing that your order ships inside four months, or you are entitiled to an aditional 10% off your order.

Details here:

2013 Shrockworks Group Buy

 

[scottjhl]

Where did you find those switches... I LOVE the zombie light switch... almost as cool as a ejector seat button...

 

[eddiebx]

I think here?

OTRATTW

 

[Hellamatic]

Ahoy fellow T4R members! Been busy at work with only one weekend off since Xmas, so I haven't done much with the 'Runner lately. Got a chance to head out for a little cruise today though - my buddy that built my grills for me wants to use my rig as the poster child for his print ads and website, so I promised him I'd do a photoshoot this weekend for him. Here are a couple of the results - they still need a little editing, but I figured I'd post them anyway. My camera is a Canon EOS-7D for anyone who may be wondering.

<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_2676_edited-1_zps50bc8191.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_2676_edited-1_zps50bc8191.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2676_edited-1_zps50bc8191.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_2691_edited-1_zps110c4760.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_2691_edited-1_zps110c4760.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2691_edited-1_zps110c4760.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_2685_zpsf4ccd0d3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_2685_zpsf4ccd0d3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2685_zpsf4ccd0d3.jpg"/></a>

 

[Love4myRunner]

Beautiful ride!

Where are you guys finding these awesome switches at?

 

[Hellamatic]

Where are you guys finding these awesome switches at?

www.otrattw.com

They'll custom engrave whatever you want on your switches, but they have a good selection of designs in stock as well. Good pricing, and shipping was pretty quick. The switches also fit in the stock switch blanks with only minimal modifications as well.

 

[Hellamatic]

Simple upgrade - barely worth mentioning, but it's something that's simple and effective. I got tired of the crappy factory mirrors, and after a close call or two in the city, I stuck on some of those 3" self-adhesive convex mirrors. It cost me only about 5 bucks, and now I have a much better view of the side of my ride.

<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_5039_zps544caf15.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_5039_zps544caf15.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_5039_zps544caf15.jpg"/></a>

 

[Hellamatic]

<a href="http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/kelseyreder/media/IMG_2707_zpsf17f18c3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii615/kelseyreder/IMG_2707_zpsf17f18c3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_2707_zpsf17f18c3.jpg"/></a>

 

[CRYA]

Looks exactly like how I want my '11 Trail to Look. I'm a switch noob as well but one main question: For the three-panel, where did you tap into for switched lighting? I mean, where you tapped so that they light up when you turn on your interior lights with the headlights. Any direction on that front much appreciated as I'm gearing up to do the same install. Also, once you cut the cover trim for the shifter, it wasn't too short and not "filling in" the area between the different gear positions?

 

[Hellamatic]

Looks exactly like how I want my '11 Trail to Look. I'm a switch noob as well but one main question: For the three-panel, where did you tap into for switched lighting? I mean, where you tapped so that they light up when you turn on your interior lights with the headlights. Any direction on that front much appreciated as I'm gearing up to do the same install. Also, once you cut the cover trim for the shifter, it wasn't too short and not "filling in" the area between the different gear positions?

I decided to go the easy route and just wire the switch illumination to come on with the key, rather than messing around with tapping the dash illumination circuit. PM me when you are planning on doing the wiring, and I'll forward you the circuit diagrams that I drew for [MENTION=83218]Vegas[/MENTION] when he did his install.

And no, the shifter trim covers all of the voids perfectly still.

 

[CRYA]

Sounds good, and makes sense. Thanks. B in touch once I get my parts.

 

[Vegas]

Hellamatic thanks for all the diagrams!!!

I have been planning on emailing you to see if you could draw me a diagram of how you ran your rack lights...? The gobi has two pre-wires down the left and right side not sure if your rack had any wires ran inside of it....I know you love to make drawing and it is extremely helpful for newbs like me that are new to the electical world.

But I put the lights on hold while I upgrade my garage so that Mod'ing is a little easier with a bench and vise and tools... But soon I will continue my quest to harness the power of the SUN at night!!!(evil laugh)