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Cb radio install

37K views 39 replies 27 participants last post by  6.7cummdawger  
#1 ·
Has anyone done this on their 2010+? If so where did you mount it and did you run into any problems along the way?

Thanks in advance


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#2 ·
I added a pair of ham radios, totaling 5 bands. Next, going to install a Alinco 6 meter mobile on top of the 10/12 meter radio. This is how I did it:

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#3 ·
I couldn't find a good place down under the dash anywhere that wouldn't get in the way of the cup holders, shifter, my legs or the passengers legs so I fabricated a aluminum bracket.

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#5 ·
That is a good looking mount.

Here is mine:
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#12 ·
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#15 ·
From my build thread (in sig)...
Being a SkyWarn weather spotter, I worked like mad to get my Ham Radio installed.

It took me a few days but I finally got my Ham radio installed. Thanks to all of you who went before me and shared your experiences. As my way of saying "thank you," here is how I ended up going about my install.

To get things started I needed a way to mount the antenna. After a lot of research I ended up contacting Babyfat for one of his mirror mounts. Here is the mount painted, installed and wired...

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Getting the coax/ground from the antenna into the cab took a little effort. Just to be sure that I drilled in the right location, I pulled the mirror to get a closer look. I added a grommet and later sealed it up with some silicone just for good measure. As you can see in the picture, the mirror has quite a bit of structural support. I strongly suggest pulling the mirror before drilling just to make sure that you get it right.

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Once you have the wiring through the mirror, passing through the door is pretty straight forward. In this pic you can see where I ended up running the ground wire (later pics were taken before I ran the ground).

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To get the coax into the cab, I just followed the factory wiring...

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...then removed a few T15 screws so that I could open the factory wiring harness and add my coax to the bundle.

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Once I had the coax into the bundle, I ran it with the factory bundle part way into the cab. As you can see in the pic, I ended up popping out of the factory bundle about half way back to the cab. From there, I went through a factory rubber plug and entered the cab. I added some black tape to keep from tearing the boot while I working with the wire that has since been removed.

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Initially I wanted to enter the cab with the factory bundle but this was somewhat problematic. For starters, this is not just a bundle of wires (like you'll find door-side)...

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Instead, it's a solid plug with a quick disconnects on either side. This makes it easy to quickly R&R the door but does create some difficulty when running aftermarket wires. No matter, drilling a hole isn't a problem so I explored that option a little further. The real problem is that there is no access to this wire bundle cab side. In order to get up/back there, you'd need to remove the entire parking brake assembly and to get that removed, you have to remove a bunch of other things as well. Furthermore, even if you do gain access to that location, your coax would need to take a hard 90' turn in a location where the wiring is going to be under (minimal) stress each time you open/close your door, this (I imagine) would significantly shorten the life of your coax. So, I conceded to popping out of the factory bundle and coming into the cab a few inches lower. Even so, I don't think that it turned out too bad. I can certainly live with it.

Anyway, on to the radio. The radio that I installed is a Yaesu FT-8800R that I'm transplanting from my 2003. This time around I decided to install the radio body under the driver's side back seat. Once I removed the seat, the install was simple. I pulled the kick panels from front to back and ran the wires along the channel with the factory wiring.

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Part of the reason that I choose this location was the easy access that I would have to the back of the radio. The FT-8800R has a rear jack that connects to my computer (or another radio) to allow for memory channel sync/backup/restore. I do this often enough that I wanted easy access to the back of the radio. I thought about doing the backseat mod and installing it against the back wall but, in the end, decided against it. This location will work just fine and I never did store anything back there in my 2003 anyway.

When all was said in done, I have exactly the type of access to the radio that I need.

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To get power into the cab, I pulled another factory rubber plug that wasn't being used, punched a small hole and ran my wires. As you can see, I added another wire for a future project that I have in mind. I ended up tucking the wire under the carpet/insulation to get it to the aforementioned kick panel wiring channel.

If you look closely at the top pic, you can easily see where this rubber plug is situated.

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From here it was just a manner of mounting my face plate and speaker. The face plate ended up next to my shifter and my speaker ended up under the dash (down firing, we'll see how I like it there, I can always move it) I'll let the last few pics speak for themselves. They're pretty self-explanatory.

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I just finished this earlier today but, thus far anyway, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Initially I had thoughts about relocating the mic jack away from the face plate but, after getting it installed, I don't think that I'm going to. It seems to work pretty good there.

At some point, I'll have to find a good place to hang my mic though. I'm going to wait on that though, I have a few more projects that I want to tackle before I decide on a final location for that.
I still haven't moved my mic. I just keep it in the little cubby behind the radio. Works great!
 
#16 ·
I like that install A LOT!!!! Very clean. I'd love to get into amateur radio one of these days but I hear the test is pretty intense and the equipment is very expensive.
 
#18 ·
Test isn't difficult at all. Do the online practice tests and you'll have no problem passing the exam(s). The equipment isn't cheap but, like anything, you get what you pay for. Buy quality equipment and it will last many many years.
 
#19 ·
Any other pics of CB installs?

I just bought a CB and am trying to find a way to mount it flush with the center seat (I have the G56). Geno's sells a mount, but not for the 4th gens. I'm debating buying the mount for the 3rd gen and trying to make it fit ... but I don't want to waste $50 if it doesn't fit.

Any other suggestions?
 
#20 ·
UPANDCUMMER, do you have any other pics or tips for an install like that? I have the same console and that is exactly how I thought of doing it. Great looking install BTW!
 
#25 ·
What exactly are you looking for? If you let me know, I'll see if I can provide what you seek. :thumbsup:
 
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#26 ·
I installed my CB and HAM radio in my center console... Out of site and out of mind. I don't run them all the time, so when I need them, i turn them on and run the mikes out the slot on the right.
 
#28 ·
UPANDCUMMER, I got it installed. I definately like it in that location, but I may buy a new console piece and redo the cut out. It doesn't look bad but the imperfections catch my eye every time. I also mounted two 3' Firestick's on the back of the bed.

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#30 ·
Here is how I did mine, still not done though.

I started by making a custom bracket for the antenna.




Then I opened up the dash, found my power and ground. Then mounted the adapter box under the center console. This style of CB the hand mic has the brains in it. Designed so you can use the same unit in multiple vehicles. IE: if you have a motorhome and a truck, you can take the unit from one to the next.

My hook is going where the power outlet used to be, I will post pics once that is done.


I haven't cut it in yet, but here is where my power outlet is getting relocated to. I double/triple checked, there is enough wire to reach in the factory harness, with plenty of room behind it.
 
#37 ·
Hey, that unit is out of the CB band, channel 51??? :thumbsup: