80 Series CB and HAM Mounts

[averagejoe]

Hey everyone. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years.

I would like to see pictures of where people have mounted their CB and Ham radios. I've searched the site but haven't found many pics (only about 3 different setups so far) What I've seen so far on this site and like is the Uniden mount in the ash tray via Slee (very cool and clean which I like very much). I'm also considering putting mine current CB (Uniden PC122XL SSB) in the slot below my CD Player but not sure it will fit. What I'm not sure about is where I'd put the HAM setup if I go that route.

My goals are these:
1) is to get my CB radio in first and that is what I use for trail and caravan use then to add in a HAM system later.

2) Clean setup. I use the rig as the daily driver with with and 3 kids.

3) Creative placement of external speaker? Seen the dome like speaker conversion but like having a light. Was thinking of hooking it up via the speaker below the steering wheel just not sure how good that will be.

As far as antenna mount I think I've decided on the Diamond K400 mount with a Firestick Firefly.

Thanks.

 

[greentruck]

The K-400 on the rear hatch lid makes a good antenna mount.

Don't know if you've been into the Electronics forum, as there are some more ideas there, although not all 80-specific. Here's a link to a thread there on using a Tuffy center console for radio installs, including some pics of my own install:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/electronic-toys/333965-anyone-ever-install-cb-tuffy.html

In my case, I raised the Tuffy enough so that I just put the external speaker underneath it.

 

[averagejoe]

greentruck,

Nice setup you have there. I have that Tuffy Console in my 79 CJ7 (sorry about the Jeep thing) but never thought about it for the cruiser. Your install looks great and very useful and practical. I'll definitely be considering that as an option as the added security would be nice to have. Where I live it's not that big of a deal. but my uncle has a lock for everything he says, "to keep the honest people honest."

Thanks again for the idea.

FWIW - thought about the electronics forum but wanted only 80 series info.

 

[Dan2722]

Here's my Ham install thread https://forum.ih8mud.com/electronic-toys/333676-yaesu-7900-install-80-a.html you can see the ham and CB radio together in one of the pics. The CB is mounted in the ashtray hole and is a Uniden 510.

My external speaker for the Ham is under the E-brake handle and for the CB is under the seat.

 

[Brentbba]

Here's my install.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/electronic-toys/234239-ham-radio-installation-w-pics.html?highlight=ham

Uniden in the single slot under a single din radio head unit. Ham detachable face plate mounted on a piece of metal I had laying around. Bent to form the mount and bolted down in the cubby hole with existing bolt. Speakers for both under the dash. Little one is a cheapo Radio Trash for the CB and the larger one is for the ham.

Antenna mounts for both on the hatch are Diamond K400.

 

[Corbet]

My HAM unit is mounted under the drivers seat with a remote face in the center console. More install details here: Adding 12v accessory (cigarette) outlets - Page 3 - Rising Sun Member Forums

For my CB when needed I have a Midland 75-822 Midland Radio - Midland Radio | Communication Solutions For Your World that is all self contained in the mic. It plugs into a sig lighter or works as a handheld.

 

[Offroads4x4]

Thought you might like this one it's a new weekend project for ya!.

 

[Brian894X4]

If you get rid of the rear half of the center console, you can build anything you want....

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/361553-cockpit-mods-computers-radios-more.html

 

[averagejoe]

Good Stuff!

Brian - that's a lot of gear you have in the front there. I don't know what else to say except that all that would probably drive me insane. Not sure where I would fit the rest of my family except strapped to the rack on the top.

OffRoad - did you mean to post a link? Didn't see anything.

Others - thanks for the links. I didn't come across those in my previous readings. Gives me some good ideas. I like how I can have the control module for the Ham Radio separate from the innerworkings. Cool stuff guys thanks for the idea! Anyone else?

 

[averagejoe]

has anyone mounted a different cb in the ash tray location other than the Uniden 510XL? Looks like the 520XL has the same dimensions but similar ones from Midland and such are the same width but 1/4 inch taller. It's dark now and about 10 degrees outside or I'd go and check out that area.

 

[retrofive]

I mounted the Cobra wx in the unused 2din with my alpine.

I could be wrong but not sure the ash tray mount will work with pre 95. (didn't catch the year your truck is)

 

[Stone]

Here's my install.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/electronic-toys/234239-ham-radio-installation-w-pics.html?highlight=ham

Uniden in the single slot under a single din radio head unit. Ham detachable face plate mounted on a piece of metal I had laying around. Bent to form the mount and bolted down in the cubby hole with existing bolt. Speakers for both under the dash. Little one is a cheapo Radio Trash for the CB and the larger one is for the ham.

Antenna mounts for both on the hatch are Diamond K400.

Is the trim around your CB something that is commercially available, or is it something you fabbed up? THanks!

 

[averagejoe]

Mine is a late year 95

 

[nuclearlemon]

i mounted my face unit where corbet did (only on the outside, not frenched in) and i don't like it there. it's too far away when you need to deal with all the buttons. if you know your radio very well, then fine, but if you don't you end up hitting buttons you don't want to or trying to search while you're driving.

 

[Corbet]

Ige brings up some good points with my location. It helps that my Kenwood has back lighting on all the buttons. Not all HAM units do.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

Ige brings up some good points with my location. It helps that my Kenwood has back lighting on all the buttons. Not all HAM units do.

I like that Kenwood install! I have a couple ?'s for ya;
1) How deep does that Kenwood HAM go back behind the center console?
2) Is the backlighting Green?

Thanks

 

[nakman]

i mounted my face unit where corbet did (only on the outside, not frenched in) and i don't like it there. it's too far away when you need to deal with all the buttons. if you know your radio very well, then fine, but if you don't you end up hitting buttons you don't want to or trying to search while you're driving.

If you haven't filled up your bottom row of switches below the heater, you can mount the face plate there to get it a little closer, but it sticks out kind of far, IMO. I think where Corbet put his is the best spot there is...

And another vote for that hand held Cobra when you have to use CB.

 

[averagejoe]

I like the idea of the hand held units but I don't like the weight or the ability of them for other than very short distances. With my Uniden SSB I was able to send and receive over about 15 miles through rocky terrain down in Mexico on a trip. Also, if I was going to go with a handheld I'd go with a portable unit that I could connect to an external antenna and solid power supply in the rig. I thought I knew of one a while back but can't seem to find it. Having a setup like that would be good for multiple reasons.

 

[Corbet]

I like that Kenwood install! I have a couple ?'s for ya;
1) How deep does that Kenwood HAM go back behind the center console?
2) Is the backlighting Green?

Thanks

The Kenwood faceplate probably only goes in 3/4" at best. I debated cutting the hole but in the end I liked it back that extra bit. Its just sitting in there without any fasteners of any kind. I cut the hole tight enough for that to hold it on its own. I am yet to cut the fake wood stuff. I can alway cover the hole back up with that if I wanted.

Backlighting on this unit can be switched between amber or green. Its not an exact match to the OEM backlighting but much closer than amber.

I like the idea of the hand held units but I don't like the weight or the ability of them for other than very short distances. With my Uniden SSB I was able to send and receive over about 15 miles through rocky terrain down in Mexico on a trip. Also, if I was going to go with a handheld I'd go with a portable unit that I could connect to an external antenna and solid power supply in the rig. I thought I knew of one a while back but can't seem to find it. Having a setup like that would be good for multiple reasons.

My hand held is connected to an external antenna. It should preform as good as any other 4 watt CD unit connected to the same antenna. Follow the link in my previous post to the Midland unit.

In the end you won't care about your CB anymore anyway. You'll only want to use the HAM. And just be pissed your friends don't have one too. At least that's the way I feel.

 

[S.CarolinaFZJ80]

Corbet - Thanks for the info. Did you explore the possibility of cutting the metal bracket behind your mounting location in order to flush mount it?

I placed an trans temp gauge in that same panel, directly over the cup holder, to the left of your HAM location but don't recall if there was any room behind the metal bracket over the passenger side. Do you recall if there was any room or even have any install pictures of your install with the HAM removed?