I just picked up a CB radio for my 4runner and was trying to find the best place to mount it in the cab. I'm thinking the best place is going to be right under the radio. My concern with that is, will the radio interfere with the reception of the cb? I don't really care too much about trimming out some plastic to make room, just want the best signal. Also, any ideas on where to mount the antenna (preferably in the least likely to get damaged spot) on the truck. Would love some pics as well.
CB Radio install ideas.......
- Thread starter Mekanecman
- Start date
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what year runner? i never had the center consle lid deal, so i mounted it to the bracket upside down and it worked out damn good.
you gotta check the SWR ( Standing Wave Ratio) with a meter best place is on the center of the roof, but on a runner not too practical.
so if you mount it above the tail lite, you can also run the cable out thru the body of the lite to the outside.
this placement projects your transmission ears ( receive ) in a cone shape off the LF front of yer rig. its called ground plane defletion.
you would also get good results if this was posed in the CB radio section of the forum, i wouldnt be surprised if this thread gets moved there
you gotta check the SWR ( Standing Wave Ratio) with a meter best place is on the center of the roof, but on a runner not too practical.
so if you mount it above the tail lite, you can also run the cable out thru the body of the lite to the outside.
this placement projects your transmission ears ( receive ) in a cone shape off the LF front of yer rig. its called ground plane defletion.
you would also get good results if this was posed in the CB radio section of the forum, i wouldnt be surprised if this thread gets moved there
- Thread starter
- #3
It's an 85 first gen.
Yes, center of the roof for the antenna is best. Placing it off to one side will make the radiation pattern distorted and lumpy. If you can't do a center mount, second best is a dual antenna. No, the dual antennas don't increase range, but they do even out the radiation pattern. To boost range they would need to be 18' apart and even then it is only boosted perpendicular to a line between the two antennas. If you mount the antenna to the bumper, the truck will be blocking signal to the rear. There are masts that allow a bumper or side mounted antennas to be raised to get clear unobstructed signal. As for where to mount the CB unit, who knows. I bought a hand held unit so I circumvented that decision.
As for keeping the antenna from getting damaged, get a heavy duty spring for the base. Note, adding a spring will change the effective length of the antenna and likely make shortening it necessary.
Here's my setup:
Midland CD, I think the model is 79-290, detachable face. The iPod thing didn't work out very well (POS Monster Cable adapter), I have my ham radio unit below the console now.
For the antenna, ya your best bet for reception is in the middle of the roof. What you could do is get a mag mount and plop it up there when you're not in the woods. When you're wheeling, long distance isn't important, so you could either move it down to the hood, or switch to a fiberglass whip on the front or back bumper.
Midland CD, I think the model is 79-290, detachable face. The iPod thing didn't work out very well (POS Monster Cable adapter), I have my ham radio unit below the console now.
For the antenna, ya your best bet for reception is in the middle of the roof. What you could do is get a mag mount and plop it up there when you're not in the woods. When you're wheeling, long distance isn't important, so you could either move it down to the hood, or switch to a fiberglass whip on the front or back bumper.
- Thread starter
- #9
Thanks guys. Any pics of the install process?
Usually you have to trim a little bit of the plastic to get a radio to fit in the change tray portion of the dash.
Just get the right tool and cut away.
This should suffice: YouTube - Mcculloch cutting wood
wont even have to remove the bezel from the truck!
Just get the right tool and cut away.
This should suffice: YouTube - Mcculloch cutting wood
wont even have to remove the bezel from the truck!
KLF there is a mod for that radio. you take off the face,open it up and connect 2 solder pads together. its easy and i did it to mine.
you get 320 channels, 26,27,28,29,30Mhz IIRC
i wish i still had mine. VERY COOL
you get 320 channels, 26,27,28,29,30Mhz IIRC
i wish i still had mine. VERY COOL
Honestly, I haven't turned it on in years. Now that I have my ham license, CB radio sucks and I hope to never use it again. But there is that slight chance...
What is this mod for? What does it get me?
exactly!
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I mounted mine in place of the rearview/maplight combo. I replaced the mirror with one that glues to the glass & just taped in to the factory wires for power any time truck on or off.
Don't take this the wrong way, but I highly discourage you from doing this. It looks pretty useful and cool, I did it myself in my previous truck. But, the first time you hit a big bump on the trail and get tossed around, you'll smack your head on that sharp corner, and it freekin' HURTS. In an accident or rollover, that thing could really do some damage to your noggin.
I wear a helmet when I wheel
But yahh down low outa the way seems like a better place to me too.
...mickey???
ehh huh? that a reference to this guy???: http://www.thisdayindisneyhistory.com/files/MickeyMouseB_W.jpg
not quite followin yah wristy.