I thought I'd post a roll-up of my Cobra WX75 CB, yodaTEQ mount and Firestick antenna install into a single thread as I already have one rolling focused on the YodaTeq antenna mount rolling here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/682942-new-yodateq-antenna-mount.html
Components (all prices are shipped to the door)
Cobra 75WXST 40-Channel CB Radio - Amazon.com - $92
Firestik II FS-2BK 2 feet 300 Watt FS Series Tunable Tip CB Antenna - 1 Each - Black - Amazon.com - $20
yodaTEQ Antenna Mount (Drivers Side) - IH8MUD.COM (https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/649713-fj80-new-improved-antenna-mounts-v2-0-a.html) - $53
Wilson 18-ft. Belden Coaxial Cable PL-259 to FME - Amazon.com - $33
Firestick Stud W/SO-239 CONN - Amazon.com - $9
Firestik SS-3H Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Antenna Spring - Amazon.com - $12
5mm x 20mm Screw & Washer - Ace Hardware - $2
1/4" Screw Mount Cable Clips - Ace Hardware - $3/12 pack
1/4" Diameter x 1/4" Material x 5/16" hole Rubber Grommet - Already had - $0
Ty-Rap Nylon Wire Ties - Already had - $0
1 x 5/16" Star Washer for Tailgate Bolt - Already had - $0
2 x 1/4" or 5/16" Ring Electrical Connector - Already had - $0
Installation
I found what I think is a great place to mount the Cobra. I wire tied it to the top of a computer under the drivers side of the dashboard and it all routes nice and clean. The mounting location was chosen to keep it handy and have the cord wrap under the dash and out of my way. I didn't want it bumping my knee or grabbing my foot as I entered and exited the truck. I also wanted t accessible from the outside of the truck. I didn't drill very deeply and the screws I used for the mic mount are blunt in case there was a cable bundle in the A pillar for the sunroof or dome light. They are about 3/4" long. I peered in the hole with a flashlight and didn't see anything before drilling the second hole. I wired the Cobra's power directly to the battery through the huge grommet on the driver's side of the firewall and it reaches the battery perfectly. I crimped on ring terminals and connected it directly to the battery. The inline fuse is still on the inside of the truck and it has a couple of inches of wire before it enters the firewall grommet.
I bought a yodaTEQ mount from Frank here on the mud forums and mounted it up with a 2' Firestick. I did have to scrape off some powder coating around the bottom of the mount where the antenna stud contacts and the lower mounting bolt on the tailgate side where the original bolt's washer would contact to obtain a solid ground. I used a star washer on the lower mount bolt under the washer on the original bolt and got a good ground confirmed with an Ohm meter. Prior to the grounding, I picked up tons of noise on the Cobra WX75 CB.
The antenna cable has a molded, weatherproof rubber boot and both ends are factory terminated. The smaller end routes through the body into the seatbelt mechanism housing and then into the inner body wall along with the tail light wiring.
The grommet is one I had in my spare parts. Unfortunately, I don't know where it came from. The measurements indicate it will accommodate material slightly smaller than 1/4" an it will accommodate a cable right at 1/4". The drilled hole diameter is 5/16". I had to insert the grommet from within the seat belt mechanism cavity and it just fit through the hole and is a very snug fit. The body is double walled where I chose with a small gap between the walls equal to the thickness of a single layer of metal.
I taped up the cable end to protect it against damage and lube then used som plumber's silicone grease to lube the grommet. I had to lube the cable about every 4 feet with a smudge of silicone grease to make sure it didn't grab the grommet and pull it into the body cavity.
The SWR meter read 1.25 on channel 20 during tuning and overall the performance is pretty good. I pickup folks on channel 19 and they are intelligible. I've not tested it on the trail yet. I have a buddy who will bring in his FJ this week to test it but I'm confident it's going to sound good. I do pickup the blower motor but with the squelch tuned, it's quiet. I'll report if its an issue with the other truck in short range.
I'll post up pics next.
Components (all prices are shipped to the door)
Cobra 75WXST 40-Channel CB Radio - Amazon.com - $92
Firestik II FS-2BK 2 feet 300 Watt FS Series Tunable Tip CB Antenna - 1 Each - Black - Amazon.com - $20
yodaTEQ Antenna Mount (Drivers Side) - IH8MUD.COM (https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/649713-fj80-new-improved-antenna-mounts-v2-0-a.html) - $53
Wilson 18-ft. Belden Coaxial Cable PL-259 to FME - Amazon.com - $33
Firestick Stud W/SO-239 CONN - Amazon.com - $9
Firestik SS-3H Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Antenna Spring - Amazon.com - $12
5mm x 20mm Screw & Washer - Ace Hardware - $2
1/4" Screw Mount Cable Clips - Ace Hardware - $3/12 pack
1/4" Diameter x 1/4" Material x 5/16" hole Rubber Grommet - Already had - $0
Ty-Rap Nylon Wire Ties - Already had - $0
1 x 5/16" Star Washer for Tailgate Bolt - Already had - $0
2 x 1/4" or 5/16" Ring Electrical Connector - Already had - $0
Installation
I found what I think is a great place to mount the Cobra. I wire tied it to the top of a computer under the drivers side of the dashboard and it all routes nice and clean. The mounting location was chosen to keep it handy and have the cord wrap under the dash and out of my way. I didn't want it bumping my knee or grabbing my foot as I entered and exited the truck. I also wanted t accessible from the outside of the truck. I didn't drill very deeply and the screws I used for the mic mount are blunt in case there was a cable bundle in the A pillar for the sunroof or dome light. They are about 3/4" long. I peered in the hole with a flashlight and didn't see anything before drilling the second hole. I wired the Cobra's power directly to the battery through the huge grommet on the driver's side of the firewall and it reaches the battery perfectly. I crimped on ring terminals and connected it directly to the battery. The inline fuse is still on the inside of the truck and it has a couple of inches of wire before it enters the firewall grommet.
I bought a yodaTEQ mount from Frank here on the mud forums and mounted it up with a 2' Firestick. I did have to scrape off some powder coating around the bottom of the mount where the antenna stud contacts and the lower mounting bolt on the tailgate side where the original bolt's washer would contact to obtain a solid ground. I used a star washer on the lower mount bolt under the washer on the original bolt and got a good ground confirmed with an Ohm meter. Prior to the grounding, I picked up tons of noise on the Cobra WX75 CB.
The antenna cable has a molded, weatherproof rubber boot and both ends are factory terminated. The smaller end routes through the body into the seatbelt mechanism housing and then into the inner body wall along with the tail light wiring.
The grommet is one I had in my spare parts. Unfortunately, I don't know where it came from. The measurements indicate it will accommodate material slightly smaller than 1/4" an it will accommodate a cable right at 1/4". The drilled hole diameter is 5/16". I had to insert the grommet from within the seat belt mechanism cavity and it just fit through the hole and is a very snug fit. The body is double walled where I chose with a small gap between the walls equal to the thickness of a single layer of metal.
I taped up the cable end to protect it against damage and lube then used som plumber's silicone grease to lube the grommet. I had to lube the cable about every 4 feet with a smudge of silicone grease to make sure it didn't grab the grommet and pull it into the body cavity.
The SWR meter read 1.25 on channel 20 during tuning and overall the performance is pretty good. I pickup folks on channel 19 and they are intelligible. I've not tested it on the trail yet. I have a buddy who will bring in his FJ this week to test it but I'm confident it's going to sound good. I do pickup the blower motor but with the squelch tuned, it's quiet. I'll report if its an issue with the other truck in short range.
I'll post up pics next.
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