LX450 CB Install (1 Viewer)

[Romer]

I tested my hand held CB against the Cobra in my 40 and it only worked about two blocks. Not very releable for something I may need to use if I break down, or if NorcalDoug drops his Pink Panties at Moab and I need to let him know.

I Bought a Cobra 18II ?, The one with 40 channels and 9 weather channels. It's the same one I run in the 40 and I have been pretty happy with it.

So now comes where to put it. I did a search and found lots of folks have replaced their radio and use it in one of the slots. I still have the OEM radio, so that won't work. Lots of the old links with the photos for their installs don't work anymore.

Under the steering wheel looks like it would block things and be in the way.

So, I started thinking about between the console and the drivers seat. Any one install one there? Lessons learned like don't becaus it will break the console.

Maybe under the dash on the Passenger side?

Next I have to try and find a 4 inch antenna with a Pivot like Nakman's so I can put it down across the ARB when I am not using it. Anyone know were you can get those. Nakman's PO put it on and he doesn't know. It's a nice set-up if you haven't seen it.

Thanks

Ken

 

[corbs]

Look in the outfitting section someone installed a cb in the area you spoke of between the console and the drivers seat.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=40474

This is where I put mine.

 

[PKP80]

This is how I did my CB, I believe I have the same unit as you.

-SAm-

 

[Tools R Us]

That's mine on the console in the outfitting thread, works well there. I bought a large one and returned it when I couldn't find a good place to mount it. The back of the console is out on the LX450 if you use the CD changer. My mom is a 30 year veteran ER nurse and will attest to the severe injuries suffered from stuff mounted under the dash in accidents.

 

[Romer]

Thanks Kevin, I didn't think to search outfitting. I just did the 80's section.

I'll have to see if the Cobra I bought will mess with the e-brake. Thats the spot I was thinking about. If it doesn't work I'll go find the one you got.

 

[RavenTai]

If it doesn't work I'll go find the one you got.

Refirbished 510 xl's come on Unidens web site from time to time, cheap place to get one, I got mien there but it has been sitting on the shelf ever since.

 

[ginericLC]

I have one of those flip down antenna mounts. It sounds as if you are going to Moab. I could bring it. PM if you need it. I'm not using it. I couldn't get it to tune, even when I took it out I couldn't get it to tune. So I'm ditching my whole cable/antenna system to go with a mag mount. I think you wouldn't want the fold down kind though. There is a kind that is a quick release. I think that would make more sense. They sell these at our local Pilot. I'm not sure if Flying J has them or not. If you can't find one I'd gladly stop and get you one prior to CM. I know they have some diagrams of them at www.bills2way.com However, I've placed several orders online with them and they never got filled and Bill obviously doesn't like phones because I've never been able to get him to pick up.

 

[concretejungle]

Corbs, is that a cup holder on the side of your center consol? I was wondering if those are stock or an addition? I have two holes in the side of my center consol, but no holder. Dan, is this something i can get?

 

[nakman]

I've been lucky.. after 60wag helped me get the plastic washers in the right order then tune it with the SWR deal, my CB works great, usually one of the better ones on runs. Even works flipped down within a half mile or so. I've got the Cobra CB where all the controls are in the handset, so the CB itself is shoved way up under the dash..

 

[Zen Dude]

If your cb only gets out 2 blocks it could be your antenna system.
Always remember no matter what they say the longer the antenna the better it will
get out and recieve. but you have to make sure you tune it, its call a vswr test,
if your swr is low and you have a good antenna you should be set.
Good luck on finding a spot, I have a lx and I didn't see very many good places for a cb.
But you could squeeze it in somewhere, don't forget longer is better.

 

[Romer]

The two blocks was with a hand held, not an installed CB with a 4ft ant.

 

[Zen Dude]

Oh O.K. that make more sense.
Cobra and uniden make good radios.
If you took out the drink holder (which is to small anyway) you could put it between the seat and console. Or put one in your glove box if you don't use it much.

 

[Beowulf]

For those of you that are looking for a nice clean install of a CB that performs very well then, as Raven suggested, check out the Uniden 510xl or their 520xl.

Christo has a complete write up on his web site.

-B-

 

[corbs]

Corbs, is that a cup holder on the side of your center consol? I was wondering if those are stock or an addition? I have two holes in the side of my center consol, but no holder. Dan, is this something i can get?

Yep, it's a cup holder. I believe yours be missing. It's a square cup holder that only holds soda can sized things, if you buy one of those 20 oz soda bottles it won't fit. However it does work very well with the square plastic bottles that most japanese drinks come in. . .

 

[Romer]

Thats a great setup in the ash tray. I'll try and find one and take the Cobra back. I couldn't find the dimensions on the web site. Radio shack has a mini as well. Wonder if that would fit.

Thanks guys. This is a much better solution. I'll post a pic after I get it and install it.

 

[ginericLC]

http://www.walcottcb.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=29_112 has the mounts I was talking about. They have a pretty good CB website. Bills site seems to be down.

Some Radio Shack Units are actually Unidens. Check the dimensions and see what you can find. I'm sure the Uniden site has all the specs.

Also, if you need the quick disconnect and can't find it locally I'd be more than happy to pick one up for you locally. I don't believe the stainless ones are in stock right now here. But I could pick up a plain one here and I might find a stainless one somewhere along the way to Moab. I know of at least two truck stops I'll be stopping at.



Eric V.

 

[Zen Dude]

I have noticed that a lot of radio shack microphones sound muffled, its NOT there radios just there mics.

I also have a uniden 510xl in my suburban and it sounds great.

 

[CruisinGA]

I have the same radio mounted behind the t-case shifter. It is tied into the cig lighter circuit. Worked great, but now have a problem with the radio, (no speaker output) Tx works fine.

The picture is poor, the radio face when rotated up in the bracket is completely above the shifter. This is temporary until I install an aftermarket stereo with the CB in-dash.

 

[Romer]

I went to the Flying J truckstop. Trucksrops are definitly the best place to get CB equipment. They did not have the bracket I was looking for. They were out of the Uniden and I bought a Cobra 19DXIII. It's a little taller than the Uniden, but playing with it in the parking lot it looked like it would fit. I'll give the ashtray spot a try and use one of the Hot wires from under the console. I'l take pics and add to this thread.

 

[convert]

Ken
When I installed my cobra I did not have much luck with the hot wires under the console ended up piggy backing the cig lighter. Hope this helps.