Uniden 520 CB install

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Jrob80

Jrob80

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Threads
47
Messages
909
Location
Lex, NE
I kept putting off getting a CB never really needed one had never really gone on any trail runs but a few of us started talking about a trip and I thought it was probably time to get something.

I know there are a lot of posts and threads about installing a Uniden in the ashtray Romer has a great write up: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/43329-80-lx450-cb-install.html & SLEE has a a great write up as well: Slee - Uniden CB Install (Toyota 80 Series Land Cruiser). I am putting this together as I go (very slowly) as I have some questions on how I should do a few things as well.

I first wanted something very simple that would not take a whole lot of room...

[URL="https://www.cobra.com/images_products/75WXST_H-med.jpg"][URL="https://www.cobra.com/images_products/75WXST_H-med.jpg"][/URL][/URL]

But didn't get a very good response from people about it so I thought an actual CB would be the way to go. After reading a bunch of threads I decided to just got with the Uniden ashtray install.

Once I got everything I discovered that I had overlooked having an external speaker after installing in the dash. I wasn't a big fan of getting an extra speaker to have it just sitting out but I did like retrofive's install: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/258875-cb-speaker.html

[URL="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/retrofive/LandCruiser/DSCF1127Small.jpg"][URL="http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/retrofive/LandCruiser/DSCF1127Small.jpg"][/URL][/URL]

but thought to myself that there has to be something better yet.

Finally it came to me that since I have an aftermarket stereo set up I wasn't using my front two speakers in the dash they are just sitting there wasting space.



So below is my idea to use the speaker on the drivers side for my CB speaker. I checked it out and it has decent sound to listen to CB chatter... found the cable at Radio Shack for $4.00.
CB install 4.webp
CB install 3.webp
CB install.webp
 
A couple of questions I have is how do I get the chord to my antenna? I know there are 2 locations on the firewall but that connection is not going to fit through the small hole???

As you can see I did a test fit with the 3' firestick on the rear bumper with no clearance issues got to love the previous home owner who built the house with an 8' garage door!!!
CB install 5.webp
CB antenna.webp
 
Just a note on that particular speaker - it has a filter on one electrode that may be bypassed with a short piece of wire to allow some of the lower frequency tones of voice to be heard. I bypassed one side for ham and left the other as is for CB, which made it easier to differentiate between radios.

I'm curious to see how you get that PL-259 into the cabin. I'm ready to switch from mag mounts to a CB antenna on the swingout.
 
I ran my coax under the door jam panels and plastic trim to the back. Then just went to the exterior under the tailgate. It doesn't seem to pinch it at all.
 
That's good to know... last night I thought I would try and fit it through the firewall on the d/s I thought there was no way but sure enough it fit through, the bad is that 18' of cable is not going to be enough to get to the back of the vehicle :frown:

It does look like I am going to have some problems with the tabs in the dash where the ash tray mounted but in Romers thread he posted that he just bent them back, they look pretty stout to just bend back but that is what I am going to try first.
 
Great idea to use the dash speaker! Should be a clean install.

I have thought about mounting a CB but decided that if/when I do a group run I'll probably just get one of the handheld CBs...like the Cobra HH Road Trip. I'm sure the range and quality won't be nearly as good but for the once in a blue moon trip it should suffice.

But if you come up with something clean enough I'll have to check it out if we meet up again and maybe reconsider.
 
For my uniden ashtray install, I've found the units stock speaker plenty loud. Even though its buried in there, I never have the volume anywhere near maxed out. Mines an older unit though, so maybe the speaker changed.
 
2 E L O said:
But if you come up with something clean enough I'll have to check it out if we meet up again and maybe reconsider.
Click to expand...

This should be a pretty clean install especially with using the "spare" speaker in the dash.

I haven't checked how loud the unit itself is??? I just saw that quite a few people put in an external speaker so I thought it was a "must"
 
I always wanted a cb in my rig but not to derail the topic. Maybe something to consider. What do people think instead of installing a cb just use one of those FRS/GMRS radios. They offer more range, portability, and privacy among parties. I would consider a permanent radio install if it was a shortwave radio but that would consist FCC license.
 
Jrob80 said:
I actually thought about hooking up the CB to both front dash speakers but using one for HAM and the other CB is a good idea... I am not licensed and really don't plan on being licensed.

That plug has me perplexed though HELP???
Click to expand...

Not sure if you got your answer or not....I'm confused about something: you're planning on mounting the antenna in the rear of the vehicle. So, why the need to shove the coax through a hole in the firewall? I think I missed something!

If you still need to go through the firewall, I'd simply cut the connector off, shove it through the firewall and solder a new connector at the end of the coax.
 
Jrob80 said:
You are correct I wanted to run the cable through the firewall and then under the truck to the rear bumper where I was planning on mounting the antenna.

If there is a good way to run the cable somewhere on the back of the truck?
Click to expand...

Ahh, got it. Here's what I'd do:

Run the cable from the dash, under the center console carpet to either the left or right side of the vehicle. If your antenna will be in the passenger rear side of the vehicle, then run the cable from the center console under the carpet, to under the door sill plastic piece (wires already run there in nice plastic channels). Keep running the wires under both door sill plates, then jump up to the rear quarter panel. Run inside the rear Q panel empty space, and finally come out of the tailgate area.

For ease of installation, remove one of the front seat, depending on which way you're heading to the rear. Pop off the door sill plates and the rear quarter panel interior pieces.

No need to exit the vehicle at the firewall IMHO.

HTH.
 
^this is exactly what I did, except I ran the cable out the same hole in the bottom of the DS rear quarter which is used by the rear sunroof drain, then up to the bumper mount.

Also did the speaker mod for my HAM as the XL520 has an internal speaker which works really well even in the Slee-mod location.

:cheers:

Steve
 
gahi said:
For my uniden ashtray install, I've found the units stock speaker plenty loud. Even though its buried in there, I never have the volume anywhere near maxed out.
Click to expand...

X2 - I followed Slee's write up for the install with the exception of changing the coax connector out and installing a speaker in the light housing. The CB sticks out a little but not bad - looks like the first pic in Slee's write up. IMO it actually looks better this way :)

No need IMO for an external speaker

CycloSteve said:
^this is exactly what I did, except I ran the cable out the same hole in the bottom of the DS rear quarter which is used by the rear sunroof drain, then up to the bumper mount.
Click to expand...

Like you I found that the supplied cable from Firestick came up short of reaching to the back. After checking with Firestick they suggested that if I had to add an extension, to go in increments of 9'. I can't remember why but that is what they said (after giving me crap for 4-wheeling in a Lexus and cutting the end off my original coax cable :hillbilly:). Of course with the extra 9' you end up with a LOT of excess cable so take the excess and make it into a figure 8 and secure it in the middle of the '8'.

Anyway, I routed the coax behind the glove box, behind the PS foot panel, under the door/floor trim to the back, behind the back panel, and then out the existing grommet in the rear quarter panel. Take a peek from under the truck and you'll see it. I have my CB and Ham cables going out that grommet plus my hitch wiring and it all fit :)
 
GREAT idea on this install. I think I will be doing the same with my LX450.
 
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