Well, been trolling the forums pretty much non-stop all this week to figure out how I wanted to install a CB system. As I spend a lot of time on the road, being stuck in traffic for hours is something I wish to never do again. Purchased an Eclipse AVN-6620 for GPS navigation, which has helped, but not knowing why traffic is stopped, and whether or not to wait is out, was my next problem.

Did some research, and found the Cobra 18WXSTII was perfect. It wasn't expensive, looked modern, not chrome, and had the weather radio built in. Went with a Wilson 5' antenna as well.

After reading about mounts, I tried to mount it in the rear bumper. With the curvature of the bumper, the antenna ended up sticking waaaay out there. Instead of dropping 20ish on a Firestik mount that everyone says is crappy, went to the hardware store, and bought a little bit of stock steel.

Here is my $7 dollar mount. Thing is strong and sturdy. Will end up painting it, but wanted to test it for a day or so to make sure it is all good. There is a little interference with the antenna and hatch, but nothing major.






Here is a little custom mount work on the radio. With the AVN-6620 filling both radio slots, decided to loose the ash tray and cig lighter. After a few hours of dremel work, this is what I ended up with. For those that don't know, the 6620 doesn't exactly fit well in the 4Runner, so had to put a .25" spacer so that the back of the unit didn't bottom out on the HVAC equipment.





Everything seems to work okay... I have one question though, and I should know better, but I am second guessing myself. I ran the antenna wire on the underside of the vehicle as I did not want to cut and splice the ends to run in into the rear hatch area. Ended up zip tieing it to the brake lines for a few feet, then attached it to the fuel hoses.

My question is, do you think the rear brake hard lines will heat up enough to damage the antenna coax?

Thanks!!

 

That looks really sweet! I Think I like that more than my current place in the second DIN slot... Maybe An inclinometer CB, radio hybrid is in otrder

 

i don't think so, but maybe a temp set up til you think of a "cleaner" way to run your cable. I totally like the way you ran that firestick. Think you sold me on it. my dilemma was that i drive into a parking garage and don't want to bang it on everything. I'm sold!

 

Great looking install!!

I just installed my 4' Firestik and used a quick disconnect. I haven't set my SWR yet though.

 

You can purchase a quick disconnect so that you can hop out and take down the antenna incase you go into somewhere with low clearance.

 

Funny you should mention this... a SWR meter is around $25. Going somewhere and having someone tune the SWRs is around $20-$30. The difference between a radio without a SWR meter and one with is right around $25-$35.

Wish I would've thought about this a little more and went up a step with a radio with a SWR meter.

 

Yeah, but if you buy a SWR meter all your buds will want to borrow it!

 

All my buds think I'm a redneck for buying the setup.

 

Hitech redneck with that dang ol' fancy color box radio thingy you got there!

 

COol thanks! i think if its in that location on the bumper, it shouldn't hit. i see a couple of jeeps in the garage with no problems. but, now seen it on a runner that looks clean and simple.. besides its practical, lol

 

You're telling me some yotas came stock with CB's?!?!?

 

It's true.. i'm still waiting to borrow Jayson's

 

Well, let me know(not that we're down the block from each other) if you need it. I'll bring it along and we can tune yours right quick!!

 

Some 40's did...

 

Note picture..



And thread...

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series...b-my-40-a.html

 

Wow, I what one of those!