CB Antenna Advice

[papageoff]

A buddy and I are installing CBs (he's got a taco) and we're trying to figure out where to put the antenna. I've been considering the following options. I've got a double cab, standard box with a low-profile, single-door toolbox. I don't want to use a stake hole mount as I use the stake holes when climbing in and out. I don't want to drill into the metal of the truck, either.

 

I've come up with the following posibilities...

1. 3'-4' on the cab-side (front?) of the toolbox with fold-down mount (if I put on the driver's side) or a disconnect (if I put in the middle)

Pros: Out of the way, easy to hide/drop for clearance, etc., a top loaded antenna should clear the cab well enough, no new holes in the truck.

Cons: Grounding could be an issue, may not fit without custom bracket

 

2. 3'-4' on the bed-side (back?) of the toolbox on the passenger side to be more out of the way

Pros: no new holes in the truck, easy to remove

Cons: could get in the way of toolbox access; grounding

 

3. 3' replacing the factory radio antenna and using a splitter to still get AM/FM and only have the one antenna.

pros: one antenna to rule them all, possibly better reception on am/fm (can't complain now), Front fender is supposedly a better location

cons: Much more complicated install, if it's possible with reasonable effort

 

 

I'm leaning towards option 1 because I like the cleaner, more-hidden look and that it would be out of the wind most of the time.

 

Option 2 is a fall back if I can't make option 1 work because I have a low profile toolbox. I think I can fab up something to still make it fit under the hinge of the lid, but I don't know if it's worth it.

 

Option 3 could be awesome, but I'm not sure I'm ready to dive into so complicated an install.

 

What do you guys think?

[arcasey]

How about Hood bracket mounted on the drivers side? The only thing is you would have to drill some holes but they would be completely out of site unless the hood was opened and the bracket was removed. Just like the old 2-way radio antennas. What type of CB antenna are you planning to use that clearance would be an issue? Only reason I'm asking is I've only ever used a K40 Baseload antenna with a stainless steel whip that is very flexible.

[Andy Seibel]

question: if you were to choose option 1. will the flexible antenna be able to make contact with the cab? if so i wouldn't want an antenna banging and bouncing off my cab while driving.

[papageoff]

How about Hood bracket mounted on the drivers side? The only thing is you would have to drill some holes but they would be completely out of site unless the hood was opened and the bracket was removed. Just like the old 2-way radio antennas. What type of CB antenna are you planning to use that clearance would be an issue? Only reason I'm asking is I've only ever used a K40 Baseload antenna with a stainless steel whip that is very flexible.

 

I would really like to avoid that. It has a tacked-on look that I'm not fond of, plus holes in the bodywork make me nervous. I'm planning on using a top-loaded firestik II.

 

question: if you were to choose option 1. will the flexible antenna be able to make contact with the cab? if so i wouldn't want an antenna banging and bouncing off my cab while driving.

 

That's another concern I've had. I may have to bust out the old tennis ball trick.

 

At first I was planning on only using this when going off-road, but part of me wants to have it all the time, too. I also entertained the idea of a co-phased dual setup in the back for a minute. But the beam pattern isn't really conducive to off-road use.

[Ravenkeeper]

 

Front stake hole.

 

Front stake hole.

[Ravenkeeper]

 

Front stake hole.

[papageoff]

http://coloradofans.com/forums/67-technical-questions-tips-how/110150-how-replace-stock-antenna-cb-antenna-mmp.html

 

Just found this a few minutes ago. Maybe it'll be easier than I thought. I'd definitely go 3'. That 4' is just too tall for me, cosmetically.

[arcasey]

 

I would really like to avoid that. It has a tacked-on look that I'm not fond of, plus holes in the bodywork make me nervous. I'm planning on using a top-loaded firestik II.

 

 

Oh don't be scared...haha just kidding. I understand. If it were my truck and I had a toolbox I'd mount it on the driver side of the toolbox. That antenna looks to be so stiff that you probably wouldn't have to worry about it flexing enough to hit your truck.

[slj2008]

Check out www. walcottradios.com & www. breadlovemounts.com . they do make fender brackets , that are held in place with fender bolt ( NO hole to drill) . I used breadlovemounts - for the front stack pocket , NO Problem , just slid in and tighten screws 60" anttena

[papageoff]

Wow those breadlove mounts are pretty. I wish I had the skills/equipment to machine things.

 

I put in my order for antenna gear a few minutes ago. The taco-truck driver and I took some measurements and we decided that for daily life, a 4' would be a little tall. I might run into things. So, I'm going with a 3' for now. He's going with a 2' because he wants to clear his garage door. It's a nice problem to have, I guess.

 

The current plan is to put it on the toolbox using this mount he found: https://www.relentlessfabrication.com/collections/toyota/products/05-tacoma-bed-rail-mount-tab?variant=6136235588. It seems a little more compact. I bought a 9' and an 18' cable to be safe. I'm hoping that the 9' will be long enough and I can return the longer one, mostly because I'm sure I don't need 18' and I don't want to have to figure out where to hide the rest.

 

I'm getting the Bearcat 980SSB and plan to put it into my center console. I'm on the fence about wiring to the internal power. My gut says to take it straight to the battery, but it is a pain. At any rate, it's going to be this time next week before everything gets here and then the weekend before I can think about getting to it. I'll try to do a write-up on it, but I usually forget to take enough pictures.