How I mounted my CB antenna w/o drilling on a 2006

SoCalChris · August 6, 2006

I had installed my CB a few months ago, and originally used one of those cheap "through-glass" antennas that Wal Mart sells for $15. It fell off after a few weeks, and I just now got around to installing a real CB antenna. I had meant to take better pictures, while the pieces were off, but it was late, and there was a storm coming in, so I just took pictures the next day.

I spent quite a while trying to figure out the best way to mount the antenna. I found a bracket that someone made, and is selling for about $30 that uses existing screwholes to mount the antenna opposite of the radio antenna. I based my design off of that, and came up with something that seems to work good.

I used:

1 strip of steel, 1/8" thck x 1" wide x approx. 8" long ($4)

1 CB antenna stud from Radio Shack ($4)

The antenna is a 4' Firestik, the mount seems to hold it very nicely, even on rough unpaved roads.

Here's how it looks mounted.

I bent the steel stip into sort of an S shape, and drilled a 1/2" hole for the antenna mount. Then I drilled two more half inch holes for the bolts to go through that hold the mount to the hood hinge assembly.

Here's a picture of the piece after it was mounted.

I had a heck of a time finding a way to route the cable through the firewall. I didn't really want to drill, so the search was on for a preexisting hole in the firewall to use. I found one on the floor, near the driver's side kick panel. I had to remove the door sill & kick panel, then pull the flooring back to get to it. Here's where the grommet is at.

I cut the grommet so that I could run the antenna through it, then I replaced it in the hole, and sealed it up with some silicone. After that, I ran the cable along the doorsill to the back of the truck, behind the seats, under the seat, and to my radio.

My daughter was more than happy to get in and jabber on it to test it out

I hope this helps someone out, it took me a while to figure out a way to install the antenna and run the cable without having to drill anything. I still need to do somethign to the bracket to prevent it from rusting. I'll probably end up making a new one out of stainless steel, if I can find some. If not, I'll pull that one out, and paint it.

firefighteremt3100 · August 7, 2006

I had installed my CB a few months ago, and originally used one of those cheap "through-glass" antennas that Wal Mart sells for $15. It fell off after a few weeks, and I just now got around to installing a real CB antenna. I had meant to take better pictures, while the pieces were off, but it was late, and there was a storm coming in, so I just took pictures the next day.

I spent quite a while trying to figure out the best way to mount the antenna. I found a bracket that someone made, and is selling for about $30 that uses existing screwholes to mount the antenna opposite of the radio antenna. I based my design off of that, and came up with something that seems to work good.

I used:

1 strip of steel, 1/8" thck x 1" wide x approx. 8" long ($4)

1 CB antenna stud from Radio Shack ($4)

The antenna is a 4' Firestik, the mount seems to hold it very nicely, even on rough unpaved roads.

Here's how it looks mounted.

I bent the steel stip into sort of an S shape, and drilled a 1/2" hole for the antenna mount. Then I drilled two more half inch holes for the bolts to go through that hold the mount to the hood hinge assembly.

Here's a picture of the piece after it was mounted.

I had a heck of a time finding a way to route the cable through the firewall. I didn't really want to drill, so the search was on for a preexisting hole in the firewall to use. I found one on the floor, near the driver's side kick panel. I had to remove the door sill & kick panel, then pull the flooring back to get to it. Here's where the grommet is at.

I cut the grommet so that I could run the antenna through it, then I replaced it in the hole, and sealed it up with some silicone. After that, I ran the cable along the doorsill to the back of the truck, behind the seats, under the seat, and to my radio.

My daughter was more than happy to get in and jabber on it to test it out

I hope this helps someone out, it took me a while to figure out a way to install the antenna and run the cable without having to drill anything. I still need to do somethign to the bracket to prevent it from rusting. I'll probably end up making a new one out of stainless steel, if I can find some. If not, I'll pull that one out, and paint it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Looking good. I miss the floor space where I could mount anything I wanted to. But then again, the console is nice too. If I can get a place to mount my CB I think I am going to go the route of mounting the antennas in the bed part in the stake pocket. Glad you got everything figured out though.

drumset5994 · August 11, 2006

You are a God d**n genious. I finally know how i can mount my CB antenna without drilling...a little fabrication and im set to go.

THANK YOU!

mljenkins · April 6, 2007

I can't believe the mount was really that easy. After I was done, the antenna looks like it was mounted there from the factory, as you can't see the antenna mount stud so you also can't see the coax hooked to it.

I ended up purchasing a zinc plated mending bracket, 1/8"x1"x10" from Ace Hardware. I bent it into an s-shape, cut about 3/4" off the end of it, and used the holes that were pre-drilled in it to put the hood mount bolts through. Basically the only thing I had to do was hacksaw 3/4" off of it, drill a 3/8" hole in it, and bolt it to the truck under those two existing bolts. I was concerned the hood would fall on me as I didn't know what they held, but apparently they were not real important, and they didn't have nuts on the bottom (threaded into some other piece of fixed metal). So for $2.50 I had a mount. I love Chevy, everything on this truck is easy. :-) Only tools needed were a couple of crescent wrenches, drill, drill bits, and vice.

I did drill a 5/16" hole through the firewall and used a 1/4" grommet to route the coax through. I decided to drill rather than go through the factory grommets because I was afraid if I attempted to modify them, they wouldn't be sealed as good from the factory. The place where I drilled was unexposed metal in the engine compartment, and also unexposed plastic in the cab under the dash on the driver's side. It also seemed like they did that on purpose for some other 'feature' that isn't installed on my truck. It was about 6" to the upper right of the steering column when looking for the place from inside the truck. The wiring looked extremely professional and took very little time to do. I wrapped the leftover in a serpentine and placed on the driver's side behind the fusebox, since there was a lot of empty space there and no moving parts.

I actually had purchased one of the mini-kits from Firestik with a hood mount included. I ended up not being able to use their mount (didn't realize it wouldn't work with the newer Chevys), but used the stud, coax, and coax end. Their setup was extremely easy to use. I just have a stainless steel mount probably worth $12 or so that isn't worth anything to me leftover. Oh well, in hindsight it was worth getting everything together. I used one of their black 4" Firefly antennas which matched the radio antenna's color.

Now just need to put the SWR meter on it. I am thinking I may get a quick disconnect for it because I am afraid I can't make it in the parking garage at work, which sometimes I have to do at work if they close the parking lot. I decided to get a longer antenna because I tow a gooseneck trailer and wanted it to reach above the trailer. I had to install in the front because I have a toolbox in the back, so unless I used a side mount or a pocket stake offset mount close to the cab, there was no where else to mount it (obviously the back won't work because the trailer would wack it off). I decided to go with a permanent mount rather than magnetic because I don't like the truck to look cheesy, and this was a permanent installation.

The truck is a 2006 Silverado WT, ext cab, long bed, 4x4, Vortec 5.3, 4.10 gear ratio.

Thanks again for your great suggestion!

Truckin2003 · April 6, 2007

good idea...ive been looking for a bracket to mount in that location with no luck...i guess now i can make one.

superbee · April 6, 2007

There is a custom stainless mount available. I have one on the Dmax and my wife's Burban. I got it from a local CB shop. It also looks like it came form the factory that way. Making your own is cooler, but I guess I'm getting lazy in my middle age.

Truckin2003 · April 6, 2007

There is a custom stainless mount available. I have one on the Dmax and my wife's Burban. I got it from a local CB shop. It also looks like it came form the factory that way. Making your own is cooler, but I guess I'm getting lazy in my middle age.

hey superbee, any idea of the manufacture of these stainless mounts??? i would prefer stainless then i wouldnt have to bother with painting it. what year does you mouunt fit??? i know have an 05, would it fit that?

thanks

superbee · April 6, 2007

Yes it will fit, it fits the 03 burban and my 06 dmax. Here is the info of the store:

Wood Electronics

1158 Freedom Road, Cranberry Twp, PA 16066

(724) 776-2600

If you call him, I'm sure Jim will set you up.

It's a very nice bracket, I was very impressed with the quality and workmanship.

Beer Belly · April 8, 2007

I'd like to give that a try myself, but I don't want to use such a big antennea....I wonder if someone makes one that is like the size of the radio antennae or a stubby ?.

superbee · April 8, 2007

Yes, I also got that at the shop referenced above. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow.

dhansell22 · April 11, 2007

I got mine online. Here's the link.

http://www.gmdieseltech.com/store2/cart.ph...category_id=248

superbee · April 14, 2007

Here's some pics: There's a crappy star washer that came on it that is rusting, I just noticed. Looks like I need to spend a quarter at the hardware store.

mljenkins · April 15, 2007

I got mine online. Here's the link.

http://www.gmdieseltech.com/store2/cart.ph...category_id=248

Holy cow, $35! It took me 5 minutes to make the mount following Chris' instructions, however, I'll admit I had to buy a $14 1/2" drill bit (needed it anyway). Do wish mine was stainless, but not for that price.

I thought about the mount that superbee posted pictures of. I ended up not going that route because the base of the antenna is above the hood. It doesn't look as 'factory'. Plus with it under the hood, to get the antenna off you would have to open the hood. However, that has to change because my 4' antenna won't make it in some parking garages. I ordered a quick disconnect stud made by Firestik and I'm going to use it on the mount I made.

If it stops raining I may post some pictures.

So far I've had great luck with this setup over the past couple weeks. Thanks Chris!

Matt

07classic · December 9, 2007

I mounted my firestick using the hole already existing in the stake pocket of the bed. I simply had someone hold the top part of the lug with a long extension and socket while I threaded the lug and cable on from underneath. The sheetmetal is a little thinner than an aluminum bracket so I made a thicker plastic washer to compliment the one supplied so that it could be tightened down good. My brother-in law thought it wouldn't work but the SWRs are amazing. The needle hardly even moves. Been on my truck for a year now with no problems and most importantly NO holes what-so-ever.

chevy6490 · December 23, 2007

Its easier to get a magnet mount that you put on your roof, route the wire down through the cab brake light, down side panels and to wherever your cb is. Works great.