I've been thinking about buying a CB radio for my truck. But I have a few concerns/questions. First of all I dont want to just throw it on the dash and have the wires running on the dash. And the second thing is that on my cc i have the center consule that is connected to the front dash so mounting it on a bracket to the floor board is out. Does anyone have any suggestions on what you have done or seen? I've thought about taking a set of the cup holders out and trying to mount it in there and run the wires thru the console? What radio would anyone recommend something middle of the road. Thanks

 

I don't have the light sensor next to the dash tray between the windshield air vents so I pulled out the plug and ran the cabling through it. In my opinion the dash tray is perfectly sized for this application. For more complex radios (like commercial or HAM mobiles) it's also easily visible and you don't have to look away from the road to see what the display is showing.

I don't have the centre console so I don't know if it's possible to remove one of the cupholder inserts and put something in there, but then you run the risk of having beverages end up in your equipment.

For 27MHz AM CB, I still like the Cobra 29 LTD Classic ... same design as forever, still serviceable (not many mobile radios made like that anymore), real mechanical physical buttons that you can set by feel. Useful features like noise filtering, RF gain, mic gain, PA, tuning offset, without the more frillsy stuff like bluetooth, electroluminescent backlight and weatheradio ... but there are variants that do offer those if that's what you want.

 

Does the radio slide around in the dash tray or did use velcro or something similar to secure it? I've got the light sensor so do you know if its possible to pop the dash and if so how involved it is to do it? Good point on the cup holder idea. Thanks for the insight.

 

Here's my current setup with VHF and UHF mobiles. I also used to have a 29 LTD in the same place, you can read my write-up here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...s-to-load.html


I'm just sharing what works for me - of course you might prefer a different way but you might be able to pick out some ideas here and there from the various write ups on this forum and also the general Super Duty forum (since the 08-10 models have similar interior layouts). I work on communications systems and I use my radios all the time to check function of voice repeaters, VF data radios and sometimes as a quick tool to track interference. Then there's the 'must call' logging roads up around these parts and of course the general trucker chatter. I have found the dash tray to be a very convenient mounting location.

I mounted them with brackets and screws, short #10x1/2" ones. I have tried double sided tape, even the 3M VHB stuff which is generally pretty good but it's never been quite as solid as using screws. The last thing I need is stuff to be flying if I need to make a hard steer or braking maneuver. It can be good for testing out a few locations but adhesives start coming off on hot days and don't stick properly on cold days. Those are temperature extremes that a vehicle interior is prone to experiencing when parked.

I also considered the other plastic panels to the left and right of the air vents for cable routing, but in my case the cap in the middle was the most convenient. If there is already a light sensor it could be integrated into your wire loom - the wires that connect to the light sensor is just a pair of 24AWG wire and do have some slack in them.

Other folks have mounted very compact CB radios (like the Uniden PRO520) just to the left or right of the centre console. If you're using it mainly to listen to Channel 19 with transmit being rare, a compact radio can do the job and may be more aesthetically pleasing and easier to mount - if those factors are more important than technical capability. There are also remote mic models where the RF interface is a box mounted somewhere out of sight and all the controls are integrated into the handheld (ex. Cobra 75 WX ST). Those are not the best performers as a radio but they offer a "clean look" for those that need it.

 

I have one of these, I mounted the small box that come with it in my center console and ran the wires under my drink holders.

https://www.cobra.com/detail/75-wx-s...aa-weather.cfm

I don't have pictures of the install I did on the cb but I wrote a thread on mounting my Pioneer XM receiver which I also mounted in the center console, you can see my write up on this that might help answer some of your questions and give you some ideas. You can view the thread here:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...2-f-250-a.html

 

Ok, I ran out and got a couple of pictures of my install, this first one is how I mounted the handset. It's mounted on a bracket I designed and fabricated, I'd show you the bracket but I'm in the process of trying to sell my design.



This photo shows how I mounted the small box that's part of the radio in my center console. You can see my Pioneer XM receiver to the right.



Let me know if you have any questions.

 

I don't have a CC so I was able to mount the 29 BT under the dash in the center. Just clears the front seat.
But I saw a Super Duty that had a tray going across the headliner (after market ) and he had his up there on the shelf. He had the Mic coil hanging down like a trucker but I suspose you can tuck it up on top of the shelf as well. I don't know what he did with the visors maybe the tray was mounted above them. Never saw one so a web search might give some more info.

 

Thanks madsonp and trent310 for all the info and the detailed pics! They have given me some good ideas and insight. Again thanks for the pics.

 

Let us know what you come up with and how it turns out.