ok - here's how I ran mine in case it helps...

I mounted the antenna with the magnet. I wanted it at the back and used to run an 8' whip, but it is not really viable mounted on top of the roof. So I got the Lil Wilson.


I used a dremel to make the 3rd brake light mount flush with the cord and I had to drill out the metal to get the connector through. I taped it up and made a grommet to go through to help seal it a bit. Then I ran the coax along the headliner and down the A-pillar, then behind the fuse box and over to the radio.


I like the way it came out. I use an external speaker below the radio and it all mounts up clean without a lot of play down there. Plus I moved my rear seat cup holder up front and that makes everything sit snuggly together - plus less lemonade on my lap!

 

Well it's been a busy week, with training and the power was out(as usual here in Fort Riley area). But I'm getting ready to go for try number 2 on the install.

This setup would all be well and fine, but I'm limited to function more than form. With the ZF5, the stick limits me putting it in your location. Which would keep it farthest away from the sun, I think I'm mounting the antenna to the rear center of the truck and do with the coax like yours. I have 18' of mini R-8, 265 I think. 95% shielded.

I'm either going to mount on the top headliner semi truck style, and use a spacer, or fab a bar bracket to screw into the sun visors to limit making more holes, just to make the radio display more visible and able to see which ***** I'm turning. Or mount it on the dash. I think I'm going to tap a small hole in the firewall, right by the Master Cylinder, to run some shielded 14GA power wire to the battery, with military terminals, connecting with a eye ring will be easy. Then just wrap in electrical tape/ shrink tubing, and use some convoluted wrap and ziptie to the fender wall to keep it farthest away from the engine and turbo to better protect from heat. Then just seal the hole with a little jb cold weld and some RTV. Then just run the wire up the A-piller and keep it mostly hidden, and run the coax along the headliner to the radio.

I would run to the airbag slot, because I'm pretty sure I don't have one, but is that an accessory/ key on function slot? I have no idea how it's wired.

I think I'll install a toggle switch to ensure power is disconnected for this kind of install. And place it up by the radio so I can kill power from the battery so my power wires don't constantly have a load up to the radio. I can't have my batteries having a constant draw, and dying at inconvenient places and leaving me stranded. That and a toggle with the install is practical, and would look cool.

I know I got off a little on this, but I'm just ready to start talking again so without further waiting, I'm off to get some wire and the correct size drill bit.

 

Put a voltmeter into the air bag fuse socket, hot side, and turn the key on and off. Then you'll know whether it's key-switched.

When the radio's off there's no draw. The switch opens the circuit just the same way an inline switch would.