Notices
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

name these connectors!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 21, 2005 | 10:26 PM
  #1  
bronze's Avatar
bronze
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
name these connectors!

well, i got tired of not knowing what these are, so im determined to know. in the following picture theres 3 connectors all coming out of the trim in the rear of my bronco. now the bottom two have been identified as going to a CB of sorts, but what is the long, flat black one? many have said something OBD-II, which is farfetched(both because my bronco is a 93 AND the OBD-II connector only has 16 pins, this one has 35ish). any ideas?

http://img147.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img1...ict00414ut.jpg
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2005 | 10:54 PM
  #2  
Howdy's Avatar
Howdy
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
I'll almost bet you had a commercial radio and cell phone stuffed behind the seat and those are the antenna connector for the cell (minnie U?) and cable for the remote control head. If you pull up the kick plate, (next to the seat and under the door when closed), you can probably trace it to a wad of wires zip-tied under the dash.

Edit: I think it's from a Motorola commercial radio. They use antenna connectors like that. They should have went Kenwood...
 

Last edited by Howdy; Mar 21, 2005 at 11:05 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2005 | 03:12 AM
  #3  
muckypaws's Avatar
muckypaws
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 646
Likes: 3
From: Derbyshire, UK.
I know its not one but it looks but the D shaped one looks like an old fashioned printer cable! Maybe you had a carputer in there and a printer in the trunk! LOL Sorry - I'm not being muck help am I???

The two smaller ones are BNC antenna and a power or mike connector for a CB.
 
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2005 | 08:11 AM
  #4  
broncobob's Avatar
broncobob
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
From: NW Ohio
Black 4 pin round connector is probably radio power, coax (BNC or TNC, hard to tell from angle in picture) is antenna, and the big rectangular one is data from the main part of the radio to the control head, probably located on the dash or console. You should also have about a 1" threaded brass or stainless disk on the roof, that's where the other end of the coax goes and where the antenna was formerly mounted. The radio tech where your Bronco lived formerly was either lazy or in a hurry, and didn't remove the cables when he pulled the commercial radio.
 
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2005 | 08:35 AM
  #5  
Howdy's Avatar
Howdy
Posting Guru
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
That one could be a TNC, (the screw on version of the BNCs' push and twist), but Motorola had kind of a propriatary one that was just a little smaller. The pic's kind of fuzzy, but the center pin tip looks a little more rounded than the BNC/TNC.

The 4 conductor connector looks like a mike connector, but I'm thinking it's the power cable for some kind radio around 25-50 Watts. 100 Watt radio would have a bigger power cable. The data cable looks like it has a lot of connectors, but before they micro electronics you needed a wad of cables. Think of the detachable faceplate of the HU of your truck. There's a little cpu and all sorts of surface mount components, right there in the faceplate. Think of all the wires you would need if you had the same radio using 1970s' technology...

It was worse years earlier. Commercial radios right around the tube/transistor transition era, (say that fast three times), might have had a control cable 5/8" thick. Talk about a fun install.

Probably, not all those connections are used. They went with a off the shelf connector when they did the manufactoring.

Yep, they did a quickie uninstall when they pulled the radio.

Edit: If there is a hole in the roof it's probably 3/4" for an NMO style mount. You can use this for a CB antenna if you want.
 

Last edited by Howdy; Mar 22, 2005 at 08:48 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2005 | 01:09 PM
  #6  
greystreak92's Avatar
greystreak92
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
Club FTE Gold Member
The connector types are (from left to right in the photo) The first is a CPC circular high-density plastic four-pin female. The second is a 50 or 75 ohm (depending upon the original application) BNC connector (most commonly coax cable connector for RF signal). Finally a 37 pin "D" connector HD-20 type male(similar to printers and other microelectronic devices). AMP/Tyco Electronics among others manufacture all of these connector types. Amphenol, SPC Technology, Souriau, ITT/Cannon, Cinch, are just a few of the connector manufacturers that also make these types of connectors. If you can find a part number on them, you can determine the exact manufacturer.

Thats the long answer. The short answer has already been given...commercial radio connection most likely.
 
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2005 | 07:46 PM
  #7  
BOJOFASO's Avatar
BOJOFASO
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: NJ
they look just like the ones in my old work van. they were from an old and i mean old cell phone setup. motorola used to put the cell thins in the trunk or under the front seat and the hand set had a cord and hung on a bracket within easy reach of the driver.
 
Reply

Trending Topics

Old Mar 22, 2005 | 07:56 PM
  #8  
BigRedBronc's Avatar
BigRedBronc
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Groton, CT
What you have is the setup for a Motorola professional radio (also used in emergency vehicles). The control head was mounted up front and the 25W transceiver was mounted in the cargo area. I have installed many of these in Fire Department vehicles as well as in the personal vehicles of department senior officers (including my own). The only remaining question is...What was your vehicle used for and will it come back to haunt you later?
Typically when emergency apparatus is "retired" the cabling is left behind. Not really worth it to save old cables when stripping them. Many times auto wholesalers will buy a "retired" emergency vehicle at auction for next to nothing, slap a paint job on it, and sell it for book value. They are often relatively low mileage, but those are some seriously hard miles.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:24 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE