I'm going to install a CB radio in my '93 Eddie Bauer. I am mounting the antenna on the rear bumper. Question, where should I enter the cab with the coax? I'm a novice so be as specific as possible.
Thanks

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-Dec-02 AT 11:10 AM (EST)]

Well lets see here....

You COULD run the coax under the rear and attach with zip ties, or equivalent type fasteners to hold the coax in place. Make sure the coax doesn't rub anything, or hang down anywhere that will get wear...otherwise you are going to have the jacket of the coax open up and expose the shielding, which leaves you open to high SWRs and tuning problems!

Find a place near the front to come up to your CB and move the carpet back...or go through the carpet(I wouldn't).Then you drill a hole, or locate existing one, and run coax through hole using a grommet. I'd seal it with some silicone just for the heck of it. Pull the cable through and hook it up. Tune and go!

You could also remove a rear interior body panel and drill down from inside near the tailgate(Look underneath before you drill!!). Push some cable through enough to reach the antenna. Run inside wire over wheel well and under the carpet, door trim, and around the dash as needed to reach CB. Replace interior panel...wire antenna...tune and go!

Just my ideas....but i'm guessing that's about what anyone else will mention.

I run a Cb and a 2-meter radio in my Bronco.

Happy Holidays.. :-X12

 

If it matters, I have an 89 Eb and I used the type that sticks onto the glass. Mine is one of those little 10" antennas where no drilling is required and it doesn't look like a CB antenna. I have had it for 10 years and it has never failed or come unglued.

Just a thought.

Happy Holidays :-X12

 

I used one of the stick-on ones too, they are fine if you are not going for super high performance, but just want to talk to nearby cars and trucks. If you want to use the rear bumper mount, then the cable that you will buy will be long enough to cable tie it to the frame rails and bring it up in front of the firewall, under the hood, and bring it in somewhere there. Look for a rubber plug, and you can just put a small slit in the plug and seal it with silicone to be sure that it is waterproof. Alternatively, you could make a small slit in one of the rubber drain plugs in the floorboard and bring it in there, then you won't have to drill a hole and it will seal well. Just put a little silicone around it, I've done this and never had a problem with water. Try to keep the cable away from power leads so you will minimize interference.

 

You are right JBronco. I was not looking for any long talks and just wanted the convenience of no drilling. I can broadcast about 5 or 6 miles and that's it.

Happy Holidays ! :-X12

 

I modified a mirror bracket and mounted the antenna to the rear tire carrier with u-bolts. Then I ran the cable right through the tailgate seal on the bottom. It doesn't leak, and works great. Takes very little time as well.

 

I did the same thing with the rear tire mount on my old '83, but I ran the cable through the top of the tailgate where it meets the fiberglass top. You can wedge it in the corner without it getting messed up with the window or anything. (not sure if this is still true for other years). Then I ran it under the plastic panel that covers the fiberglass top bolts, then down through the front door floor edge panel (the boot scraper) then up the kick panel into the dash. Worked great.

 

I mounted mine on the tire carrier as well. I believe you can get the bracket at Radio Shack. I think it is a mirror mount but a universal one. I mounted it on the small support bar that comes up at an angle. I ran the wire in the side of the tailgate and up unter the panels on the passenger side of the truck up to the dash and across to the cb which is central mounted under the dash. Make sure you leave enough slack in the coax for opening the tire carrier all the way.

Keith

 

>I mounted mine on the tire carrier as well. I believe you
>can get the bracket at Radio Shack. I think it is a mirror
>mount but a universal one. I mounted it on the small
>support bar that comes up at an angle. I ran the wire in
>the side of the tailgate and up unter the panels on the
>passenger side of the truck up to the dash and across to the
>cb which is central mounted under the dash. Make sure you
>leave enough slack in the coax for opening the tire carrier
>all the way.
>
>Keith
Bumper mounts are not such a good idea, body of the truck acts as a capacitor, mount the antenna as high as u can, tire carier etc. The reception and output will be better TR