CB Radio Noob

I'm looking to get a CB Radio but I'm a complete noob in this field. I've done a little research about it. I plan on putting the radio in the ashtray and the antenna near my tailgate (inside or outside the bed not sure yet).

I have a 2000 Xtra-Cab

What all do I need other than these?

1.) Cobra 19/Uniden 520
2.) Longer Coaxial Cable
3.)Antenna (not sure which brand is best)
4.)Antenna spring
5.)Mounting bracket
6.)90 degree elbow

Also any tips on installing the cb in the ashtray or links on an install would be great thanks!

 

Cobra 19 is good...coax.....short as possible. Antenna I always used 102 inch whip....kinda tacky however I am from Alabama...lol. been out of CB radio for about 10 years however I am sure there are good sites to get brackets from....when I was Into it radio shack had brackets and such.... prob not anymore

 

You need cb coax 18 feet long. Don't ball up the excess make nice loops and attach to firewall if you plan on running it through there. I run a firestik 2. 5/8 wave. 4ft gives me a better swr. My cb is mounted under my CD player I removed the factory unit. Hope this helps. On the firestik 2 make sure you get the tunable tip not the cut to tune they are a pita.

 

I was changing out the factory stereo with an aftermarket at the same time I did my CB install, so I went with the DIN sized Cobra 18 with the NOAA weather channels. I installed it directly under the new stereo:



The CB mic is on the left, the other mic is for HAM.

I ran the coax to the front bumper, an ARB, where I mounted a Firestik, no springs or anything, just mounted right to the flat part of the bumper behind the headlight hoops:




The front bumper location seems to work decently though 90% of my radio use on trips are either through HAM or handheld FRS radios. It's also really handy for telling if I'm going to fit under a tree limb or into a parking garage. If you offroad with a club they may or may not allow whip style antennas.

 

90 degree elbow for attaching the coax to the CB.

 

Here's my cb radio install thread, and it links to another one.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/150095-bjmoose-installs-cb-cobra-75-a.html

 

If you want to lean about CBs and their antennas, check out this link.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/280574-cb-radio-information-installation.html

I just replaced my CB and antenna with a Wilson 1000 magnet mount and a Uniden 980ssb
This is what I use to have.


I now have this..


I have to say, running my Wilson 1000 is way better than my old Wilson Firestik Silver flex-4. The signals are clearer, the SWR is way lower and having the ability to calibrate without using my separate SWR meter is priceless.
Check my SIG for the write up.

 

Thanks guys those links were very helpful!

Anybody know any links on putting the radio into the ashtray spot? (how to disassemble the ashtray)

 

Here's where TacoDell modded the ashtray spot for the CB:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/254111-cb-radio-location-2.html#post6236944

You actually don't have to cut all that he shows. Just can cut the back out and jam it in there.

Not sure which interior you have since they changed over the years. In general, to take apart:
1. Remove ashtray and cigarette lighter
2. Remove collar below center dash (the one with 12V outlets).
a. Push in the inner pins on the push button retainers, one on each side of the collar and remove after releasing the retainer pins.
b. Firmly but gently pull collar out, overcoming the retainer clips
2. Remove the climate control knobs and faceplate
3. Remove the 3 screws (1 to the upper left of climate controls, 1 just to the right of the climate controls, and 1 below the ashtray)
4. Firmly but gently pull out the console trim, overcoming the retainer clips

 

Thanks! That helped clear some things up! Now I just need to order all the parts!

Is there a certain place I should order all this from or will just Amazon work?

 

So this is what I have in my cart, does everything look right?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cart/view.html/ref=lh_cart_vc_btn

 

If I can add, make sure your spring is a heavy duty. Using any lower spring rate will allow your antenna to whip too much

 

Yea it says SS-3H Heavy Duty Stainless Steel

Just trying to find the best mount now...

 

A fan of the BAMF mount. It works well for me since I have a topper

 

Will it fit a first gen?

 

Might have to take you up on that, can't beat $20 haha

 

Why the passenger? I thought it was driver side

What dimensions are you looking for?

 

Not sure that'll work on a 1st Gen. the inside of the bed rails don't line up with the tailgate mouth.

 

Ah, misunderstood. I thought the pictured item was exactly what you were selling him.

 

This is what my tailgate looks like, don't really know how it'll fit without drilling and I'd rather not drill into it