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Bed Rail CB Antenna Install

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Gotcha88, Jun 17, 2012.

  1. Jun 17, 2012 at 8:35 PM
    #1
    Gotcha88

    Gotcha88 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm hoping this is somewhat of an original contribution to TW. I've seen a few threads about antennas being installed on the bed rails using nuts, bolts and rail-sized washers, but I had an idea after installing a Clutch SD bed rail bike mount a couple weeks back.

    So, I decided to go with the Firestik K-24 antenna mount:
    [​IMG]
    http://www.amazon.com/FireStik-K-24...&qid=1339988847&sr=8-1&keywords=firestik+k-24

    And ordered an extra hardware kit like the one that came with the bike mount:
    [​IMG]
    http://www.rockymounts.com/truck_bike_racks_SDhardware_p/0141.htm


    Here it all is:
    [​IMG]


    The hardware fit the mount perfectly:
    [​IMG]

    Just slid it in the rail and tightened her down. I was debaiting facing the horizontal part of the mount forward or backward, I was somewhat concerned with the antenna bouncing into the back of the truck. After a few high speed runs over the speedbumps in a local parking lot though, I'm happy I put it forward. Looks much cleaner.
    [​IMG]

    Sorry for the crappy photo:
    [​IMG]


    Still need to get it all tuned, I'm going to lose the spring when my new antenna comes (this one is off of another vehicle). Overall, I am very pleased with the how it turned out. I tried to align the antenna with the black strip on the roof so it doesn't stick out as much when looking from behind. If anyone has any questions or comments send them my way! :cool:
     
    Kinsail48 likes this.
  2. Aug 18, 2012 at 6:56 PM
    #2
    Av8er

    Av8er Well-Known Member

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    Awesome man. Looks great. I want to do the exact same setup but my only concern is the addition of a tonno pro tonneau cover in a few months. I think though, after seeing your setup that it will work as the tonno pro leaves a slight gap on the front of the bed so it's worth a try. Thanks for the post. What kind of antenna did you go with? I know firestik's are pretty good but haven't researched yet. Tks for any info.
     
  3. Aug 20, 2012 at 11:18 AM
    #3
    Gotcha88

    Gotcha88 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Glad someone found the post helpful! I went with a 2' Firestik, took off the spring that is in the pictures.. It isn't very noticeable and only sticks out a couple inches over the cab. Very happy with it so far, going to do the same install on my friend's truck this week.
     
  4. Aug 20, 2012 at 11:29 AM
    #4
    Forster46

    Forster46 Very nice how much?

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    With an antenna that close to the cab AND that short, I would imagine the reception is gonna be terrible.. I have a three footer and its at the back of the bad. When your antenna is close to the cab like that, the cab blocks most or your reception. And most guys say your antenna should be 2/3 above your cab or something. Is yours tuned already? Hows your reception?
     
  5. Aug 20, 2012 at 11:42 AM
    #5
    Gotcha88

    Gotcha88 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I used to have a 3 footer hood mounted on my other truck, went down to a 2' and didn't really notice a diff. Can't say I notice too much difference now between the hood mounted and this setup. I HAVE NOT tuned it yet, SWR meter is sitting in the garage staring at me. I hit my friend about 1.5 miles away the night I installed it, he has a rear door hinge mounted 3 ft on his FJ.

    It's def not the best setup for performance, but I think it's a good compromise between function and fashion. I don't want to look like a redneck, and I need to be able to get into parking garages. At the same time I only ever use it in pretty close range situations with friends, so it works.
     
  6. Aug 20, 2012 at 1:28 PM
    #6
    ssmith29440

    ssmith29440 Well-Known Member

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    Nice and neat installĂ tion. Breaker Breaker 19 anybody got a copy.
     
  7. Aug 20, 2012 at 1:34 PM
    #7
    tacohound

    tacohound Well-Known Member

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    breaker 1-9 this heres the rubber duck, you got a copy on me pig pen come on. But seriously I want to put one in too.
     
  8. Aug 20, 2012 at 2:36 PM
    #8
    Gotcha88

    Gotcha88 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  9. Aug 20, 2012 at 4:22 PM
    #9
    tacohound

    tacohound Well-Known Member

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    thank you for getting that reference.
     
  10. Aug 20, 2012 at 4:26 PM
    #10
    Forster46

    Forster46 Very nice how much?

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    Edit: Nevermind lol
     
  11. Apr 3, 2013 at 6:23 AM
    #11
    NorCalTaco33

    NorCalTaco33 Active Member

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    Lookin good! How is the reception? Have you tested it yet?
     
  12. Apr 3, 2013 at 6:37 AM
    #12
    64Wildcat

    64Wildcat Black Jeep of the family

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    I cut and welded 2 pieces of 2" x 1/4" stock cut to 3" and tapped 2 pieces of 2" x 1/4" stock cut to 1" to slide behind the rail to bolt it to.
    I can fold it down when the tonneau is closed and fold it up when i wheel.
    [​IMG]
     
    jgalvar, hurtcoastie and John-John like this.
  13. Apr 3, 2013 at 5:41 PM
    #13
    Av8er

    Av8er Well-Known Member

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    Kewl!! Looks good!
     
  14. Apr 3, 2013 at 9:33 PM
    #14
    Leoffensive

    Leoffensive Well-Known Member

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    you need to run a grounding strap or else youll never be able to get it tuned properly.
     
  15. Apr 4, 2013 at 5:38 AM
    #15
    LoneCynic

    LoneCynic Well-Known Member

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    Gotcha, this looks like a nice install you did. I've been trying to figure out how I could mount up something similar on my new Tacoma. My other Pickup is a '91 Chevy K1500 Silverado, and I just used a bed post hole antenna mount right behind the cab and stuck a 102 steel whip on a spring there. SWR is perfect with that antenna, but it catches on tree limbs and everything else whenever I drive that old truck.

    I didn't mind drilling a small hole in the bed frame for a grounding strap on that truck, but my Tacoma is too new for me to be willing to alter it much. Definitely care more about aesthetics with it, so I'll be following this thread to see what you come up for a grounding solution. Will probably go with a shorter antenna on the Tacoma as well.

    Where did you run the antenna wire into the cab at? Did you find a grommet to feed it through? That's what I did on my Chevy, found a grommet in the floor of the cab and made a small cut in the carpet to run it up under the seat to the Radio installed under the dash. It has a bench seat, but the Tacoma has a center console. I'd be interested to see where you installed the radio at in your cab if you have a picture of that too.
     
  16. Apr 4, 2013 at 5:48 AM
    #16
    Leoffensive

    Leoffensive Well-Known Member

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    There's a rubber gromet in the back behind the plastic stuff that is removable.

    As for the grounding strap you can fin a bolt that's not painted and run it to that so you won't need to drill.
     
  17. Apr 4, 2013 at 5:49 AM
    #17
    Leoffensive

    Leoffensive Well-Known Member

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    Ill try to upload pics but I no longer have cb. I upgraded to a 2 meter radio
     
  18. Apr 4, 2013 at 6:50 AM
    #18
    maineah

    maineah Well-Known Member

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    Nice mount not the best place place for it though and don't bother to tune it until you remove the spring.
     
  19. Apr 4, 2013 at 9:04 AM
    #19
    jobrien

    jobrien shit happens then you die

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    20130404_060959_zpsb9ec1e80_3b5eb399a8fa13b63d626fb8592695a129b89609.jpg

    I went this route
     
  20. Dec 2, 2013 at 5:42 PM
    #20
    tylershane17

    tylershane17 Back to Back World War Champions

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    Kinda late but what kind of range are you guys getting mounting toward the back? I like the look but an old timer once told me it was best to mount them closest to the center of the vehicle as you could.
     

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