Best CB Mount for 2003 4x4 Auto DoubleCab?

Thanks Ridge. I saw the rubber seal over the access hole in the cab between the cabin and truck bed on the passenger side, popped it off and fished around inside with a long piece of wire, but could never find where to access it. So your help with this is greatly appreciated! Not sure how I'll get the coax all the way forward to the hole under the carpet, but I'll have a crack at it later on and see what I can come up with..

 

directly on the back of the cab there are rubber holes. Access them through the hole in the back seat (extra cab model anyway) hope that helps.

what do you guys think about mounting the CB in the back storage pocket on the drivers side.

 

...................I saw those behind the seats I didnt like the idea of having to run that coax all the way from the back to he front under all that carpet.

 

OK, I've got the antenna cable rerouted, and from the outside there's nothing that shows except for the short lead from the magnet mount back to the overhead stop light. From that point, using white nylon cable ties with peal and stick fasteners, I routed the cable over the edge and across the top of the rear window towards the passenger side of the vehicle.

Instead of going into the cab by way of the rubber plug at the bottom rear, I routed the antenna cable under the cab then over the top of the rock slider bars on that side. I did this because the access plug on my '03 Double Cab that's under the carpet just behind the passenger seat outboard front mounting point opens to the underside of the truck, and I was able to rout the antenna cable up into the cab at that point with no difficulty whatsoever.

I used white nylon cable ties with peal and stick fasteners throughout, making sure to clean all mounting surfaces beforehand. The installation is tight, non-binding and secure from start to finish, and the cable is completely out of harms way. So I appreciate the suggestion that Ridge provided, and feel that my CB installation at this point is as good as it can possibly be all things considered.

 

Sounds very tidy and thorough, Rio! Nothing like the satisfaction of a good well done install and it's amazing how that radio at its age is still in full op! Especially being a transciever!

 

Find a really good late '70s Taiwan built AM/SSB unit like the pair of Courier Galaxies that I have, or an original Cobra 148XL or similar transceiver, and as long as they've not been screwdrivered to death you'll have a really good piece of equipment.

These original high dollar units were literally built to last, with no shortchanging on components as is so common these days, and after all these years they're still going strong in virtually stock form as far as transmit and receive are concerned. They may have a few wrinkles as far as face covers and finish are concerned, but nothing that would make a guy want to kick them out of bed!

 

Hey Rio-I agree with the quality back then-I have a shining example of when Radio Shack of all companies used to build kickass radiocomm stuff. It's a Realistic Patrolman-9 from '75 all origional and runs every day here for SW. You remove the back and you see the absolute attention to perfection, workmanship, and solid quality of the components. Even now that radio is cherry in appearance. I dont do Cb now but have great memories of running base and mobiles from '71 thru '85.

 

I don't "do" CB either any more, other than to use it as an inexpensive way to stay in touch around the Valley or on the road.

Back in the mid 70's I partnered with a local guy and we ran a wholesale CB outlet as well as a retail sales and service shop. Made a ton of money for a couple of years riding the CB wave, then it played out as people began moving into other things.

For a long time activity on 11 meters dwindled, and CB became something of a private communications medium in many respects for those die hards who hung on. Now however a lot of hobbyists are moving into CB again, and with propagation beginning to open up on 11 meters they are out in force again across the band.

CB is of course officially limited to 40 channels here in the States, but world wide the 11 meter free band movement that started back in the very early days of CB radio has done nothing but grow, with US operators continuing at the forefront of that movement.

 

I got you on that, Rio. It's still a fine form of radiocomm and a TON of people still use them even here on this forum! Matter of fact I've advised 1 or two on SWR and install. You with your knowledge on radiocomm will likely be called upon here to walk someone thru the process Ive read some guys here who find CB a handy asset in their offroad endeavors!

 

I probably sound like a CB evangelist of some sort Ridge, but the truth is that when it comes to bang for the buck CB and off roading were made for each other. Two or three guys with CB's can keep each other informed and watch each other's backs across considerable distances for very little initial investment. The problem today is finding quality equipment at a reasonable price. The old maxim that "you get what you pay for" still holds true in the CB world just as in most other things. So when an off roader springs for some $49 blue light radio and antenna special at the local discount store to install in his Taco, then wonders why CB is so noisy and impossible to use, he has no one to blame but himself.

Back in the day when we used to go south from Ajo, Arizona to Rocky Point, Mexico - before Rocky Point turned into just another tourist trap - everyone in the group, which typically amounted to anywhere from 3 to 8 vehicles including motor homes and trailers hauling every sort of sand toy available, was linked by CB. Never once did we fail to come to the aid of a fellow caravaner or for that matter anyone else who may have asked for help of any sort. And such occurrences were typical on such outings.

Now most of our summer time getaways are to the north and eastern parts of Arizona, into the cool of the mountains and forests as we escape the heat of the desert valleys. And while large caravans like in days past to Rocky Point are no longer the norm, we still get out with at least one or two other vehicles for summer time camps, and CB radio is still the equipment of choice when it comes to staying in touch no matter how large or small the group.

The best advice I could give anyone contemplating the addition of a quality piece of CB equipment to their Taco would be to go on line and find a local CB dealer or other expert with lots of experience, and get help with their initial purchase and installation. The right piece of equipment properly installed with the right antenna will make or break the deal, and usually the $49 blue light special self installed by a novice will fall considerably short of being the answer they're looking for.

 

Hey Rio-no not at all! I respect people who possess a hobby or two! I'm into radiocomm too. Hey I'm glad to hear there are still good folk like yourself still employing the good ol' 27MHZ band-matter of fact I hope it makes a comeback. To me it is a good technical teacher and has a kinda fun element to it that stupid cellphones or even 2-meter boring repeater radio dont have.

 

I know what you mean. Because 27mhz has been and will always be essentially wide open, governed only by what people feel they can get away with - which is pretty much anything anymore - a lot of present day Techs and General Class amateurs started out there and still gravitate back whenever the band is open.

I listen to everything from 2 meters and up, and for my money the greatest entertainment value going is at 27mhz. Except for a few high dollar amateur radio cliques going through an endless series of radio checks making sure they're still on the air and able to check in with the net, you really don't hear much of anything of genuine interest until you get to 11 meters! Yet these same otherwise boring amateur radio guys will load up their Yaesu's or Kenwoods on 27mhz when the band is open and talk like they did in the old days before activity on the band died away - using their old pirate call signs and reverting to the CB'er they started out as!

Heck, there are Tacoma off road groups that you'd have to be at least a General Class licensed radio operator if you wanted to run with them, and I have no problem with that. But for the ordinary guy or gal who simply wants to get out on occasion and enjoy an off road adventure in the company of others, 27mhz is still the best option when it comes to staying in touch.

FRS and GMRS are possibilities as well, and properly set up they certainly have their place off road, especially units like Radio Shack's no longer available 21-1850. That was and is a sweet fully mobile FRS radio setup, and working two or three of them vehicle to vehicle provides incredible range and versitility for such low power FM units. Too bad that the FCC had second thoughts about their initial type acceptance of that unit, for the concept was ingenious to say the least! Nevertheless for day to day extended range vehicle to vehicle communications CB properly set up continues to rule..

 

Very well Rio hey you have a right upstanding neighbor right in your town-Chris4x4.....he's eventually going to set one up in his truck. When he does you guys will be able to shoot it w/each other-hell you may even be able to meet up and set his SWR for him-depending how he feels about it DAMM I wish I wasnt here in SF.....too much funny business out here not enough cool hobbyists like you guys

 

Shoot Chris Im too damm far away I'm bummin

 

Thanks buddy-meantime I'll just live vicariously thru you guys-at least I have THAT

 

Hey Chris! Don't know about Ridge ever running a supercharger what with the price of gas these days (a guy's gotta nurse every last mile out of a gallon in order not to go broke, and supercharging would probably double gasoline consumption if you ever put your foot into it - which, let's face it, is where the fun is with a powerhouse setup!), but I certainly agree that if he ever got here to the Valley it would be great to meet him in person.

Speaking of meeting in person, you can email me at grafxpro.az@cox.net and we'll get together for a face to face. Getting to know other Taco lovers in the area is something I've wanted to do, and with hectic schedules and such a forum like Tacoma World is a good place to get started.

I'm not far from Arizona Mills, so let's come up with a time to meet and you can stop by or I'll go to your place. If you are really going to install a CB we'll figure out the best approach for your rig. Also, for what it may be worth, I need front and rear mud flaps for my lifted '03 before I get ticketed, so if you have any inexpensive ideas in that regard I'd like to hear them - maybe a place to find a good used set!