Another Easy CB Radio and Truck Bed Antenna Installation

This thread has been a month or so coming.

I recently did the Detroit Gambler 500 and decided I "need" to put in CB radio for the highway and off-road trail use. It took me quite awhile to find out where I wanted to mount everything, as I prefer to keep everything as clean and stock as possible, in case someone made an offer I couldn't refuse.


PLEASE SEE THIS THREAD IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cb-radio-information-and-installation.280574/



--Things You May Need--

- Portable Breathalyzer
- Cobra 18 WX ST II , $40
- "Truck Stop Special" 4' Fiberglass CB Antenna, $30
- 12'/18' RG58 Coax with

$38 PL259 USA Made PL-259 Improved Double Shielded RG-58u for FireStik Antenna K-8A 18-Foot Single CB/Ham Coax Cable

PL259, $13/$18
- Rubber Gasket Maker, $5
- Painted Steel L Bracket, $4
- Washers, nuts, and 2" 3/8 carriage bolts, $6
- Zip-ties, free
- good Velcro
- good wire nuts for power

- 1/2 inch drill bit (with a drill attached )
- sockets for seat and console removal
- Philips #2 Screwdriver
- small sharp knife
- good electrical tape
- beer


Step 1!

Disconnect your battery and follow this thread!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/center-console-removal-w-pics.57895/

When you are done with your ten minute removal, it will look like this:
Drink a beer!



Step 2!

Remove your front seat CAREFULLY!
There are sensors down there that you do NOT want to break!
Do not plug your battery in until the seat and sensors are put back into place!
You now have enough room to play around. Optional: Drink a beer!



Step 3!
Run your antenna wire below the truck! The antenna wire goes from the center console, under the carpet. Ignore where it is in the picture. There is a grommet (under the carpet, behind the front-left seat bolt hole) that you will need to repair with the gasket maker and re-tape. Pop off the door plastic very carefully and peel the carpet back a little bit. I cut, ran the wire, and repaired the grommet after the antenna was installed.


The wire was zip-tied to the wire under the frame, and ran up the wheel well, into the bed. This was done for the shortest wire length-distance for no coils. The truck frame is also rigid, which prevents the wire from flexing and stretching. Optional: Drink a beer!

Step 4!

Drill that hole into the driver's side of the bed. I had to use a fishing line, tied to the connector to get the end into the bed. Non-Optional: Drink a beer!


Step 5!

Place your L-Bracket, washers, and carriage bolts into the bed rails. Carefully tighten, and then install your antenna when ready. I used a folding antenna mount with my antenna to hide it under my tonneau when not in use.

It looks like this folded:


Step 6!

Run power wire to your radio. I ran the radio power to a cigarette outlet. There are some radios that require constant power to save stations. If you require that to be done, please see this thread: (It is the same thread posted up top) https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cb-radio-information-and-installation.280574/ Non-optional: Drink a beer!

Step 7!

Re-install your seat and sensors! This is VERY IMPORTANT!

Step 8!

Re-install your center console, making sure you have enough wire slack to run your radio!
I used velcro and quick connectors for the power, so my radio can be removed from the truck at any time. Optional: Drink a beer!


Step 9!

Connect your battery, start your truck's electricity (If you don't have constant power), and test your radio. If you live close to a highway, you will have no trouble. I tested mine using the weather and scan, since that's easiest. Put hard side velcro on the radio, and soft side velcro on the console. Here's your finished product. Drink a beer!



Now you can talk to the truckers and your off-road convoy!

 

so do you take off your cover every time you want to use it? install seems great, just seems like a odd location for the antenna

 

Good guide, I took a different interpretation of 'clean and stock';
Mounted a Cobra 75 base to the bottom of the passenger seat with cable ties, ran an add-a-fuse to the fuse panel, and mounted my truck stop special up front on the lightbar. Everything is attached, out of the way, and the only modification to the truck was putting the mic holder on.

 

Hmmm

More money on this inexpensive truck......

 

I do not have to take the cover off to use the radio within a small distance radius. I am currently working on another bracket that will mount to the bed-rail and exit between the tonneau and bedside. I normally run the tonneau over the bed when there's rain on the radar to keep things dry.

If I like it, I will create a separate post about it.

I'm going to creep through your pictures and take a look. Sounds pretty easy.