HAM install - running coax in to the cab

I had no issues with mine like that in all the water crossings I've done. I've since moved to NMO mounts, so now I don't have to route cables into the cab. Just drill a big ass hole in the roof

 

I used the smaller one, I sealed up both sides when I reinstalled..

 

I'm not quite yet ready to drill a hole in to my roof one day. Just not yet

 

I wouldn't either if I were you! On my 2005 dedicated camping/trail truck though, I give a lot less of a shit

EDIT: Looks nice and clean though

 

I have a stupid sunroof that I never use. It'll be covered up with a prinsu one day though. Maybe then I'll drill in to run wires hah

 

I just did it the cheap way for my 2-meter rig- I have a Larsen Mag mount 5/8's wave with the plug already attached to the cable, so I went through the slider and don't close it tight-- a strip of black weatherstripping to seal the window gap. I have a shell on my truck, so this was a good option and I can take down the antenna when I'm carrying large cargo on the roof.

 

I thought about the mag mount as well, but I wanted the EAF points of having the antenna whipping all around while driving

 

Dude drilled the hole... dedicated!

 

My antenna is a bit higher than my trailer, so it helps remind me to not go through the drive through or under low trees if I'm towing.

 

I'm drilling another one today! That antenna is for my HAM and I'm adding a 4' whip for my CB. I wanted the uniformity rather than my HAM on top and my CB on the bumper.

 

The only truck I ever did that on was my S10, I loved the gain I got on 2-meters over the mag mount, but I wouldn't do it on my Taco- I do respect your decision to do it though, that will be a dependable antenna. I used the word "drilled" but I assume you are using a punch? They cut such clean holes.

 

Its further back.

 

No, I drilled. I used a center punch and drilled a pilot hole. Then I used a step bit to get to the correct size! Covered everything in painters tape first to protect the paint from the metal shavings.

 

yup, I found em didn't want to crawl under the truck in nice work pants and shirt, and in the parking lot with everyone staring at me

 

I have 2 in the roof, 1st one was done back in early 2009 and have had zero issues

 

Directly under the glove box is a rubber ac drain grommet, you can run coax and power lines through it. You'll need to lift the carpet a little to see it

 

To run the power, I used the wire harness grommet in the firewall on the drivers' side to run from the batteriy to my rig- then under the driver's side edge of then center console from the front to the center console box. There's a hole in the bottom of the box that I put the power lines through. My radio is out of sight in the console, underneath a removable organizer tray. I just pull out the mike during use- audio is set loud enough to hear it through the partially open console door.

My antenna coax comes in from outside the console next to the drivers' seat, but is hidden the rest of the way out of the cab towards the slider by going under the rug and up between the rear seat split.

 

I'm just going to jam my radio in between the drivers seat and center console. It's a top facing unit so the power/buttons/speaker will all be facing up. I ain't got time for fancy mounting systems. I may run my power cables out the same grommet and to the battery that way. I'll see tomorrow when I get them in

 

Would you be able to take a picture and show me where the wires pop up from the grommet? I'm trying to figure that out right now. Do I need to lift the carpet up? Take the seat out? Anything like that or is it straightforward and I'm just stupid and am missing it?

 

There's a circle cap/plug that's about 2-3" in diameter under the carpet in the corner by the door behind the rear passenger seat in a double cab. Is that another access into the cab?