HAM install - running coax in to the cab

On mine I'm able to pop off the edge trim pieces and you can see the grommet a few inches under the seat. No real need to remove the seat, but it's not hard if you do. Just a few bolts and unplug the airbag.

 

Are you in a 3rd gen? Your profile says 15. I know the grommet locations are placed differently. I didn't take any trim off today, just looked for the grommets and tried to find where the dump out in to the cab but I didn't see anything with a quick inspection. When everything comes in tomorrow I'll take apart the trim and lift up the carpet and see what I can find.

 

I'm a second gen. How are you sure they're different? They look the same in the post on page 1. Regardless, I can tell from the photos that you'll be able to see them without totally removing carpet judging by where it is in relation to the frame.

 

2005 2nd gen I ran mine into the cab through the wire loom entrance under the drivers side floor next to the frame. I looked under a 3rd gen today and there is not this wire loom entrance in the same location as my 2nd gen.

 

Below is why I made the post in the first place. But if all my gear arrives at a reasonable time while there's still light out tomorrow, I will begin taking shit apart and post pics. I'll turn this thread in to a write up.

 

I have a ham radio I need to mount too. I'm putting the antenna on a ditch light bracket and was going to run the coax and power through one of the fire wall grommets but I like the idea to use the floor grommets instead.

 

I'd use the firewall grommet. Easier. I'll post pics tomorrow though of my install though.

The ditch brackets are also a good idea... maybe I should just do that haha

 

I'm going to mount the body of the radio under the driver seat so it seems like using the floor grommet would be easier. I have to take the seat out anyway.

 

That would definitely be ideal for you then. Like I said though, I'll have pics tomorrow of where those grommets lead to, assuming I can find it myself.

 

When I did mine, I pulled my seat out and pulled the carpet back to be able to route everything and still have it all tucked away.

 

I'm subbing this thread. When I bought my Taco last year, I haphazardly installed a dual band mobile with the RF part stuck in the cubby behind the left seat with the control head velcro'd to the front panel under the air controls.

Since I installed it, I have been running the coax out to the mag mount through the back left door but I really want to find a place to run it through the body somewhere. Water drips down the coax into the cab where it doesn't seal well when it rains...not much but enough.

I need to keep it as a mag mount because when I'm carrying my canoe, I need to be able to move the antenna to the side of the roof. I'd prefer a permanent NMO mount but having the canoe on top precludes that.

I may be able to figure out how to permanently mount an antenna to the front bed rack cross member when I have a bit of time to ponder such things.

 

@MotoEd could help you with this. He runs his cable through the bottom. Looks like you're in a 2nd gen as well.

 

I heard there's a grommet in the back of the cab that leads to between the cab and the bed. I believe it's on the right side of the cab (passenger side) in the back storage area behind the rear seat. That might be an option for you.

 

Ill find the pics later but I ran a Mag Mount antenna through the outer edge of the 3rd brake light lense. I used a dremel to notch the lense just enough to run the coax through without being pinched and sealed with some silicone.

 

Yup and thanks...I saw that. When I get a bit more time I will look into @MotoEd's suggestions. it's late (well, early) and I need to be up in about 5 hours to go to work.

 

I was under this same impression but was unable to find it....not saying it's not there though. I know I didn't take too much time looking for it when I was trying to shoehorn the radio in quickly for a trip I was taking the next day.

 

I think something like this. I'm not sure either. Will have to check it out tomorrow.

 

Here's where I found that write up.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/where-to-run-cb-coaxial-cable.181314/

 

It looks like one has to remove the plastic pieces behind the seat to gain access to that grommet...that's probably why I couldn't locate the grommet. I don't think it's too big of a problem to remove the plastic temporarily.

 

Found this too.

The folks at Toyota are forward thinking and have accommodated us hams with several convenient ports into the newer Tacoma cabin. As it turned out, two rubber-plugged ports exist on both driver’s and passenger’s side at the rear of the cabin just below the top of the bed on the exterior and entering behind the rear passenger seats of the 4-door double cab. I could just reach the exterior port and plug by wedging my fingers into the space between cab and bed.