1st Gen CB Radio setups!

Did some searching with little luck for the 1st gens,

How do you all have yours setup? I have my antenna on the toolbox and the radio mounted to the dash trim with the mic on the dash...thinking of changing it! Show your pics!

 

I think the cleanest way to get your CB setup is to get one that fits in the ashtray location. The Uniden PRO520XL 40-Channel CB Radio does.

You can check out my install here: Uniden PRO 520XL CB Radio, 'cause not everyone's a HAM

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Thats how I've done it, but with the mike hook where the factory clock would have been.

 

I like that setup a lot, but wont be able to do it that way, radio I currently have wont fit. (Best pic I have available of the current setup).

 

Obviously don't know your exact situation, but have you considered getting a new CB in order to facilitate a cleaner install? The Uniden 520XL is ~$45 depending on when you buy it, but that same link also lists the Uniden 510, which is the same size and around $33. It doesn't have RF gain or a CH9 switch, but those may not be all that important to you, and might be the cheapest way to a really clean install. I think you can reuse all your existing antenna stuff with pretty much any CB...

 

I have considered, how do you like yours? Just want something that transmits clean with a decent output in case of an emergency.

 

Couldn't be happier with mine. The Uniden's transmit and receive well, as long as you've got a good ground, is the experience I've had.

 

Good to know, thanks for the info!

 

Worked mine into the factory double DIN space. I t's a
Cobra 18 WX STII with a Firestik removable antennae at tailgate.

 

got the antenna mounted still have to run cable and mount radio.how did everybody run they're cable?

 

I ran mine along tailgate (tie-in with nylon cable loops at the tail light mounting screws), underneath along the driver's side frame, through the rubber grommet under drivers seat to the interior, then along center console to dash.

 

What mounts are you using??

 

I'm using @Croth51 bed mount. Like 25 bucks,solid.check crothmetalworks.com

 

That’s what I was thinking!!

How do you like it? Does it make the tailgate any harder to close?

 

This is the direction I’m wanting to go. Thought about getting the smaller cb to go in the ash tray slot, but the smaller ones don’t seem to get the weather channels. I’ll have to find a single din radio first lol.

What did you have to do to mount the cb in that location?

 

You can adjust the tailgate. It took literally 3 mins to install and adjust the tailgate.

 

Hmmm... learned something new...

 

If you look how the tailgate bolts to the bottom of the bed, you can see how you can adjust it.just tighten one side loosen the other.

 

tn: I pulled the factory double din and stacked my new radio and cb radio and reused the factory mounting brackets. IIRC a couple existing radio holes lined up with the bracket and I had to drill a couple new holes. Not too big a deal as there is a lot of dead space inside the cb and radio units. I just measured carefully to get the bracket mounting location and screw holes exactly where needed before the drilling commenced. The CB radio antennae connection can be a bit challenging when mounting in dash (or under the ashtray for that matter) due to the proximity of the heater duct work behind it. I used an antennae elbow connector on the back of my CB to gain some space but even still I needed to use a heat gun and indent the ductwork slightly for clearance. If you are detail oriented the job can finish out real nice.

 

Krazy: I used the mount BAMF makes for the first gens. I got the powder coated one; it utilizes existing tailgate latch fastening bolts. A real nice product, strong build. http://www.bayareametalfab.com/1st-Gen-CB-Mount_p_22.html