CB Antenna in Factory Antenna Location

Update: Before any tuning I was getting 3-3.5:1 SWR before any running in the 2' antenna. The mount has held up well, honestly a lot better than I expected. I've trucked right on through small tree limbs and brush and the antenna either bent out pushed it out of the way without moving the base or the mount.

Mandatory CYA: Should you continue to read this, or attempt this modification, you do so at your own risk to yourself and your vehicle knowing and accepting that I cannot and will not be held liable for any injuries or damages.

On to the mod!

My factory antenna mount has wobbled since the day I bought the truck. It's always annoyed me and I've always wanted to get in there and fix it. Recently I snapped off my antenna at the stud and decided I'd do something different. I've had a multiplexor on my XJ for years and it gets excellent AM/FM reception and the CB communicates as far as I need it to. I'll admit, it's only a few miles, but that's more than I need and I am perfectly happy with that. I figured I also have been wanting to add a CB to my truck so I may as well give this idea a go.

I've had a lot of interest about my CB antenna in the factory antenna location and have had a bunch of requests to do a write-up. This is my first formal how-to. Here goes.



Parts required:

RP-315 CB Antenna Mount


Wilson 10" Stainless Steel Shaft

$17 Wilson 305-610 Stainless Steel CB Antenna Stud

Wilson 305-610 Heavy Duty Antenna Stud

$25 ProComm Im-AF Splitter CB AM FM Radio Audio Stereo Antenna MultiPlexor

ProComm Im-AF Splitter (Inverse Multiplexor)


At least M6x50mm bolts x 2, washers, nylon locking nuts, etc.

Tap and die set.

3' Male/female AM/FM antenna extension cord.

1" heavy steel bushings or similar.





9' (or your choice of length) Antenna Cable - 9' for center console mounting.

CB of your choosing.

Antenna of your choosing (I used a 2' FireStick FS II)

First, pull the fender liner on the passenger side and the flare (yes, pull the flare, it'll make life easier later). You don't have to remove the liner, I just popped the back side out enough to access the antenna base.





Remove the antenna and the silver ring at the base of the antenna. Mine was corroded and had to be cut off with a dremel. If yours is the same, pull the rubber protector off (save it for later!) and go to town. I cut the ring vertically in three or four places and worked it free. It's alright if you cut a little into the base, the rubber protector you should have already removed will hide any cuts.

Once the top section of the antenna has been removed, remove the (I believe) 10mm bolt behind the fender liner holding the mast in place. You should also see the factory antenna wire routed through a large grommet. Once you have the mast free, pull the grommet out too. I simply cut the factory antenna wire near the mast and pulled it through the grommet. Hang on to that grommet, you'll reuse it too.

Once you have liberated the mast and lower antenna mount, which is attached to the mast, you'll need to remove the factory antenna wire that is attached to its base. A dremel with a cut off wheel makes short work out this. You'll also need to separate the antenna base from the mast. I used a hand saw with a new blade and cut directly below the base where it meets the mast.





Since we're cutting things with our shiny new blade. Cut the lower portion of the antenna mount off too. I cut just below the top two bolt holes and just above where it bulges out to clamp on things. Do the same for the other piece, it'll act as support on the inner fender later. You'll have to take apart the antenna base attached to take the mount apart, don't worry about reassembling it. We'll come back to that.



Now, with a 3/8 drill bit (if I remember correctly it was a 3/8) or one that fits best, clean out the sheilding and the remaining wire inside the lower antenna base.



I cleaned the corrosion off of the upper and lower antenna bases and painted them as well.

Assemble the heavy duty stud, the 10" stainless steel rod, and the antenna mount like so.



Note that the antenna mount LOWERS the antenna slightly.

Using your die set, find the size that matches the threads on the extension rod and add another 1" or so more threads. I'm sorry, I do not recall what size the die was. Thread a nylon locking nut to the bottom of the new threads, then the factory lower antenna mount and feed it up into position. From here I got the lower mount into it's normal position in the fender and put the factory upper antenna base on the extension rod. I mounted the CB antenna to gauge where I should mount the CB antenna base inside the fender. I found, inside the fender, the perfect place for me.

You can see in this picture again, with the 1" spacers, the base lines up perfectly with the factory antenna hole and with a good flat area to support the antenna base as well.



Now the fun part. You'll either need a long drill bit or you'll have to get really creative. I, luckily, had a long bit. On the outside of the fender, if you're facing it from the side of the truck, remove the fourth little clip from the bottom up.



This next image is taken looking through the hole that body clip fits into.



After you have your antenna mocked up, ensuring it is not leaning to far fore, aft, port, or starboard, mark the holes in the base on the inner fender.
DON'T DRILL YET.

Inside the cab, remove the trim from the right side of the passenger floorboard area.



Remove the top 10mm bolt holding all those wires in place and move them aside. I only had to pull that top bolt. It is bolted to the fender you're about to drill through. Pull the little tab out securing the carpet.



Pull the carpet to the side. It doesn't have to be much. Measure up from the grommet hole inside and outside where your new body piercings are going. Verify you won't penetrate anything critical or otherwise. Also, it's not a bad idea to disconnect your battery at this point.

Once you are certain, run your drill through the body clip hole in the outer fender to your marks on the inner fender. Take care not to bump the sides of the hole. No big deal if you do. You won't see it if you still use flares, but the body clip might be a bit loose.

I added a bit of paint to the new holes to prevent corrosion and a ton of clear silicon to prevent leaks. You really can't use enough. Use the back side of the antenna mount that you cut earlier on the inside of the cab to help spread and support the load. Mount your antenna base with the 1" bushings like so.



(I thought I used enough silicone sealant but had a minor leak during a heavy storm a few days later. I went back in and sealed some more and after washing the truck yesterday didn't have any further leaks.)

I then shoved the CB antenna wire through the grommet, sealed it with more silicon, and ran the wire under my center console where I found a place to mount the multiplexor with an existing bolt and bolt hole. I had to use an antenna extension to reach my stereo.



I also trimmed one side of a 3/8 grommet and used it to give the factory antenna base a more finished look.





Once you get everything plumbed in the way you like it, go back and tighten the heavy duty stud, the antenna, and the nylon locking nut on the shaft. Verify all other fasteners are nice and tight.



Account for your tools, replace the fender liner, the flare, and the interior trim. Reconnect your battery and tune in a radio station. If you have a CB, continue the install.

That concludes the antenna portion of this install. I'm sure I'll make some tweaks here and there as time passes.

If you guys have any questions or concerns, please shoot me a PM. I will update this thread from time to time with updates and pictures. Once I figure out which CB will fit my needs best I'll update with the SWR and if I needed to make any major adjustments.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

-HL

 

In an effort to continue the low profile-ish mods, here is how I ended up mounting my CB inside the dead space in the center console -



Click here for more

 

Pretty damn slick. Good job OP.

 

Looks good man

 

Thanks for the write up!

 

I see no reason you can’t get good SWR only drawback I see is the ground plane being weak to the right IE optimal location being center of vehicle.

 

I really like this. Thank you for keeping me updated and tagging me.

Does it still work as your AM/FM radio antenna too or only CB?

 

No problem!

With the multiplexor, the CB antenna doubles as an AM/FM antenna. Typically, the CB antenna will improve your radio reception as well. But it comes at a cost; you will sacrifice some CB performance and you cannot use the CB and your AM/FM radio simultaneously. I usually use a Bluetooth connection and I never need to communicate more than a few miles, so I am perfectly OK with the small sacrifice.

 

Nice work Alex! ​

 

This is awesome. If i ever get a CB, this is certainly how ill be doing it.

 

Still thinking I might do this. any issues now that youve had it for a little while?

 

No, none so far and I've gone through some thick brush that bent the antenna back quite a bit. It's as sturdy as ever.

 

That’s pretty much what we did with our FZJ80’s. There’s actually an already made kit that would cut out 90% of the fab work. It’s made for the 80 but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work for our Taco’s.

 

I got the idea from an FJ, got a link to the kit?

 

http://wagongear.com/project/antenna-mount-info/

 

That's perfect! It's basically what I did but its super convenient as an all inclusive kit. Thanks for that!

 

I was a little to lazy for all that lol. Left the stock antenna and put the firestick on with it, had to modify the mount a bit for my needs. Held up great this summer in the bush, spring on the bottom gives it plenty of bendy.





That the look of yours with only 1 antenna though

 

After a few extensive wiring projects...



I haven't exactly had the motivation to install the CB that's been collecting dust in my garage. Since I'll be tearing everything apart again in a few days for the FJ transfer case, ADD delete/override switch, equalizer, and some other miscellaneous electrical projects I will take some time to install the CB as well and complete this project.

Stay tuned.

Pun intended

 

Nice work

 

Thank you!