In dash mounted CB

[opie]

OK... Ive seen a few pictures of folks mounting their CBs in one of the DIN locations in their vehicles. Ive decided to clean up my interior by doing the same.

Ive ordered a Cobra 18 wxstII along with a new mounting kit. Ive already replaced the Radio in my GM truck so Ive got an empty DIN location being filled by an almost useless cubby.

What Im curious about... Is if anyone has any leads on install tips/tricks. I know theres one floating around here, but cant find it.

 

[BigJimCruising]

I'll chime in on a couple things. I've done this before and it does tend to really wipe out the stereo when you transmit on the CB. Most likely you'll also need an external speaker to hear the CB over engine and road noise. I used to hook up the CB to the center dash speaker in my old trucks and cars but I don't think any newer cars have those anymore! Make sure to run large enough hot and ground wires from a fuse block or battery. Don't just find a hot wire and add it to it. If you intend to use the CB a lot I'd also find a radio with a large heat sink or maybe a fan since the more you talk the hotter everything inside the dash will get. Good luck!

 

[opie]

The Cobra I bought has a front firing speaker so no need for an external. Its also darn near the same dimensions as radio.

I dont really use the CB that much, I just like the idea of having it mounted in the dash rather than hanging below, seems cleaner.

I am going to run wires right to the fuse box in the engine bay, there are several unused circuits so that should work.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[4x4mike]

Front firing speaker is the way to go. Here is mine, it's in a '99 4runner. No real tips I guess. It depends on your dash and having a solid mounting point.

 

[opie]

Thanks for the pic. Did you have to do any custom mount work? Mines going in an 05 Colorado.

 

[BigJimCruising]

Nice work! Well done!

 

[4x4mike]

Thanks for the pic. Did you have to do any custom mount work? Mines going in an 05 Colorado.

That 4runner had a 2 din spot because there was a CD player and radio. When I went aftermarket it left a hole. I used the u bracket the cb came with, flipped it upside down so the bracket supported the bottom of the cb and then drilled some holes in the bracket. I drilled 2 lower ones for screws that mounted into the factory side cb holes. My stereo or stereo bracket, I don't remember which, had some threaded holes so I drilled the cb bracket so I could put a screw through it and then mount it to the stereo. It's all very solid and fills the space perfectly.

 

[opie]

That 4runner had a 2 din spot because there was a CD player and radio. When I went aftermarket it left a hole. I used the u bracket the cb came with, flipped it upside down so the bracket supported the bottom of the cb and then drilled some holes in the bracket. I drilled 2 lower ones for screws that mounted into the factory side cb holes. My stereo or stereo bracket, I don't remember which, had some threaded holes so I drilled the cb bracket so I could put a screw through it and then mount it to the stereo. It's all very solid and fills the space perfectly.

Thats a darn good idea. The new mounting kit I bought has tabs to mount the radio and CB together, and then gets bolted to the stock locations for the stock radio. However, theyre made out of plastic. I knew this going in, but now Ive got a template to make some out of some aluminum stock, or some other appropriate material.

Ill be sure to chronicle the install. It appears to be very easy.

 

[Northern Explorer]

Ill be sure to chronicle the install.

Looking forward to it.

 

[opie]

I plan on getting started tonight. I have everything I need, I think.

4x4mike... I tried your idea, flipping the bracket upside down. That wont work with my application. I tried and even attempted to incorporate it into the modified mount.

Oh well...

 

[opie]

Well, heres where Im at now.

Im going to have to replace the pan head screws seen in the bottom of the aluminum with some flush mount screws. Its a tight fight in the dash and those heads sticking out prohibit the unit from sliding in.

I added the aluminum because the mount kit is all plastic. There are 3 screws the hold the mount kit to the dash with no provision for adding a rear support with the aftermarket head unit. (unless I want to tear the dash apart so I can measure something up) I wanted to also add a piece of angle, bolt that to the flat stock and then drill and bolt that to the dash mounts. But theres no room...

Wait... I just checked and the thickness of the angle Ive got is less than the height of the heads on the screws. I might be able to work something out.

There was also a bit of dremel work on the mount face where the CB goes through. The hole was just a wee bit narrow. You might be asking why Im even using the plastic mount. Believe me Id have loved to do without it. But the plastic parts on the side with all the holes in them have tabs that hold the front trim ring on. Without that, it, IMO, would look cobbled.

 

[opie]

All mounted up..

It was a tight fit. I had to pull all the flush mounted screws and countersink them even more. And even then the sides of the aluminum were rubbing on the dash bracing. So much so its practically wedged in, Im sure it wont be moving around.

NE, I had to remove the factory radio brace on that round tube behind the dash. It worked right off without the need for any tools.

Still need to mount the clip for the mic.... but thats trivial.

 

[hillbillyjake]

that is what CLEAN looks like! very, very nice. make the rest of your mods match that one and your good to go.

 

[Northern Explorer]

That looks really good. You'll just have to check for feedback interference from one unit to the other. But then you probably wouldn't have the radio and the cb on at the same time to often anyway.

And I see you got a cb with a weather radio...good choice!

 

[opie]

that is what CLEAN looks like! very, very nice. make the rest of your mods match that one and your good to go.

Yeah... Im not much of a modder. Something about patience and me not having alot of it.

Thanks though!!

That looks really good. You'll just have to check for feedback interference from one unit to the other. But then you probably wouldn't have the radio and the cb on at the same time to often anyway.

And I see you got a cb with a weather radio...good choice!

More often then not I am listening to the Ipod. Itll be interesting to see if there is some type of interference between the two. I dont imagine there would be.

Thats the only CB that matches the dimensions of an ISO mount radio (that Im aware of). Just so happens its got a weather radio!! All in all, its exactly what I wanted in a CB when I was looking for one the first round... Weather and the ability to scan.