New CB Radio Install

[just_in_time_mo]

I thought I'd start a thread to display my CB Radio Install. I liked BigBill's install, but wasn't wanting to use the Cobra Remote CB, and didn't really see another thread with information on other types, except for Corey's which is with similar CB or maybe the same one, but wanted a different location.

I begun some prep work last week with finally getting some covers made for the holes in my shelf (see link in signature below) since I decided not to reinstall the visors. While doing this I took an adjustable arm that used to be for a phone and mounted it in the location where the rear view used to mount (now have a windshield rear view mount). I am concerned about the joint and weight of the CB on this arm and plan to brace it in addition. I'll get pics of this with the install pics later.

My shipment from Walcott CB yesterday, thought I would take some pics below, and here's what I got:

1 x Firestik - SS3H - Stainless Steel Spring $11.95
1 x Firestik - MU8R18 - 2-Piece 18ft "EZ-Install" Single Coax $18.95
1 x Firestik Firefly 4 Foot Flexable Antenna $19.95
1 x $40.00 Cash Back! Uniden PC78 Elite 40 Channel CB Radio
- Echo and Roger Beep: No echo or roger beep
- External Speaker: No external speaker
- Brackets and Mounts: No mounts, I will use the stock
- Jeweled Knobs: No Jeweled Knobs
- Meter Light: [ GREEN ] Meter LED (installed)
- Microphone UPGRADE: No microphone upgrade
- Radio Case: No radio case, I'll stick with t
- Radio Modifications: 1969 Large Final Peak and Tune - $179.90
1 x Firestik SS204 Adjustable, SS Vertical Door Jamb Mount $17.95
(this mount is temporary, All Pro Bandi mount when available)
1 x - 300-313 - Replacement Stud Plastic Washers $1.49
1 x Firestik - K1A - Internal Locking Quick Disconnect $15.95
1 x Firestik K4R FireRing Stud Mount $3.49

For a total just under $270, a very good price and noteablely the best price I found. Even have a rebate from Uniden right now.






My mother-in-law had a heart attack night before last and I'm not sure when I'll get to the actual install, but will post description and photos when I do. BTW, she's doing great and should go home in a few days.

[Corey]

Sorry to hear about your mother in-law.

That CB looks like a big boy like mine.
I bet it has the built in SWR meter like mine too.

[Trader098]

just_in_time_mo previously said:

I thought I'd start a thread to display my CB Radio Install. I liked BigBill's install, but wasn't wanting to use the Cobra Remote CB, and didn't really see another thread with information on other types, except for Corey's which is with similar CB or maybe the same one, but wanted a different location.

I begun some prep work last week with finally getting some covers made for the holes in my shelf (see link in signature below) since I decided not to reinstall the visors. While doing this I took an adjustable arm that used to be for a phone and mounted it in the location where the rear view used to mount (now have a windshield rear view mount). I am concerned about the joint and weight of the CB on this arm and plan to brace it in addition. I'll get pics of this with the install pics later.

My shipment from Walcott CB yesterday, thought I would take some pics below, and here's what I got:

1 x Firestik - SS3H - Stainless Steel Spring $11.95
1 x Firestik - MU8R18 - 2-Piece 18ft "EZ-Install" Single Coax $18.95
1 x Firestik Firefly 4 Foot Flexable Antenna $19.95
1 x $40.00 Cash Back! Uniden PC78 Elite 40 Channel CB Radio
- Echo and Roger Beep: No echo or roger beep
- External Speaker: No external speaker
- Brackets and Mounts: No mounts, I will use the stock
- Jeweled Knobs: No Jeweled Knobs
- Meter Light: [ GREEN ] Meter LED (installed)
- Microphone UPGRADE: No microphone upgrade
- Radio Case: No radio case, I'll stick with t
- Radio Modifications: 1969 Large Final Peak and Tune - $179.90
1 x Firestik SS204 Adjustable, SS Vertical Door Jamb Mount $17.95
(this mount is temporary, All Pro Bandi mount when available)
1 x - 300-313 - Replacement Stud Plastic Washers $1.49
1 x Firestik - K1A - Internal Locking Quick Disconnect $15.95
1 x Firestik K4R FireRing Stud Mount $3.49

For a total just under $270, a very good price and noteablely the best price I found. Even have a rebate from Uniden right now.






My mother-in-law had a heart attack night before last and I'm not sure when I'll get to the actual install, but will post description and photos when I do. BTW, she's doing great and should go home in a few days.

You know this group....lots of install pics if you can.

[just_in_time_mo]

Corey previously said:

Sorry to hear about your mother in-law.

That CB looks like a big boy like mine.
I bet it has the built in SWR meter like mine too.

Thanks, she's doing good.

Yes, it's the big boy, 78 Elite, figured if I'm going to install one that it might as well be a good one as I remember the teen days when we tried to get by with the $20 radios and could barely get signal from 2 blocks away. lol

[just_in_time_mo]

Performed the install last night...

...working on the write up now and yes there will be lots of photos!

(Sorry thought, the photos are from my phone camera, call me the idiot; I sat my good Luminx camera on the bumper to start taking photos as I finished off the antenna. Next thing I know, I knocked it off and it hit the concrete on the lens, and now is ruined, that's going to cost me it was my companies camera.)

Stay tuned for more soon…..

[Sparky]

geez... Mo... you and I seem to be on the same wavelength. I'm working out how to hang that Uniden from the headliner / Rear-view as well.

Looking forward to your details.

[OlyWaFJ]

I went traditional too, a peaked and tuned Cobra 25 LTD should be here today or tomorrow.

[just_in_time_mo]

The install!!!

Okay started with the antenna mount. I went with the Firestik door channel mount for a temporary, since I still plan on getting a Bandi mount once All Pro has them available. First fitting proved to have too much movement vertically to hold in place, fixed that by adding a external lock washer (1/2” I think) between the hinge and the mount, this also helped with grounding the mount as the washer pressed right through the paint on the hinge, something I may want to touch up or grease when I install the Bandi so not to add to corrosion. This went along easily enough, but tight quarters there and had to install a couple washers on the back side of the bolt to keep from hitting the door on the other side. If this was permanent install I would have shortened the bolt, since the next size bolt down was too short in my opinion to get enough nut on it. I also thought of removing the mount and painting it, but also since temporary I decided it could shine for now.

You can see my list of parts above for reference so I won’t re-list or describe here. It all went together smoothly. I still haven’t decided if I want to keep the quick disconnect above the spring or below it, I think it looks better above, but didn’t know if it would be more useful below??? It works well so not changing now, I guess, lol.

For the coax you can see how I ran it to the mount, of course that will change too with the Bandi. I went through the wiring boot into the back side panel (jack/tools box) and continued the coax forward from there. Then following through the lower door molding. Continuing right on up the door frame behind the plastic all the way to the top. From there I fed the coax out to come into the back side of my shelf where it will join with the power wires inside wire tubing to make it all look neat if anyone peeks up there.

Okay here’s photos of this portion (exterior antenna, coax wiring)








Power wiring was very simple, I purchased a EZ fuse connector from Auto Zone and it was the easiest install of wiring I’ve done I believe, these things will have to go into my long term memory for more future use. See pic for more. I grounded to the existing ground screw under the wiring harnesses on the driver’s side behind the kick panel. Then the wires simply followed the coax under the plastic till they went behind my shelf.




As for the actual CB mount, I’m not as pleased as I wish I were, but it will work even if I don’t change it. I planned on mounting it on this arm that I had from prior use, that could be installed where the rear view mirror used to mount (had to go with a windshield mount rear view when the shelf went in). This theory looks and sounds good. Here are a couple photos of it before the CB.




I was concerned about it sagging as when I put it up noticed it didn’t hold well with much pull and seemed like it could bounce some too. Yes and Yes it does both. But I didn’t think of how large the CB I was getting actually is, it won’t fit all above the shelf like I thought; it will angle up that direction but not really what I had in mind. It actually looks okay where it’s at, but does have some bounce and I had to put a block in to hold the arm up some so it wouldn’t sag too much. Maybe I’m just too damn picky too though, as this setup would definitely work and will unless I decide to change it. I do have another option as I also considered installing it on the bottom side of the shelf, but there I am concerned about blocking off part of my visibility, although it’s still higher than my line of sight. This would be off to the passenger side of the rear view or on the far left (driver side). Yet, I’m still toying with some ideas to stabilize the arm more also, so who knows. But hey, either way there it works! I also held it down on the glove box like Corey’s is, and yup it would work there easily also, if anyone wanted that method. I just like having it within reach easier and like the thought of it being overhead like many big rigs have too.

Okay here are some photos of the CB installed on the arm!







If I change this I will post some more photos of the changes, but for now this will work!

Questions?

[just_in_time_mo]

Just had an idea to make the arm stay put...

...I'll drill some holes that go through the mounts of the arm and into the ball joint as set screws. This should keep it in place and reduce the bounce and remove the sag.

Here's where I plan to do this:



Hey it's at least an excuse to go to the farm supply/hardware store for some screws! lol

[just_in_time_mo]

Is it okay to bump your own thread? Hope so, just did it, didn't want anyone interested to miss it this evening.