Speedy's Alternative CB install

speedy · 12-10-2007, 05:56 PM

There are many ways to install a CB but I hope this thread gives a future owner some ideas and possible alternatives to build upon. At the time I was undecided to build a thread on this but later into the process I decided to take pictures so please keep this in mind as you go through the steps.

Equipment:
CB: Uniden Pro 520XL with PA capability, automatic noise reduction and emergency channel 9 switch. THhe 510 is cheaper if you are not interested in PA capability.
Antenna: Wilson "Little Wil". Well known brand name, small, 10 oz. magnet, cheap
DC lighter: pick one up at your local store.

Tools:
10 mm socket or wrench
Zip tie(s)
Flat head Screw driver
Commercial grade Velcro
2 crimp tie's
electrical tape
Silicone

Step one:Here is the view of the cubby hole. It pops right out so grab a hold of it and lift up. Then turn it around and put it back in. The reason for this is to make room later on for the CB.

Step two: The CB power cable has no connection since it is setup for a hardwire. I decided to buy a 12 volt DC connector for the Aux power outlet and connected the CB to it. With the connector unplugged you will attach the CB wire to it, crimp, and tape the wires with electrical tape. Once done you can tuck the wires on the side as shown with out any need to remove the panels and then place your CB some place safe. You are done with the electical side of this.

Step 3: Mount your mag mount antenna and use Zip ties to secure it to your roof rack. If you do not have a roof rack then you might consider mounting the antenna closer to the rear door and store the excess wire in the jack area for later use.

Step 4: Now just push the antenna along the driver side rear door weather stripping. You can leave it as is since it hasn't moved on mine or you can dab some silicone and let it dry to keep it in place. Please note that you will need to take some alcohol and clean the area to get rid of any dirt in order for the Silicone to adhere well.

Now pull the rubber boot out and you will see a plastic retainer that the oem wires go through. Reach in from the Jack area and push it out.Now you can do it one of two ways. You can push the antenna wire through the hole and put the boot back on like you see in the picture or you can poke a small hole on the top of the boot and then push your antenna wire through, then through the hole, and finally put the boot back on for a tight original fit. I decided that I was not in a hurry so I added silicone to the gap area since I can always take the silicon out later.

CONTINUE ON NEXT POST.

speedy · 12-10-2007, 06:00 PM

Step 5: from you Jack access area you are going to pull the antenna through and route it underneath the bottom plastic and then tuck it in. The reason for this is that there is a retainer that is mounted and runs along the length of the plastic panel. The purpose of this install was to make it quick so this is why I did it this way.

Step 6: With a 10 mm socket or wrench you will now take out the tie down bolts. The bump plastic panel just pops right up.Now tuck the wire along the edge, through the other side of the bump plastic panel so it is accessible from the rear seats. Please note that you do not want the wire to be under the plastic panel but by removing the panel it gives you access to route the antenna wire easier to the rear.

Step 7: Pull up your rear seat and route your antenna wire under the seat. Now close the seat back to its original position. You are done with the antenna routing and you can mount back the plastic panel with the tie down hooks.

Step 8: Mount your commercial grade Velcro to the panel, to the back of the CB and let it sit for 24 hours. If you don't then the Velcro will pull from the glue area.

Step 9: Now connect your antenna to your CB and your ready to GO!

speedy · 12-10-2007, 06:02 PM

The good thing about the mag mount is that I can lay it on its side in order to access tight areas. Also the Velcro allows me to tilt the Cb toward the driver or passenger to make viewing a little more comfortable. If I am outside I can take the CB and connect it in the 12v aux port in the rear to power the CB giving me access to communication, PA, while sitting in a lawn chair.

Cheers,

layonnn · 12-10-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

speedy previously said:

Step two: The CB power cable has no connection since it is setup for a hardwire. I decided to buy a 12 volt DC connector for the Aux power outlet and connected the CB to it. With the connector unplugged you will attach the CB wire to it, crimp, and tape the wires with electrical tape. Once done you can tuck the wires on the side as shown with out any need to remove the panels and then place your CB some place safe. You are done with the electical side of this.

Attachment 18060

A quick question for your install.
Why not add another 12 volt outlet from a wire tap like the other thread about adding a extra 12 volt. This would eliminate any of the wires near 4x4 shift lever and look a lot cleaner. Yes you have to take apart the console, but i added one this weekend and to do what you are doing it would take 30 minutes.

speedy · 12-10-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

layonnn previously said:

A quick question for your install.
Why not add another 12 volt outlet from a wire tap like the other thread about adding a extra 12 volt. This would eliminate any of the wires near 4x4 shift lever and look a lot cleaner. Yes you have to take apart the console, but i added one this weekend and to do what you are doing it would take 30 minutes.

I thought about this and I could have done it. I have taken the whole interior of the FJ out before so this would have been a quick thing for me but I decided against it because the purpose of the install was not to drill holes or take up more time than needed but it is a possibility and as you said many have done it. I like to take the alternative approach.

**Athena** · 12-10-2007, 06:25 PM

We just recently bought a CB, went through all the effort with the wiring..got to the point where we were going to mount the box, and then found a Cobra CB that's got all the functions in the reciever. Fortunately it worked with all the wiring and no need for mounting the box...

speedy · 12-10-2007, 06:40 PM

Quote:

athenaceleste previously said:

We just recently bought a CB, went through all the effort with the wiring..got to the point where we were going to mount the box, and then found a Cobra CB that's got all the functions in the reciever. Fortunately it worked with all the wiring and no need for mounting the box...

I thought about that Cobra 75 but decided against it after handling one. It is smaller but the control box will need to be mounted or stored somewhere. I also thought it felt heavy to be holding around after a period of time compared to a standard mic. The cost of that unit with out the antenna is the same for what I paid for everything that you see here. I also wanted PA capability which I believe the Cobra 75 does not have. I also thought about tuning with one hand use while the other hand is on the steering wheel. The buttons are so close together that after some uses it just wasn't for me. But that what makes us different and that is why these Cb manufacturers have different models.

Cheers,