Wrangler JK CB Radio Mounting Locations

[tg426]

Hey fellow JK owners...
Any of you have CB radios mounted? Where did you put them? I know the popular location is on the side of the console next to the gear shift but I am not digging that spot. If the top is off and it rains (happens every-so-often), it is totally exposed. I was thinking of putting it inside the console but then it is not as accessible. I bought a Uniden Pro520 and the antennas are in route. What do you got and where are they mounted?


I am off to work, will check in later...


Thanks,
Tom

[jsebastian]

I put mine right above the rearview mirror. No complaint about that location. It's easily accessible and it's out of the way when I'm not using it. I'll snap a pic sometime today.

[Bandit1]

Can you post a pic of your dash, I may be able to come up with a location from that. IE, recline your front seats all the way, and take the pic from the center of the rear seat so you get the whole thing unobstructed.

[Vin]

The only places I've seen people put their radios are 1) on the side of the center consol 2) above the rearview mirror and 3) right on the dash.

I didn't go with 2 or 3 because I figured in an accident the plastic may not hold so I'd end up with a projectile. Plus I was planning on going with an sPod system so I needed the space above the mirror and of course the visability would make is a great target for thieves/vandals.

I tried on the driver's side of the center consol and I hated it. I couldn't move the seat forward enough to get stuff in the back seat, plus I figured I was doing damage to the consol every time I troed moving the seat up. So I scrapped the uniden 510 idea and went with a Cobra 75. It's almost as if it were made for a JK. Perfect mounting spot under the glove box with a mounting crew availible, and when set up right, looks OE.

[BigBass]

have you though about building an over head console? If you bend up a piece of sheet steel in to a C channel it would protect it from the elements and give you a place to mount lots of other things if you wanted too.

[tg426]

thanks for the replies guys...

here are two photos of the dash area:

http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y367/tg426/IMG_7340.jpg

http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y367/tg426/IMG_7340.jpg

Console options, I can install a small external speaker (West Marine has a nice waterproof one and with my employee discount it would be almost free) may be a good option...

http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y367/tg426/IMG_7341.jpg

http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y367/tg426/IMG_7342.jpg

Other locations:

Under the glovebox (maybe)

http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y367/tg426/IMG_7349.jpg

Above the mirror (not liking this, too exposed to elements and thieves, besides I have a blue strobe for the fire department that needs to go there.)

http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y367/tg426/IMG_7344.jpg

Side of console (again, too exposed to the elements)

http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y367/tg426/IMG_7350.jpg

On the top of the dash (see above mirror /\ )

http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y367/tg426/IMG_7345.jpg

On panel between steering column and center dash stack (I kinda like this one)

http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y367/tg426/IMG_7346.jpg

If I was to remove the switches (only have the hazzard flashers and traction control buttons) the radio would fit perfectly in the opening, just not sure what is behind it. Need to figure out if I want to relocate the buttons, but to where???

http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y367/tg426/IMG_7347.jpg
http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y367/tg426/IMG_7348.jpg

So I guess my top 4 are between the column and center dash, under the glove box, in the console with remote speaker or in place of the buttons in the dash itself.

I appreciate the ideas and thoughts, I would like to do this only once.

Jsebastian...would like to see a pic when you have a chance, but the radio I got is a little too long for that spot.

Bandit, hope the pix above give you an idea of the dash area, let me know what you think.

Vin, my JK is a 4-door so I do not have the issue with front seat folding for rear seat access, would love to see a photo of it mounted under the glovebox.

BigBass, I have seen those but I would prefer no overhead console, I like the roof area as open as possible when the top is off, part of the reason I bought a wrangler instead of, well, everything else :cool:


Tom

[Vin]

The Cobra 75 is a remote unit. All the controls are on the mic and the "box" is hidden under the glove box. I'll see if I have enough light for pics.

I'm not sure if the panel under the glove box, or next to the steering wheel will be strong enough to hold a radio.

Off to take some pics

[Vin]

Ok my first CB was an Uniden 510 xl. Here's where I mounted it.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/30110_1518755048026_1209025873_31478016_142382_n.j pg

It was a good spot, until you want to move your seat forward. If you like this spot, I still have the mount (somewhere).

Like i was saying, the Cobra 75 is a remote system.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/222676_2063823314392_1209025873_32570192_2190586_n .jpg

The "brains" fits nicely under the glove box. (it's the small silver box in the middle, you can see the power/ground wires and the antena coax comming out of it)

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224107_2063826634475_1209025873_32570202_3717641_n .jpg

I cut a hole in the panel under the glove box to run the conector for the mic/controls.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/222047_2063828034510_1209025873_32570205_6428804_n .jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/33764_1667606689224_1209025873_31867011_2393500_n. jpg

(inside of panel)

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/44908_1667609289289_1209025873_31867014_6924445_n. jpg

and finally the mic/controller.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/225025_2063829154538_1209025873_32570208_1096075_n .jpg

[jsebastian]

http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b480/jsebastian/th_IMG-20110423-00080.jpg (http://s1047.photobucket.com/albums/b480/jsebastian/?action=view&current=IMG-20110423-00080.jpg)

http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b480/jsebastian/th_IMG-20110423-00082.jpg (http://s1047.photobucket.com/albums/b480/jsebastian/?action=view&current=IMG-20110423-00082.jpg)

Out of the way, easily accessible, and running the wires didn't require too much fussing around. Though the concern about projectiles during an accident is valid.

[tg426]

thanks for the photos and ideas...great installs too

I am thinking more and more about relocating the switches and installing the radio in that space, will check behind that area for space, maybe get the daystar switch panel to replace the netting storage thing, then I will have a spot to wire up some aux lights. I would consider the s-pod but maybe later on for that investment, still other things to spend the $ on.

[Vin]

I'm definitley a "buy once, cry once" type of guy and I try and buy quality so I don't need to buy things over and over. I definitely recomend some type of distribution box, especially for JK because of the computer monitored electronics. You figure what I did with 2 sets of lights, one CB, once winch and a CB I should have 5 wires running to my battery and 2 relays. Inside I'd need to drill out three holes for switches, and run 3 separate hot wires. A distribution box like a sPod made life so much easier. A cheaper solution would be a premade fuse box and the Rugged Ridge A pillar switches. If you are savy enough, you could make your own box and mount switches above the D/S speaker.

[Bandit1]

Thanks for the pics, I like your idea about relocating the switches and putting it there, but what about just below where that net thing is? could you trim a hole for the CB there? it would still be in the dash, so it wouldn't be as exposed to anything and still accessible and you would not have to relocate your switches.

There is always this one: Jeep & Off-Road CB Kit - Cobra 75 WX ST (http://www.rightchannelradios.com/jeep-offroad-cb-radio-106/jeep-off-road-cb-kit-cobra-75-wx-st-419.html) from Right Channel Radios. You can also have them peak and tune a radio for about $30.

Also, I highly recommend getting a FLEX antenna also. Having experience with both the flex and rigid type off road, the rigid ripped off in the woods never to be seen again and the flex I bought afterward has been beat to hell and back and is still there.

[tg426]

Bandit, when you say flex do you mean a stainless whip antenna? Radio shack has a nice 67" one but I already bought a pair of Solarcon flexible antennas. I can almost bend them into a 'C'...much more flex than the rigid style - I think. My plan is to mount them to the tire carrier on each side of the 3rd brakelight between the tailgate and spare, they will be just above the roof line by a few inches. I wil take photos and submit a 'build thread'.

As far as mounting it in place of that lower panel, I thought about that but it would sit a little too low behind part of the console and shifters and may not be the most convinent spot.

I think the CB is gonna get mounted in the console and I am going to install a 2.5" remote cb/vhf marine speaker...we'll see. Havent done anything yet so keep the thoughts and ideas coming :)


Thanks!

[Bandit1]

when i say flex, there are the traitional metal whip style and the "fiberglass" style. the ones you got will be fine. the flex allows it to bend going under obsticals and such so it dont break. If you can bend it almost to a "C" then you got the right ones I am talkn about.

also, keep in mind that if you are doing a dual antenna setup, you want the antennas as far a part as you can get them. if you put them too close, you will fry your system and get major feedback in the process. I am not sure of the min dist you want between the antennas, but I do know that you want them as far apart as possible. that is why I run a single antenna setup, much easier and less to screw up. also the dual setups are a bit harder to tune the antennas on.

I would recamend a single setup as there is not much benifit to having 2 antennas vs 1. just 2xs the headache IMO

[tg426]

Thanks Bandit, that is good advise regarding the single vs dual, how I am planning to install them they may be too close...about 16" apart. The good thing is that the kit will allow for a single antenna install, just need to get another cable. I will run the cable and try the dual before installing them, keep them far apart and test their locations, if an issue I will revert to just one. I understand that they are designed for truckers and in their typical installation may have them about 8 feet apart. A lot og guys mount these on their pick-up's tool boxes, again, on opposite sides about 6 feet apart.