CB Radio mounting location

[The Mountain]

I have a Bearcat 980 that has been sitting forever waiting to be mounted in my truck. But, I really don't want to tear into the dash or center console, and give up some existing feature to mount the radio. So, where is the best place to mount a CB in a 4th gen Ram with center console? I have a thread in the Interior forum on aftermarket overhead consoles, which would be my preferred solution for a radio mount, but apparently such things are not widely available for the Ram.

 

[Parker G]

Hey there! That Bearcat should be about the same thickness as my Cobra 19, and I am able to put it between the drivers seat and the center console. The clearance is tight enough to hold it in place without screwing anything in.

 

[BadCJ7]

The 980 is larger than a Cobra 19. It is the size of a Cobra 29. What about a dash mount? They make one that utilizes the screws in the little change cubby on top of the dash and makes a flat surface for it to sit on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[The Mountain]

The dash mount is one solution, though it does mean lots of wires exposed above the dash, and the radio doesn't really look integrated. I'm really hoping for something that looks a little more built in.

 

[Skyjockey]

Where/how are you mounting antenna? I have a bedcover that covers the bed pockets so rail mount is out?

 

[RangerWeaver]

Where/how are you mounting antenna? I have a bedcover that covers the bed pockets so rail mount is out?

They make antenna mounts for the Jeep JL that can be modified to mount to the inside bed rail or to the head of the bed. There are also stake pocket mounts that are extended to place the antenna on the outside of the bed side.

https://www.rightchannelradios.com/...oducts/jeep-jl-cb-antenna-tailgate-mount-2018

https://www.rightchannelradios.com/collections/cb-antenna-mounts/products/wide-flat-cb-antenna-mount

 

[The Mountain]

Where/how are you mounting antenna? I have a bedcover that covers the bed pockets so rail mount is out?

I'll probably end up using a mag mount on the roof for now. I have a tonneau cover also, so I can't mount to a stake pocket or add a headache rack.

 

[Skyjockey]

I'll probably end up using a mag mount on the roof for now. I have a tonneau cover also, so I can't mount to a stake pocket or add a headache rack.

Not giving up my garage for a CB lol
Have been thinking magnet against back cab/front bed and a 90 degree adaptor to point antenna up but I think the signal will be blocked by all the metal.
Maybe the old fashioned hole in the bumper trick ?

 

[The Mountain]

Not giving up my garage for a CB lol
Have been thinking magnet against back cab/front bed and a 90 degree adaptor to point antenna up but I think the signal will be blocked by all the metal.
Maybe the old fashioned hole in the bumper trick ?

Gotta remember though that any part of the antenna that's blocked by the body is going to produce a weaker signal in that direction e.g. if your antenna is mounted to the back of the cab, it'll transmit ok to the rear and sides, but the signal to the front will be attenuated to whatever degree the antenna is blocked by the cab. With a roof mag mount you can just tip it over when you put it in the garage, and stand it back up when you leave again.

 

[Skyjockey]

With a roof mag mount you can just tip it over when you put it in the garage, and stand it back up when you leave again.

Not sure I've seen a folding mag roof mount type?

 

[Salty Ram]

Not sure I've seen a folding mag roof mount type?

You wouldn't "fold-it" over, you would pull it loose and lay it on its side. But, I've never been a big fan of the magnets as they can scratch the paint. What about a bracket off the front side of the hood? They make mounts for ditch lights and could easily run a single or dual antenna mount off of the hood gap? That's kinda old school looking but it's an option.

 

[RangerWeaver]

Although I don't have the center console. Here is where after a few months of debating, I finally decided to mount my CB radio.
Now I just need to route the wiring and coaxial cable under the rubber flooring.

 

[Dieselhorses]

I know this thread has some dust on it but if anyone is still scratching their head about a mount solution, I came up with this for 2019 1500 Classic Tradesman. Nothing great but is the least invasive way I could install my President Walker II. Just an 8x10" 1/8" aluminum plate and used the center seat bolt to stabilize. Used 1/2" hard grey foam under it to take out the bounce-not going anywhere. Of course the Workman B2030 helped a lot!

 

[GTyankee]

If you take the top of the Full floor console off
There is more room than you think under there

For my radio, i have Heat Sinks & because it is a confined space, i installed a squirrel cage fan
It is mounted on the transmission tunnel

These images were from my 2009 Ram



mounting brackets had to be jury rigged



Lift out the rubber pad & you will see 2 screws
Those 2 screws HOLES may or may not need to be cut out along with some other plastic

 

[GTyankee]

2016 Ram
Same radio as used to be in the 2009
same squirrel cage fan
Same bracketing

 

[Dieselhorses]

Neat setups there! The middle console that meets the dash didn’t come with my truck and that’s probably a good thing. I did solve the issue with trying to connect all sorts of goodies to the battery!



12 banks fused power distribution box.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[farmallboy]

Neat setups there! The middle console that meets the dash didn’t come with my truck and that’s probably a good thing. I did solve the issue with trying to connect all sorts of goodies to the battery!



12 banks fused power distribution box.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did something similar. That's pretty nice looking install.

 

[JJEH]

I don't know your layout but in my old '03 I removed the cupholder...



It looked better in person than it does in the picture. Worked great there, could also still have 3 people in the front seat.

I'm not really a CB guy... but living in OK, I just loved having the weather radio

 

[Dieselhorses]

I don't know your layout but in my old '03 I removed the cupholder...

View attachment 248991

It looked better in person than it does in the picture. Worked great there, could also still have 3 people in the front seat.

I'm not really a CB guy... but living in OK, I just loved having the weather radio

Nothing wrong with that! Seems like "ingenuity" thrives in this forum!

 

[RangerWeaver]

Although I don't have the center console. Here is where after a few months of debating, I finally decided to mount my CB radio. View attachment 226263
Now I just need to route the wiring and coaxial cable under the rubber flooring.

I replaced the radio and moved it up above the dash. I routed all of the wires and coaxial cable through the dash.
I'm now running a Cobra 29 NW LTD Classic with the antenna mounted using a bed stake mount.