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Riggs83

Wildtrak
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Scott
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2023 4-door Wildtrak, 2023 2-door Wildtrak
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Wildtrak
Clubs
 
I wanted to share a few details about installing a CB Radio. Yes, up here in the Pacific Northwest CB radios are still popular especially with log truck drivers. I'm not going to get into specifics about setting up the CB. Except to say, follow the best practices about installation and grounding. Right Channel Radios has some great information about that. I use a short antenna with a spring and that gives me good SWR readings.

I fabricated a transceiver mount out of 12ga aluminum plate I got at the scrap metal yard for about $7.00. I mounted that over some rubber and nylon washers to clear the firewall insulation at the clutch pedal mount on the firewall just above the foot rest. It's more solid than I expected. Make sure your transceiver is mounted high enough so your cable doesn't run into the interior panel to the left. I ran power directly to the battery.
Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240518_094628

Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240518_103414

Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240518_103350

Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240519_142021



I used a Mountains to Metal Flag/Antenna Mount Bracket and it worked out very well. The hole in the bracket is large so I had to use a washer between the bracket and the first nylon bushing in the antenna stud. I had to sand off the powder coat around the bottom of the antenna hole and one side of the grounding hole to get the antenna grounded to the chassis. I used the grounding location just above the subwoofer. By the way, you can remove the interior panel without removing the floor board in the cargo area.

Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240518_144210

Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240518_163252
Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240518_163311


Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240518_150715
Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240519_105324


I had to use a 35' RG8x Coax cable to make it long enough to reach with some left over that I tucked in to the right of the subwoofer. 18' cable is not long enough to reach in this configuration. I had to run the ground and the coax through the door vent. I really wanted to use the grommet for the center brake light but the coax end is way too big. I may change this in the future but it seems OK for now. I made sure I had a weather loop before going into the vent so water would not follow the cables into the door.
Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240519_170849


I selected the Cobra 75 All Road for the wireless feature because I didn't want to have the radio show when I wasn't using it. It just plugs into the USB port on the dash for a really clean install. The 75 All Road mic has a smaller than normal stud on the back. So none of the after market mic holders from Bulletpoint or Tackform really worked that well. So I made my own mount for the mic using parts from Tackform and some nut caps.
Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240524_195854
Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240525_102030
Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240525_154456


Here is my view when the radio is in use and what the antenna looks like from the rear. I used a Firestick II, 2' and ordered a black tip. I wasn't really fond of the red tip that came with it. I'm getting well under 1.5 SWR readings.
Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240525_150717
Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240525_150804
Ford Bronco Cobra 75 All Road CB Radio Install 20240601_081215


Hope this helps. Reach out if you have any questions.
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Magnitude Flow

Badlands
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Pete
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Badlands
Clubs
 
I'm out of Snoqualmie, was thinking about something similar.
 

AXMRDR

Base
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Base
This model CB is the next one I plan to buy. Great for using on motorcycles as well.

Nice install.
 

beetle

Outer Banks
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SoCal
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Outer Banks
Clubs
 
I wanted to share a few details about installing a CB Radio. Yes, up here in the Pacific Northwest CB radios are still popular especially with log truck drivers. I'm not going to get into specifics about setting up the CB. Except to say, follow the best practices about installation and grounding. Right Channel Radios has some great information about that. I use a short antenna with a spring and that gives me good SWR readings.

I fabricated a transceiver mount out of 12ga aluminum plate I got at the scrap metal yard for about $7.00. I mounted that over some rubber and nylon washers to clear the firewall insulation at the clutch pedal mount on the firewall just above the foot rest. It's more solid than I expected. Make sure your transceiver is mounted high enough so your cable doesn't run into the interior panel to the left. I ran power directly to the battery.
20240518_094628.jpg

20240518_103414.jpg

20240518_103350.jpg

20240519_142021.jpg



I used a Mountains to Metal Flag/Antenna Mount Bracket and it worked out very well. The hole in the bracket is large so I had to use a washer between the bracket and the first nylon bushing in the antenna stud. I had to sand off the powder coat around the bottom of the antenna hole and one side of the grounding hole to get the antenna grounded to the chassis. I used the grounding location just above the subwoofer. By the way, you can remove the interior panel without removing the floor board in the cargo area.

20240518_144210.jpg

20240518_163252.jpg
20240518_163311.jpg


20240518_150715.jpg
20240519_105324.jpg


I had to use a 35' RG8x Coax cable to make it long enough to reach with some left over that I tucked in to the right of the subwoofer. 18' cable is not long enough to reach in this configuration. I had to run the ground and the coax through the door vent. I really wanted to use the grommet for the center brake light but the coax end is way too big. I may change this in the future but it seems OK for now. I made sure I had a weather loop before going into the vent so water would not follow the cables into the door.
20240519_170849.jpg


I selected the Cobra 75 All Road for the wireless feature because I didn't want to have the radio show when I wasn't using it. It just plugs into the USB port on the dash for a really clean install. The 75 All Road mic has a smaller than normal stud on the back. So none of the after market mic holders from Bulletpoint or Tackform really worked that well. So I made my own mount for the mic using parts from Tackform and some nut caps.
20240524_195854.jpg
20240525_102030.jpg
20240525_154456.jpg


Here is my view when the radio is in use and what the antenna looks like from the rear. I used a Firestick II, 2' and ordered a black tip. I wasn't really fond of the red tip that came with it. I'm getting well under 1.5 SWR readings.
20240525_150717.jpg
20240525_150804.jpg
20240601_081215.jpg


Hope this helps. Reach out if you have any questions.
I might "copy that".
 

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Bellime

Outer Banks
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Outer Banks
Clubs
 
On my wish list, just need to figure out how to install side by side with my GMRS radio
 
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Riggs83

Riggs83

Wildtrak
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Scott
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2023 4-door Wildtrak, 2023 2-door Wildtrak
Your Bronco Model
Wildtrak
Clubs
 
On my wish list, just need to figure out how to install side by side with my GMRS radio
If you figure it out let me know, I think that will be my next project. I think the antenna for that is going up front. I read somewhere the antennas should be at least 12" apart.
 

Bellime

Outer Banks
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If you figure it out let me know, I think that will be my next project. I think the antenna for that is going up front. I read somewhere the antennas should be at least 12" apart.
True, but I doubt I will use both at the same time.
 

Bellime

Outer Banks
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Clubs
 
Oh, I just thought, maybe have the other antenna on the other side of the spare tire. The bracket will be tougher to design
 
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Riggs83

Riggs83

Wildtrak
Member
First Name
Scott
Joined
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Threads
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Location
Milwaukie Oregon
Vehicle(s)
2023 4-door Wildtrak, 2023 2-door Wildtrak
Your Bronco Model
Wildtrak
Clubs
 
Oh, I just thought, maybe have the other antenna on the other side of the spare tire. The bracket will be tougher to design
Mountains to Metal makes the bracket in a left or right side configuration.
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