CB in center console - sure where to post this question

[BigDave]

Ok, I have another question for all of you out there in Explorer land...I have a CB that I have had sitting in front of my center console since I bought the truck. The wires run the ash tray and the whole thing looks generally messy. I want to put it either up under the ashtray, or better yet, in the center console that doesn't hold anything for me. I was wondering if those of you that have done this could send pictures, schematics, instructions, or any combination of those to me so that I can make this modification.

Thanks,

Dave



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Big Dave
'94 XLT 4x4
modified air box
K&N airfilter
Splitfire platinum plugs and splitfire wires
Reese hitch, CB w/ PA Speaker under hood
and Labrador Retriever
DW-Ristau@wiu.edu

 

[Desert Gator]

I have a dual-band ham rig (2 meters and 440 mHz), slightly larger than a CB set, mounted under the ash tray. Since I hate to cut up the interior, I found another ashtray at the junkyard.

I slid it IN, reserving mine for Sale Day, then ran two screws through the ashtray into its sliding track to immobilize it. Next, I mounted the ICOM mobile bracket to the underside of the junkyard ashtray with screws, lockwashers, etc, and Lock-Tite.

I poked a hole in the firewall, put a grommet in it, and brought properly-fused (+ and - leads fused) DC direct from the battery through the grommet, squirting "great stuff" around the remaining gap.

BTW, I found a 20 Amp "noise filter" in the Sale bin at a car stereo shop and put it in the + lead. I split the DC output from there to the ham rig and to a "3-for-1" surface mount cigarette lighter adapter. I Velcro'ed this to the right of the ham rig, giving me filtered DC for the GPS, the laptop I use in the truck, and a "spare" for normal accessory use, like a scanner.

Since I smoke like a steel mill, I had to find an appropriate bean bag ashtray to sit on the tranny hump, but my radios don't fly around on trails...or speed bumps. It makes it look a little more Sanitary inside.

I paid $5 for the ashtray, $6 for the 3-for-1 DC thing, and about another $7 for the wire, lugs, grommet, Velcro, etc.

If all I was worried about was a 1.5 LB CB set, I'd just Velcro the thing to the underside of the existing ashtray and route and fuse my 12 volts appropriately. Get wide, "commercial" Velcro at a decent-sized hardware store, and apply it carefully, cleaning the mating surfaces (plastic under the dash and painted metal on your CB) with a "Wet-Nap" or alcohol and a cotton rag.

Takes longer to write it up than to do it.

I found in owning a BroncoII (suspiciously similar to my Explorer) that running leads from under the dash to the console required an electrician's Fish Tape and some patience.

Dash Mounting also keeps your console open for your box of Altoids, toll booth change, and handguns...

 

[BigDave]

Thanks, that sounds like a plan to me. Is there any way that you can post a picture or send one to me? I'd like to see how it is mounted. Thanks again...

Dave

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Big Dave
'94 XLT 4x4
modified air box
K&N airfilter
Splitfire platinum plugs and splitfire wires
Reese hitch, CB w/ PA Speaker under hood
and Labrador Retriever
DW-Ristau@wiu.edu

 

[Scott B.]

I removed my ash tray and sliding assembly, and fabricated a mount to hold my CB where the factory ash tray was. I made a faceplate out of aluminum, painted in satin black to match.

Since I "lost" the cigarette lighter, I got 2 marine-style units, and mounted them in the console (under the cupholders).

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Scott
1993 Ranger, Modified

sjbosso@mindspring.com

 

[TymeKeeper]

I screwed my CB mounts to the front of the console, I can still use my cup holders and my ashtray. Dead Link Removed And I am going to run the wires under the carpet, once I have the chance to get to it.. I think it looks pretty good like that.. If I get a chance I'll take a pic of it and post it here.


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Jim
'92 Eddie Bauer Explorer
Dual 2.25 exhaust, no Mufflers
Drilled AirBox
Bosch Platinum plugs
Low Temp Pro Thermostat
Cobra 148GTL W/K40 Mag
235/60's

 

[Harry5150]

Here's something I'm looking to put in my truck.
http://www.galls.com/shop/viewProductDetail.jsp?item=VE025

I'm not sure if the older Explorers have a large gap on the tranny hump between the arm rest console and the dash like the newer ones do though. (Plus it's cheap)

Harry

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'97 Sport 2WD
Borla Catback / K&N FIPK / Warrior Lift

 

[Skippman]

Harry5150, you in the Public Safty field? My buddy gave me his Galls cataloge to order from. Was going to use "Takedown" lights instead of KC or PIAA. God knows theres nothing brighter.

As for the center console, if it's a manual there is almost NO room there. That's the problem I was having. My solution is I am going to replace the center console with this one I found at Gall's. http://www.galls.com/shop/viewProductDetail.jsp?item=VE107
I'm going to replace it's black padded armrest with the original factory one. This will hold a CB,Ham,Scanner, and then some. I'm going to run a 30 Amp service to it as soon as I can get a bigger alternator.
Check out Galls at http://www.galls.com
They make equiptment to rescue teams and police agencys. There stuff is excellent.

Justin "Skipp" Hoyer


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93' Mazda Navajo
BF-Goodrich Trail T/A's

 

[BigDave]

Harry,

I have an automatic so the shifter is not a concern. Have you seen those plates used in an explorer. That plate mounting would be great for me too, because I could put some scrap metal or wood painted black on the back of it to put wires behind and hide them. I would also be able to put the three cigarette lighter plugs on there too, and hard wire my radar detector....the possibilities are endless. Dead Link Removed

Thanks,

Dave

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Big Dave
'94 XLT 4x4
modified air box
K&N airfilter
Splitfire platinum plugs and splitfire wires
Reese hitch, CB w/ PA Speaker under hood
and Labrador Retriever
DW-Ristau@wiu.edu

 

[Harry5150]

Dave, I can't say that I've seen them used in Explorers but I think they should fit. I belive the "base" is bendable too so you can get a better fit.

They even have the plugs you're looking for. This company has everything!
http://www.galls.com/shop/viewProductDetail.jsp?item=SE023


Harry


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'97 Sport 2WD
Borla Catback / K&N FIPK / Warrior Lift

 

[rock883]

Hey Harry, about the switch panel. Do you know if it is close to the size of the cigarret tray? That would be a great place to put it at. I would like someting like that if I had a lot of lights, etc..

I went to the Gall's website, but can't find any of this cool stuff you guys have found.

 

[Harry5150]

Yes. I'm currently in an academy and transitioning towards a career as a firefighter.

I order my personal safety & ems gear from galls. Their customer service is great & they have a no hassle return policy.

I forgot about everyone w/ manual trans. The console I mentioned could cause a slight problem! LOL

I'm also looking to get their light control switch panel to contol my electonics and lights. Its switches are lighted and fused too.
http://www.galls.com/shop/viewProductDetail.jsp?item=SE044

Harry

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'97 Sport 2WD
Borla Catback / K&N FIPK / Warrior Lift

 

[Harry5150]

Rock, you may have to drill down some on their site cause they have a lot of stuff for sale/online. Their web servers are sporadic too. Sometimes the pages load fast and sometimes it creeps. The order & info # is 800 477-7766.

The link didn't work? Here's the dimension for the switch panel. It also says it comes w/ a free mounting bracket & wiring.

[Measures 2 1/2"H x 6 1/2"W x 2 1/4"D]

Harry

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'97 Sport 2WD
Borla Catback / K&N FIPK / Warrior Lift

 

[rock883]

Hey Harry, the link did work, but I don't know the dimmensions of the ciggaret tray to compare it to the switch panel. Also, do they send you a bracket according to what vehicle you have?

 

[zensius]

Big Dave, I did what Scott Bosso did in his rig. Except that I re-used the original ash tray cover. It comes off real easy, just drill out two rivets. Then I ued a little sticky backed velcro to hold it in it's original place. It looks factory when the cb is not in use which is most of the time. And it all only took an hour or so.
good luck.

 

[Skippman]

When navigating the Gall's cataloge keep in mind all the stuff is pro grade, and they sell EVERYTHING. The 2000 cataloge lists everything from K9 Vehicle Kennals to Kevelar Armor and GPS units. If your looking for the vehicle equiptment you need to navigate like this....
Under the "Shop By Catagory" selector pick "Vehicle Equiptment" and hit the "Go" button.

Hay Harry, you ever seen a Lightbar with nothing but "Takedowns" on it? I wonder if Galls can make that for me. Also, do they have C.E.R.T. training in your area, I'm getting ready to take that here in St. Louis
Under that area select the "Communications Orginazers" link.
That will get you to the cool consoles and stuff.



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93' Mazda Navajo
BF-Goodrich Trail T/A's