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CB install




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We need to get a few 3rd gen installs on there. I ordered mine yesterday and now I'm looking at whips. Post some pics of your installation process when you get started and I'll do the same. See if we can't get a few more on there.:biggthump
 






jettman said:
I am going to install a CB into my 03 Explorer. I need to know where the best places are to get the ground and power. I need always on power. I will be installing the following CB.

http://www.amazon.com/Cobra-75WXST-40-Channel-CB-Radio/dp/B00005N5WW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1295302482&sr=8-7

Where is the best place for the ground and always on power?
Click to expand...

Jettman if you lift up the console cover you will see a connector that is unused under there near the front left side. That has 12v always on. For the ground just screw into the metal plate that you'll see in the bottom of the console.

After going through a bunch of experiments I dont recommend trying to use the stock radio antenna location for the cb antenna. I think the taillight location in the second thread that lynchy posted works a lot better. Or you can use a magnet mount antenna that is made for that radio.
 






Ronin8002

Thanks for the info. On the connector that is unused, do you remember what wire color has the always on 12v source?
 






Well there were only two wires going to the connector...off the top of my head I think it was RED or orange. Use a voltmeter or test light to make sure.
 












None at all. It might have helped that I kept the negative wire from the CB very short and I grounded it to the metal plate in there instead of tapping into a negative wire on the unused harness.
 






Did you just use a sheet metal screw and drill it into the metal plate or did you use an existing screw that was in the metal plate? I am worried about using a sheet metal screw as I don't know what is below the metal plate.

Also, in my explorer I found two unused wire harnesses. One of the harnesses is orangish and has two wires, and the other is grayish or black and has multiple wires. Did you use the orangish one? Did you use a wire tap?

Sorry for the many questions. I am very new to vehicle wiring.
 






For the screw I just used one of the sheet metal mounting screws that came with the cb (the ones that are supplied for mounting the small metal box). I drilled a little hole on the right hand part of the plate. I wondered about what was under there too but drilled just dep enough to penetrate the metal plate and I didn't hit anything, so I don't think there is anything under there to worry about.

The harness with the two wires (the orange-ish one) is what I used for power. The orange wire was the hot one. I just cut it and spliced it to the power wire for the CB but I guess you could use a tap if you don't want to cut it
 






What antenna are you using Jettman?
 






Thanks for the info.

I am using a glass mount antenna. I have one on my SportTrac and it works great. I can hear people and they have no problem hearing me.
 






Cool...post pics if you can when you are done.
 






lynchy wa said:
We need to get a few 3rd gen installs on there. I ordered mine yesterday and now I'm looking at whips. Post some pics of your installation process when you get started and I'll do the same. See if we can't get a few more on there.:biggthump
Click to expand...

I have the Cobra all-n-one mic and my antenna is mounted on the back only thing is i can't use my lift gat unless the antenna is removed but i can still lift the glass part. i will post some pic soon.

IMAG0064.jpg

IMAG0065.jpg
 



























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That's come up a treat, Taburch. I'm still patiently waiting for my aerial... hohum....,
hopefully today. I found a mounting bracket I can use it was just a 90 degree jobby which has now been grinded and bashed with the back of an axe to fit the contour of the rear pillar. I was worried about damaging my tail light Ronin because I don't have the tail light guards that you've got mate. Here's a couple of pic's to sort of show what I mean:
 

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