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Replace am/fm antenna with cb antenna?

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by smslavin, Apr 23, 2018.

  1. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:01 AM
    #1
    smslavin

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    smslavin [OP] New Member

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    for awhile now, i've been hunting around for a clean solution to mounting the CB antenna. i've tried a number of options but haven't found something that i like or that works. yesterday, i started thinking about replacing the am/fm antenna with the CB antenna. i don't remember the last time i listened to a radio station. it was probably kevin & bean on KROQ. needless to say, i won't be missing the radio.

    anyway, i haven't actually gone out to the truck to look at anything yet but wanted to ask the folks smarter than me. has anyone done this? i don't see any reason why it wouldn't be possible.
     
    smslavin, Apr 23, 2018
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  2. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:21 AM
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    Black Wolf

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    Black Wolf Chillin' in Alamosa

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    I considered that myself but couldn't come up with a sturdy way to do it using the existing mount, but then again if you go with a light weight CB antenna it may just work as long as you can get a decent ground plane .
     
    Black Wolf, Apr 23, 2018
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    dcsleeper408 and smslavin[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  3. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:25 AM
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    Skippy

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    Skippy Standing for the Flag

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    I've been wanting a CB since Smokey and the Bandit, but can't violate my road princess. This however, I could see myself doing.
     
    Skippy, Apr 23, 2018
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  4. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:35 AM
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    smslavin

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    smslavin [OP] New Member

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    i have a 3' firestik with a quick disconnect which will clear the roof. i was thinking i'd pull the radio antenna then bolt the disconnect into that spot. my only concern is getting a good ground connection but maybe it would be fine. i dunno. i need to crawl around a bit on the truck. the google gave me some answers that definitely make it look possible.
     
    smslavin, Apr 23, 2018
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  5. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:37 AM
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    Over the LINE

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    Over the LINE New Member

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    I remember way back when, CB's were a factory option. I don't remember them having a separate antenna. Not sure how well they work but combo antenna link below and factory option pic to show I'm not crazy.
    https://www.google.com/search?q=factory+option+CB+radio+1980's&client=firefox-b-1&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=02JER4aWWUBJ8M%3A%2C-pIi0ceyfIxifM%2C_&usg=__dhx5y69bIXmDzLnooBijzsdmnLg=&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiAm-Si3NDaAhVC11MKHRsvDR4Q9QEIMTAB#imgrc=Q_iQeaTjHQxrbM:
    $58 Varies AM/FM & CB Radio 3-Way Antenna Splitter
    https://www.amazon.com/AM-FM-CB-Antenna-Splitter/dp/B0045J9Z3K
     
    Over the LINE, Apr 23, 2018
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  6. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:39 AM
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    smslavin

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    smslavin [OP] New Member

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    i tried that. didn't work. on my truck, the antenna is not an RCA jack going into the head unit so it won't plug into the converter.
     
    smslavin, Apr 23, 2018
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  7. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:43 AM
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    Randy Morton

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    Randy Morton Life takes its toll, please have exact change.

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    There used to be adapters that would let you use your AM/FM antenna as a CB antenna. These were basically 50ohm dummy loads with a radiating element and the range was severely limited. Using the existing AM/FM mounting hole for a better CB antenna will require significant body work. Look into a quality antenna and a good mount that bolts to either the bed rails (or thereabouts) or a hood lip mount. You'll find the better mounts at Ham Radio shops. Ham Radio Outlet in Denver would be a good place to shop for a mount, antenna, and good advice on making it work right.

    https://www.hamradio.com/locations.cfm?storeid=10
     
    Randy Morton, Apr 23, 2018
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  8. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:44 AM
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    Skippy

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    I remember trying that as well growing up, and it worked to some extent, but wasn't even close to the real deal.
     
    Skippy, Apr 23, 2018
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  9. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:47 AM
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    Black Wolf

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    Black Wolf Chillin' in Alamosa

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    I'm thinking you just might be able to make it happen. The tricky part as you mentioned is getting a decent ground.
     
    Black Wolf, Apr 23, 2018
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    smslavin[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  10. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:48 AM
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    dcsleeper408

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    dcsleeper408 BASTRDS

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    mount the cb antenna on your front bumper an option??
     
    dcsleeper408, Apr 23, 2018
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  11. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:48 AM
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    Black Wolf

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    Black Wolf Chillin' in Alamosa

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    I'm using the hood lip mount. Works good.
     
    Black Wolf, Apr 23, 2018
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  12. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:54 AM
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    smslavin

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    smslavin [OP] New Member

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    i'm over there quite a bit. not too far from the house. they've been playing, and building, radios longer than i've been alive. i need to head over there anyway and pick up a few things for the HAM.

    possibly. my goal is to try and stay clean and understated.
     
    smslavin, Apr 23, 2018
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  13. Apr 23, 2018 at 8:55 AM
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    Randy Morton

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    Randy Morton Life takes its toll, please have exact change.

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    Take wind loading and the thickness of the fender into consideration. A 3' CB antenna will put a lot more stress on the fender than a standard AM/FM antenna. You'll need a lot of reinforcement on the mount to keep it stable.
     
    Randy Morton, Apr 23, 2018
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  14. Apr 23, 2018 at 9:04 AM
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    smslavin

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    smslavin [OP] New Member

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    smslavin, Apr 23, 2018
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  15. Apr 25, 2018 at 1:59 PM
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    smslavin

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    smslavin [OP] New Member

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    been trading some emails with the guy from wagon gear. doesn't sound like it's going to work. where can i find an exploded drawing of the antenna mechanism in a 3rd gen? looks like i might have to pull apart the wheel well to get in there unless you can reach it from the inside behind the glovebox or something. drawing would help.
     
    smslavin, Apr 25, 2018
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  16. Sep 28, 2018 at 7:55 PM
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    L3TT3RS

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    L3TT3RS New Member

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    What did you end up doing?
     
    L3TT3RS, Sep 28, 2018
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  17. Sep 30, 2018 at 3:41 PM
    #17
    smslavin

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    smslavin [OP] New Member

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    nothing yet. this fell off the back burner. need to pick it back up. i still want to put it in the factory am/fm location.
     
    smslavin, Sep 30, 2018
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  18. Sep 30, 2018 at 4:17 PM
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    L3TT3RS

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    L3TT3RS New Member

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    I'm considering this as well as I only run a nmo gmrs antenna. I think the lightweight of this type antenna would work well in that location
     
    L3TT3RS, Sep 30, 2018
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  19. Oct 13, 2018 at 10:54 AM
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    Randy Morton

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    Randy Morton Life takes its toll, please have exact change.

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    If anyone is still looking to use the AM/FM antenna for CB, I found this at Bonnie and Clyde's in Dallas this morning.

     
    Randy Morton, Oct 13, 2018
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