i was reading about cbs on here and had some questions.

where do you guys normally buy your stuff? cheapest places?

what would be a good cb? just something for random use/wheeling

i'd like a good range on it. nothing huge or massive, maybe something that fits underneith the radio or a little bigger.

 

i recommend the Cobra 19. small. built in speaker that is quite loud. pretty cheap from summit
Cobra Electronics 19DXIV - Cobra Compact Mobile 19DXIV CB Radios - Overview - SummitRacing.com

and i have a 4' firestik and got everything tuned and it works great! there's also a PA output on the CB which makes for some good fun!

 

yeah i've heard a lot about the firesticks, where would i get it "tuned" at.

what kind of range are you able to get?

 

im probably going to get that same CB with the firstick.
Sorry to thread jack but no point in making another thread...Will that one need to be wired up or can u plug it into the 12v plug?

 

Not sure about where you're at, but the local Radio Shack will tune a CB here.

Considering it doesn't say if it does or not, I'm going to assume that you aren't able to just plug it in.

I've got the Midland version of that one in the Ranger, and it seems to be pretty good. It has decent range, but if you're only using it for wheeling, you're not gonna need a lot of range.

 

damn i don't want to wire stuff cuz its freezing out but if i have to then i have no choice haha.
Thanks for the info jimmeh

 

yeah thats one thing its to cold out to work in the garage since its not heated.

so i have a HUGE list for spring that i'ma slowly buy over winter ha.

tails/heads
rims/tires
lift maybe
cb
side mirrors
new headunit
new amp/sub setup :)

so wait for a huge thread for my truck come spring.

where can i find that metal bracket that bolts into the tailgate?

 

Uniden makes a better CB than most manufactures these day; Cobras aren’t bad but a second choice in my book.
The PRO510 or PRO520 are small unit and fit more easily in the small compartment of the Ranger and they are reasonable in price. Uniden has any bell or whistle you want but the money goes up.
Here is the PRO520XL and it is $60 brand new. http://www.walcottcb.com/uniden-pro5...?cPath=340_377
As far as antennas, Fire-Stik is good but the Wilson brand of antennas are good also.
Wilson has a Flex Whip that is 3 4 or I think 6 feet tall and is thinner than most fiberglass antenna and flex really nice.
I have one of the 2 foot version but it is an old model and gone from production now.

Let’s start from page one, the most important part of the CD System is the Antenna buy the best one you can afford, see above.
This is a good one and they come shorter if needed… FLEX4 Wilson Flexible Fiberglass Antenna - Electronics Superstore www.WalcottCB.com
The next part to think about is the Coax, a very important part, buy good quality Belden Coax, RG-58U is good to use, I prefer the RG-8X a little bigger in OD, when it really comes down to it, 58U is will work OK at the CB Frequencies and the lengths of Coax being used in a Ranger so buy Belden that is the most important part.
Also about coax, if you decide to buy coax with the connector already installed buy the type that has a PL259 (std CB Connector) on one end and the other end get Ring Lugs. This may sound like the easy way out but in reality it is the best hook up for the CB Frequency.
Something like this: Firestik - K8 - Single 18 Foot Coax With Lug Terminals - Electronics Superstore www.WalcottCB.com
Now with that said look at The antenna Mounts, decide where you want the antenna to be mounted, buy a mount that puts it there and you will need a stud mount to attach the antenna to the body mount. One thing to remember, buy the stud mount and the coax with connector that match connector.
This is the stud kit for Ring Lug Coax, there are others and you still need the Body Mount: Firestik - K4DD - Stainless Steel Disc Mount - Electronics Superstore www.WalcottCB.com
Now that you have the Antenna, Mount and Coax buy the CB, buy one of the name brand but in my opinion stick to Uniden.

Mount it up, run the CB power wires (red and blk) to the battery for power using a fuse on the red wire minimum, some do both, hook up the coax and get the antenna tuned for low standing wave ratio (SWR).

If the SWR is under 1.5 to 1 all should work OK but the lower the SWR reading (toward the 1.1 to 1) the better.
If the SWR is too high and you can not adjust it down check the Antenna Mount for grounding, maybe even run a separate braided strap from the antenna body mount to the frame.

OK I have taken up too much room, get the above done and let us know what is happening.

Walcott CB is a good place to shop too.
Walcott CB - CB Radio, Mobile Electronics and Communications Superstore, in stock products with same-day shipping - - Electronics Superstore www.WalcottCB.com

 

when I had my wip on I just got mine from walmart and paid like $40 for it I could get about 10 miles out of it but now I just use it for the PA that how we communicacate when muddin

 

Go to a truck stop u can get badass ones and some will soup it up for ya

 

All of the above is good but watch out for Truck Stops, be sure of what you want before going there’ go for a price only don’t go to buy until you have had a chance to check out what the TS was trying to sell.

WalMart will have most of the parts necessary for a CB system install and could work out OK.

Do it and let us know how things work out.

Don’t forget the grounding of the antenna mount and get the antenna tuned.

 

Sorry to hack the thread but anybody have an Alon mount? I'm thinking of doing a cb but I want an Alon mount.

 

dang i like that tailgate antenna mount i just put a cb on mine yesterday and drilled two holes in my bumper and tore apart my fender running the wires into the cab %$%$ i knew i shoulda asked yall first

 

ask him. He said he'll make more if he gets enough people to buy them.

 

Oh alright, I couldnt find his thread to PM him...

 

Talk to me, what is an "Alon Mount” ?

Thanks

 

These...

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...1837-alon.html

 

Just make your own mount, that's what I did. Only took maybe 30 minutes, a welder, a grinder, and a rattle can.

 

Thanks, NOW I too know what it is…


Nice idea.
You could just tale a piece of angle iron or angle aluminum and cut it to the shape you have.
Would not need welder and anyone could do it but great idea.

 

Good point with the angle iron, I just had the flat bar on hand and access to a welder.

 

sorry to jack here... i've got a cobra 19 dxiv, wondering if anyone else has any issues with it in cold weather... mine takes like 10 minutes to turn on when it's cold, like, after the truck warms up, and i have to turn the heater off type deal...

 

That is the cleanest of this type of mount I have seen and I like it; can I copy the idea ?

 

Alon mount FTW.
Just got mine yesterday

 

it's just a piece of 1/8th x3/4 flatbar, with a 90* bend, and then a 90* twist, and a big hole on one end, and 2 small holes on the other end... isn't it?

 

Don’t forget to add an extra hole for an additional braided ground strap.
The bed mounting points always have dirt in between and will not conduct a good connection.

Run a ⅜ or larger braided strap from the bracket or one of the mounting bolts on the inside of the fender, to the frame making sure to get to bare metal, use external tooth lock washers and some electrical paste for all connections.