Highliner Headliner

[GunMan9]

I just bought a highliner headliner a few weeks ago and have yet to install it, because the truck just went to paint today and to have the dash reupholstered. I was wondering if anyone has one and how to mount a CB radio in there? I bought the Cobra 29 LX, and if anyone has any info on what antenna to get that would be great. Pics would be great to!

[werewolfx13]

My highliner is 20 years old, but I mounted a uniden pc68XL in it..Just need to trim the opening with a dremel or the like to fit snug on the case, and just pop the radio in across the screws. The front most case screws will hold the radio in place if you trim it snug enough.

As far as an antenna, your best bet for barefoot use is drill a hole in the center of the roof for a wilson 5000 roof mount, feed the excess coax down one rear pillar, across the back of the cab, and back up the other rear pillar to the radio. DO NOT coil the coax in the headliner or behind the seat, and do not trim the coax to a shorter length. That WILL affect your tuning.

If you're serious about the hobby, a predator 10k mounted on a commercial acorn mount with a short bottom shaft, use the same location (center of the roof), and good 50 ohm coax (don't use RG-58, at the very least use RG-8U) from a reputable manufacturer.

[GunMan9]

I'm leaning towards the k40 magnetic antenna because I do not want to drill into the job because its in paint right now getting a entire paint job done

[muddnutz]

Magnet will scratch the new paint.  Run it down the rear pillar and drill hole in the floor   I had mine mounted to the rear bumper

[werewolfx13]

I'll second the mag being more destructive. Drilling a hole won't affect value or durability....The mag mounts will sandblast the area right under them as miscellaneous crud builds up underneath...And, k40 is pretty much garbage these days. I've had em apart, and Wilson makes a vastly superior antenna for a comparable price. If you're dead set on not drilling a hole in the roof, as suggested, drill through the floor or firewall and pick your poison for the mount. Stay away from any mount that clamps on or is a mag mount. A poor groundplane can trash your radio, and most of those "no drill" mounts do more harm than good. I've currently got my cheap baseload antenna mounted on a stainless bar bolted above the core support on the drivers side, ground strap added and run to the core support ground bolt on that side. Hood closes with plenty of clearance.