Working on the truck today - question

[LagunaH1]

Hi everyone,

I'm working on installing 2 HAM radio antennas on the truck. The antennas are mounted on the top of a BackRack open rack on the front of the truck bed.

How the heck does anyone get in between the bed and the cab to route the coax inside the cab? I'm pretty sure there are 2 vents I could get in through.

and / or:

Are there any existing grommets underneath the truck which would be of use? -Didn't see any when I was under the truck just now but thought I'd see what others have done

[verdesardog]

I just routed my cable through the rear pass. side door for my mag mount 2m antenna. The weather-strip is very soft and does not damage it at all.

[dogcar3]

There are drain plugs in the bottom of the under seat storage bins.

[LagunaH1]

There are drain plugs in the bottom of the under seat storage bins.

That's exactly what I ended up using

I'll take a few pics of the final product in a few hours


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LagunaH1]

The finished product:







I mostly like how it looks. Not TOTALLY happy with the brackets for the antennas but it's the best I could come up with so far

[Snowsled]

You could cut the brackets back towards the antenna base and radius the corners. Less noticeable and less dangerous minus the sharp corners.

[LagunaH1]

You could cut the brackets back towards the antenna base and radius the corners. Less noticeable and less dangerous minus the sharp corners.

Yeah, I've been thinking about that. I may go that route. One of the reasons I'm reluctant, is that the bracket, screws and antenna mount have been painted to seal it against the elements. I'd prefer to not break that seal and have to re-do it all. Hmm.... I don't think I have a saw which can cut metal now I think of it..... Trip to Home Depot in my future, LOL

[whitey]

My god is there any dirt where you live? everything is way too clean in those pics. Random statement for the day! Sorry to jack the thread.

[LagunaH1]

My god is there any dirt where you live? everything is way too clean in those pics. Random statement for the day! Sorry to jack the thread.

LOL!!!!

Hmm... well, no. No dirt in the city I live in. *some* dirt an hour away. More, better, dirt 3 hours away

[RJL1]

Looks real good. Nice setup and beautiful truck.

[Snowsled]

You could cut the brackets back towards the antenna base and radius the corners. Less noticeable and less dangerous minus the sharp corners.

Yeah, I've been thinking about that. I may go that route. One of the reasons I'm reluctant, is that the bracket, screws and antenna mount have been painted to seal it against the elements. I'd prefer to not break that seal and have to re-do it all. Hmm.... I don't think I have a saw which can cut metal now I think of it..... Trip to Home Depot in my future, LOL

Dremel tool... I would remove the brackets, trim accordingly and re-paint. I think I would drill the vertical tubes and run the wires inside rather than zip tied to the outside. Pick up a few rubber grommets to run the wires through the drilled holes. I would probably route the wires through the bottom tube and have them exit towards the cab near where they go inside the truck. The only wires you would see would be right at the top by the antenna. Just a little planning, drilling and touch up painting and you can make most of the wiring go away, and be better protected from the elements.

[LagunaH1]

Good idea running the coax inside the tubes, hadn't thought of that

I think I'll start at that and then decide on the brackets later. The way they are now, they *do* protect the connection between the thin coax and the antenna base. Admittedly an "unintentional design feature"