Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2686
CB installation.
I thought I’d share some images of how I’ve installed a CB in my D3.
I had several criteria:
-The whole set up must be removable very quickly.
-I wanted the option of leaving the Antenna bracket in place and just unscrewing the main part from the bracket, but without adding much height to the ‘T’ tracks so I can still get in multi-stories etc.
-It should not interfere with fitting my full length roof rack which I only use when needed, and leaves only a couple of inches of ‘T’ track free once it’s on.
I’m lucky enough to have a good home workshop with mill, lathe, welding gear etc, so the fabrication wasn’t too much hassle.
I made both brackets from Stainless scrap I had in the garage, and am going to take them both into work after Easter and drop them in our Rumbler for 1/2hr to get a more even finish without me spending hours polishing them or painting them.
Excuse the state of the inside of the car, it desperately needs showing a Duster and Vacuum cleaner.
The CB bracket.
As you can see from the image its bent and shaped from Stainless, and shaped to hook into the rim of the cup holder. Being symmetrical it can be used on either side of the console. The CB fits nicely under my leg and all I need to do is add a Mic hook to the back of the CB.
The console is protected by rubber edging strip and self adhesive foam attached to the bracket.
Power is a simple Fag lighter plug which I’ve wired through an in-line mini-blade fuse holder.
The Coax is routed through the car from the tailgate and comes out from under the driver seat.
Both the Coax and Power cables are long enough to reach the unit if it’s hooked on either side of the centre console.
The Cup holder is of course still fully functional with the bracket in place.
I’m really pleased with how neat it is once in place, and once unhooked it slides nicely in the gap under the drivers seat out of view from outside, or of course the coax can be unplugged and it can be put in the boot.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
The Antenna.
The coax currently just gets jammed in the tailgate seal, but down at the bottom edge so it doesn’t let in any water, but I’m going to route it through the vent behind the rear lights.
The bracket is bent and shaped from Stainless, and two M8 Socket Cap Screws locate in a 5mm thick slug of Stainless which is drilled to fit over the head of the small screw holding the ‘T’ track end cap in. The Slug is also drilled and tapped to accept the Screws. The slug is held permanently in place by the head of the small screw which was removed and replaced once the slug was in place. The grease is there as I turned the head of the screw down slightly and obviously exposed bare metal in the process.
By just undoing the two Screws the whole bracket and antenna can be put in the boot, or the antenna can be unscrewed and the bracket left on, only adding a few mm to the height of the car.
The roof rack has curved ends so the antenna will not foul it when it’s on. I’ve included an image of the roof rack on the car so you can see what I mean, but sorry, I didn’t want to put in on in the rain today to show it properly.
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
7th Apr 2012 5:25 pm
Hess
Member Since: 07 Mar 2011
Location: Highlands
Posts: 1533
Nice job Nasher!
7th Apr 2012 5:31 pm
DerbyshireDisco
Member Since: 12 Mar 2012
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 1397
I like that great design.Displaced Yorkshireman.
=^:^=
SDV6 Auto obviously, Loire blue/Ebony, ugly kid glass, RLD wheel protector, private plate and maybe side steps.
Nice job, I particularly like the cup holder mount much neater than wedging it by the seat!
RichClub N.E.R.D.s
7th Apr 2012 10:02 pm
nunocosta
Member Since: 07 Nov 2010
Location: lisboa
Posts: 92
good job, well done
19th Apr 2012 10:14 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2686
Thanks guys Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
19th Apr 2012 10:51 pm
mrszymon
Member Since: 17 Apr 2012
Location: London
Posts: 425
I must say, that's beautifully done - especially the cup-holder mount. Genius.
Question - I see that you take power straight from the lighter socket. Is the power quite clean there or do you get interference - the noise of the engine or similar coming through the speaker? I'm going to fit a radio into my disco (amateur bands, but my 10M band is close enough to your 11M CB) and I was looking at diagrams and thinking about how to feed a "clean" power source with RFI protection...
-simon
19th Apr 2012 11:24 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2686
The Power appears clean enough from the lighter socket for the CB, although it's probably far less sensitive to that sort of thing than a more serious piece of kit.
I suppose the only 'measurement' I can offer is that I've not noticed any difference when the engine is running.
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
20th Apr 2012 4:16 pm
MarkOne
Member Since: 23 Jul 2011
Location: County Antrim
Posts: 3345
Fine bit of engineering on the hanger bracket genius, as far as the ariel went I would have went for a little will on a mag mount. Great small ariel and and could not be easier to remove.
20th Apr 2012 8:49 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2686
I did think about a mag mount, but with the glass roof there isn't a flat area of roof big enough to put it.
Nasher.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
20th Apr 2012 8:52 pm
MarkOne
Member Since: 23 Jul 2011
Location: County Antrim
Posts: 3345
Think some of the small good mounts would fit at the back but either way great job.
I have been inspired, I have the CB, not had much idea on where it could go until now though.
You did a Great Job Buddy, if you do any other Mods, post the pics
17th Mar 2013 12:50 pm
grenvillew
Member Since: 08 Feb 2013
Location: Sussex
Posts: 32
I have tried running a 2M amateur rig from the lighter socket and there is too much voltage drop at the higher current needed. CB works fine though.
Love the bracket and looks reasonably easy to make even for someone as clumsy as me.
I got a CB recently, I don't pick that much up in Cumbria at all, but when I was over in Newcastle there was loads going on. Perhaps depends where you are...Club N.E.R.D's
Narpy Grill Mod
De-tangoed lights
Club GG AT's
Club LED Interior and Sidelights
Club Reverse Camera & RR mode sat nav & fold down DVD
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