Livewire18
TYF Newbie
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2012
- Posts
- 21
- Reaction score
- 1
So, a little background first. My Tahoe is a 2007 Z71 LT3. Pretty much every option offered except the power folding rear seats and 20in rims. It is pewter with the two tone (black/grey) leather with quad seating, sun roof, nav, etc....
Since I got the hoe' I have been looking to add a cb since I had one in my last truck. However, for any of you that have the full console, this can be quite a challenge trying to find space.
Here is what I installed:
Uniden Bearcat 980 SSB
9ft of RG 8X coax
Firestik K4 - mount
Firestik K1-A - quick disconnect
Firestik FL3-B - 3ft firefly antenna
I was toying with the idea of mount it in the center console, but decided I wanted it more accessible, so I decided to cut up the center console (yes... I broke my heart, for a minute).
After spending about an hour taking the center console apart and removing it from the Tahoe, I separated it into a few pieces and started trimming the inside frame to allow the CB to fit all the way down as far as I needed it to be.
Once the frame was trimmed, then it was on to the "visible" portion of hacking... there was no turning back now (unless I buy a new tray and cup holder).
Once I cut the hole for the CB to pass through, then I shaved down the retaining tabs for the cub holder and change holder so that I could move the cup holders forward.
Then I screwed through the side of the tray and into the cup holders to attach them in place.
Next (after routing the cable through the firewall and spending 2 hours on the mount, which I have to still get pics of). I put the console back together and started mounting everything up.
Then after a bit of final trimming, I got everything back together.
Well, it looked ok, but I wasnt happy. So I spent about 5 hours with a piece of 3/8 alluminum fabbing up a faceplate, and then spend 4 hours driving around trying to find something that will match the dash trim (still havent yet, but have some samples coming from a place online to try). I did find something close though, but still not 100% happy with the match).
Sorry for the crappy pics, it was late when I finished, but I will get more of the antenna, mount, and day-time shots of the finished project.
Also, for the future I am looking at getting a 2FT Firestik for daily driving, and keep the 3ft for travelling and trails. Yes, I said trails, this will not be a mall crawler.
As of right now, everything between channel 9 and 40 is sitting at almost perfect 1.0:1 SWR and below 9 is right about 1.3 SWR.
Pictures of the antenna and better pic of CB is further down thread.
Since I got the hoe' I have been looking to add a cb since I had one in my last truck. However, for any of you that have the full console, this can be quite a challenge trying to find space.
Here is what I installed:
Uniden Bearcat 980 SSB
9ft of RG 8X coax
Firestik K4 - mount
Firestik K1-A - quick disconnect
Firestik FL3-B - 3ft firefly antenna
I was toying with the idea of mount it in the center console, but decided I wanted it more accessible, so I decided to cut up the center console (yes... I broke my heart, for a minute).
After spending about an hour taking the center console apart and removing it from the Tahoe, I separated it into a few pieces and started trimming the inside frame to allow the CB to fit all the way down as far as I needed it to be.
Once the frame was trimmed, then it was on to the "visible" portion of hacking... there was no turning back now (unless I buy a new tray and cup holder).
Once I cut the hole for the CB to pass through, then I shaved down the retaining tabs for the cub holder and change holder so that I could move the cup holders forward.
Then I screwed through the side of the tray and into the cup holders to attach them in place.
Next (after routing the cable through the firewall and spending 2 hours on the mount, which I have to still get pics of). I put the console back together and started mounting everything up.
Then after a bit of final trimming, I got everything back together.
Well, it looked ok, but I wasnt happy. So I spent about 5 hours with a piece of 3/8 alluminum fabbing up a faceplate, and then spend 4 hours driving around trying to find something that will match the dash trim (still havent yet, but have some samples coming from a place online to try). I did find something close though, but still not 100% happy with the match).
Sorry for the crappy pics, it was late when I finished, but I will get more of the antenna, mount, and day-time shots of the finished project.
Also, for the future I am looking at getting a 2FT Firestik for daily driving, and keep the 3ft for travelling and trails. Yes, I said trails, this will not be a mall crawler.
As of right now, everything between channel 9 and 40 is sitting at almost perfect 1.0:1 SWR and below 9 is right about 1.3 SWR.
Pictures of the antenna and better pic of CB is further down thread.
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