Installing CB cable
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: omaha ne
Installing CB cable
Does anyone know if you drill a hole behind the license plate if it will go directly into the trunk? It looks like it will, but I am running into some aluminum. I want to run my cable thru the trunk like I did on my C5.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
I've run 2 antenna cables back in my C7 and the answer to your question is no.
What I did was to remove the rear inside trim (I have a Z51 and I'm referring to the plastic trim that encloses the sub woofer and amp along the rear edge of the hatch (trunk) area.)
One that's removed, you can drill a hole just large enough to pass the RG-58/U coax through (1/4"). But first, you need a snake (a wire coat hanger will suffice) and you need to push it through the hole, DOWN towards the license plate. You need the snake because the shock-absorbing "bumpers" are quite a pain to get cables past.
Once you have the snake through one of the holes near the top of the license plate mounting, attach a string as a messenger cable and pull it back up through the hole into the truck. Finally, attach your coax and pull the messenger back down to the license plate area.
Here's how mine turned out:
Oh yea.. your CB antenna is a non ground plane type, right?
What I did was to remove the rear inside trim (I have a Z51 and I'm referring to the plastic trim that encloses the sub woofer and amp along the rear edge of the hatch (trunk) area.)
One that's removed, you can drill a hole just large enough to pass the RG-58/U coax through (1/4"). But first, you need a snake (a wire coat hanger will suffice) and you need to push it through the hole, DOWN towards the license plate. You need the snake because the shock-absorbing "bumpers" are quite a pain to get cables past.
Once you have the snake through one of the holes near the top of the license plate mounting, attach a string as a messenger cable and pull it back up through the hole into the truck. Finally, attach your coax and pull the messenger back down to the license plate area.
Here's how mine turned out:
Oh yea.. your CB antenna is a non ground plane type, right?
Last edited by KenHorse; Dec 13, 2014 at 06:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: omaha ne
I've run 2 antenna cables back in my C7 and the answer to your question is no.
What I did was to remove the rear inside trim (I have a Z51 and I'm referring to the plastic trim that encloses the sub woofer and amp along the rear edge of the hatch (trunk) area.)
One that's removed, you can drill a hole just large enough to pass the RG-58/U coax through (1/4"). But first, you need a snake (a wire coat hanger will suffice) and you need to push it through the hole, DOWN towards the license plate. You need the snake because the shock-absorbing "bumpers" are quite a pain to get cables past.
Once you have the snake through one of the holes near the top of the license plate mounting, attach a string as a messenger cable and pull it back up through the hole into the truck. Finally, attach your coax and pull the messenger back down to the license plate area.
Here's how mine turned out:
Oh yea.. your CB antenna is a non ground plane type, right?
What I did was to remove the rear inside trim (I have a Z51 and I'm referring to the plastic trim that encloses the sub woofer and amp along the rear edge of the hatch (trunk) area.)
One that's removed, you can drill a hole just large enough to pass the RG-58/U coax through (1/4"). But first, you need a snake (a wire coat hanger will suffice) and you need to push it through the hole, DOWN towards the license plate. You need the snake because the shock-absorbing "bumpers" are quite a pain to get cables past.
Once you have the snake through one of the holes near the top of the license plate mounting, attach a string as a messenger cable and pull it back up through the hole into the truck. Finally, attach your coax and pull the messenger back down to the license plate area.
Here's how mine turned out:
Oh yea.. your CB antenna is a non ground plane type, right?
What is your second antenna used for?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
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From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Thanks Ken for the info. I already have taken off trim and pulled back the sub woofer panel. My next step was to snake a hanger through like you suggested. Did you drill the hole from the inside of trunk? Is your bracket above or below your rear view camera? My bracket attaches to the license plate top screws. The bracket blocks the camera view. Mine is also a 2015 Z51 vert. The cable is a non ground plane I had on my C5.
What is your second antenna used for?
What is your second antenna used for?
As the 2nd pic shows, I milled out the bracket so the rear view camera clears it. Sure, you can see the mount and cables but also I can see to the rear just fine. The 2nd antenna is a dualband VHF/UHF one for use with this:
One of the clubs I belong to uses 'em for our cruises (which is why I have a quick disconnect to remove the CB antenna at other times)
Last edited by KenHorse; Dec 13, 2014 at 08:55 PM.
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
I have my bumper cover off to install my WeaponX diffuser. If you want any specific pics of anything behind it let me know. It's going back on tomorrow.
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Burning Brakes
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I had to break a smile on that one. 
Banned Scam/Spammer
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From: Collingwood ON
Tsk, tsk. That is so 21st century. You wanna go RETRO today man! 10-4 good buddy!! Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down.
Two CBers still? Mercy sakes alive it looks like we got us a convoy!!
Any smokies out there? Any Kojaks with a Kodak?
Two CBers still? Mercy sakes alive it looks like we got us a convoy!!
Any smokies out there? Any Kojaks with a Kodak?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
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From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
On the other hand, two big advantages of CB over UHF handhelds is a) better range and b) really easy to BS between cars on a cruise and not have to fight road and wind noise
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: omaha ne
We also use in our club (CCC) both type of radios. CB's seem to work better on long road trips like when we go to national conventions or long auto crossing trips.Some in our club have shorter range radios that don't work well if we have a long convoy. If they don' t have radios we will have the lead car and tail car with their radios monitor the group. CB's may be from the past, but they still work well.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: omaha ne
I milled out a triangular piece from the bracket on a CNC and in the morning will powder coat it black. Is yours a convertible?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Ken, I got the cable installed today. I drilled a hole about 5 inches below the latch and fed a coat hanger directly thru to the opening above the license plate.
I milled out a triangular piece from the bracket on a CNC and in the morning will powder coat it black. Is yours a convertible?
I milled out a triangular piece from the bracket on a CNC and in the morning will powder coat it black. Is yours a convertible?