Head Unit with built in CB radio

Hey all!

I'm just barely scratching the surface of modifying my 03 Tacoma. My buddies roll in a Wrangler and older Sequoia and we're thinking about getting CB's for the trails.

Since I'd like to change out the stock radio to a double DIN, I wondered if anybody knows a head unit that has a CB radio built in? Google didn't offer much help, but I trust this board more than that.

My second wish, since I'm in a pipedream, would be to retain the cassette player capabilities too.


I think I'll probably end up with a head unit that plays tapes and a second CB unit, and that's okay.

 

I saw a thread here where a guy got a small CB unit that fit in the ash tray slot.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cobra-cb-setup-mount-in-ashtray-spot.32079/

 

Yeah, @MatthewMay1 had one of the tiny Unidens (I think) in the ashtray slot. He also had a full-length whip antenna and had great range compared to the rest of us.

That said, we've all switched to GMRS. Easier to set up, no SWR meter needed, and great range and clarity. You do need a license, but they are cheap and last for 10 years. Midland has great options for reasonable prices.

 

Single din radio, and a compact cb radio.

 

I have a CB and GMRS installed in my truck and the only time I ever use the CB is to talk to truckers in traffic jams on the interstate to see what's going on. GMRS is the way to go for trails. Better in every single way.

It's also super handy since handheld walkie talkies work on GMRS so you can use your vehicle mounted unit to talk to common handhelds. Useful if you need a spotter to hop out of the truck or if someone without a truck mounted radio comes along for a trip. I just keep a pair in my glove box and loan them out to folks as needed.

 

I've never seen a head unit with a built-in CB, but you can put one into the ashtray slot as @Jakuku Pahwheenis mentioned. That's what I (and many others) have done, and here's how to do it:

CB Radio – ’cause not everyone’s a HAM – ADVENTURETACO


This uses the Uniden PRO520XL 40-Channel CB Radio. It fits perfectly in the ashtray location, and gets really high marks for usability and clarity - so of course, that's the way I decided to go. I'd need a few other things as well:

• Firestik FireFly 3' tunable antenna with tunable tip (FL3-B)
• Firestik MK274R Adjustable Sainless Steel Hood Mount
• DHT Electronics RF coaxial coax adapter UHF male PL259 to female so239 right angle
• 12ga Red and Black wire (really 14 awg; gotta love false advertising)
• Some braided sleeve to protect wiring

 

Get a single din head unit and and a single din CB https://www.cobra.com/products/18wxstii

 

I saw a unit like that might be 40 years ago There never was much of a market so I doubt they were around long.

It was a over the road Truck type thing might have been paired with a 8 Track Player

The down side the CB radio was not all that good impossible to tune up when so many were pushing 100 watts plus.

 

This GMRS idea sounds cool! Never even heard of that.

 

CB's are kind of dinosaurs.

GMRS are basically just the nicer/higher power handlelds you can get. Midlands, Motorollas, etc... GMRS does technically require a license (much easier to obtain than a HAM - it's just a FCC fee).

It really just depends on what people in your group already have. If you join a club where everyone uses CB, get a CB, if everyone uses HAM, get one of those, although those require a FCC license to operate.

IMO, for just a group of friends, a couple handheld (FRS/GMRS) motorolla/midland radios is the way to go. Handhelds are better in general anyway, since you don't have to be IN your truck to communicate (like when spotting). You'd have to have a pretty huge and very spread out group for range to be an issue.

I also have a handheld Boafeng HAM (like $40 on Amazon) that I've programmed to talk to some of the GMRS/FRS frequencies. Technically it's "less than legal" (only technically licensed for HAM freqs) but there is a 0% chance of getting in trouble for talking on FRS frequencies... No one cares.

People like HAM because of the potential range and ability to use repeaters for emergencies, but honestly I see HAM being as much of a dinosaur as CB. IMO, a better is the Garmin InReach or Spot. No license, and truly global 2-way communication, and the SOS feature instantly relay your exact location to search and rescue.

 

The beauty is that all three of us are just getting into all this, so nobody owns anything yet. So we can sync up and get all the same stuff.

I really appreciate all the insight here, thanks!

 

For what it's worth, this is what I have:

MIDLAND RADIO GXT1000VP4 50 CHL./ 30 MILE TWO WAY RADIO (MID-GXT1000VP4)

https://www.amazon.com/MIDLAND-RADI...id=1655141957&sprefix=midland+,aps,138&sr=8-4

and

$40 BaoFeng UV-82 High Power BaoFeng Radio Ham Radio Handheld Walkie Talkies with Earpiece, Extra 2800mAh Battery Hand Speaker Mic and Programming Cable Full Kits(1 Pack-Black)

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-Amat...2022&sprefix=baofeng+uv8,aps,134&sr=8-1-spons

Something weird is going on with Amazon links for the radios. Not sure what the deal is... Every one just gives some generic error and says to reload the page. I thought it might be because the Baofengs are (or were?) known to not quite fully adhere to FCC rules, but same error on the Midlands, too.

 

The Midlands are decent quality GMRS radios --- BUT:

1. They are "narrow band" only. The high power GMRS channels are normally "wide band" and FRS channels are "narrow band". A narrow band radio will sound very quiet received on a wide band radio, and a wide band radio may sound overly loud or distorted when received on a narrow band radio.
2. The Midland mobile is a one-piece radio. It doesn't have a detachable control head which can limit your mounting options. Other compatible radios like the commercial Kenwoods, have a removable control head that's easy to mount. The radio body goes under or behind a seat.

 

I use a Midland 75-822. No need to have a spot to put it as the entire cb is handheld. All you need is a plug and wire in the cable to a bulkhead connector. Don't want it to be visible, you can remove the whole thing. Plus, you can put the battery pack on it and it becomes a mobile handheld so you can walk up a hill and still talk to your buddy.

Edit: I also use the GTX1000 radios that @jbrandt linked. They work well for me. Furthest I've talked to someone was about 2.5 miles away. I use both the CB and handheld on my job to communicate with tree fellers, equipment operators, and log trucks. Only issues I have encountered with either have been due to geology (high iron content in a cliff I was parked next to) and one group deciding to change channels for the day without telling me.

 

1. That might be technically true, but I've never noticed anything like that when using mine.

2. So what? my point in liking these is they are portable. There's no need (or desire) to "mount" it anywhere.

 

this is true. I have a double din Pioneer deck and at the time I had a Uniden 505xl in the ash tray location. It fit perfect. The 520xl fits in the slot as well. I have since replaced it with a GMRS in the same location and no longer have a 8’ antenna to think about. Don’t bother with CB and get a GMRS. It is much simpler, no tuning required!

 

What radio did you go with to replace and did it fit right into the ash tray spot? Thanks!

 

This is what I did a long time ago.

 

See below