Mounting CB Antenna / Ditch Light on Same Hood Hinge Bracket

I've been doing some searching for this, but I haven't come across the set up I'm interested in yet, so I was hoping someone who has done some more inventive searching might be able to point me in the correct direction.

I have a Cobra 75 WX CB radio laying around as well as a Wilson Fiberglass antenna (don't recall the model off the top of my head, but very similar to a Firestik) I got from a relative for free. I also have a set of 3x2 generic LED pods I got for Christmas two years ago I had planned on mounting on the rear bed rail of my 2013. Obviously, that never happened. I'd like to do something with these items, but haven't yet, partially due to laziness, partially due to funds, and also because I'm unsure how I want to run it.

That being said, since I have a tonneau cover, I'd like to mount my antenna up front on a hood hinge bracket with a quick release. I know there are companies out there that make these brackets (@RelentlessFab comes to mind). However, since I already have the lights, doing a set of ditch lights is also tempting, even though it may look silly since the truck is otherwise stock and lacks the light show arrangement of my previous truck(s).

Has anyone modified the hood hinge bracket to accept a CB antenna and a set of ditch lights? I was thinking if I were to use the screw of the ditch light as a mounting point, I could use a piece of flat stock space over and mount my antenna.

Ultimately I'm still a little bit out from doing this project, but I'd love to see any ideas/input. My thought would be to mount the LED pod on the outboard mount and mount the CB inboard. That way from the front of the truck the lights are symmetrical to each other.

Thanks in advance.

 

Yep. I used Rago Fabrication ditch light mount for my antenna, same one Cali Raised sales. I had to drill it out a little (use a bench press drill for this, trust me). Rago also makes an extension for so you can mount two pod lights per ditch light bracket. Eventually I am planning on getting the extension and adding a set of pod lights, but that wont be for a few months. One other thing, you will need to remove some of the powder coating just where the bolts are or use a grounding strap to get a good ground. Hope this helps.

 

Here`s a few lip mounts that many use.

https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/RS-520-p722.htm

https://www.hamcity.com/store/pc/HD-5-3-8-24-p1134.htm

There are several others on that site to choose from.

 

Their extensions are exactly what I had in mind to do it. I could use that for the antenna so the lights would mount in the same place on each side.

I figure if I've got all the pieces more or less it's just a relay, a switch, maybe that switch pod that goes where the useless count tray is and a coax cable and disconnect.

Those look neat but am I correct in assuming you have to drill those in to the underside of the hood?

I'm honestly not too keen on drilling into the metal on this truck if I don't need to. My rust phobia is too strong.

 

I have never used one of the lip mounts but I think they just tighten up to the under side of the hood, a friend of mine has one on his Ford Flex hood, I will ask him as soon as I can.

 

Here is another one that some people use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV_UPNaGPIw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbRLXaKQvHs

 

I am about to do this, but where exactly did you remove the powdercoat? I dont want anything to rust but I know it needs a good ground....

 

I only removed the powdercoat where the bolt's was going to hit. Keep in mind that you need to do it at each bolt to get a good ground. That being said, I don't think it is enough and will probably be pulling it apart in the next few weeks to run an actual ground wire. It's not horrible and it works just fine, but I think the ground could be better. Not sure about the rust. If there is some rust when I pull things apart, I'll clean it up and hit it with some paint.

 

I made the bracket but for the rear. You could get a small piece of metal and drill the same size hole attaching it to the hood bracket.

 

How thick was the steel? I started making one Saturday and found that the steel I was using was too thick...... after just about finishing it! I had started with some rectangular 2X4 steel tubing scrap that I had... a little too beefy I guess.

 

10 gauge is fine

 

I think I am going to just run a ground wire from below the firering on the stud. Hopefully, that way I won't have to remove powdercoat.

 

Looking back, that's what I probably should have done. I was trying to get a cleaner look, that didn't have multiple wires. Lesson learned.

 

I need some info on that bike rack! @90yota

 

I need this light mount!

 

Softopper.com they make them. It's perfect!

 

Perfect, thanks!

 

Just wondering if you did this, what type of wire you used, and where you ran the ground to. Looking at doing the same thing on my truck. Thanks!

 

Where did you end up grounding to?

 

I ended up running a second wire from the antenna ground to a bolt on the inside of the fender. If I can remember, I'll get a picture of it in the next day or two. My SWR in this particular spot isn't the best with my antenna. It's not absolutely horrible, but it could be a lot better. I've been contemplating playing around with the antenna some to see if it improves. My current antenna is a 3' fiberglass, but I have a 4' fiberglass along with a 102" whip that I got from a buddy. Of course, I've been contemplating doing this for the past two years so chances of it happening are slim.