Uniden Bearcat 880 overhead CB install

After finally deciding on a good CB radio, I realized that there aren't many places to put one in our trucks. I needed it to be out of the way yet easily accessible.
I decided that the overhead console would be a great spot for it but there was only one issue I kept pondering about. "How do I get it as close to the roof as possible and out of the way?" The solution was to ditch the factory map lights and the little compartment that I didn't use anyway. I think it came out really clean!

I got some nice LED pod lights and secured them just past the dip in the headliner to replace the factory map lights. I will be installing some switches for them soon and will take more pics of everything and better document this install so stay tuned! No pun intended : )



No attention to detail was compromised here, all connections to terminals were soldered, crimped and soldered again before getting heat shrunk. The antenna also has its own ground directly to the frame where it is soldered/bolted. Due to the plastic bed this was the only way to ensure a solid ground is made.

 

Nice!!!!! It looks great!

 

What is your swr on that setup? just curious.

 

Idling around 1.02-1.04 and driving it jumps anywhere from 1.00 to 1.40 max. I can fine tune it since both the CB and antenna are tunable.

 

That's very good for a fiberglass antenna. I ditched mine for a Wilson mounted on the roof. I had nothing but terrible reading with my firestick.

 

My current SWR at idle in a parking lot. Don't forget that with a tuneable antenna and CB you can fine tune the shit out of it.




I have a buddy with a cobra 29 and a fire stick and his SWR is at like 3-4. Can't get a signal out for the life of him. That said there is probably an issue somewhere in the system that he caused seeing as his antenna isn't properly grounded and his 12V lead is hooked up to the 12V wire for the blower motor...don't ask!

 

Tell your friend to throw the Firesticks away!

 

Do you have any pictures of the overhead console modification?

 

Sort of... I didn't take any specific step by step pics while building it. You have to pretty much cut away everything you don't need and fill the gaps with fiberglass body filler. I did take more pics tonight because I had it apart while installing the map light switches so here ya go.



There are two metal tabs coming off the roof that need to be riveted to the headliner for reinforcement. I used 3 small washers between to get the spacing right.



The threaded CB mounting holes have a screw in each side with the head cut off and a vacuum cap pushed on. This lets the front of the CB rest on the console and won't allow it to fall through. It also acts as a pivot forcing the CB to wedge itself in to the console once you screw the back down.



The rear of the CB is secured with really small sheet metal L brackets that get inserted in to the CB steel casing and also gets sandwiched between the compass/thermometer and console.



The three hooks on the front are part of the compartment and must get cut away and glued back to the console (guerrilla super glue works wonders). These support the weight of everything up front. Since this CB is very light I did not see a need to have to use any extra fasteners to fasten it to the headliner. The factory clips in the back of the console should be enough.

 

Well Done

 

Thanks for the pictures! It's a really good, clean install. I may have to copy you.

 

Go for it. That is why it's on here.

 

Been searching for days and this is the best looking thread I have found. First question is the overhead console with the compass and temp what year range was this OEM? My 2014 does not have it, I ordered a used console it is the same as mine dual sun glass holder and interior light with mic. My idea was to use this one to do what basically the OP did but I really like to have the compass and temp but not necessary. I have been 3D printing stuff was going to try to design a nice mount but it is going slow trying to match the angled on the dash and console.