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Thanks to everyone for responding. I appreciate the help.
I thought about getting another fusebox, mounting it under the hood, and running all my mods on it to prevent any claims of feedback, etc. being created on the trucks original circuits.
I will be adding a CB, numerous lights, a ham radio (going to start learning about those this winter) and several other accessories, most of which will require power.
Browsing here has caused me to add several mods to my list already.
Have to say- never seen a fusebox mounted on top of a radiator before
This is the factory picture for the fuse block I'm using.
I've got the radio and 2 sets of aux lights running through it. I'm away for a week or so but I can snap some pictures when I get home.
This will work (and survive) in the intense heat under the hood? I live in the south so even the cab gets really hot when it's parked all day.
Originally Posted by icedemon
This is the factory picture for the fuse block I'm using.
I've got the radio and 2 sets of aux lights running through it. I'm away for a week or so but I can snap some pictures when I get home.
It's made by Blue Sea. They have them in 6 or 12 circuit sizes, with or without the cover and/or the negative bus. Can use ATC or ATO size fuses
Originally Posted by restoring
This will work (and survive) in the intense heat under the hood? I live in the south so even the cab gets really hot when it's parked all day.
I don't know what the temperature rating is, but they're designed for marine use in engine compartments so I would imagine the under hood temps wouldn't be outside the range
What I did to mine is run a 40amp relay for each radio so the radios shut off when I turn the truck off.
Hello Kevin from a fellow northern Albertan. Heading back to Conklin soon. Just curious what circuit you tapped to provide power to the relay. Am picking up a new F150FX tomorrow and am trying to work out the wiring for the VHF.
By the way I had the exact same Blue Sea fuse bus in my old Tacoma. Had the VHF, inverter, cell booster and sat radio on it. Adding the relay was a good touch. I tapped into the clearance light circuit for switched power.
Can you guys post pics where you're mounting these radios? I have a new Cobra 29 I'd like to install in my truck but there just isn't a good place with the center console. I may end up using a smaller Cobra that I have.
^^^ Can't show (yet) how/where I've mounted my own CB radio but will describe my plans as soon as all ordered parts arrive...
OK then, pics below show installation in my (former) Nissan Frontier using Cobra 75WXST radio unit in combo w/ remote speaker mounted. Frontier console is a clamshell w/ rear removable half containing power for 12v receptacle inside that console. This particular radio has all controls within the microphone handset plus separate "junction box" mounted somewhere convenient for 12v power wiring and coax cable termination. I chose the rear half clamshell for the junction box (tapped off 12v receptacle for power) w/ coax cable entering through drilled hole in driveshaft tunnel (installed rubber grommet, sealed w/ silicone). Cobra's kit includes hdwe for through-bulkhead mount which I used between clamshell halves.
On my new F150 S-Cab, I'll do similarly with differences based-on truck layout. The Frontier buyer wanted everything left "as-is", so I've been ordering new parts and have most everything 'cept the radio unit (in transit) plus Cobra mic extension cable decided needed just today. The junction box will be mounted inside the "tool box" located underneath rear passenger side seat with bulkhead connector located there and mic w/ controls routed forward towards console area. The (non-coiled) extension cable will provide needed slack during transmission due to junction box placement. As on the Frontier, I'll mount same Cobra HG S300 remote speaker. In this case, on the floor midway under rear folding seats (between toolbox and jack storage area). Similar as on the Frontier, I'll mount a Wilson 4' Firestick on Wilson gumdrop mount on the right rearmost corner of the bumper (requires drilling hole through plastic pad and metal bumper below, then routing coax towards entry location. BTW, I use a coax cable style that features threaded connector which separates from RG59 female coax connector and minimizes diameter of drilled through hole.
Also to note, I've been using this particular radio model for nearly 15 yrs on my jeep. Well, not same unit 'cus they get knocked around during trail use and can fail due to delicate electronics in the mic assy. In my Frontier, I stuffed it in a sock and stored it in the console when not used. Still on the same unit 8+ yrs after installed at time of sale recently.
Yeah, some of you might be thinking "why bother w/ antiquated CB radios? Who uses those anymore?". Well, offroaders still do as primary communication but also useful during travels solo or while in caravan mode. This isn't to convince but just to explain why I do...
10-06-2013, 01:23 PM
