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Message |
    
747
Intermediate Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 179
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, October 08, 2006 - 8:59 pm: | 
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I am looking for suggestions that DO NOT require holes drilled into my 2005 Dodge Ram...
All my amatuer gear's antennas are mounted using a Diamond K400 NMO mount on the "lip" of the bed... I could do that with an Antenex or Larsen NMO antenna, but I really don't want to spend $70 on another one of those mounts!
I have thought about using a bumper stand-off mount (not sure what they are really called - a photo of one is attached! - but the hole for the existing bolt would require me to bend the mount to make the antenna sit level. It's on a slope that would make the antenna be angled towards the cab of the truck, or if turned towards the side of the truck, would make it angled towards the opposite side of the truck.
I have also thought about a magnet mount - I am running bone-stock power but don't want an obnoxiously tall antenna (Wilson 500/1000) protruding from the roof of an already tall vehicle! How BAD would it be placing the magnet down into the bed of the truck right behind the cab? Personally, I like Wilson antennas, but unless this particular idea is going to work, forget it - not worth spending that much money!
A stake-hole mount will not work because there is no access to the underside of the stake hole - unless I try to imitate stretch armstrong and can reach that high while laying under the truck!
The bottom line is - NO HOLES can be drilled - forget about it - don't ask - don't suggest it - I won't want to hear anything of the likes!
Guys, I'm counting on ya here!
Help! |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 2145
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Monday, October 09, 2006 - 11:20 pm: |
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you do not need to have access to the bottom of the stakehole to use a stakehole mount.
the bolts are loosened, you slide the mount into place, and as you tighten the bolts, the top and bottom plates sandwich together with the truck body in between.
i would say it is perfect for your install.
you may have to scrape a bit of paint from the bottom side of the stakehole, the part where the bottom plate of the mount touches the truck body, since you dont want to drill a small hole for a screw for the ground strap.
look at some pics, this just might work for ya!
matt |
747
Intermediate Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 179
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 2:23 am: |
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How about this - let me know if this would work...
A Wilson 1000 trunk-lip mount , mounted on the rear bumper? |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1886
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 1:43 pm: |
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747, You don't want to drill holes so I will not mention it. Your limited in what you can do now. Personally I would put a magnet mount right on top the cab. A Wilson 1000 would be excellent and TX / RX awesome! Could you put it down in the bed behind the cab? Yeah but your gonna be a mudduck! You have got to have as much antenna as possible above the vehicle body if you actually want to have a correctly operating radio! Any part of the antenna within inches of the truck body is going to cause poor performance. Other than a magnet the stake hole mount will work OK.
You feel that the Wilson 1000 is an obnoxius antenna? Why do you not want a tall antenna on the roof? It is actually ideal and professional. Your radio performance would be supieror to most any other mobile besides another truck with the same antenna setup!
Hey! Stock radio? Have you considered the Little Wil? It is hardly noticeable and if magneted to the roof it would out perform almost any other taller size antenna installed down in the bed of the truck or bumper!
I think your Dodge Ram would look cool with a big ol obnovious antenna on it! Just think, Does'nt the Doge Ram have a big charging system or a tow package even? Just think of the possibilties! Big Predator 10K on top, 10 pill Texas Star or DaveMade.....I'll stop now. Whatever you decide on , good luck |
Chad
Senior Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 1145
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 3:29 pm: |
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You don't need to reach up underneath to do a stake hole mount. you angle one end in slide it all the way over, put the other end down and center it... Wola! There's even a rubber seal at the top to prevent scratching, etc. If shimming needs to be done to straighten it then you can use solid copper wire to get your desired angle. I did a stakehole for this reason and never had to reach underneath.
Chad |
Leonard
Intermediate Member
Username: Leonard
Post Number: 233
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 - 11:42 pm: |
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I think firestik might have a mount for the newer dodge trucks and dorango.
Speacial type mounts under the hood from one of the fender bolts.
I hope this helps you out. |
747
Intermediate Member
Username: 747
Post Number: 183
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 12, 2006 - 4:27 pm: |
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Guys,
I appreciate all the feedback! There is a hamfest in Melbourne, FL this weekend - I think I will be looking into the option of the stake mount.
It does have the Hemi... and the towing package.. and the 136 amp alternator.
Why do I think it WOULDN'T look good with an obnoxious antenna on it? Because it's the quad cab Daytona Edition - it looks like a racing truck, complete with 20" chrome rims , ground effects and 11" spoiler - not a mud bogging truck with roll bar and jacked up suspension!
But honestly - no - no need for a "big radio" in my truck... My days of running amps or hopped up radios went out the window.
I want a CB simply so I can talk to those friends of mine who never made the leap. |
