Best place to wire a CB radio?

[BrokenBoots]

I have an 03 3500. Somewhere under the dash is a place to attach the red wire. Anybody know where? Or is there a better place?

 

I unscrewed a couple of screws that hold the plastic piece under the steering wheel colum. I saw several groups of wires.

 

I thought I'd better ask.

Thanks

[Wink]

There is no better placer than directly to the terminals of the battery.  It's a pain to get through the firewall but it's worth it.  By going directly to the battery you will greatly reduce interference from the alternator and from the system electronics.  Also you'll lessen the chances of your cb interfering with the vehicle's computer.  Run a black and red #14 wire from the battery to the radio.  Connect the black to the minus terminal and the red to the plus side.

 

Good Luck!

[BrokenBoots]

Thanks for the reply. I looked in the owners manual and there is an unused fuse slot marked for "acccessory".

 

If I run it to the battery, will I have to make sure I swich it off to keep the battery from going south?

[SilveradoWV]

Run the positive wire directly from the CB to the Battery, and put a fuse inline if the CB doesnt have one inline already. You can use the glass tube kind but I prefer going to wal mart or somewhere and getting the blade kind in the weather proof case. You dont need to run the negative wire to the battery, just run it to a screw going into metal some where near the radio. The shorter the negative wire, the better. I have my negative wire going to a screw under the dash, just make sure its a place that you get a ground.

[MCourson]

I ran my positive all the way to the battery and I have the negative screwed under the dash.  I have left mine on before on accident and have never had any battery problems.  But, I have only left it on for an hour max

[BrokenBoots]

Hi guys,

 

I bought some 12 ga wire. I ran it through that hole in the drivers side floor to the battery. Remembering to turn the radio off shouldn't be a problem.

 

Thanks for the tips.

[seatec]

Doesnt the Silverado have a Battery run down potection?

Even if you dont have a the protection. with two batteries it would take my Cobra CB to run both the batteries down. Probably not overnite.

[Moonlight]

Out of curiosity, where is the best place to mount a small CB?  I've been wanting one but haven't figured out a good place to put one ... was thinking "hand held" ... but thought a regular unit would do better.  I don't use the CD holder cubbie hole ... but CB speaker would be muffled ... would then have to mount an external speaker, blah blah blah.

[seatec]

Moon,

I bought a COBRA cb. all the functionality/butons are incorporated into the handset. YOu only need to find a small spot of the bse unit which is about the size of a pack of smokes. I put my base under the cup holders in the centre console. the speaker is also in the handset but the bas has an optional jack for a small external speaker if you like. Hmm  i wonder if i could wire that into my radio with one of those wireless solutions where you tune your radio to a certain frequency.  sounds cool. Ill look into that.

[TxDoc]

Out of curiosity, where is the best place to mount a small CB?  I've been wanting one but haven't figured out a good place to put one ... was thinking "hand held" ... but thought a regular unit would do better.  I don't use the CD holder cubbie hole ... but CB speaker would be muffled ... would then have to mount an external speaker, blah blah blah.

I have my CB and scanner mounted in the center console "cubbie hole" and two small 2" speakers under the steering wheel to the right and above my leg. For voices, the little speakers are fine.

 

The plastic back of the cubbie hole is easily cut with a reciprocating saw and your CB has plenty of room to stick out of the back.  An external speaker will then give you access to your sound.  

 

If you need any pics, I will be glad to post them.