cobra 75 wxst install

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:38 pm

O.K., ya'll. I've been trying for two days to put this out there and have finally figured it out (I hope).
This is the kit I purchased from RightChannelRadio.com

Package Includes:
Cobra 75 WX ST CB Radio
3' or 4' Wilson FLEX CB Antenna
18' cable
Mounting Options:
3-Way Vertical Surface & Mirror Kit
or Jeep Wrangler Hood Kit
orTeraflex CB Mount Kit
or Universal Hood & Channel Kit
Compact External Speaker
Standard SWR Meter and Jumper Cable

First, I cut a notch in the right tail light lens base in order to make a solid mount to the body.

Using the antenna mount as a template, I marked and drilled the holes in the body panel.

A little Form-a-Gasket as a sealant

The mount base had to be bent to get past the edge of the lens

Antenna mount installed

The antenna cable ran down behind the right bumper end cap and up into the back hatch well

The rear hatch door bottom lip was marked to drill an entry hole

The cable was run into the cabin

A rubber grommet was installed on cut edge of hole

The cable was run to the drivers side and secured on existing factory clips

After running the cable under the trim panels to the front the control/junction box was installed on the knee plate cross bar and the mounting screw was grounded to the steering post bolt

A mic mounting plate was provided and attached to the reader port after drilling a hole in the corner

The handheld mount was attached to the dash where the display can be seen while driving

The unit mounted

rear view

Side view

The rear cabin door opens past the antenna 1/4 - 3/8 inch

The rear glass opens past the antenna 1/2 - 5/8 inch

I hope all this helps. Forgive me for the previous posts. I'm still learning

kskj · **Posted:** Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:57 pm

Looks good great install.

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:18 am

Thanks. I neglected to mention that the hot/ground wires from the control box were fished through the firewall via the existing hole below the wire bundle at the left side. The plastic plug was removed and a hole was drilled in the center of it just big enough for both wires to pass and it was then popped back in the hole. The hot/ground went directly to the battery. Also, the external speaker was mounted on the left A post up high. I hope to get pictures posted soon.
John

jinstall · **Posted:** Sat Jun 27, 2009 11:32 am

I have the same radio but with a Radio Shack tuner and a Little Will 37" antenna. I ran the antenna through the rear window glass and seal with a down loop to prevent water form getting in and up the headliner. It then went down the b-pillar and under the passenger seat. The power leads were then tapped to the cig lighter via the middle console. The mic lead runs between the pass seat and the middle console. I bought a $3 mic hook from a truck stop and the mic hangs from the rear view mirror. Absolutely no cutting or mounting was done and the mic can be tucked under the seat out of view. I really like th eradio and it has served me welll in th epast 3 months, CB and weather while on the road. Nice install and wish I still had a shop where I could fab stuff like this. I am a stickler for not cuting anything.

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Sat Jun 27, 2009 12:53 pm

I like the radio a lot. As far as cutting things, according to one members signature, I just made this my Jeep. Besides, I keep my vehicles until I total them of give them to the kids or the Kidney Foundation. I've attached some more photos of the install.

This is the plastic plug that covers a hole in the left side firewall below the wire bundle. I drilled a hole in the middle just big enough for the hot/ground wires to pass and put the plug back in the hole. Works like a charm. A touch of silicone and it's water tight.

After putting wire grommets on the hot/ground I secured them to the battery cable post nuts.

I removed the left windshield post grab handle (5.5 mm!!!) and ran the external speaker wires behind the trim panel and attached the speaker bracket to the top of the panel.

This shows the finished install and where the mic chord attaches to the plug under the dash.

The whole process was fun and all the info I gleened from this site made it reasonably easy. Thanks to everyone for their input.

oddball · **Posted:** Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:13 am

A couple of things...

I mounted my door jamb mount as shown below (mount from Walcott CB shop out of Iowa.

I did not have to do any modification to the rear tail light assy. As you can see the coax runs neatly behind the lens housing where there is a factory hole usually covered by black tape substance that I was able to peel back in order to run the coax into the interior. From there I ran the coax under the side interior panels up to the front passenger seat under the seat, then under the center console over to the drivers side where I mounted the power supply box pretty much in the same location you did. However I mounted the CB mic bracket slightly lower than you did.

As for the CB itself, I really like it. I bought mine from the only CB shop with a store on ebay that tunes & peaks the Cobra 75 WX ST (ebay user I.D = " cat_enterprises_2006 ". The tune & peak is done by "Screwdriver" out of Miami, Florida. The peaked radio will void the standard Cobra warranty but that was not a concern for me. In case anyone is curious, bottom line to my door (USPS Priority Mail) was $138.50

Second, instead of wiring the hot wire directly to the battery, you should wire up to the junction box (fuse panel box in front of the battery). Doing this will both protect the positive lead wire from battery corrosion and the elements while being hidden under the junction box lid. To do this, pop open the junction box lid and you will find 2 - 10mm nuts which are directly wired to the battery positive side. You can use one or both of these nuts to wire (hot only) CB's, lights, whatever. This last tip was provided to me courtesy of LOST member Corwyn. This method is without a doubt the best way to hot wire a CB.

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Sun Jun 28, 2009 10:56 am

Most excellent, dude. I do remember seeing your install and appreciate the info. I'll rewire my unit asap. I was hesitant to cut the lens, but it doesn't affect the operation of the light. Was your cost just for the radio or the kit? I paid $168.00 plus shipping for the kit, which I thought was a good price. I, also, like the radio. The SWR meter provided was a real help and I was able to get the SWR down below 1 on channels 1, 20 and 40. Again, thanks for the input. I have learned a lot on this site and hope to learn more.
John

jinstall · **Posted:** Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:03 pm

2X on fusing the power lead, you do not want to burn your Jeep down. I am in the Athens area when I see my Dad, he is in Winder.

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:50 am

I understand wanting to fuse the power lead, but there is an in-line fuse from the factory which ends up in the cabin behind the dash. Attaching to the fuse block feed is essentially attaching to the hot side of the battery, is it not? As far as corrosion, a little corrosion grease should help with that. I'd appreciate all comments since I don't have much experience with modifying Jeeps.
John

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:32 pm

closer to the power source you have your fuseable link the safer it is

also, when hooking to an already fused link, for instance a 10A spot in the fuse box, and then having a 4A glass fuse at the radio is double safe

most CB's have a 4A max draw so to prevent damage to the radio 4A is all you want to allow it to draw, wouldn't matter if you hooked it up to a 1000A power source as long as it's only fuseably allowed to draw 4A it wont burst into flames on ya

oddball · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:48 pm

The price I paid was for the radio, and tune & peak. I watched for these radios on flebay for 3 weeks before I bought one. Aside from used (which I didn't want), I never saw a radio go for under $90.00 - So I decided to pay in the same ballpark and an extra $25 or so (don't remember exactly) for the tune & peak - I was very happy.

As for wiring the radio to the location I suggested - Regardless of where down the wire the fusible link is located, the reason it is there in the first place is to protect the radio.

In a nutshell, I offered the smartest and safest method to wire the radio.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:00 pm

agreed

just wanted to reinterate what the 4A glass fuse was for if thats the type thats inline on the power lead for the radio

it's not something you want to do away with just because the fuse box has a 10A fuse or something

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:33 pm

Thanks, ya'll. There is a factory installed in-line fuse and I'm comfortable with the install. Just wish I had remembered Oddballs install and I wouldn't have had to cut up my tail light lens and could have used a 3' Wilson Flex antenna instead of 4'. What I have works and looks good but meant cutting and drilling, unlike Oddball's. Oh, well...like I said, I'm still learning. :roll:

John.

TnRebel · **Posted:** Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:57 pm

I just slid mine between the passenger seat and the console and ran a ground wire to it along with the power wire . put the mic clip on the dash . Threw a magnetic ant. on the roof. and good to go

jinstall · **Posted:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:17 pm

Just FYI my is tied into the cig lighter with taps. The box is under the passengers seat.

jinstall · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 1:14 am

Update: My 75 WXST just crapped out. The internal speaker seems to have a short and works if you bang it real quick for a minute or two. I am sure an external speaker will work, I like the OEM speaker best. So I am off sometime this week to return it to Cobra.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:17 am

don't feel bad

stock galaxy speakers are crap too

jinstall · **Posted:** Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:49 pm

Wilson Lil Wil broke as well while I was replacing the mast. So I now have a Wilso 1000 and a new external speaker.

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Thu Feb 18, 2010 9:05 am

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

don't feel bad

stock galaxy speakers are crap too

The Uniden external speaker supplied with my kit is a p.o.s. also....real tinny sounding and hard to understand when wheeling. The built in speaker in the wxst sounds better.

jinstall · **Posted:** Thu Feb 18, 2010 9:53 pm

All in and replaced. I am using an external spkr now. Still witht he roof rack cross bars I cannot get better than 1.8 on the SWR. Oh well.

cobra 75 wxst install

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