HELP Please! Cb radio antenna coax route problem
 

I currently have my cb installed above my rear view mirror. I also have my antenna mounted on the oem swing gate. My issue is how should I run the antenna coax from the gate into the tub to prevent a kink? Currently it is ran through the cloth tube that the factory tailgate wiring is. I have had it flex and brake the outer shell. Any suggestions as to how you ran yours would be appreciated.

Good question. Mine is run via a similar route, but is physically outside of the cloth sheath. I left a little extra cable in an attempt to deal with the opening and closing of the gate constantly flexing the cable (and wondering if mine would eventually break too).

What type of cable are you using?

I don't remember the type, but it's a basic cable from flying j with the removable tip(for sleeker installs)

I thought about putting a single coil into it so te slack would be pulled from that coil only when the gate is opened(so as not to interfere with signal during cb use) but not sure how well that will work.

I ran mine through the rubber grommet on the tailgate also. I ran the coax along the tail light wiring, up and inside the roll cage cloth on the right side all the way to the front, then ran it through the windshield molding to the Tuffy overhead console. Worked out great and I have some extra coax left out of 18' so it does not kink. Coax is completely hidden. I got my coax from Walcott CB. Here's the part #. Procomm HS818TNKT

18' Coax w. Removable PL259 and Terminator Stud

• Perfect Choice for Pickup & Off-Road Installations • 18ft CB Coaxial Cable • No-Solder Removable PL259 Connector • Includes Terminator 3/8x24 Antenna Stud

I was just checking on my non-working CB today and found the same problem (but much worse!) I had the coax run through the tailgate, through the fabric sleeve that the factory wires run through and under the carpet to my CB. I was very pissed to find the cable completely corroded and broken in half INSIDE that fabric sleeve! It's only been one year! I think I'm going to go with the Cooltech license plate mount... We shall see.

CajunTiger- I take it from what you said, the coax is inside the cloth loom? How is that particular coax holding up to the constant flex from the gate?

Just FYI how my coax is routed. I still expect a similar failure from the constant flexing. This is a relatively new install, so no problems noted yet.
Attachment 478528

Yea, the cracking primarily occurs in the winter, I'm assuming.

I have enough slack left after running it from above the rearview mirror to the tailgate that it does not pull too much. I have to watch how I swing the tailgate open, but it works fine. That was the only route I could find to have enough slack.

I routed mine out where the cloth wiring sleeve is but not through the cloth sleeve. I left enough cable to loop up about 6" over the top of the speaker cover, put plastic wire loom over the exposed section, and then ran it through the roll bar cover to the front. I have a 4 door and mounted the CB above the mirror as well. When I close the door the cable loops up by itself. That was about 2 years ago and no cable problems yet.

Attachment 478783Attachment 478784

pictures added

Can you show a picture of that? Sounds like it would work very well.

pictures added. i think this prevents kinking and stretching that a short exposed cable from the tailgate to under the carpet or under the plastic speaker cover creates.

Appreciate the pictures. I decided to go a very similar route to that. I think it will work well. Thanks everyone for the help.

This is exactly how I ran mine last summer. I just went out and checked mine when I saw this thread. No issues yet. I had it ran very similar to this on my 2000 blazer with the swing out tire rack, never had any problems with that set up after 4 years. I guess different manufacturers use different types of plastic to shield there wires, some more flexible than others.:dontknow2:

Like some others, I'm running through the tailgate, zip-tied to the cloth wire loom, then up and over the passenger side rollcage (inside the padding). I do not expect any breaks at the cloth, it doesn't bend at that much of an angle. I inspect it from time to time for breakage, no signs of cracking or or stress.