ok just so we can be sure we are on the same page here is the pictures of what i have going on

 

Yeah, remove that.

How you "ground" the antenna to the Jeep is just ensuring raw metal to metal contact from the antenna mount to the Jeep body.

Again, star washers are a good way to do this. Or scratch off a bit of paint near the bolts/screws on both the mount and Jeep body behind it. Throw a little dielectric grease on it too to prevent rust.

Then you might want a thick wire/copper braid from the corner of the tailgate to the Jeep main body or frame. Keep it as short as possible.

 

That nylon bit is an isolator. It's intended to create RF (radio frequency) isolation between the vertical monopole (the upright part generally considered the antenna) and the counterpoise (the mount and the body).

With these sort of antenna systems, the Jeep body acts as one part of the antenna system and the monopole the other. Each is equally important but separate.

So you wouldn't want anything messing with that isolation.

Note: Did you check your squelch as noted a few posts back?

 

so take the ground off the pole, put it on the mount instead... got it

question: you said that i should run a braid from the gate to the body? wouldn't the tailgate hinges act a connecting point between the door and the body?

 

No they don't. That's why the tailgate is a challenging mounting spot.

 

ok thanks i will look into that after i fix the ground issue and we shall go from there.