2006 Jeep Liberty antenna mounting suggestions?

[firescannerbob]

I just purchased a 2006 Jeep Liberty, and want to install a NMO mount in the roof for a Phantom antenna. I'm not squeamish about drilling a hole in the roof, and I prefer the clean look of the NMO mount.
Has anyone done such an install, and if so, any tips on where to drill and run the cable?
If possible, I'd like a location that I can get to from the inside, so I can use a 3/8" NMO mount, but will settle for a 3/4" mount, even though I'll have to either borrow or buy a 3/4" drill bit.

I searched the forums here, and didn't see anything specific to this.

Thanks in advance.

 

[popnokick]

Yes. I have the same year/model Liberty. I drilled it, installed it, took pics, and posted it all here on RR in 2007. Here's the link:
http://forums.radioreference.com/ra...on-forum/74805-jeep-liberty-install-pics.html

EPILOGUE- This antenna was far taller than the clearance into my garage, which is why I got a foldover antenna. Each time before entering the garage I would stop, step out and foldover the antenna. It worked great for months. One day my mind was elsewhere and I drove in without stopping. Tore my roof open like a can opener on a tunafish can. I nearly had a heart attack. BE CAREFUL with low clearances if you are doing a permanent mount. I thought this foldover antenna would break away, but it did not. After the repair, I switched to a a Comet flexible dual-bander that simply flexes when I go in/out of the garage.

 

[firescannerbob]

popnokick, I did see your original post, which has given me some ideas.

Did you drill above the middle dome light, or the front? I'm thinking of using the front since it would not interfere with the luggage rack.
The Phantom antenna I plan on using is barely 3" tall, but your cautions are noted! My garage door isn't very tall!
Thanks!

 

[popnokick]

I pulled out the dome light assembly that is directly above the rear cargo area. I guess you'd call that the middle dome light. Then I drilled a pilot hole straight up thru the roof, and completed the hole working from the roof downward outside the car. I snaked the coax across the top of the headliner, down the passenger side rear door post, then along the floor next to the door channel. I only went as far as underneath the front passenger seat because my Alinco radio is a remote head with the main unit under the seat. But I could have easily gone all the way up under the dashboard with the coax.

 

[firescannerbob]

Thanks!

I ended up doing something similar, but from the front dome light. I had a 3/8" NMO mount, but since I was able to install it from inside, I didn't have to buy anything. I snaked the cable down the passenger side A post and then under the carpet. The scanner is mounted on the passenger side of the center console and I was able to tuck the cable under the console. Looks pretty nice, IMHO.

 

[kb0nly]

03' KJ here... One hole in the roof for a PO mount and one antenna on a lip mount on the hood...

KBØNLY Mobile!

 

[Mike-KC8OWL]

I have an '07 Jeep Liberty and I have two (2) NMO mounts on the roof. The first is directly over the front dome light and has a 6" UHF antenna attached. This is a very easy place for snaking coax through. The second is near the rear of the roof, right in front of the satellite radio antenna - this was another easy spot for working with coax without having to pull down much of the headliner.

 

[kvetreno]

I would recommend spending the money and buying an antenna hole saw from one of the commercial antenna vendors. I know places like tessco sell them. They don't let you cut to deep, i.e. into the headliner, and they have finer teeth than normal holesaws so they make a nice clean cut. I think I spent 20 bucks on mine and have used it for years, perfect hole everytime...

 

[robd]

Hey I had an 05 liberty and used a side mount antennta on the hood of the car worked great and no holes used a commet mount worked great when it was time to sell the car out it came with no problems!

Robert

 

[ramal121]

I would recommend spending the money and buying an antenna hole saw from one of the commercial antenna vendors. I know places like tessco sell them. They don't let you cut to deep, i.e. into the headliner, and they have finer teeth than normal holesaws so they make a nice clean cut. I think I spent 20 bucks on mine and have used it for years, perfect hole everytime...

If you can get 'em they're great. If you just want to get 'r done, buy a generic 3/4 hole saw from your local big box. Good hint. Multiple wraps of black tape 1/8" above the cuttin' teeth will prevent slip through and headliner damage. I use this when antenna hole saw goes MIA.

 

[firescannerbob]

Sorry I missed some of the later posts.
As an alternate suggestion to the 3/4" hole: if you can get to the bottom of the area you're looking to mount an NMO antenna, you can get NMO's that mount in a 3/8" hole. The 3/8" mounts aren't as common as the 3/4" mounts, but they're out there (Tessco sells them, for example). For me it's hard to justify the cost of a 3/4" hole saw that only gets used every couple of years, but I've got plenty of 3/8" bits.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll post some photos of the antenna and radio installation when I get a chance.

 

[kb0nly]

I've used the 3/8" NMO mounts as well...

 

[firescannerbob]

Here are some photos, as promised.
The first is from inside, directly above where the front dome light goes, and the other is the finished installation.