Jeep Cherokee Install

[codblackops2]

96 Jeep

Ive got a 96 Jeep Cherokee sport. I went with a NMO Roof mount on mine. I drilled the hole right in the center of the roof where everyone told me would be the best spot to put it. I have a Larsen 2/70C antenna and when I would out on some of the backroads I hit a couple tree branches and it knocked my Scanner mag mount off but never hurt the NMO antenna. I will get a picture of it later and post for everyone to see my setup.

Now the radio I mounted it on the dash right below the steering column. Its out of the way and also in a good location. I am fixing to move it though cause of my scanner being where its at right now it seems to be a little to heavy so I am thinking about moving the scanner to where the radio is and then move the radio where the scanner is.

But my opioin is and just like everyone around here says if you got a metal roof its best to go NMO. You have the best grounding pound and will get out alot better.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

I had been looking at that location but as it's not terribly deep I had thought it perfect for a remote head installation, overhead consoles are also a popular solution unless you're tall

That's the Anytone dual band Part 90 mobile (reason for the Comet CA-2x4SR) and that is the remote head. Like I said, I have to look at my 99 next weekend when I go get it to drag it back down to Texas.

Downside to remote mounting, the heads often don't have speakers in them, which is why I was thinking this would be a way easier install versus trying to find a place for the remote speaker (might even be a good option for those with Moto Spectras).
Hear HAM/CB through factory or non-factory speakers in your offroad vehicle.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Ive got a 96 Jeep Cherokee sport. I went with a NMO Roof mount on mine. I drilled the hole right in the center of the roof where everyone told me would be the best spot to put it. I have a Larsen 2/70C antenna and when I would out on some of the backroads I hit a couple tree branches and it knocked my Scanner mag mount off but never hurt the NMO antenna. I will get a picture of it later and post for everyone to see my setup.

Now the radio I mounted it on the dash right below the steering column. Its out of the way and also in a good location. I am fixing to move it though cause of my scanner being where its at right now it seems to be a little to heavy so I am thinking about moving the scanner to where the radio is and then move the radio where the scanner is.

But my opioin is and just like everyone around here says if you got a metal roof its best to go NMO. You have the best grounding pound and will get out alot better.

NMO is the only way to go if going to a roof…unless your going temp mag mount for testing.

 

[RodStrong]

I have a Cherokee with a remote mount Yaesu 8800r head mounted right above my steering wheel on the dash. Works perfectly, great vision of the radio while driving, and the only thing it blocks is the trip meter, which I don't use anyway.

 

[prerunner1982]

I have a 93 XJ so I am anxious to see the build as well.

Looks like we have a good handful of Cherokee owners here. Should have a Cherokee only picture thread would like to see everyone's set up.

 

[FFPM571]

this is a thread that I started.. Since then I don't have any of same portable radios.. The Saber SVA has been replaced with an XTVA for my XTS5000 UHF .. The Analog spectra is now an Astro spectra High power. and the GE mobile charger is now a Motorola Impress for my VHF XTS5000

http://forums.radioreference.com/pi...setup/137120-my-collection-radios-mobile.html

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Alright, got some free time and found my torx bits to take the faceplate mount off the radio today. Here's what I came up with. Definately think the head is going here (though I may take a look at where FFPM571 has his Spectra head mounted). I'll probably wander down to Sweetwater later today and I'll get a picture of how this fits in the cubby in the old body XJ. Clears the gear shift without issue and is a little easier to access than I thought.

Here's where I'm thinking of mounting the head (I wanted it elevated so its a little protected if water comes in which this is lower than under the front seat. I don't think there is room under the dash (maybe the glove box?). Only downside is running power and the audio for the radio intercom. (Please excuse the mess).

I thought about pulling the center console storage liner out and mounting it under there on the transmission hump, but without carpet or insulation, you can use the transmission as a heater even when you don't want to as it is.

 

[FFPM571]

I tried that where the head is before the shifter.. with the bracket it hit the stalk

 

[Drachen_Fire]

Dremel out the area just around the head, remove the backing bucket, and countersink the bracket. I mounted a Maxon SM2450 UHF there one time, and it never hit the stalk.

I wouldn't mount the deck where you have it pictured. It will corrode. Just look at the area around it. In the cargo area, there should be a sunken-in place on the passenger side that would fit it perfectly. I mounted my strobe supplies there back when I had a Cherokee.

 

[FFPM571]

http://forums.radioreference.com/844596-post27.html

I have my Siren amp, Astro spectra and UHF power amp under the back seat never have had any issues

 

[Drachen_Fire]

I like it, very nice. The reason I say that about his Cherokee specifically, is that there is visible damage from moisture to the carpet under there. I had a 1991 Cherokee, and I didn't know it had developed some rust issues in that area under the carpet, and wound up throwing away an 800MHz Spectra and a Carson SA430 because of it.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

I like it, very nice. The reason I say that about his Cherokee specifically, is that there is visible damage from moisture to the carpet under there. I had a 1991 Cherokee, and I didn't know it had developed some rust issues in that area under the carpet, and wound up throwing away an 800MHz Spectra and a Carson SA430 because of it.

Just dust. This XJ tends to stay in very dusty environments and I always leave the windows down. I also hose the interior out once every few years…

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Well got the head installed where I like it. Don't like it when the vehicle is in park because I have to move but it is fine when in drive. Even got the screen to match the dash lights.

 

[nzoliver]

Hi from New Zealand,

Well, that's where I have my Ft7800 head mounted. No need to cut the dash or anything. The 'brain' is in the recess behind the spare wheel on right hand side (the CORRECT side for the driver!!! ).

Antenna is mounted to the hatch right up high at the top right corner with a crimp mount for the edge of the boot lid etc. Oh, my antenna is a Diamond dual band ground independent so no 'earth' required.

Works REAL good

Oliver
ZL3OOC

 

[Drachen_Fire]

Good thing about the no-ground plane antenna too. Those Cherokee hatches are fiberglass.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Good thing about the no-ground plane antenna too. Those Cherokee hatches are fiberglass.

Only if it's like a pre-92. The 92-96 hatches are bolt on swaps for the fiberglass hatches everyone cracks in the corners of the back windows. Of course, 97-05 had metal hatches.

 

[Drachen_Fire]

Knew that the 97-01 were metal, but was unaware that 92-96 were. I had a 94 with a fiberglass hatch, but it may have been a junkyard swap.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Knew that the 97-01 were metal, but was unaware that 92-96 were. I had a 94 with a fiberglass hatch, but it may have been a junkyard swap.

I think it really just depended. My roommate's 92 has a metal hatch.

 

[krokus]

With my 97 XJ, I had an NMO put in the roof when it was about a week old. After 34 states and about 200k miles, the mount had caused some minor bends in the metal. (Too many branches and car ferries.)

To deal with the stresses, I got a thin, large diameter washer, and machined out the ID to accommodate NMO. The stress is now spread over a couple inches, instead of just the NMO.

 

[Project25_MASTR]

With my 97 XJ, I had an NMO put in the roof when it was about a week old. After 34 states and about 200k miles, the mount had caused some minor bends in the metal. (Too many branches and car ferries.)

To deal with the stresses, I got a thin, large diameter washer, and machined out the ID to accommodate NMO. The stress is now spread over a couple inches, instead of just the NMO.

Every antenna behaves differently when mounted, also depends on the construction of the roof. I've noticed that VHF 1/4 wave and 5/8 wave antennas are low stress. The Comet I have on my Trailblazer puts a bit more stress in the metal just from driving. The Jeep currently has a hood channel mount for it's Comet but there is about to be a NMO in the roof for a 1/4 wave VHF antenna for APRS.