No-drill mounting a VHF on a '04 Grand Cherokee

[kadetklapp]

My '04 Grand Cherokee has both side impact airbags as well as a sunroof. I went ahead and took the headliner down as far as I could and still couldn't get up into where I needed to be for an NMO mount antenna in the roof. I'm concerned about hitting wiring harnesses for the SRS or sunroof.

That being said, I plan to just forgo the NMO mount and look at a bolt on mount that would mount to the rear hatch or something similar. I've seen adjustable mounts like this on, gag, Mini coopers, and SUVs other than Grands. Can someone point me in a direction to go for a VHF antenna mount to use with my Icom?

 

[fineshot1]

A simple google search turned up these

Diamond Antenna Mounts

Gutter Mounts

++ DIAMOND ANTENNA CORPORATION ++

Hatch Back Door Mount Brackets

++ DIAMOND ANTENNA CORPORATION ++

or Roof Rail Mounts

++ DIAMOND ANTENNA CORPORATION ++

or Roof Carrier Pipe Mount Brackets

++ DIAMOND ANTENNA CORPORATION ++

or try the NCG/Comet line

NCG Company::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

NCG Company::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 

[ambdrvr]

NMO mount on a '04 Grand Cherokee

Hello. I too drive a Grand Cherokee and I have 3 NMO mount antennas on the roof. Now I don't have a sunroof or SRS side airbags but I had no trouble getting to the roof to install my NMO mounts. If you are only planning on 1 antenna, just the VHF, then you should be able to place your NMO toward the rear of the vehicle, in the center for best performance. On mine I opened the rear hatch and along the top is a plastic vent trim that just pulls off. Take that trim piece off and also take off the two side trim pieces and you should be able to place your arm inside the roof cavity to access the roof. From there you can drill your NMO and just reach in and grab it. For my setup I ran my coax down the "C" post and down along the bottom of the door under the trim panel. From there I went under the carpet to the center console. Hope this helps in your situation.

Ambdrvr

 

[DieselFF918]

I agree with the Diamond or Comet lip mount idea. I am looking at going with a Comet lip mount on the hatch of my '99 Durango.

 

[KE5MC]

My Setup

Ford Escape, Diamond - K412, Diamond - NR73BNMO, Kenwood D710

K412 is mounted on the left side of the hatch about half-way down from the hinge. Cable exits at the bottom of the hatch window between the glass and the weather seal. Nothing special done at that exit point and no water problems. Cable is very thin and points down hill. Cable is about 13 foot that allows D710 to sit under the drivers seat and to create a service loop at the hatch to allow the hatch to be opened.

Antenna location and cable length is a compromise setup, but allows me to park in the garage without the antenna tip hitting the door and the main radio unit is out of sight.

There is some distortion in the antenna pattern noted on receive when making clover-leaf type entrance or exit on the freeway, but nothing serious.

Installation is over a year old with no mechanical or antenna issue.

...

That being said, I plan to just forgo the NMO mount and look at a bolt on mount that would mount to the rear hatch or something similar. I've seen adjustable mounts like this on, gag, Mini coopers, and SUVs other than Grands. Can someone point me in a direction to go for a VHF antenna mount to use with my Icom?