I intend to install a GMRS radio under the driver seat and was hoping to install a puck style antenna in the space between the front and middle sunroof as shown in the picture below. My original thought was to run the coax for the antenna through the headliner and down the B pillar trim so it would drop out where my radio would be installed. I tried to remove the B pillar trim and found the top piece a difficult challenge (guide tabs seem to be pinched preventing removal) and it doesn't seem there is much room under the trim without possibly interfering with the seat belt operation. I've tried searching for a solution and there doesn't seem to be anything out there that is very informative or perhaps I am just using the wrong key words in my search, so turning to you all hoping there is someone out there who has installed an antenna in the location I've suggested and could give me some wire routing advice? I'm a visual learner, so photos would be appreciated!

 

That interior space (just in front of the middle overhead lights/AC controls) is commonly used for the dealer installed DVD player/screen - I have one
They routed the wires to the passenger front A-pillar, down to the dash

Maybe try fishing your wires to the driver's A-pillar, then down to the sill to your driver's seat?
Longer route, but maybe more room to do so more easily?

 

Thank you, that’s a good suggestion. Might could even fish it down the passenger side and install radio there if there’s more room. I’ll look at both.

 

B pillar has tons of room actually. The trim should not be hard to remove. Make sure you pull door seals first, then I thin it just pops off and slides down the belt. The lower comes off second I think?

For my install, I did not want to do anything permanent so I installed mine onto the third brake light. Which is old and probably needs replacement soon anyway. Worked really well and I can swap different antenna styles as needed. The only thing was I needed to use an antenna cable, like those sold by Midland, that have a coax end that comes apart allowing the cable to route through very small areas like the rubber boot going into the upper gate.

 

I guess the antenna doesn't get in the way of hitting your rack when opening? If I had to remember to remove every time I get in the back I know I'll end up breaking it!

 

Why would I install it in such a way that it would hit the rack?

 

I've just learned to ask and I was trying to imagine placement when the gate is lifted and was wondering if it would fall short of the rack or end up over the top of it. Just making sure I understood before cutting into it. Really appreciate your suggestion and sending some photos though. I hadn't considered that spot before.

 

I think it is possible if drilled too far forward that it would interfere with the sunroof as it slides back. Take plenty of measurements before you drill.
I put one in front of the sunroof once. It was not easy. It is double walled hard metal all the way from the sunroof to the windshield AND IT IS TOUGH METAL TO DRILL. For those who have installed a snorkel and had to drill through the A pillar will know. Depending on the NMO mount you will need a 3/8 or 3/4 inch hole. I drilled up from the bottom after I removed the light console so I knew what was what because it seemed way to easy to drill from the top and hit something important.
When that car was flooded I took a different approach. --LOOK HERE-- It may not be on the top of the car and not as "efficient" but in our 4X4 group no one ever gets more than a mile or so away from each other so having it mounted next to the hood works just fine. And if you are worried that a typical whip antenna will hit trees? it will. Not too many of the beaches here in Texas have trees, so I am safe unless I am in the Ozarks, then it is an issue. One of our Toyota guys has a short stub antenna next to his ditch lights at the base of the A pillar and it seems to work just fine, So I guess I could put one on my current location and try that out.

BUT......... I tend to make eloquent solutions to simple problems

I now run a Wouxan KG-1000 with the control head mounted next to the control head of my IC-7000 (which is on the dash above the Garmin GPS that is located in the OEM nav screen location).
The B trim removed rather easily. too easily some times (as in to will fall off if you reuse weak connectors). Only advice I can give about the wiring is to zip tie it next to any factory wiring and make darn sure it does not pass over any of the airbag modules or cables. I have routed things behind the A and D pillar trims with no problem.

I did not do what DakotaTravel did because I have a Frontrunner rack and it did not allow as much "wiggle room" when raising the hatch.

Just my rambling thoughts this afternoon

Jeff

 

Thanks for the ramble. I ended up drilling from the cabin side because as you suggest, there is a lot of structural support in that area. I ran the wiring down the B-pillar and installed a puck style antenna. It is a perfect fit as the sunroof just clears the antenna when opened. Feeling pretty good with how it turned out actually

 

Looks good. I almost went with the same antenna, but for where I trail the range on those is a quarter mile at best so I ended up with what I have. But you certainly wont have to worry about branches and such!