Pickup truck mounting

[BammBamm]

I need help...I just bought a 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT quad cab Hemi and I am planning my install but...I can't bring myself to drill a hole through the roof to mount my Wilson 5000, I don't want a magnet mount due to possible scratches and theft. I'm thinking about mounting to center of the bed right behind the cab but debated a stake hole mount with dual whips. If mounted on cab I need a 26" shaft to get a coil type antenna over the roof. Would a regular antenna mount be strong enough to hold a predator 10k or this type? I'm running a Rci 2950cd into a midnight special 250. Before anyone says it a 102" whip is too long as this truck will be going for a 6" lift and 35" tires on Monday. Thanks for all your help and ideas.

 

[Tallman]

I need help...I just bought a 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT quad cab Hemi and I am planning my install but...I can't bring myself to drill a hole through the roof to mount my Wilson 5000, I don't want a magnet mount due to possible scratches and theft. I'm thinking about mounting to center of the bed right behind the cab but debated a stake hole mount with dual whips. If mounted on cab I need a 26" shaft to get a coil type antenna over the roof. Would a regular antenna mount be strong enough to hold a predator 10k or this type? I'm running a Rci 2950cd into a midnight special 250. Before anyone says it a 102" whip is too long as this truck will be going for a 6" lift and 35" tires on Monday. Thanks for all your help and ideas.

Get a metal toolbox and mount to that.

 

[2RT307]

I have a Ford F-150, so the bed is probably different. But, I used an L bracket in an existing hole inside the bed behind the cab. I have ran everything on it... Wilson 5' Silverload, Predator 10K, 102" whip, etc., and it holds up just fine. Dual whips look cool, but I don't think you'll see a performance advantage. For stake holes, definitely look at the Breedlove mounts.

73,
Brett

 

[338_MtRushmore]

Mark center of your roof, then buy a case of beer and drink until drilling a hole seems like a good idea.

There's no sense in butchering the bed with holes when no one will ever see a hole in the roof. I have never met anyone who regretted drilling a hole. Probably not helpful to you, but that's all I got. Good luck

 

[Mudduckmobile]

I need help...I just bought a 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT quad cab Hemi and I am planning my install but...I can't bring myself to drill a hole through the roof to mount my Wilson 5000, I don't want a magnet mount due to possible scratches and theft. I'm thinking about mounting to center of the bed right behind the cab but debated a stake hole mount with dual whips. If mounted on cab I need a 26" shaft to get a coil type antenna over the roof. Would a regular antenna mount be strong enough to hold a predator 10k or this type? I'm running a Rci 2950cd into a midnight special 250. Before anyone says it a 102" whip is too long as this truck will be going for a 6" lift and 35" tires on Monday. Thanks for all your help and ideas.

Just get a Breadlove mount, and drill baby drill, oh, and make sure you get the backing plate as the cab top is thinnnnnnnn.

 

[338_MtRushmore]

What do you mean by "regular antenna mount"? Can you post a pic of where you want to mount it?

 

[BammBamm]

Something like a mirror mount but only using the L shape piece bolted to front of bed in center. I do like the thought of a tool box also though..thanks again! I'm not sure how to post pics..I'm not the greatest at cellphone technology.

 

[hotrod]

Something like a mirror mount but only using the L shape piece bolted to front of bed in center. I do like the thought of a tool box also though..thanks again! I'm not sure how to post pics..I'm not the greatest at cellphone technology.

get a metal tool box. then mount either a 10k or 102 in the center of tool box. for a low profile look try a 5 foot or longer fiberglass antenna in exact same spot

 

[Tallman]

Something like a mirror mount but only using the L shape piece bolted to front of bed in center. I do like the thought of a tool box also though..thanks again! I'm not sure how to post pics..I'm not the greatest at cellphone technology.

The tool box will be a good place to mount your antenna and you get additional secure storage for things you don't want to put inside the cab. Plus if you live in the right area a toolbox is almost like wearing a ROLEX.
If you mount on it use a high quality mount that has the base reinforcement and with the 3/8-24 you have a very large selection of antennas available.

 

[undertaker]

I have the 102 inch whip with spring on my tool box works great!!!

 

[rabbiporkchop]

Since this installation reached out 80 miles I have no reason to believe it wouldn't work on your truck just as well, assuming you
had all your ducks in a row.

 

[6.0 Liter]

I ran a 108" metal whip mounted on the tool box for years with good results. Just make sure your bonding is done properly, and it will work fine. If it's a box with wings, you can mount on the top. I have had top single lid boxes that swing up, so you have to mount center rear. May have to space out a bit to clear lid. I like to get the mount high enough to be flush height with the lid.

 

[BammBamm]

I used a 4 inch square piece of 1/4 inch aluminum and had a coworker weld a piece to it to extend down 6 inches so it is like a 4 inch wide T shaped bracket. If you can picture it against the front of the bed it has 3 large rivets through it into bed rail and then 3 large rivets into the front bed wall. It gave me a 2 1/2 inch tang to drill and mount my antenna stud to. Using 12' of 213 to feed it and I have a 102 whip and a 5' firestick I can interchange..love it so far.

 

[Onelasttime]

Well they make a hood mount for Dodge Rams. You could go with a stake pocket mount mount. If the bumper has any metal at all that will work if you have a tall enough antenna. Finaly while it is my last choice you have magnet mounts too!

 

[rabbiporkchop]

A magnet mount on the roof will probably outperform any hard mount on any other part of the body by a huge amount. Avoiding the roof will probaby sacrifice 80% of any potential performance.