Batboard

About to do an install in a 2003 dodge ram 1500 quad cab. I'm gonna use the stake antenna mount(mount fits in the stake holes in the bed of the truck. A few questions pop to mind

1. Does anyone know if the bed is grounded to the frame of the
truck, I know some vehicals use plastic and rubber bushings and
sometimes can make this difficult.

2. I am going to install my 30 series head in the compartment blow
my heater control panel. I havent figured out how to pop that off
yet...

3. And anyones thoughts about installs they have done, I have yet to
do this just getting the info before I bring it into the garage.

Thanks
Robert

Robert, first of all I haven't had any experience with the Stake mount other than on CB. It sounds like your are installing a ground plane antenna, I would opt for putting one right in the center of the roof, 3/4 NMO mount. I know, you have to drill a nice pretty hole right through the roof, but I just drilled two holes in my brand new F-250 Superduty. The Rx and Tx is awesome.

As far as the ground goes, pull out the ole trusty DVM and do an Ohm check from the bed to the frame, this will tell you whether it is ground. I believe it is grounded though.

Don't know much about the mount in the cab you plan on doing and don't know the interiors of Dodge's much. What is the series '30' head?

A ground strap from the frame to the body on both sides couldn't hurt either way.

The bed on a Ram is grounded.

As for the dash in the '03, there is one screw in the radio/heater trim in the lower/right area. Once this screw is removed, pull the entire trim off. It's held on with spring clips.

We need to start building the Hemi Rams for interceptor vehicles! These things will eat a Crown Vic for lunch!

jim wrote: We need to start building the Hemi Rams for interceptor vehicles! These things will eat a Crown Vic for lunch!

I'd like to see a 2wd ext cab with a "hemi" in it. That would have CV killer written all over it.

Hell, my '02 Impala with about $500 in add-ons/changes is already as fast as a CV

( I say "hemi" in quotes, because until I see this new motor in person, I don't belive it!)

Jim, thanks for that info that will help me out a lot plus save me from breaking that trim peice. A 30 series head is a kenwood tk-630 and a tk-830 (low band, UHF) dual band set up.

I just got through doing an install on a 03 Dodge 3500 with Hemi. Force 4 LP, Unitrol Omega siren, and fab'd switch panel. Radio was a Syntor X 110W. Antenna on the back headache rack on an L bracket along with Lightbar. I used a Larsen 5/8 over 5/8 and had no SWR problems across the VHF band. What a machine! Now do you want to get to a fire quickly?
Jimmy

yes it might kill the Crown Vic, but do you know many cops who want to drive trucks and SUV? I surely don't

Admittedly, K9 officers, Rangers, Conservation Officer and other guys who actually get off payment want trucks and SUV's, but I do believe the fast majority of city cops want to drive cop cars and despise anything besides a sedan.

I'd prefer to be in an SUV for a patrol ride myself, but then my career is in conservation enforcement so a car wouldn't do me any good.