Hardwiring a CB
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 603
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From: Charles Town, WV
Year: 2005
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 3.7
I want to hard wire my CB but have no clue what to do. I have done stereo stuff just not CB. Can someone give me an idea of what to do? Where is the best wiring spots? Thanks in advance.
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,495
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From: Edmond, OK
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 ltr
Jeep98B, do you want to be able to turn on with vehicle off or on with only key? You can wire it directly to the battery with a good ground (body/chassis) or you can wire it to the fuse box to either a constant hot or switched hot and again a good ground. I believe wiring it to the fuse box may cause some engine noise over the CB. I had this problem using the cig lighter in my old pickup, but have not had this problem on my XJ. I plan to "hard wire" it with a switch to change from key on only to always hot. I dont want to forget to turn it off, its just something else I have to jack with everytime I get in and out. I would rather have it on keyed on so it goes off with I turn the vehicle off but still have the ability to use it without the key. Make sense? if not let me know and i will try to explain it a bit clearer..
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 990
Likes: 4
From: Washington State
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Just a little note for you guys. You can leave the CB on for days and days and still fire up your XJ as long as its got a decent battery. It doesn't draw that much current just switched on.
I wired mine to the Fuse Bock on an accesory spot. I think I am going to rewire it so it stays on the channel when I turn the key off. Thus constant hot wire needed.
I wired mine to the Fuse Bock on an accesory spot. I think I am going to rewire it so it stays on the channel when I turn the key off. Thus constant hot wire needed.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,661
Likes: 15
From: Smiths Station, Al
Year: 87
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: 4.0 I6
I have mine wired to the fuse box
Here is a pic

The red wire at the top right is in a empty fuse spot and the ground is at the bottom right hooked into the mount bolt. I tested with a multimeter to make sure it was a hot port and it was. Works great.
Here is a pic

The red wire at the top right is in a empty fuse spot and the ground is at the bottom right hooked into the mount bolt. I tested with a multimeter to make sure it was a hot port and it was. Works great.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,964
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore, Maryland
Year: 1994 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
It`s usually best to wire CBs right off the battery as other sources can result in a lot of auto electical noise and interference.
Last edited by Programbo; Apr 2, 2009 at 08:07 PM.



