Mounted the Wilson antenna on rear hatch. Reenforce the screws on the interior with fender washers (large dia). This area of the door has double glass thickness. Go with a spring for flex. The rear wiper was beyond recovery anyways, handy existing hole, ground the mount to the ground for the original wiper wiring, needed 18 ft wire to conceal along interior roofline trim and down to the Cobra 29. Reception good in rugged terrain, clear for 3 to 5 miles. Doesn't snag unless branches are draggin on the roof anyways. Clears the roof when hatch goes up. Works for me.

 

Does to the metal bumper count. I guess my voice is fuzzy when I talk. Would mounting directly to the body help at all?

 

try it, and make sure you hold on to the antenna end of that coax cable when you key it up too
please video it for our entertainment lol

 

lol I want to see that video...

 

As to your question

Tuning the antenna is the most critical detail that will effect you.

As much abuse they take off road, I think having only one to worry about is another plus. IF you use talk and the SWR is way off you run the chance of ruining the unit.

We too use to have our antenna on the back, but did move it to the front right foremost corner of the bumper. This works well to inch by the trees on the tight turns as it also marks the XJ's front end.

GOOD LUCK