Cerveja

So I originally and rather crudely used a couple hardware store metal L-Brackets and just hung it from the same screws that hold the retainers for the Sun Visors. It actually worked really well so a quick fix to get something half-a$$'d in place. So I recently upgraded the Antennae and picked up a newer model CB and want to change the mounting a bit. I want to build a small overhead console above the CB and also move the CB radio farther rearward. Basically the back edge of the radio will align to the front edge of the headliner and sit level so I have room between the headliner and radio to stash a pair of sunglasses, check book, cell phone, or a map or just some additional random storage.

Based on some photos I have seen, there is a stamped roof reinforcement that runs along the front edge of the roof. I would like to build a bracket that uses the two holes for the visor retainer, but add a couple holes farther rearward to give more support to the radio. I am trying to avoid pulling down the headliner, which may be inevitable. So does anyone have their headliner removed that they can take a couple really good pics or maybe some measurements so I know how far rearward I can drill a couple holes and still get into the offset portion of the reinforcement and how long a screw I can use without hitting the roof sheetmetal?

salad

Subscribing, I'm very interested in this too. I looked around a few months ago thinking the same thing and had poor luck with Google. Don't presently have a need to remove the headliner

JerrytheJeep

If I'm up early enough and I feel like it ill pull the headliner from my rig. I'm re-doing the fabric before the sun goes away so I might as well do it soon. There's a thread in fabrication of a guy who made a storage box for his trunk, as well as an OHC. He doesn't have any headliner and has a couple shots of his roof in there. Use that as reference and let me know what you need.

My rig is a 97. I don't know what his is, or if there is a difference in the structure of the roof, so ill do my best to give you what I've got.

Cerveja

Yeah, I suppose I should have mentioned that. Mine is a 2000 XJ, but I am pretty certain the roof bow doesn't change between the early and late models.

JerrytheJeep

So do you need measurements?

Cerveja

Measurements would be very helpful. Dimensions between the Sunvisor Retainer holes for reference and then if there are other mounting holes pre-drilled for overhead consoles or other fetures with a few pics would be great. Thanks in advance.

Cerveja

Thanks for all the input guys, I finally cheated and went to the junkyard. I knew there was at least one Late Cherokee whitout a headliner in there. Sure enough I found what I needed. I should have taken a couple pics before I welded everything together, and of course by the time I got back from having it welded my phone was dead so I didn't get any shots before I wrapped it. So the glue is drying overnight. I will try and clean it up tomorrow and take some snaps. I think I am very happy with the way it came out.

BlackMambaXJ

BlackMambaXJ

That's the only picture I have of mine but is that the idea of what you're trying to do?

s14unimog

I see what you're trying to do, but that wasn't a great option for me since I have the overhead console - plus I just had a new headliner installed. Have you thought about mounting it like this? It's how I have it in mine and I have to say, its by far the best option for the CB in the XJ - so easy to grab up and never in my line of sight. Not to mention, I can't stand a cable swinging around in my face. The receiver might not be the easiest to stare at but it's not something you need to really look at often.

Cerveja

Nice install on the back of the center console. I was going to put it there, but wasn't crazy about loooking down around behind me and seemed like it was pretty squished when the seat was folded forward. I wasn't crazy about the coiled mic cord hanging down from the ceiling, but after having it up there for a couple trips, it doesn't really bother me. Surprisingly it doesn't really block the rearview mirror, but it makes little difference with the 35 inch tire centermounted on the bumper behind the liftgate, the mirror is nearly useless anyway.