So I have my CB radio plugged into my cigarette lighter. I know this isn't ideal because of electrical/alternator interference and all that. But, I'm hesitant to wire it into my truck. Plus I just can't for the life of me figure out where to get through the dash to the battery (tips would be appreciated - she's a 2010 Supercab Sport).

Question: I do seem to get a lot of static noise, especially at night with the headlights on, or when i turn on the wipers. Would it help if I grounded the radio power better? I'm thinking of splicing an extra wire into the black wire (where I attached the CB power wires to the cigarette lighter plug that I got at radioshack), and grounding that extra wire on a bolt inside the cab. Anybody know if that will help at all? Hoping it's not a dumb move that'll cause a fire.

Also heard that a noise filter will help, and they seem pretty cheap. Thoughts?

Thanks guys!

You can get through the firewall right around the brake pedal and e-brake area. There are existing holes with wires going through there.

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I must be seriously stunned because I struggled with that the other night for a while. Found where the other wires go through but couldn't squeeze the CB ones in. I'll give it a go again tonight. Thx

just drill out a hole then and get a rubber grommet

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2003 v6 3.0
mods: blinker mod, hella 500ff's behind grille, blacked out grille, k&n intake, throttle body spacer, pioneer headunit and alpine sub w/ JL amp, 3" body lift, flowmaster super 40 dumped, police scanner, Red LED bars under dash

You can remove your dist box to bolts on the fender hold it on. That will make it easier to get the wires through

bolts marked in yellow

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Alright - thanks for the help guys. Got it wired into the fuse box with an Add-a-Circuit. We'll see how well it works tonight with the headlights/wipers on.

This thread can be closed.

No need to close the thread. Others can benifit from it and can ask questions.

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Interesting issues. I've been running my cb off the cig. lighter for years and have never had any interference. Static is low too, barely have to adjust the squelch.

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2003 Ranger FX4 level II. 3" BL, 33x12.50 GT Radial Mud Claws, Custom front and rear bumpers with winch hookups, custom flatbed, with hi-lift, and full size spare mount, 12,000 lb winch mounted under bed, Electric fan, and of course a flowmaster.

I don't know what's causing it, but I still had a lot of static on the ride home last night. Going to have to try a noise filter to see if it helps.

Maybe picking up some rf noise ? Any other gear in the truck ?

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Merlin215

2010 Ford Ranger 4 wheel drive
Black
XLT Power Group package

Just stock stuff... sat radio, regular radio... and my blackberry (not like that would cause anything).

CB radios send out an FM band signal . Sounds like something electrical is interfering with the signal . Hmmm. Maybe some sort of a noise filter or rf reduction filter may be needed . Try like an earth ground , maybe ground from the battery and power from a better source . See if it either goes away or gets better or worse .

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Merlin215

2010 Ford Ranger 4 wheel drive
Black
XLT Power Group package

I own a 97 splash V6 5-speed. I am having a similar issue that I am getting "noise" only when the engine is running. The noise kind of goes with the rpm. As I go faster or the motor revs higher the noise gets higher or louder. I am as well using a cigarette lighter plug. Could I just run a extra ground wire from that plug to the body or would it be best overall to run it straight to the battery and the ground to the body?

I have a Cobra 29 LTD and use a 102" whip from RS. I mounted the whip near the front of the bed in the center and I get awesome distance. Just the noise stinks. lol