Would You Rather?

Willys_ATX

Willys_ATX

New member
Would you rather go with quick sway bar disconnects or a CB radio?

Context - 2015 JKU WW. I've just spent most of my budget on my lift, wheels and tires. Getting serious about group runs makes me feel like I should get a CB, but the quick disconnects seem like a more necessary investment from a capability standpoint. My budget is about $200.

For CB I was thinking a Cobra 75 WXST - with coax cable, mount, etc its looking like a $180 project. On the quick disconnects was looking at Teraflex for around $130 (2.5' lift).

Which would you go?
 
Willys_ATX said:
Would you rather go with quick sway bar disconnects or a CB radio?

Context - 2015 JKU WW. I've just spent most of my budget on my lift, wheels and tires. Getting serious about group runs makes me feel like I should get a CB, but the quick disconnects seem like a more necessary investment from a capability standpoint. My budget is about $200.

For CB I was thinking a Cobra 75 WXST - with coax cable, mount, etc its looking like a $180 project. On the quick disconnects was looking at Teraflex for around $130 (2.5' lift).

Which would you go?
Click to expand...

I would go with CB because you can disconnect your sway bar right now, just not as fast. I would take comms with my group over a convenience item, or you can disconnect your sway bar and not put it back on. I had someone steal the nuts off of mine at EJS 2016 back in april and been rocking no front sway bar since then, body roll is more noticeable but not really to a point where I feel uncomfortable without it.
 
As already stated... you can disconnect right now... just slower. With that said... I got my JKS quick disconnects for $150... a Uniden CB for $35... find a good deal on an anteanna and you are there around $200 for both.
 
I'd have to agree, you can easily disconnect your factory links and quick disconnects would just be a convenience mod.
 
I have an extra 4' Firestik you can borrow at HF if you need. (A 4' can turn into a bit of a "whip," but it has great reception.). I also have a tuner, but have no idea how to use it (I had my local 4x4 shop do my install, and I bought it for them) -- there a lots of videos out there, I am told, on how to use one. Just let me know before the run, and I will throw them in the Jeep.

As "tucked" said above, the Uniden is inexpensive, and I have found it to work well for my purposes:
https://smile.amazon.com/Uniden-PRO...2848&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=uniden+pro-520xl

Amazon also has good prices on Firestik -- an example:
https://smile.amazon.com/Firestik-F...F8&qid=1475852548&sr=8-5&keywords=Firestik+ii

Some other goodies to consider.......

https://smile.amazon.com/Firestik-S...rd_wg=fKMZh&psc=1&refRID=2VCRDB468B01SX54BW38

https://smile.amazon.com/Firestik-E...1475852647&sr=8-2&keywords=antenna+disconnect

https://smile.amazon.com/FireStik-K...1475852647&sr=8-3&keywords=antenna+disconnect

As for the mount, I can't offer much in the way of a recommendation. I have don't care for the look of the more central spare tire mount, which is what appeared to be the favored/main JK-mounting option I found doing my research. I liked the tail light location, but that mount was apparently discontinued. My second choice was a cowl mount, and that is what I went with (https://smile.amazon.com/FireStik-M...ie=UTF8&qid=1475853539&sr=1-1&keywords=Mk+j4r). I really like the look and location. The problem with this mount on a JK is the thinness of the metal in that area. I had a thick reinforcing plate put in.

I have no knowledge of the disconnects out there. My lift came with the "quick" disconnects -- I can attest that there is NOTHIN quick about them!
 
CB by far. Really makes the trips and events way more fun. Taking a couple bolts off is a pain in the ass maybe, but being deaf on the trail is worse.
 
Here's a different take...get the Disconnects and pick up a cheap CB on ebay or CL for 30-40 bucks to tie you over until you van get the one you really want. Best of both worlds! Heck, if you were close to me, I have 2 or 3 extra CB's lying around...
 
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Sounds like you've not yet done a group event with intragroup communication. Trust me (us), as someone who does a number of groups events throughout a given season, Jeep and motorcycle, once you have comms, you'll never want to go back. It lets you be 'part of the group,' know what's going on. Also gives you the ability to go help someone in need.

Nothing like being #14 in a group, wondering the group's stopped up front. CB fixes that sort of thing for you. If you have passengers, it lets them be a bit more engaged as well.

Nuts you take off once a day. CB you use all day.

:)
 
Jegar said:
I have an extra 4' Firestik you can borrow at HF if you need. (A 4' can turn into a bit of a "whip," but it has great reception.). I also have a tuner, but have no idea how to use it (I had my local 4x4 shop do my install, and I bought it for them) -- there a lots of videos out there, I am told, on how to use one. Just let me know before the run, and I will throw them in the Jeep.

As "tucked" said above, the Uniden is inexpensive, and I have found it to work well for my purposes:
https://smile.amazon.com/Uniden-PRO...2848&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=uniden+pro-520xl

Amazon also has good prices on Firestik -- an example:
https://smile.amazon.com/Firestik-F...F8&qid=1475852548&sr=8-5&keywords=Firestik+ii

Some other goodies to consider.......

https://smile.amazon.com/Firestik-S...rd_wg=fKMZh&psc=1&refRID=2VCRDB468B01SX54BW38

https://smile.amazon.com/Firestik-E...1475852647&sr=8-2&keywords=antenna+disconnect

https://smile.amazon.com/FireStik-K...1475852647&sr=8-3&keywords=antenna+disconnect

As for the mount, I can't offer much in the way of a recommendation. I have don't care for the look of the more central spare tire mount, which is what appeared to be the favored/main JK-mounting option I found doing my research. I liked the tail light location, but that mount was apparently discontinued. My second choice was a cowl mount, and that is what I went with (https://smile.amazon.com/FireStik-M...ie=UTF8&qid=1475853539&sr=1-1&keywords=Mk+j4r). I really like the look and location. The problem with this mount on a JK is the thinness of the metal in that area. I had a thick reinforcing plate put in.

I have no knowledge of the disconnects out there. My lift came with the "quick" disconnects -- I can attest that there is NOTHIN quick about them!
Click to expand...

Thanks for such a thorough reply and input. I would take you up on the loaner, but will probably just order what I need for a CB. Installing before HF may be a stretch, but who knows ;)

jeepsterchris said:
Here's a different take...get the Disconnects and pick up a cheap CB on ebay or CL for 30-40 bucks to tie you over until you van get the one you really want. Best of both worlds! Heck, if you were close to me, I have 2 or 3 extra CB's lying around...
Click to expand...

Appreciate the kind offer!

Frydaddy said:
The Cobra 75 Is nice if you don't have room for a transceiver box.
https://amzn.com/B00005N5WW

The typical spare tire mount.
https://amzn.com/B01D5TNMNE

A nice antenna helps.
https://amzn.com/B000X3EP7I

And some cable to run it together.
https://amzn.com/B00EARXF06

Or go for a custom antenna mount. Shameless plug for my extendable antenna/light mount
http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?36813-New-Rear-Lighting-Idea&p=701356&viewfull=1#post701356
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great info here, Fry.
 
i would say go with the cb ... like you i am still a bit new here on WAL and most of the things ive done over the year were solo but i always had a cb in whatever i was rolling , not only is it useful while on the trail but also useful when on the road if needed .. have found myself on more than one occasion over the years on channel 9 reporting a wreck i happened across or saw as it happened , on the highways it can help when you come on a traffic jam picking the right lane , reason as to why its all backed up , and sometimes even a way around it ....
as it sits now you can disconnect the sway bar but when in a group and stopping you will have to get out in order to find out what the reason is , with the coms you can make the choice on if you want to sit and wait while they figure it out or if you want to walk up and take a look of your own , or perhaps its somewhere you've already been and can offer a solution over the coms themselves ...
 
IMG_1475876590.748009.jpg

This route is considerably cheaper, than the Cobra.

Midland 1001Z $26.99, Firestik II antenna $20.77, 18' cable $8.10, Firestik heavy duty antenna spring $15.19, Rugged Ridge tire carrier antenna mount $27.04, for a total of $98.09, plus a few connectors & a little wire.

Edit: I left out the Rugged Ridge over mirror mount, but still much cheaper.


Sent from my iPhone using WAYALIFE mobile app
 
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Willys_ATX said:
Would you rather go with quick sway bar disconnects or a CB radio?

Context - 2015 JKU WW. I've just spent most of my budget on my lift, wheels and tires. Getting serious about group runs makes me feel like I should get a CB, but the quick disconnects seem like a more necessary investment from a capability standpoint. My budget is about $200.

For CB I was thinking a Cobra 75 WXST - with coax cable, mount, etc its looking like a $180 project. On the quick disconnects was looking at Teraflex for around $130 (2.5' lift).

Which would you go?
Click to expand...
Get the radio.

180 bucks for a CB set up is pretty steep. Unless you're set on a specific radio, my entire set up I think I've got maybe, 90 bucks invested in it, at max.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using WAYALIFE mobile app
 
Willys_ATX said:
Thanks for such a thorough reply and input. I would take you up on the loaner, but will probably just order what I need for a CB. Installing before HF may be a stretch, but who knows ;)



Appreciate the kind offer!



Thanks for the great info here, Fry.
Click to expand...
Do what you can to get it installed before the trip. Having a cb on the trails (especially with this group) is worth it.

Somebody here said they had a swr meter, bring it along. Tuning isn't too difficult, especially with a firestik.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using WAYALIFE mobile app
 
Overland_stormtrooper said:
i would say go with the cb ... like you i am still a bit new here on WAL and most of the things ive done over the year were solo but i always had a cb in whatever i was rolling , not only is it useful while on the trail but also useful when on the road if needed .. have found myself on more than one occasion over the years on channel 9 reporting a wreck i happened across or saw as it happened , on the highways it can help when you come on a traffic jam picking the right lane , reason as to why its all backed up , and sometimes even a way around it ....
as it sits now you can disconnect the sway bar but when in a group and stopping you will have to get out in order to find out what the reason is , with the coms you can make the choice on if you want to sit and wait while they figure it out or if you want to walk up and take a look of your own , or perhaps its somewhere you've already been and can offer a solution over the coms themselves ...
Click to expand...

I agree. Most of my trips have been with 1 or 2 buddies and I've gotten by without one. Looking to do more runs it's time to hook one up. I've ordered a Uniden PRO520XL, Firestik, etc. All came in around $100.

Kyle7R said:
Do what you can to get it installed before the trip. Having a cb on the trails (especially with this group) is worth it.

Somebody here said they had a swr meter, bring it along. Tuning isn't too difficult, especially with a firestik.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using WAYALIFE mobile app
Click to expand...

I'll do my best. Everything gets delivered next week, but I get home around midnight Friday night from a conference in California. Maybe I'll take some time at HF Saturday to install... :dont_know:
 
Willys_ATX said:
I agree. Most of my trips have been with 1 or 2 buddies and I've gotten by without one. Looking to do more runs it's time to hook one up. I've ordered a Uniden PRO520XL, Firestik, etc. All came in around $100.



I'll do my best. Everything gets delivered next week, but I get home around midnight Friday night from a conference in California. Maybe I'll take some time at HF Saturday to install... :dont_know:
Click to expand...
That sounds exactly like my set up. It's simple, but works like a charm.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using WAYALIFE mobile app
 
I bought a Uniden 520XL instead of the Cobra 29 I already own for size reasons.

Definitely CB over quick discos. Even with just 2-3 jeeps, you will appreciate the cb. It makes the trail more fun.

I went custom mounts that I made. Here is my shameless plug - self pat on the back.

This mount is bolted to the floor, not the plastic. I had the wife check and this location was not in her way. The cb is small and seems to have more features than the cobra 75, but that gets good reviews.
IMG_0717.jpg
Having trouble with the other two photos.
 
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