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'74 Cj5 Cb Research Help

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by Chris'74, Dec 12, 2021.

  1. Dec 12, 2021
    Chris'74

    Chris'74 Member

    Charlotte, North...
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2019
    Messages:
    225
    Need some help. '74 CJ5 Renegade frame off restoration (see thread in sig). Working now on the Radio and CB. This jeep didn't have the AM radio option. I found one and restored it...it's awesome! Original owner installed a CB. It had all the 'stuff' for a CB, but the actual CB was gone. He installed CB right after getting jeep in '74 or very early '75. I'd ask him, but he died. I'm 50/50 if I'll put CB in. But if I do, it's got to be period correct.

    Looking for period correct '74-75 CBs. Not finding much info online on what was manufactured in that year. Found the Cobra 138. It is a full dial version. No manufacture date info online for it. Found the newer Cobra model 138XLR was made in '77+ and had digital channel display. I doubt a CB would be digital in '74, can someone confirm? I know AMC had CB/Radio combo dealer option. But not in '74. That was later in '77+ I believe.

    SO...if you owned a jeep or truck in 1974 very early '75 what CB did you buy? Any help appreciated!
     
  2. Dec 13, 2021
    OzFin

    OzFin Vintage Jeep Guy

    Michigan
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2007
    Messages:
    936
    A Johnson messenger 123a would be period correct.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Dec 13, 2021
    Chris'74

    Chris'74 Member

    Charlotte, North...
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2019
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    225
    Thanks... I'll look into that make. Definitely looks like a '74/'75 no frills CB.
     
  4. Dec 13, 2021
    Cj5dale

    Cj5dale Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Knoxville, Tn
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    Aug 19, 2021
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    I believe my dad had a midland in his truck.
     
  5. Dec 14, 2021
    SoCalNickG

    SoCalNickG Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Whittier, CA.
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2017
    Messages:
    346
    I have a CB that I pulled from my first Jeep when I sold it in 1978. I don't remember the brand but I pulled it out of the box last year and decided to purchase a new hand held CB instead. I don't know if it works but "it ran when parked".
    I can get measurements and pics tonight. It's yours for the price of the postage but you need to post a picture when/if you use it.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  6. Dec 14, 2021
    Chris'74

    Chris'74 Member

    Charlotte, North...
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2019
    Messages:
    225
    Sure.. Would be interested in a pic of it. And see what we can do! Save a stamp...I'm visiting Cali (SD, LA, PS) in January. So far I have three great options from info on this post from you all. Just a big thanks. I really was stuck on this one since I'm not a CB guy. But from OzFin who gave me a name Johnson Messenger to google I came across a great article in Popular Mechanic Nov. 1975 pg 98, online that detailed seven or eight CBs that were all available in late 74/75. For those looking for similar info...google that Popular Mechanic mag.

    Here's the jeep this CB may go in... still 50/50 on putting it back in. Well kinda leaning now to 80/20 going in. Just the old school stuff adds to the restoration. Plus the original owner had it in.
    0AFBCE89-EB48-472F-8507-7027CA2A5478_1_105_c.jpeg
     
  7. Dec 15, 2021
    SoCalNickG

    SoCalNickG Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Whittier, CA.
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    Mar 17, 2017
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    346
    The CB is a HiGain. I probably bought this CB in 1974 or 75. Sold the Jeep in 79 and the CB has been in storage since.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    I'm not sure what size but it will fit in one of the post office's 'if it fits, it ships' boxes.
     
  8. Dec 15, 2021
    CleCeeJay

    CleCeeJay New Member

    Cleveland, Ohio
    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2021
    Messages:
    11
    I think your idea to add a vintage CB to your Renegade is great. It will really complete the look (great looking Jeep, by the way). To keep it authentic, make sure you get a 23 channel (40 came in 1977) and a dial type channel selector (digital came later). There are many brands to choose from (Royce, Robyn, President, Browning, Pearce-Simpson, Courier, Hy-Gain, E.F. Johnson, Realistic, Midland, Pace, Cobra, and others). Of course it should be super clean and look new, which will be a challenge because so many CB's were abused. Ideally it should work, of course, and that is also challenging because, as I said, so many were abused or ultimately burned out because the antennas were not matched. Equally as important is the antenna. Because Jeeps are open, most had the classic 102 inch whip with a spring mount on the side or back panel. In my opinion, it does not get more authentic than that (and they perform the best). Also common at the time were base loaded and center loaded antennas, but those were usually mounted on roofs or trunks of cars, with trunk lip mounts or a hole drilled. Jeeps usually did not have these because there were no roofs or trunks. While fiberglass antennas did exist at the time, they were uncommon and would not have the right look in my opinion. Wire-wound antennas like Firestiks did exist, but barely, and you would not have seen them. It is common to see a Firestik today (i have one on the front fender of my RAM 3500) but they will not look period correct on your Jeep.
     
  9. Dec 16, 2021
    Chris'74

    Chris'74 Member

    Charlotte, North...
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2019
    Messages:
    225
    That's old school cool ! :) Like the big Beta machines before VCR before Disc before Streaming... Think it works? I'll take it off your hands if you don't want it. Maybe I'll find a local who repairs old CBs.
     
  10. Dec 16, 2021
    Chris'74

    Chris'74 Member

    Charlotte, North...
    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2019
    Messages:
    225
    Thanks for this information. Very helpful. I kept the old antena ball/spring mount during the tear down of the jeep. It didn't have the whip. But I've started to cobble together the parts I need. Of course need to restore the mount, it was rusted big time. I'll Sandblast and re-chrome it. For now I'll get one of the aftermarket ball/spring mounts while I work out the resto on the original. Can't thank you all enough for the info. Great source of info and history on a topic most don't care much about now.
     
  11. Dec 16, 2021
    SoCalNickG

    SoCalNickG Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Whittier, CA.
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2017
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    The faceplate says Hy-Gain 1. It is a 40 channel unit, rotary channel selector and non-digital display. It has the original mic. No clue where the original mounting bracket is. If the 40 channel CB's hit in 1977 I bought it in 1977 or 78. I used it during the trips to and from college. I can send it to you, I like to think it might be used for something after all this time.

    I connected an antenna and hooked up a battery, to test it, before the PNW trip earlier this year. The lights went on but I couldn’t hear anything on the 3 or 4 channels I checked out. I chose to buy a new handheld CB for communicating on the trails.

    I’ll send a PM. I’ll see what size box this fits in and let you know.
     
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