Roof Antenna Install

[Sparkherd]

OK; there's gotta be somebody out there who's drilled a hole thru the Ranger roof to mount an antenna.
I've done it on; 85 F-250, 89 Mustang, 90 Ranger, 2010 Ranger, and a 2014 FieSTa.
So what's the word on my 2026 XLT?
I'm betting it's two layer.
Looks like the back of the headliner won't be too hard to pull down.
I'm betting I'm NOT paying $400 for a third brake light antenna mount, when I've got Unibits just crying out from boredom.
Anyone? Anyone?

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[midnight270]

I pulled the headliner down on my 25 RR to install sound deadening and run some wires. Pulling the liner down is pretty simple. For the rear there are two big plastic clips that hold it. During the reinstall getting those clips aligned was the worst part. It took three of us to get it back in...

The roof is just a single layer of metal. I did the SD because it's so thin and rain drops sounded crazy loud. I don't have a picture of the roof without the SD but the left side with the purple and white wires is the OEM radio antenna. I have my GMRS antenna mounted on a third brake light housing though haha.

 

[Valydathor]

OK; there's gotta be somebody out there who's drilled a hole thru the Ranger roof to mount an antenna.
I've done it on; 85 F-250, 89 Mustang, 90 Ranger, 2010 Ranger, and a 2014 FieSTa.
So what's the word on my 2026 XLT?
I'm betting it's two layer.
Looks like the back of the headliner won't be too hard to pull down.
I'm betting I'm NOT paying $400 for a third brake light antenna mount, when I've got Unibits just crying out from boredom.
Anyone? Anyone?

Drilling the 2026 Ranger roof works, but the cab does feature a double-layer roof (an outer skin with a structural inner skeleton). The back headliner pulls down easily, allowing you to sneak your Unibits between the inner bracing layers to drop the coax and avoid shelling out for a third brake light mount.

 

[RonEee]

If you decide not to drill, rugged radios makes some nice antenna mounts. I'm using the one below for a couple of amateur radio antennas. Attaches to the existing hood bolts. Well built and low profile. I'm using it with an NMO mount.

 

[Buellsox]

It’s thin single layer sheet metal with a couple structural crossover rails. Nothing fancy. Here’s a couple pics for reference rear & forward before SD’ing. If you opt to drop the headliner (really isn’t that difficult, took about an hour each way) then do yourself the bonus of adding sound deadener. It’s truly worth its weight in GOLD! For sound and heat deflection via the roof.

 

[Sparkherd]

Thanx for the pics, ya'll!!!
That's ZACKLY what I needed!!!
I've got most of a roll of Dynaliner left over from when I did my 2 door Bronco, which made a large difference in road noisyness. I might need more.
Should be a PL-259 antenny mount showing up here soon...time to warm up a Unibit!!!

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