Radio Antennas

[Merle Coggins]

As I mentioned in my Interiors thread I'm going to be installing a radio antenna in my truck for my newly installed stereo. I'm leaning towards a side mount type that will mount on the vertical side of the cowl, just above the fender and just ahead of the door. But I'm curious to see where other trucks have their antenna's mounted.

Pics Please?

Merle

[Reg Evans]

Mine had a hole on the passenger side cowl from a past life so that's where my antenna went.

[Young Ed]

Merle that won't give you much space for the sidemount ones unless you are talking about the single mount ones. I need to install one in the 46 but so far I haven't brought myself to hole drilling. I was trying to come up with a hidden one

[Young Ed]

This one looks pretty cool. So far I haven't found a picture of it with the mast installed. Looks like a good way to avoid drilling huge holes.

This is like the one I was thinking of for my truck. Apparently this one is correct for a bunch of VW bugs and busses.

[Merle Coggins]

Here is what I was thinking about. I am also having a hard time wanting to drill holes in my cowl. It says this is for Nissans. Or I could get one like what's on my Gold Wing, but they're kind of expensive too.

I was also looking at different hidden antenna systems, but they're rather expensive at $50 - $100 depending on what you get. I also don't know how I'd mount one since they all recommend keeping it away from any metal by at least 3/4 inch. With an all metal cab how would that work? But I'll still consider that option before drilling.

Merle

[H Suhling]

Merle

When I bought my truck it had an antenna like the bottom one in Young Ed's picture the radio was gone but the antenna was still there.

Harvey

[Young Ed]

Merle looking at the picture of Reg's truck it doesn't seem like you'd have room for one of those 2 mount ones.

[48Dodger]

Maybe a bed mounted antenna would work better, I mean, if you're not mounting a M-60 or somethin'........

48D

[Suddensix]

I have one of those rubber ones mounted under the running board. Out of site and works great.

[bach4660]

I mounted a regular antenna behind the seat on a diagonal inside the cab just with velcro.

[Dennis_MN]

I would just hate to drill a couple of holes in my cab. I added side rails and added a bracket to one of the corner posts for my antenna. On one side I have a radio and the other side I have a piece of flat steel to hold my magnet CB antenna.

However if you are so inclined to add holes to your truck, I have a Greenlee punch for the proper size hole for antennas. You drill a 3/8 pilot hole and then use the draw dies to cut the large hole. I've had the thing for about 50 years when i used to mount antennas at the radio shop that I woked at in High school.

You are welcome to borrow said tool.

Dennis

[51 Fargo]

Merle you can use one from a CJ-YJ-TJ jeep they are side mount as well like the one on my truck

[Merle Coggins]

Thanks guys. I've got a temporary rubber type antenna connected for testing purposes. This morning I called Napa and ordered an antenna extension cable. They didn't have it in stock, but I should have it in a day or two. I'll route the cable to behind the seat and see if I can mount the antenna back there somewhere.

My next option was to install a side mount like shown on 51 Fargo's truck. But I like the 'without antenna' look and don't really want to drill into my cab.

Or I could hang out at the Armory and see if I can snag one of those HumVee antennas.

Merle