HanksB3B Posted February 20, 2012 Report Posted February 20, 2012 I searched Don Bunn's book (with a magnifying glass) and could only find one example of a Radio Antenna mounted to a vehicle. I question the placement of it mostly because the antenna shown on page 139 is on a registered vehicle leaving me to believe it may have been installed by the owner and not the factory. For my truck which has a spotlight, this location is a no-go. Does anyone know where the factory would have located the antenna? Thanks in Advance, Hank Quote
Rusty O'Toole Posted February 20, 2012 Report Posted February 20, 2012 Most vehicles had them on the right like the Ford in the background. But I don't know where the factory put them. There should be a factory bulletin on this as a lot of radios were dealer installed in those days. Quote
JBNeal Posted February 20, 2012 Report Posted February 20, 2012 from what I've been told, radios & heaters were dealer installed items. From what I've seen, I don't think there was a 'correct' position for antenna placement as my '49 has the antenna on the cowl in line with the edge of the windshield instead of in line with the door as shown, and I've seen others mounted on the opposite side on the cowl as well as on the side of the cowl just above the front fender. I saw a pic of a 2 ton with an antenna mounted on the door hinge, but that may have been for a CB radio. Another location I've seen the antenna mounted was on the bulkhead of the bed. I reckon the factory option antenna had a lead on it that was a certain length and that usually dictated whereabouts the antenna was installed. Quote
Dave72dt Posted February 20, 2012 Report Posted February 20, 2012 The radio in the Ford is a center dash mount. With a left side of the dash mount as it is in the Dodge, the antenna on the left side makes the most sense. The spotlight mount would create a problem though. Maybe moved forward a bit? Quote
B1B Keven Posted February 20, 2012 Report Posted February 20, 2012 Both of my '49's have/had the holes for the antenna as shown. Quote
52b3b Joe Posted February 20, 2012 Report Posted February 20, 2012 My 52 has it in the same spot as your example picture. I second the dealers installed heaters, radios, and accessories. Quote
HanksB3B Posted February 20, 2012 Author Report Posted February 20, 2012 Both of my '49's have/had the holes for the antenna as shown. Keven, Thats more to my liking especially because I really don't want to drill a hole in my Cab and would much prefer to drill into my fender. Could you please take a picture or two and provide measurements for me? I'm also wondering if on both your trucks they are in the same exact location. Rusty, Good point. I wonder if this bulletin exists and if anyone has it? "There should be a factory bulletin on this as a lot of radios were dealer installed in those days." I purchased this on eBay. Advertised as NOS Mopar, but more likely CFY (Chineese Fool You) P ) antenna. It is actually very good quality and the form/fit looks like it will look good on the fender. Thanks, Hank Quote
Dennis_MN Posted February 21, 2012 Report Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) When I was in high school, I worked at a radio-tv shop, I usually installed tv antennas, or delivered TV's. However, because I had small hands and was pretty agile, I would be asked to remove and install car radios. This was 1956 and 1957 so the surfaces were different. I got to decide where to mount the antenna. I used my judgement where to mount based on radio location and where there was clearance for the Greenlee punch. It was pretty clear on the GM cars because it looked like this was planned for. All that said, I still have the Greenlee die for the standard antenna hole. All you need to do is to drill a 3/8 pilot hole then thread the bolt through the punch and into the die underneath. Then tighten until you have a hole. There was no way that I was going to do that to my truck, so I added a wood rack and I mounted a bracket to that and I ran the lead under the cab and into the firewall. I did use the punch on my bracket to mount my NAPA antenna. If you need pictures of the Greenlee, just ask or do a google search. Pictures of the antenna mount will need to wait a month or two. https://sites.google.com/site/dennisjsullivan/Home/photo--sharing Edited February 21, 2012 by Dennis_MN Added photo link Quote
Merle Coggins Posted February 21, 2012 Report Posted February 21, 2012 I mounted a retractable antenna in the left front stake pocket. I can push it down so it isn't seen during shows, or when I put my cover on it, and the pull it out when I drive. Works slick. Merle Quote
HanksB3B Posted February 21, 2012 Author Report Posted February 21, 2012 There was no way that I was going to do that to my truck, so I added a wood rack and I mounted a bracket to that and I ran the lead under the cab and into the firewall. I did use the punch on my bracket to mount my NAPA antenna.If you need pictures of the Greenlee, just ask or do a google search. Pictures of the antenna mount will need to wait a month or two. Dennis, It would seem for you this should be a "piece of cake" with your Greenlee. If what Keven and 52b3b218 seem to think about a "factory location" why would you say "no way"? Merle, While that is very stealth of you, I can't follow your lead exactly because my stake pockets are occupied with stakes supporting a single "Horkey" ash top rail. Good idea though. Thanks Fellas, Hank Quote
52b3b Joe Posted February 21, 2012 Report Posted February 21, 2012 Sorry, I worded that wrong. Mine is like your black and white picture from Bunn's book. Here is a picture of mine and one I saw at a car show. Quote
Dennis_MN Posted February 21, 2012 Report Posted February 21, 2012 Dennis, It would seem for you this should be a "piece of cake" with your Greenlee. If what Keven and 52b3b218 seem to think about a "factory location" why would you say " I just couldn't bring myself to put a hole in the top of the fender. My rack is exactly like yours except I left off the side rails. I have my antenna bracket screwed into the wood on the left side. I mounted a large steel washer on top of the 2 x 2 on the right side where I mount my magnetic CB antenna when I take road trips. I just run the antenna lead into the cab before I shut the door. I use a 18volt inverter for the CB power. Quote
B1B Keven Posted February 21, 2012 Report Posted February 21, 2012 Keven,Thats more to my liking especially because I really don't want to drill a hole in my Cab and would much prefer to drill into my fender. Could you please take a picture or two and provide measurements for me? I'm also wondering if on both your trucks they are in the same exact location. Thanks, Hank Here ya go Hank. The 'other' truck had the hole in the same location (it's gone now). And a pic of my antenna. Quote
70rtse440 Posted February 21, 2012 Report Posted February 21, 2012 When I was in high school, I worked at a radio-tv shop, I usually installed tv antennas, or delivered TV's. However, because I had small hands and was pretty agile, I would be asked to remove and install car radios. This was 1956 and 1957 so the surfaces were different. I got to decide where to mount the antenna. I used my judgement where to mount based on radio location and where there was clearance for the Greenlee punch. It was pretty clear on the GM cars because it looked like this was planned for. All that said, I still have the Greenlee die for the standard antenna hole. All you need to do is to drill a 3/8 pilot hole then thread the bolt through the punch and into the die underneath. Then tighten until you have a hole. There was no way that I was going to do that to my truck, so I added a wood rack and I mounted a bracket to that and I ran the lead under the cab and into the firewall. I did use the punch on my bracket to mount my NAPA antenna. If you need pictures of the Greenlee, just ask or do a google search. Pictures of the antenna mount will need to wait a month or two. https://sites.google.com/site/dennisjsullivan/Home/photo--sharing Nice looking truck , what bumper did you use for the rear? Quote
Dave72dt Posted February 21, 2012 Report Posted February 21, 2012 I asked the same question awhile back. Believe its from a Ford Ranger. Quote
KJ's Dodge Posted February 21, 2012 Report Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) Hank, My truck was purchased by the original and previous owner in Detroit directly from the factory with the radio and antenna installed. Here are the best pics I have. I can take a couple more pics once I am back home. I can get some measurements as well. As earlier stated, most radios were dealer installed in this era and not factory installed. Thus, the location of the antenna could be vastly different for a dealer installation. If a bulletin existed that would be great. KJ Edited February 21, 2012 by KJ's Dodge Quote
HanksB3B Posted February 21, 2012 Author Report Posted February 21, 2012 I'm starting to get cold feet about mounting my antenna on either my cowl (just won't work because of the spotlight) or my fender Keven's location. To me this looks very nice but Greenlee Tool or not, installing on a painted surface could be difficult and/or damaging. Method: Without giving any of my thoughts, If you had to provide a large hole in the fender, how would you do it? Thanks, Hank Quote
ggdad1951 Posted February 21, 2012 Report Posted February 21, 2012 I'm starting to get cold feet about mounting my antenna on either my cowl (just won't work because of the spotlight) or my fender Keven's location. To me this looks very nice but Greenlee Tool or not, installing on a painted surface could be difficult and/or damaging. Method: Without giving any of my thoughts, If you had to provide a large hole in the fender, how would you do it? Thanks, Hank drill a small hole and work your way up to a small grinding wheel on a dremel and shape it as you go. Quote
Dave72dt Posted February 21, 2012 Report Posted February 21, 2012 Wide masking tape over the location and surronding area, then use a Unibit. Need larger hole than a Unibit goes, than a 1/4 inch hole and a hole saw. Quote
Desotodav Posted February 22, 2012 Report Posted February 22, 2012 I found my Unibit's great for drilling the holes (for the knobs) in the dash fitting my 802 Radio. It looks like Irwin makes them up to at least 1 inch - is that a big enough hole?.. http://www.irwin.com/tools/drill-bits/high-speed-steel-fractional-hole-enlarging . Desotodav Quote
ggdad1951 Posted February 22, 2012 Report Posted February 22, 2012 I don't know how a unibit (my first thought on this question here) will perform on a possibly curved surface, hence my thought to work up to the hole and grind it to shape. Quote
HanksB3B Posted February 22, 2012 Author Report Posted February 22, 2012 I don't know how a unibit (my first thought on this question here) will perform on a possibly curved surface, hence my thought to work up to the hole and grind it to shape. to go this route. However heat may be a concern to the paint. Pretty sure masking tape of the surrounding area is a good thing but maybe I keep retaping it leaving 1/8" to 1/4" of the paint surface exposed so as to keep an eye on it. I will call Alvin's Auto Body (my painter) and talk to Bob (the owner) as he owns a couple of $100,000 +- Show Cars. Thanks, Hank Quote
tom'sB2B Posted February 23, 2012 Report Posted February 23, 2012 Hank You want to swap fenders? Then you wouldn't have to worry about cutting a hole. Quote
HanksB3B Posted February 23, 2012 Author Report Posted February 23, 2012 No thanks, but I could use your wheels and hubcaps....! Thanks for posting, Hank Quote
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