On 55 2nd series. I have now seen 2 trucks with the antenna hole cut into right hand cowl panel just down from the windshield, is that where they installed them? Seems like a horrible place to put it. I know 57 up put them in the rear area of the right front fender. Is there an install diagram for that location on the 55?
Last edited by Truckrolet; 10/16/20227:49 PM.
Kicking self for selling off my Taskforce trucks. Still looking for an LCF or conventional big bolt in decent shape.
As of 10-26-2022, A 55.2 Taskforce long bed now the work begins
I don't know about the 55, but a lot of us back in high school would mount them underneath the vehicle and parallel with the ground. You couldn't see them that way and they could be put anywhere you had room. The downside was if you were very distant from an AM station, you would lose some reception ability. I've also seen lots of folks put them between the rear of the cab and the front panel of the bed...attaching the base down on the frame. When they're down, you won't see the antenna and when extended it will work just fine. Remember a radio antenna in any vehicle has 2 contacts...one for chassis ground and one for the mast. FM radio (by the way) is a lot more tolerant of poor antenna design. AM radio antennas needed more deliberation in design. Good luck.
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
Get a couple fist sized bluetooth speaker and put them on the seat or behind it and use your phone.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
My '57 had a Philco am radio cut into the dash, antenna is drilled into the cowl on the drivers side. I don't know where the dealer would have mounted one but I think the cowl was common.
1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
Get a couple fist sized bluetooth speaker and put them on the seat or behind it and use your phone.
Its all about proper restoration that is all. Radio's were an option, if it has that option I will go with it. Maybe you have some delete plates for cheap?
Last edited by Truckrolet; 10/17/20228:15 AM.
Kicking self for selling off my Taskforce trucks. Still looking for an LCF or conventional big bolt in decent shape.
As of 10-26-2022, A 55.2 Taskforce long bed now the work begins
I understand, but since your truck doesn't have an antenna hole already, it obviously didn't have a radio. Why put one in? I'd definitely look for a delete plate if yours is missing.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
Go to the 29-57 Chevrolet Master Parts List and search for the part number of the antenna. The CMPL says, "fender type (right hand installation only)". 987188.
The part number 987188 was obsoleted (??) and reused for a glove box light.
Beginning 1958, the antenna number changed to 877740
Radios were an option. The original 1955 2nd installation diagram (template) and instructions would come with a kit you purchased to add a radio to your truck. NOS kits are rare so today you have to suffer a reproduction antenna. Make sure the antenna is an original preproduction and comes with instruction and installation template for hole location. It is up to you to determine if the instructions are correct.
There is a 2 part youtube video on the web. It's slow and I got tired of listening. He did mention that you want the antenna to be taller than the cab for radio reception.
Last edited by buoymaker; 10/17/20228:54 PM.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
I understand, but since your truck doesn't have an antenna hole already, it obviously didn't have a radio. Why put one in? I'd definitely look for a delete plate if yours is missing.
My original post says, "On 55 2nd series. I have now seen 2 trucks with the antenna hole cut into right hand cowl panel just down from the windshield,"
I at the moment do not have a truck. I have seen 2 of them with the antenna hole in what I consider the wrong place and the worse place it could be installed, because its on an integral cab panel that is spot welded on. And not knowing for sure but a great leak point as well. And if it did not have a radio, that I do have hiding some place, I would figure out some sort of antenna that requires no holes drilled or crap clamped on the body, if I wanted the radio installed.
Last edited by Truckrolet; 10/17/20229:21 PM.
Kicking self for selling off my Taskforce trucks. Still looking for an LCF or conventional big bolt in decent shape.
As of 10-26-2022, A 55.2 Taskforce long bed now the work begins
I guess I have, as long as that is where it was specified on the 2nd series 1955 truck. I just found it very strange that the 2 trucks I saw have the antenna in the almost exact same spot, that is not in the right hand fender. I just want to know why, since I may decide to get the one.
Last edited by Truckrolet; 10/18/20222:22 AM.
Kicking self for selling off my Taskforce trucks. Still looking for an LCF or conventional big bolt in decent shape.
As of 10-26-2022, A 55.2 Taskforce long bed now the work begins
