The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay The Radio Bench Looking for '56 3100 antenna location template

My truck does not have a radio antenna so I'm putting one in. I need to know where they were originally located and if possible find a template to use.

If you are buying a new one, they should supply a template.

A previous owner put this 2-mount antenna on the side vent of my '48. I like it. Don't know if this would work on a '56.

https://classicparts.com/chevy-gmc/truck-parts/1955-1959-truck-parts/radios/1955-59-antenna-original
This seems to be the stock one, and on the passenger side is what it says.
My 47-54 original antenna did not have a template, and the cab didn't have the hole.I had to do research and guesstimate.

Thanks Chip. That is the one I bought. I'm hoping it comes with a template.

Does anyone have a picture of the original antenna installed on a '56? I did get a template but it's a very poor one. It's one sheet of paper that covers every model truck using that antenna with minimum instructions.

Is this the way it goes? Where is the circled arrow supposed to go?

The cowl meets the top of the fender where I have the two arrows but the lower arrow you refer to points towards the forward edge of the door? The cowl, door and fender meet only at the point of the two arrows.

I think you need to show us the very top of that template (something is cut off there in your photo.) I'm thinking the left edge needs to go further back towards the door and ignore that horizontal line near the top of your photo that says 5000, 7000, and 9000 series only.

Where you circled, I assume goes at the rear edge of the cowl.

Mickey, Here is a hopefully useful video showing the use of the template to locate and drill the installation hole. The guy has done a second video to complete the install, but I haven't watched that one.

1956 Chevy Truck Antenna Install (Part 1)

1956 Chevy Truck Antenna Install (Part 2)

Also if it may help, below is a snapshot of the installation instructions page from a 1957 Chevy Car and Truck Accessory Installation Reference Manual. The template appears to be the same as for the 1956 and think the fender didn't change between 1956/57, at least in that particular section. There is a second page to the instructions with another diagram for routing of the antenna cable into the cab. Let me know if you need that and I will post it later.

Everything I needed thanks very much.

It would have been nice if they had printed it so the lettering was horizontal in the position that it was supposed to be used. You had it 90 degrees from the proper position, which I probably would have done as well.
Glad you got it worked out. Kudos to Dan for tracking down the video.

Yah, as the old saying goes "One picture is worth a thousand words". Those videos Dan posted are very good as well.

Indeed. That's why we are *always* crying for pictures! Those two you added are good. Thanks.

Mickey, The installation looks outstanding! Thanks for coming back and showing how it turned out. If you still need some info on the antenna cable routing, let me know as I can post a diagram of that too.

I fear it's going to be a long wait now. I ordered from Vintage Radios and they said could be up to a 12 week wait. It's 4 down and 8 to go.

For your reading pleasure while you wait, below is the original antenna installation page I posted, plus the second page and the 4 "radio" installation pages from my 1957 Passenger Car and Truck Accessories Installation Reference Manual. As far as I know there is little difference/deviation in these instructions from the 1956 model year so it should still be applicable for your truck. Not sure what radio you ordered or what you are planning on using for speakers, but thought this information maybe a little helpful when you get to that point.

Here is the next big problem that I'm probably going to leave to someone else. Maybe a professional radio installer. As you can see either the truck came without a radio or the hole has been closed up. I can make my own template but I'm not sure I have the tool to make a clean easy cut.

From the instructions that Dan posted, it looks like the original speaker was surface mounted, requiring just a moderate sized hole for the wiring (big enough to fish the wire in.) I bought a drill mounted sheet metal nibbler that would make it pretty easy to cut a larger hole if your speaker needs it. It just needs a starter hole. Here's a picture of the nibbler. IIRC I paid about $25 for it.

Kevin that looks like it just might work. I have one ordered. Thanks.

Mickey, If the nibbler doesn't work for whatever reason, maybe just you or your installer follow the instructions on the last 2 pages (starting with step "21") I pictured above on cutting the center clearance whole. Your new speaker should have come with a template to locate it properly and match the center opening size needed in the panel to allow the new dual speaker magnets to recess and let the speaker sit flush on the surface. If not, you may need to create your own template.

For actually cutting the center hole, the original speaker instructions steps 24 and 25 say:

"24. Cut out the two center holes with a 3-1/2" diameter hole saw." (Double check the dimensions of your dual speakers to make sure the hole opening is enough to allow for full recessing into the panel.)

"25. Cut out the two triangles of metal between the two center holes."

Let us know how this turns out.

Posted update to thread above.

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...ll-radio-arrived-update.html#Post1550341

Hope this is OK.