The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Antenna hole

All of the links I find with a search of templates for the mounting position don't go anywhere. This is not an urgent request but it would be nice information to have for later.

1952?

http://1954advance-design.com/Documents/Antenna%20Template.pdf

Sorry it is a 52 and thanks for the link. I just welded up the hole that was on the passenger's side early tonight. I am somewhat in sticker shock looking at the price of the antenna.

Neil,

Yes, it is not cheap. It is stainless steel, multi-sectioned, and very long when fully extended (and, I think it is a lcensed product).

Some people have reported installation problems. I have installed two and am working with a third. They installed fine on my regular trucks - I'll know soon about putting one in/on a COE (the outer cowl is the same but the sheet metal on the inner side-wall is different).

A lot of work went in to making them correct and they are a very nice reproduction. Hopefully you will only need to buy one once for your truck. However they are not licensed it is not required due to having no GM markings or emblems and was not under any current patents.

Thanks Tim, I love your web site. I guess I will bite the bullet and buy the antenna. I can't wait to get the radio in the dash and working.

Here are a few pictures of “how nice” the $75 reproduction I got went into a 1950, 3600.
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/accessories&page=2
The one I got from Classic Parts of America was very poorly made as far as I’m concerned. The bushings and mounting bracket were unusable and I had to make them both new starting from scratch. Also the internal electrical connection at the base was loose and I had to repot it with clear silicone rubber. Not at all worth the money I paid for it.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I stand corrected. After seeing Denny’s post I went out to check the shelf and what is now being supplied I see is not quite the same as the ones we were stocking some five years ago close but some differences in manufacture and even in packaging although the same supplier.

Mine are all at least 5 years old (I have one unused/unopen unit).

Antenna holes were drilled by the dealer even if the truck came with a radio. The antenna and mounting hardware along with the template for positioning of the hole were under the seats. I installed many of those in my day at the dealer. Just a little trivia.

My new antenna has some problems too including the fact that it didn't hold the mast tight.

If you use a template that you print out, make sure the hole is the right size on the template. Ifit is wrong, the whole template will be the wrong size. New antennas should come with a proper template.

I just resized it in Photoshop so the hole is 13/16". Thanks.

On my 55 2nd I bought the chevrolet fender mount antenna from Autozone and used the template I received from Squeeze. It didn't need the supporting bracket that bolts on below. I have had numerous decorations on the tip of it and it has not come loose. The unfortunate part in the TF trucks is that the antenna hole is between the outer and inner fender. Unlike the AD where your antenna is under the dash. I am glad that I have skinney arms - not big like popeye.

I hope you have good speakers or wear headphones.

I just got back from looking at a universal mount at one of the box auto parts stores. The only drawback I see with what they had for $12 is that it requires a 1" hole. If I can find a replacement antenna that uses the stock size or smaller I think I will go that route. I hate to cut a 1" hole since I may find a used stock one somewhere and don't want to have to add metal then. It the reproduction ones have problems I think a universal mount is better that $80 for something that isn't a lot better. Looking at Obi-Wan Graham's photos makes me think that I might be able to make the exposed black plastic part of the base. If I put it on the base of the universal mount and you wouldn't know the difference with out a trip under my dash. I am going to the truck graveyard and look for the base parts.

The newer antennas do not perform as well on the AD radios. I think the impedance may be different. The original uses a support under the cowl because the sheet metal does not support the antenna too well.

I will probably be ok until I can find what I want. The AM stations I listen to are only about 15 air miles from the house and about 5 from work. I am pretty sure that if the fender on my 82 s-10 can support the universal type mount the cowl on the 52 should hold up. If it has a wobble I can figure out something with a bracket. I will let you know how it works out.

You are the first to mention living near an AM station! I used to live near a large city and didn't know what fringe reception was like until I moved here. Some of the days with the most clouds give the best reception. Also at night I get a dial crowded with very distant stations.

I was able to pick up the three closest stations with a few feet of no. 14 when I was workiing on the radio. I even listened to some WLS late night.