The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Relocating Radio '54 3100

I want to relocate a non stock radio to the underside of the roof. I have a universal mounting kit housing for the radio and am wondering how to mount it to the roof without welding brackets.

Is gluing a couple of pieces of wood up there a good idea? If so, what glue suggestions. Other suggestions relative to the roof mount?

Thanks

How about a sturdy enough crossmember from left to right to catch the front of the radio, all floating below the roof skin.

Another perhaps better option is use a different radio with just a remote display which is easy to mount, put the rest of it under the dash or seat.

Or here's the radio option I'll be using, no real/bulky radio at all just an amp, volume knob, ipod cable, and ipod of which many have a radio function.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243821
Using these parts:
PAC IC-AV A/V Output Cable for IPOD Video
PAC LC1 Remote Amplifier Level Controller
And an amp

Grigg

sfsutton,

I am watching these responses with great interest.

1954/55 GMC trucks have their radio speaker mounted in/on/attached-to the overhead cardboard. There was a hole in the cardboard, a cover on the cab-side of the cardboard, and the speaker above the cardboard. This was a rather stupid arrangement because the cardboard would sag and/or rip, and the speaker/cover would simply drop out (I think).

Use autobody adhesive to mount some steel or aluminum tubing to the bottom of the roof, then attach your mounting kit to that. Autobody adhesive is the stuff that they use to attach door hinges and other parts on new vehicles, so it's mighty strong.

I would not rely on adhesive. I agree with Grigg for installing the radio on the overhead. Attach a header running side to side and attach to the cab interior structure with fasteners.

46gmcpu,

Thanks for that suggestion. I have some of that two-part metal-panel adhesive left over from sealing the cab belt seam. I might as well try that on some sort of "over-head" (over the cardboard) speaker holder.

I can understand your reluctance to rely on adhesive alone,but most of us trust it to keep our windshields in place on our modern vehicles,even in the worst case scenario when airbags deploy in an accident.

I personally would have no qualms about gluing some fittings to the roof assuming everything is prepared correctly.

Thank all of you for the great suggestions and solutions. While I'm up there in the roof this time I'm going to insulate it. Who knows, I may even stumble upon some roof panels that actually fit this time or cover what I have with some material.

I certainly don't understand the reluctance to rely on adhesive, excuse my blunt words but I see this as ignorance of the modern autobody adhesives. They've been holding late-model cars together for 10+ years, I think they can hold a radio up.

I certainly don't understand the reluctance to rely on adhesive, excuse my blunt words but I see this as ignorance of the modern autobody adhesives. They've been holding late-model cars together for 10+ years, I think they can hold a radio up. [/quote]

I wouldn't say ignorance so much but possibly human nature?
It's easy to imagine the fusing of two metals with heat will create a much stronger join than adhesives alone.
Even though modern technology can create a chemical adhesive that will outperform the metal around it..i.e. the metal will fracture/fail before the bond.

I quite agree,bond the fittings to the roof,no fuss,no mess and no heat distortion issues from welding.