Original antenna

[brewster]

I recently bought my first square body pickup, it's a 1975 k20 it's a great truck starts every time, 4wd gets me around in the winter, I really like it, the only problem is that it is the base model, the custom deluxe, so I'm really starting to miss some of my accessories that my 2011 impala had like a dome light and intermittent wipers, but what really bothered me was that it was a factory radio delete, why did Chevy even offer a factory radio delete, anyways I purchased all new radio items but I'm trying to keep it slightly original, since it only has 7500 miles, so I put in a retro sound face plate, and front dash speakers in.  Right now I am bluetoothing my phone to it but I also want am/fm so I was wondering where I should put my antenna.  I thought these trucks had radio antennas in the windshields from the factory but I can't find any thing that I could hook up to for the antenna so I was wondering where you guys have radio antennas at, I really Don't want to drill the hole in the fender and the firewall for a normal mast antenna but I'm not seeing many other options.


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[LTZ C20]

You could just swap the windshield for one with an antenna and then add the cable. The cable is pretty cheap and you should be able to pick up a windshield fairly cheap from a wrecking yard or craigslist, something like that. My local pick n pull always has 4 or 5 of these trucks at least any time I've gone.

[Irish_Alley]

You could just swap the windshield for one with an antenna and then add the cable. The cable is pretty cheap and you should be able to pick up a windshield fairly cheap from a wrecking yard or craigslist, something like that. My local pick n pull always has 4 or 5 of these trucks at least any time I've gone.

when i got mine years ago it was only $80 from the junkyard

[brewster]

Ok that would be a lot better than having to put in a mast and it would be moderately cheap, but I'm a little nervous when it comes to replacing the windshield in cars because my father owns a body's shop and I was working down there and we had a guy come from the windshield company to remove the windshield in one of our customers vehicles and the windshield guy broke it, and I just kinda thought to myself what if he were putting that windshield in, would he have messed it up and not seal it properly, because that would make my windshield resting tab to rust and also it would not be safe if I were to get into an accident, but I would still rather put in a new windshield in than drill a hole in the fender and the firewall.  Although I have heard of the small box looking antennas that you just place on metal and it will pick up signal, but I have heard that those are not good for receiving stations, so what do you guys think


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[Irish_Alley]

its easy to break one that youre putting in, heck i broke one just loading it into a suburban. one good thing about getting a shop to do it it might cost 150 or so but they will replace it for you if they break it. i have one antenna in my fender and i have dual whip antennas on my tool box. the one in the fender used to go to the radio but i have wired one of the whip antennas to it. so no extra holes in the body and it make it easy to spot in a parking lot

[Jason S]

On your windshield, is there a small round piece of metal at center of the bottom of the windshield and metal wires running across the top and then down the middle of the windshield? If the snap and wires are on the windshield, you just need the antenna adapter for the windshield.  If yours is the original windshield and being radio delete, it probably doesn't - but doesn't hurt to verify.

Another option to consider would be a mount for a CB antenna that mounts to the mirror or one that fits the fender and comes up between the hood and fender. Then mount your AM/FM antenna to that.

[brewster]

I looked on my windshield and there was no round metal connector but I did see that the dash cover had a curve where I would guess the connector would have connected, so I guess I'm out of luck there.  I think I might try one of those little antenna boxes that you can mount anywhere on the car, mainly because it would be a lot cheaper


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[Irish_Alley]

the connection will be under the dash. there will be a button on the windshield if you have the antenna in it

[philo_beddoe]

I looked on my windshield and there was no round metal connector but I did see that the dash cover had a curve where I would guess the connector would have connected, so I guess I'm out of luck there.  I think I might try one of those little antenna boxes that you can mount anywhere on the car, mainly because it would be a lot cheaper


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Dont get one of those antennas, i had the same deal. I am going for a factory look and decided to stick with original ac delco radio but wanted powerful reception, i tried that antenna and it was junk. Maybe if your in the middle of a city it might be ok.  I got a nice quality original style speaker instead. Loud and clear.  I do have to replace factory antenna cable though, just the end anyway.

The windshield antenna works great as long as you have a good connection and ground. AM can be tough in rural areas. If you want the old look and a modern system, check out the site store radios.

[brewster]

Ok thanks for the input I'm going to check under the dash for the button first but if there's no button I'm going to replace the windshield


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[LTZ C20]

The windshield antennas work pretty good. I have never had a reception issue with mine, I love having it hidden and can't be broken off at the base. No problems and in the time I've owned the truck, I'm on my 3rd radio unit.

[Irish_Alley]

the only problem is they can rust at the connection but it should be a problem anytime soon. in my 86 i had the windshield antenna and it does give it a nice clean look

[brewster]

Ya I think it's worth the money for a clean look, mostly because this truck is  extremely clean, the only places where's it's not original is where the fire department drilled through the dash, otherwise it's only got 7500 miles and it's no rusty at all


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[brewster]

For a follow up on this thread, I went with a cheapo antenna that I found on crutchfield it was $20 and to my surprise it works pretty well already for what I need. In the picture I mounted it above the rear view mirror on the windshield




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[philo_beddoe]

I'm glad someone got back on this. I did get my factory antenna to work ok (still no am) however, what is this ugly spot where the base connects? I thought i was the only one, but recently i saw the same on another truck.