Shaved Antenna

[Irish_Gorilla]

So plant.one (http://www.s10planet.com/forum/member.php?u=4619) and I went and got me a replacement hood and fender today.
Guess what the fender doesn't have? Yep, an antenna mounting spot. So instead of adding one on I was thinking bout getting rid of it.
I was thinking about doing this by grounding the antenna to the actual fender.
Would this cause problems?

[zee4u2nv]

none that ive noticed i shaved my antenna off on my camaro also i just stuck the antenna inside the fender the radio didnt work any different i say go for it

[neo71665]

The only time you'll notice the radio not picking up is in the boondocks. While in or close to the city it will pick up fine.

[Irish_Gorilla]

ok thanks, it wont cause any grounding issues though?

[firefighter]

I got one of those Auto-loc under dash antenna's havem\n't put it in though the antenna mast is sitting under the lip of the fender I bent the tip to get the length right it's been good for me for over a year now just the boonies give me schizz.

[neo71665]

Fender should be fine. If it does give you problems its not like the frame or battery aint close anyways. Just add onto the wire and go there.

[Hammer Head]

..if you do that be sure to throw a fusible link between the bat & the antenna..

[plant.one]

i may have been confused but i think gorilla was talking about just moungint the antenna wire up to the fender or frame somewhere and using the car body itself as the antenna... not just hiding the stock one.. thats wehre the concern for the grounding issues came up.

i may be WAY off here tho.

[neo71665]

I wouldn't use the body as the antenna. Just zip tie the stock one under the fender. If you know much about antennas they must be grounded to work right. Then again to work right they need to be mounted up in the air away from any interference, lol.

[high_ohh]

or just run an antenna through the roof of your truck through the liner or what not

[DMP]

What would be the best way to shave the antenna? I know the best way would be to weld and use some body filler. Could I get away with just body filler?

[87wildside]

What would be the best way to shave the antenna? I know the best way would be to weld and use some body filler. Could I get away with just body filler?
Nope

[20Xtreme02]

That's too big of a whole to support that much putty. It will need some metal.

[DMP]

What about fiberglass and then body filler? Ive heard of some people doing that. I know it definately wouldnt be good as welding it.

[87wildside]

Nope.

Fiber glass expands and contracts at a different rate then steel. The way I see it you have 3 options. 1, weld it. 2, buy a reproduction fender without the hole. 3, get some of the auto body epoxy and glue a piece under the hole and then another in the hole. I have never used this method nor do I know anyone who has. I have read about it and it supposedly works great. The show Trucks used it to replace the cab corners on project "S10K". Eastwood sells it.

[87wildside]

Here are a couple links for the epoxy
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1654&itemType=PRODUCT

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=17699&itemType=PRODUCT

[Mikz86TA]

Different expansion rates is why add-on cowls to hoods crack along the fiberglassed edges. Heat from the engine speeds up the process. Weld and smooth with grinder and use a filler to finish. Always use as little filler as possible

[T Man]

Agreed. Mud is there to cover the little boo boos and imperfections, not to shave the part. Heres what I did.

Found a flat washer that fit the hole closest and put a 2" bolt through it and a nut on the other side. Take it to an exhaust shop, or a welding shop if you dont have buddies that can weld and have them weld it on there. unthread the nut a bit and tack the bolt in. Cut the bolt off, and then weld it in. Grind, mud, prime, paint

[Bootlegger's Deluxe]

i've heard of people putting boat antennaes in between thier headliner and roof, anyone tried it?

Lee

[ShowNgo4fun]

Thread revival: I am shaving my antenna this weekend. How did these methods turn out? I never had a stock antenna at all so I am going to buy a generic antenna to put in the fender. I may even look for a low profile roof antenna, any suggestion on where to find one?

[85 S10 V8]

I got rid of the entire stock antenna and wire. I put an Auto-loc hidden antenna behind the glove box while I had the stereo out. Wired the +12V power wire for the new antenna to the "power antenna" wire output on the stereo so it's only active when the stereo is on.

So far it works fine.

[ShowNgo4fun]

Where did you get the auto-loc and do you have a pic of it?

[85 S10 V8]

I bought it on eBay, but it was this one:
http://www.carshopinc.com/product_info.php/products_id/9206/HAB

Might find it cheaper elsewhere.......

[ShowNgo4fun]

I like it. I think I will use that one. Thanks.