47-59 Vintage radio and antenna question

[TX3100Guy]

Many months ago, I reached out to a website that sells authentic looking vintage radios for our trucks, they are built using more current technology and features, yet look original. www.vintageautoradio.com

In the past I had installed a different brand "vintage" radio in another vehicle from RetroSound and while it is functional, I'm not totally thrilled with it.

When I originally reached out to this company, I was told that they were running months behind in shipping (pandemic related) and were taking orders to be delivered in 3-4 months or more. I was reluctant to send money today for a radio in the future, so I declined. The owner agreed to put my name on a list, when he had enough radios being shipped to him from the plant, he would reach out to see if I still wanted it. I had completely forgotten about this and had been struggling to figure out what I was going to do for a radio in the truck.

In any case, he reached out today and said he will have one ready for me in a week and did I still want it. Therefore my question(s) are:

1) Has anyone else installed a similar radio and what do you think about it? Pro's and Con's?

2) I reluctant to drill into the body of my truck for an antenna. Has anyone had any luck with the "hidden" and "powered hidden" antennas?

Thanks

[mongocanfly]

Got my antenna mounted under the truck behind the rocker..
Several other on this sight have done the same..that's what gave me the idea

[fauXGT]

I have the same radio.
It took 6 months to get, being it was in the middle if covid.
I like the look but haven't installed it yet to try the functions, being I haven't painted the truck yet.
I guess I could put it on the test bench and see.

[mr48chev]

Tough question in some respects because we all have a different concept of what a good sounding radio is. There is a kid who goes past the house at very regular times probably going to or from work who I am pretty sure only has a subwoofer as his whole sound system.

Sound in these trucks is more than just the head unit though, it is the quality of the speakers and how you mount the speakers. I only had 4 speakers in the 48 with a less than hundred dollar head unit but all four speakers are mounted in wood boxes and the two behind the seat have filler that was suggested on car audio groups at the time. It sounded pretty good for no more than it cost.

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Got my antenna mounted under the truck behind the rocker..
Several other on this sight have done the same..that's what gave me the idea

Any chance of a photo of the specific location and type of antenna? That sounds like a great idea.

Originally Posted by fauXGT

I have the same radio.
It took 6 months to get, being it was in the middle if covid.
I like the look but haven't installed it yet to try the functions, being I haven't painted the truck yet.
I guess I could put it on the test bench and see.

Good to know. I've already went ahead and told them I want the radio. I'll have to figure out the antenna and speakers later.

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Tough question in some respects because we all have a different concept of what a good sounding radio is. There is a kid who goes past the house at very regular times probably going to or from work who I am pretty sure only has a subwoofer as his whole sound system.

Sound in these trucks is more than just the head unit though, it is the quality of the speakers and how you mount the speakers. I only had 4 speakers in the 48 with a less than hundred dollar head unit but all four speakers are mounted in wood boxes and the two behind the seat have filler that was suggested on car audio groups at the time. It sounded pretty good for no more than it cost.

Couldn't agree more. While having a subwoofer in in the cards, I tend not to want the windshield and my ear drums to vibrate. The plan is to at least add additional rear speakers in some shape of wood boxes with the sub in the space behind the seat. I'll likely add the amplifier and mount it under the seat (or maybe in the wood box behind the seat)

[TX3100Guy]

Since my truck currently has a delete plate and no radio, my next question is, will I need this bracket to mount the radio (from LMC's website)

[mongocanfly]

Here, between frame and rocker
Its still untested, but there were several others that had it this way and said it worked just fine

[hogfarm]

In my truck, the radio never did work to good. Living in the middle of nowhere
I had a had time getting reception. The guy at the stereo shop put a booster/antenna mounted behind the mirror on the windshield, ya can't see it unless your looking for it. works great

[fauXGT]

The radio you ordered should fit in the dash when you remove the delete plate. Save it, being there are members that might be interested in a delete plate.
https://www.classiccarstereos.com/19...yABEgKktvD_BwE
This is the radio you ordered, correct? Then you don't need anything to make it fit in the dash. I ordered a speaker that fits under that radio that is dual voice coil for 2 channels and fits in the factory dash speaker opening. I'll make a rear wood box for 2 6x9's behind the bench seat soon for rear sound.

[fauXGT]

P.S.
I'll be running a stock antenna on the drivers cowl. Trips to MT won't be lacking entertainment.

[1project2many]

I would be nervous about drilling to install an antennae. There are instructions for the OE radio and antennae available.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...tai/index.html

I'm in an area that requires good antennae to pick up distant stations. I suspect I would need a signal booster of some type for the antenna under the fender. I will probably consider a self-adhesive antenna for the inside of my windshield. There are 12V FM signal amplifiers available if you end up needing one

Sound quality? It's going to be tough to get good sound in a steel box. You probably need something like Mr48's speaker boxes if you want to hear any low tones. There's not much room in the cab unless you've pulled the original tank. I'll be watching to see how this turns out.

[fauXGT]

Factory reproduction antenna in the factory location. I don't see an issue on my end, unless it doesn't handle FM well... but the seller of the antenna didn't say anything about that.
Will find out sometime this summer.

[mr48chev]

This antenna has possibities but you would have to figure out how to route the cable.

Good feedback on it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07594YBJY...R3OFP8U2A2AZ2W

[dsraven]

Depending on the rear view mirror you choose, and where you mount that, it could be glued to the front side of the mirror.

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

I would be nervous about drilling to install an antennae. There are instructions for the OE radio and antennae available.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...tai/index.html

I'm in an area that requires good antennae to pick up distant stations. I suspect I would need a signal booster of some type for the antenna under the fender. I will probably consider a self-adhesive antenna for the inside of my windshield. There are 12V FM signal amplifiers available if you end up needing one

I wonder if a windshield adhesive antenna mounted on the rear window would work as well. Less likely to be seen than upfront.?

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Here, between frame and rocker
Its still untested, but there were several others that had it this way and said it worked just fine

I believe you that others have found that it works under hear, but it seems odd to me that under all the metal works better than just stuffing some kind of antenna under the dash.

Originally Posted by hogfarm

In my truck, the radio never did work to good. Living in the middle of nowhere
I had a had time getting reception. The guy at the stereo shop put a booster/antenna mounted behind the mirror on the windshield, ya can't see it unless your looking for it. works great

Before I drill the cowl for antenna, I will try this and the powered hidden antennas first. Thanks.

[vintovka]

My antenna has been in same place for over 52 years. i use an extender under the cab and up the firewall to the radio in the glovebox. Works fine but here on coast reception is very limited.

[fauXGT]

The factory location on 47-54 AD's is on drivers side front cowl, just above the stock rear mirror. I tried to get it within an inch of factory. Which works great for the location of the 108" CB whip antenna at the old stock gas filler location. Opposite cab locations. Have a modified late 50's Johnson CB radio going in.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by dsraven

Depending on the rear view mirror you choose, and where you mount that, it could be glued to the front side of the mirror.

I was thinking lower right hand corner I'd probably play with it a bit before I stuck it to the glass. Maybe put a decal on the glass on the outside.

[dsraven]

a few more ideas
https://windupradio.com/hidden-car-radio-antennas/

[dsraven]

https://www.classiccarstereos.com/hi...d-antenna.html

[57tailgater]

In response to your hidden antenna question mine is actually just laying on the carpeted floor underneath my seat. This did ok with fairly close radio stations and a plain Jane stereo also mounted underneath the seat as I didn't want to hack up the dash or put a hole in the body. I am planning on making a stock radio looking bluetooth setup where you can stream a lot of radio stations through an app on your phone. Then the phone would be the antenna.

[leegreen]

I bought this glass mount antenna but have yet to try it. My plan is to put it in rear window and run cable under floor mat to radio

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07R7RCRW9
same ad has a version with signal booster and a longer version without the plastic case

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by leegreen

I bought this glass mount antenna but have yet to try it. My plan is to put it in rear window and run cable under floor mat to radio

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07R7RCRW9
same ad has a version with signal booster and a longer version without the plastic case

I've been looking at that same one and will try mounting it exactly as you suggested. Its not that bad in size, but would bug me while driving regardless of where I put it. In the rear window, I'll rarely see it.

[TX3100Guy]

Originally Posted by fauXGT

The radio you ordered should fit in the dash when you remove the delete plate. Save it, being there are members that might be interested in a delete plate.
https://www.classiccarstereos.com/19...yABEgKktvD_BwE
This is the radio you ordered, correct? Then you don't need anything to make it fit in the dash. I ordered a speaker that fits under that radio that is dual voice coil for 2 channels and fits in the factory dash speaker opening. I'll make a rear wood box for 2 6x9's behind the bench seat soon for rear sound.

Given your plans for rear speakers, are you considering putting in a sub-woofer? Frankly I'm not sure I really care, but my son (who hopes to get the truck from me some day) thinks that since I already have the entire interior torn out, it would be a waste not to include it in my plans.

The gotcha is, I suspect I will also need to add an amp to power the sub and that adds unexpected cost to my build.