The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1973 - 1987 Chevrolet & GMC Squarebody Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-22-2012, 01:53 PM   #1
Jeepwm69
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 687
Antenna in windshield

My radio reception is TERRIBLE. Factory antenna wires are in the windshield glass. Not sure if the antenna is the problem or the radio (old Pioneer with digital tuner circa 1993-94 with supertuner).

How long did GM do the radio antenna in glass trick and when they stopped, where did they put the antenna on these trucks (pics would be lovely....)?
Jeepwm69 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 02:03 PM   #2
INSIDIOUS '86
Registered User
 
INSIDIOUS '86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: washington
Posts: 4,178
Re: Antenna in windshield

I believe they did it on all the squares. As I recal the 70s camaros had them as well. I live in an area with a lot of deep hills and valleys and don't have an issue with reception
Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac
3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers
build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217
Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511
INSIDIOUS '86 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 02:46 PM   #3
sethv
Registered User
 
sethv's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Bradford, PA
Posts: 395
Re: Antenna in windshield

I have great reception with my antenna, could be your radio.
__________________
1981 K10 Scottsdale
305 ci | TH350 | NP208 |
60k miles
sethv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 03:46 PM   #4
Keith Seymore
Registered User
 
Keith Seymore's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,226
Re: Antenna in windshield

'68 Pontiac GTO was the first application, and then many applications after that.

Squares had the windshield in the glass through '87 and then those carryover '88 and up R/V trucks got the mast antenna again for the remainder of the run. Antenna was mounted at the rear of the RF fender.

So, based on the fact that there are millions of vehicles on the road with a windshield antenna - I bet your radio is the problem.

K

__________________
Chevrolet Flint Assembly
1979-1986
GM Full Size Truck Engineering
1986 - 2019
Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926
My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524
Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/

Last edited by Keith Seymore; 03-22-2012 at 04:04 PM.
Keith Seymore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 04:02 PM   #5
Goldfinger
Registered User
 
Goldfinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: laurel hill Fl
Posts: 645
Re: Antenna in windshield

You can't beat a window antenna. well you can, but mine is excellent everywhere. i would say it could be the connections. clean them up and see what happens
__________________
1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ]

1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e
Goldfinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 04:12 PM   #6
MalibuSSwagon
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Weare,NH
Posts: 1,592
Re: Antenna in windshield

My 86 C10 has the mast mounted on the RF fender, would that be out of the ordinary then?

Well even with the antenna mast, my old 90's tape deck sounded terrible. I put in a new radio, and much better. I'd say its your ancient stereo
MalibuSSwagon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 04:28 PM   #7
motornut
78K & 79C Jimmys
 
motornut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA
Posts: 7,901
Re: Antenna in windshield

my old Pioneer had settings for the antenna,try looking up for the manual
also some time the plug changed in size make sure it's going in
I guess some of mine were done after
thought it was weird but
78 pass
79 win
79 drivers
88 pass
89 win sucked, i stuffed one loose in the fender it worked
__________________
John
1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203
1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350
motornut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 04:36 PM   #8
hatzie
Moderator
 
hatzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wentworth, NH
Posts: 4,977
Re: Antenna in windshield

I had 2 Pontiacs, an Olds and 4 of these squares with the windshield antenna.
There's a 2-3" snap on pigtail at the bottom center of the windshield that plugs into a coaxial pigtail cable under the dash pad. They work very well unless the pigtails are damaged or unplugged.

Windshield button pigtail
Behind dash cable
hatzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 06:16 PM   #9
Keith Seymore
Registered User
 
Keith Seymore's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,226
Re: Antenna in windshield

Quote:
Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon View Post
My 86 C10 has the mast mounted on the RF fender, would that be out of the ordinary then?
Yes - not sure how to explain that, unless it had been crashed and repaired with 88 & up parts...

K
__________________
Chevrolet Flint Assembly
1979-1986
GM Full Size Truck Engineering
1986 - 2019
Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926
My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524
Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/
Keith Seymore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 08:27 PM   #10
quadzero
Registered User
 
quadzero's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Red Lake, ON
Posts: 106
Re: Antenna in windshield

I had the same problem, I guess the previous owner did also because the truck, (87) came with a fender mounted antenna still in the package. But I ended up changing the stereo and now the glass antenna works perfectly.
quadzero is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 09:36 PM   #11
Pyrotechnic
Registered User
 
Pyrotechnic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 3,930
Re: Antenna in windshield

I always wondered, why did they stopped using them? Other than the fact that there's nowhere to stick an antenna ball...
__________________
1977 GMC Sierra Grande
Pyrotechnic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 10:15 PM   #12
68Timber
I know the pieces fit
 
68Timber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MONTGOMERY, AL
Posts: 5,523
Re: Antenna in windshield

Quote:
Originally Posted by hatzie View Post
I had 2 Pontiacs, an Olds and 4 of these squares with the windshield antenna.
There's a 2-3" snap on pigtail at the bottom center of the windshield that plugs into a coaxial pigtail cable under the dash pad. They work very well unless the pigtails are damaged or unplugged.

Windshield button pigtail
Behind dash cable
What he said.
__________________
John

79 2wd Blazer (Bruiser)
85 M1009 Blazer (Sarge) build
74 Honda Z50 build
68Timber is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 10:28 PM   #13
vegas80step
Registered User
 
vegas80step's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 329
Re: Antenna in windshield

My radio came in pretty bad.. When I was putting it back together I used new parts.. the part that plugs into the glass was a little beat up... radio comes in good now..
I got a new deck too.. so not 100% which fixed my problem..
__________________
I drive a lowered Chevy, a lifted Ford and I have a 62 VW bug stripped down in the garage.
Which "Piss on" sticker do I buy?

Last edited by vegas80step; 03-23-2012 at 12:39 AM.
vegas80step is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 10:29 PM   #14
Hubscrub
Cruzin
 
Hubscrub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: on the road
Posts: 2,835
Re: Antenna in windshield

i have two 85 truck and 75 nova with it and love them just had to replace the lead going to the radio in my nova for better performance.
__________________
Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8

Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U

Proverbs 3:5,6

"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt

In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you.
Danica Grace 6/26/14
Hubscrub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 10:57 PM   #15
Gregs71
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Amador County, Ca.
Posts: 229
Re: Antenna in windshield

my '87 windshield antenna gets great reception.
My '89 fender mount gets horrible reception.

I am guessing its the radio.
__________________
1995 GMC 4x4 1/2 ton
1999 Jeep Wrangler w/ 33's
68 camaro 350/350
1987 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4
Suzuki DRZ 400s Dual Sport
1971 chevy long bed 2x4
194? Dodge 2.5 ton
1980 Chevy Cheyenne 4x4 1/2 ton I6/sm455
1989 Chevy V30 crewcab dually 454/TH400
Gregs71 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2012, 11:41 PM   #16
tucsonjwt
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,189
Re: Antenna in windshield

My 83 C20 beater has good reception with the aftermarket windshield with integral antenna and a new antenna connector (from Classic Parts, IIRC).
I installed a $100 Alpine head unit from Crutchfield and it continues to sound great. I can get powerful Phoenix AM stations in Tuscon (~ 100-150 miles away)-not clear as Tucson stations but still very good reception.

So Keith, why did GM stop using the windshield antenna? This was one of the GM engineering competitive advantages. Were they trying to be more like the Japanese and other 2/3 of the big 3?
tucsonjwt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2012, 12:06 AM   #17
BLE 'BURBAN
In the Forgotten far North.
 
BLE 'BURBAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 2,627
Re: Antenna in windshield

I pulled the windshield out of my old crew cab before scrapping it and it now lives in my '90 suburban. I bought a "Y" adaptor for the antenna lead and I now have 2 antenna's hooked up to my stereo.
__________________
1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015
1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L
My cluster Mods-Nov 2007
overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009
Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade
BLE 'BURBAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2012, 12:31 AM   #18
tucsonjwt
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,189
Re: Antenna in windshield

Quote:
Originally Posted by BLE 'BURBAN View Post
I pulled the windshield out of my old crew cab before scrapping it and it now lives in my '90 suburban. I bought a "Y" adaptor for the antenna lead and I now have 2 antenna's hooked up to my stereo.
Runnin dual antennas? Your truck must be both fast and loud
tucsonjwt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2012, 02:39 AM   #19
Number21
Registered User
 
Number21's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 611
Re: Antenna in windshield

My '73 has a mast antenna and the windshield antenna...I don't know why. Somebody stole the stereo....
__________________
'73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's.

You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill,
and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville.
Number21 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2012, 07:23 AM   #20
xrcr
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Foristell, MO
Posts: 418
Re: Antenna in windshield

Bought the 76 custom deluxe with a fender antenna. This was in 87 so it may have been" customized" before that.
xrcr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2012, 10:52 AM   #21
Jeepwm69
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 687
Re: Antenna in windshield

Interesting. I too would like to know why GM stopped putting them in the WS. My 94 Honda Accord has the antenna in the back glass, and the 95-97 of the same body style went on the back fender.

I'll pull the head unit and see if I can clean up the connections. I have the stock AM/FM radio around here somewhere (dad never throws anything away) so I might even put that back in. I have an FM modulated Ipod hook up so I could still use an Ipod with the stock head unit.
Jeepwm69 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2012, 11:56 AM   #22
Keith Seymore
Registered User
 
Keith Seymore's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,226
Re: Antenna in windshield

I'm not sure we've actually "stopped" - as you mention, on some SUVs (Suburban/Tahoe/Cadillac) we put the antenna in the quarter glass today.

I think its a matter of "trends" or fashion - which come and go.

K
__________________
Chevrolet Flint Assembly
1979-1986
GM Full Size Truck Engineering
1986 - 2019
Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926
My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524
Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/
Keith Seymore is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:51 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com