Factory Antenna on Drivers side? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jeffbo · 12-11-2002, 02:03 AM

I was talking with my dad the other day about trucks and he mentioned that when my Grandpa bought a new Chevy truck, he always ordered them from the factory and specified that the radio antenna be installed on the driver side. My dad said it was because whenever they would drive down country roads (which was all the time), there would always be tall sunflowers in the fields and they would hang down over the fences and end up breaking the antenna on his truck. So, I guess the factory would actually install the antenna on the opposite side. Anyway, I just thought that this was kind of an interesting story, and was wondering if anyone else had ever of heard anything like this. I know that my grandpa had at least two of these trucks with the antenna on the driver side ( a 67 and a 69 I think).
That just goes to show how things have changed. I'd like to see the look on a dealers face today if someone requested that the factory install the antenna on the opposite side. They would never do it. Just out of curiosity, does anyone here own a truck with a factory antenna on the driver's side?

Longhorn Man · 12-11-2002, 02:15 AM

As far as I know, the factory wouldn't do it...but a dealer would though.
The cab is not equipped to run the cable properly.

toms68cst · 12-11-2002, 09:30 AM

LOL cool story! I've lived in "Sunflower" Country for 20 years and I'v never heard of such a thing. It's a good Idea though.

I was driving the family Burb through a combined field of sunflower stocks a month ago and got several warnings from my wife and father-in-law about the stalks taking out the grill and radiator.

jeffbo · 12-11-2002, 10:52 AM

.

Quote:

As far as I know, the factory wouldn't do it...but a dealer would though.

But if the dealer changed it to the drivers side, wouldn't they have to go to all the trouble of filling the hole in the passenger side and refinishing the paint on it? I always figured the factory just did it so the dealer wouldn't have to patch up the passenger side. I don't know though, you could be right

Longhorn Man · 12-12-2002, 12:43 AM

From what I have heard(I'm too young to remember the 'good ole days')alot of work vehicles came with no radio, and the dealers would add it when the buyer said he wanted it. Since there would be no hole on the cowl, the dealer could put it where ever he wants it.
I know the dope smoking old man installed one on my GMC, and he put it on the drivers side. This thing is really annoying over there...and one more reason I would like to beat him with a frikken tire iron.

Hooter · 12-12-2002, 01:20 AM

I have a pic of a 67-72 and the gas filler is coming out of the passenger side of the cab! its in a old yearbook! I thought that was weird!

Longhorn Man · 12-12-2002, 01:56 AM

Could the pic have been developed backwards?

TheDude57 · 02-25-2015, 01:35 PM

my stock antenna is on driver side

hugger6933 · 02-25-2015, 06:07 PM

My dad used to buy two trucks a year he beat the crap out of them and there were no decent roads back then he said he would get a plain one and for the longest time he would have his friend load his truck once he got it to his GMC dealership that meant a $50 dollar AM radio and a $50 heater. It is funny that has been 50 something years and before I even came along be he and I still listen to the same AM radio station. Jim

hugger6933 · 02-25-2015, 06:08 PM

So yes the antenna could be located in many different areas most on the dealer installed radios would put in in a "factory like" spot so it would look correct later on. Jim

zibs71 · 02-25-2015, 06:24 PM

I don't know is this is factory or dealer or someone just done it just because lol but my 71 chev has it on drivers side. I bought the truck 4 year's ago like that. I always thought it was kinda neat. I've yet to see another like it. If anyone has one please post.

zibs71

**special-K** · 02-25-2015, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDude57

my stock antenna is on driver side

Is the radio on the SPID? You could get the exact same rdio as a GM accessory and install in a truck with no radio option. I believe that is what this is all about. The only unusual antenna placement I know of is the fender munt (passenger side) for campers.

72 Cheyenne K20 · 12-12-2015, 10:31 PM

My 71 K20 has the antenna on the Drivers side. The mast was snapped off but factory mount is still there. Push button Radio listed on the SPID so no telling where the antenna was installed. Thought it was kinda strange but I guess I'm not the only one. ATTACH]1476485[/ATTACH]

12-11-2002, 02:03 AM	#1
jeffbo D.U.F. Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Huron/Brookings, SD Posts: 288	Factory Antenna on Drivers side? I was talking with my dad the other day about trucks and he mentioned that when my Grandpa bought a new Chevy truck, he always ordered them from the factory and specified that the radio antenna be installed on the driver side. My dad said it was because whenever they would drive down country roads (which was all the time), there would always be tall sunflowers in the fields and they would hang down over the fences and end up breaking the antenna on his truck. So, I guess the factory would actually install the antenna on the opposite side. Anyway, I just thought that this was kind of an interesting story, and was wondering if anyone else had ever of heard anything like this. I know that my grandpa had at least two of these trucks with the antenna on the driver side ( a 67 and a 69 I think). That just goes to show how things have changed. I'd like to see the look on a dealers face today if someone requested that the factory install the antenna on the opposite side. They would never do it. Just out of curiosity, does anyone here own a truck with a factory antenna on the driver's side? __________________ MEMBER OF THE DISCS UP FRONT CLUB '72 C-10 LWB Highlander, A/C, tilt TH350 w/ B&M shift kit, 327LJ bored .040", cast flattops, forged crank, L31 Vortecs, 9.25:1 CR, Comp conical valvesprings, Crane Energizer single pattern 216/.454", Professional Products Power Plus Crosswind intake, Edelbrock #1406 600cfm, HEI, dual exhaust, open 3.08 12bolt '68 C-10 4spd (not running) '79 C-10 LWB Mild 350 '80 Caprice Classic, 2-dr '97 GMC K-1500, SWB, Reg. Cab, Z-71, 5.7, Auto

12-11-2002, 09:30 AM	#3
toms68cst Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 4,297	LOL cool story! I've lived in "Sunflower" Country for 20 years and I'v never heard of such a thing. It's a good Idea though. I was driving the family Burb through a combined field of sunflower stocks a month ago and got several warnings from my wife and father-in-law about the stalks taking out the grill and radiator. __________________ Unrestored 68 C-10 CST. Original 327. 4-Speed CH465. 50k or so miles. TREASURER, Drum Brake Club.

12-12-2002, 01:20 AM	#6
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	I have a pic of a 67-72 and the gas filler is coming out of the passenger side of the cab! its in a old yearbook! I thought that was weird! __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

02-25-2015, 01:35 PM	#8
TheDude57 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Saint Joseph, Michigan Posts: 40	Re: Factory Antenna on Drivers side? my stock antenna is on driver side __________________ Somedays you kill it, Somedays you choke Somedays you blast off, Somedays you just smoke.

02-25-2015, 06:07 PM	#9
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Factory Antenna on Drivers side? My dad used to buy two trucks a year he beat the crap out of them and there were no decent roads back then he said he would get a plain one and for the longest time he would have his friend load his truck once he got it to his GMC dealership that meant a $50 dollar AM radio and a $50 heater. It is funny that has been 50 something years and before I even came along be he and I still listen to the same AM radio station. Jim

12-11-2002, 02:15 AM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	As far as I know, the factory wouldn't do it...but a dealer would though. The cab is not equipped to run the cable properly.

12-12-2002, 12:43 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	From what I have heard(I'm too young to remember the 'good ole days')alot of work vehicles came with no radio, and the dealers would add it when the buyer said he wanted it. Since there would be no hole on the cowl, the dealer could put it where ever he wants it. I know the dope smoking old man installed one on my GMC, and he put it on the drivers side. This thing is really annoying over there...and one more reason I would like to beat him with a frikken tire iron.

12-12-2002, 01:56 AM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Could the pic have been developed backwards?

02-25-2015, 06:08 PM	#10
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Factory Antenna on Drivers side? So yes the antenna could be located in many different areas most on the dealer installed radios would put in in a "factory like" spot so it would look correct later on. Jim

02-25-2015, 06:24 PM	#11
zibs71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 132	Re: Factory Antenna on Drivers side? I don't know is this is factory or dealer or someone just done it just because lol but my 71 chev has it on drivers side. I bought the truck 4 year's ago like that. I always thought it was kinda neat. I've yet to see another like it. If anyone has one please post. zibs71 Attached Images

12-12-2015, 10:31 PM	#13
72 Cheyenne K20 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Staunton, Virginia Posts: 554	Re: Factory Antenna on Drivers side? My 71 K20 has the antenna on the Drivers side. The mast was snapped off but factory mount is still there. Push button Radio listed on the SPID so no telling where the antenna was installed. Thought it was kinda strange but I guess I'm not the only one. ATTACH]1476485[/ATTACH] Attached Images



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