Hole Size in Cowl for Factory Antenna

[the67Beast]

What size is the factory antenna hole; located on the cowl for the factory antenna? And is there a template somewhere that can be used to position for drilling? My truck had no radio and therefore no hole in the cowl for the antenna. Want it to be in the correct location. Thanks for any assistance guys!

[402Bowtie]

I'm not sure of the hole size, but you would probably come out ahead in money and time if you sold your current cowl and bought one with the hole. The one without the hole is rare and commands a better price than the style with the antenna hole.

[the67Beast]

Yeah I went back and forth on that idea several times until I started pricing the cost of the re-pop cowls. Dang everything has gotten expensive. Wonder how much mine is worth without the antenna hole? Enough to buy a re-pop... I just don't know. But, mine is original to my truck and straight so that's why I'm leaning toward keeping it and just drilling the hole. Wonder if I could find someone close by with one that has the factory hole. Then I could just swap. I am planning on painting it anyway.

[dagnabbitt]

Radio delete cowls are really desirable, with original paint especially.

If you don't care if it is factory I suggest a magnetic antenna. If you are getting satellite radio, even easier to hide. Just a suggestion, it is your truck.

EDIT - I know I just said it is your truck, but if you are planning to do that to the barn find in your avatar, please reconsider.

[jocko]

If planning to paint it anyway, I'd personally opt for an original GM cowl with the hole (more common) off the parts board before going the repop route (and then selling yours - you'd likely come out $ ahead). Drilling the hole correctly in the curved cowl surface is a little more tricky than it looks.

[CG]

I think the radio delete cowls aren’t as popular as the used to be. Was a time when they were listed on the board they went quickly. Seems like the last one I saw on the board took a bit to move. Too bad you’re not closer I have a bunch of cowls and would give you one. Course the cost of shipping and packing something that size makes it out of the question.

[pjmoreland]

I bought a very nice original style antenna from GMCPauls.com and it came with templates for drilling the hole in the cowl as well as the hole in the cab. A previous owner had drilled the wrong size holes in the wrong places, so I had to patch them and re-drill. The cowl hole is 1-1/8", but it is oval, and it has a notch. I've attached the instruction sheet and templates (see .pdf links below).

[the67Beast]

Exactly the info I needed! Thanks for your assistance with this PJMoreland. I'll post some pics of the before and after whenever I get done.

[Hatzman]

Originally Posted by the67Beast

What size is the factory antenna hole; located on the cowl for the factory antenna? And is there a template somewhere that can be used to position for drilling? My truck had no radio and therefore no hole in the cowl for the antenna. Want it to be in the correct location. Thanks for any assistance guys!

Ill trade ya cowls! I would prefer not to have the hole.

[the67Beast]

Wish we lived a bit closer Hatzman. I suppose its cheaper to just drill the hole.

[the67Beast]

And I might as well turn this into a tutorial. So here are the photos of this little project. I found that I am going to need to buy a smaller file for the notch next time and a bigger step bit (will be less filing). Pjmoreland, your work looks way better than mine! Ended up getting my notch a tad too big, but I think it'll work OK. Ya'll enjoy the photos. (Added Note: When printing off the template, make sure you scale it properly for the size paper you are printing it on. The hole should measure 1-1/8" just like Pjmoreland said.

[1967-C10]

Lol...just welded mine closed ! would have traded you in a heart beat !

[the67Beast]

Yessir... swapping would have been ideal, but due to the size of the cowl, drilling the hole beats the shipping charges any day 1967-C10. Shipping to Hatzman in northern California was coming in between $40 - $50. To Texas might have been a bit more economical.

[jocko]

That turned out very nice!

[CG]

This is from a very old contest I had on the board. Don't remember who posted it ...

[54blackhornet]

I have a radio delete cowl I removed from a no option 68 GMC. Stupid me kept the cowl but left the radio delete plate in the truck when I sold it. I have installed the cowl on three different 67/72’s. It’s the first thing folks talk about when I drive it…