How To: Hidden Antenna Mod

[Narco]

I had seen some guys post that they had done this and got curious. I hate that stupid antenna and thought about getting a stubby but didn't want to sacrifice reception too much so I thought I'd give this a try for a clean look.

This mod takes all of 5 minutes to do and was done courtesy of the FSC forum help section. I took my own pics as I didn't really like the ones over there.

Here is the stupid antenna that you need to remove:

This is the trim piece that you pop off. Just grab underneath it and lift

This is what it looks like once it has been removed

This is the base that the antenna screws to. You need to remove the 3 screws that hold it in place

Use a 7mm socket to get them out. A nut driver or an extended length socket like this one makes it a little easier to reach

You can see here that it's got some slack in the wire the base is attached to, but not much

I just laid it down alongside the fender, it shouldn't go anywhere

Screw the antenna back onto the base and run it along the top of the fender

I tucked the tip of the antenna under the rubber piece here, it's held firmly in place

Pop your trim piece back on and you're done. Notice you will still have a hole in this piece. If you're cool with that then you're finished. If not, we'll talk about that in a second.

Finsihed product, looks much better without the antenna IMO

I personally don't like the hole left over. You can order an Escalde cowl piece from www.partszoneonline.com. The part number is 15287179. I paid around $16 bucks a few days ago and that included shipping. When it comes in I'll edit and post a pic of that too.

If you want to look at the write up on FSC here's the link:
http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums...s-two/268764-cheap-way-shave-nbs-antenna.html

This guy used an "L" bracket to mount the antenna base back to and zip tied it to something on the fender. There's not really anything to zip tie ours to and from what i can tell it's not going anywhere. I kept the screws just in case I need to fab a bracket but I don't think I will.

Once I finished I took a short drive around and didn't notice any real loss of reception. I live in a pretty urban area though. I'll report back next time I make a trip to AL and let you guys know how it does.

 

[Effeckt]

Great write up here! I'll be doing this ASAP as I have already been considering it. Thanks for the write up!

 

[vatahoelt]

it does look good. but like what was said over in that thread, i like mine to help let me know how i'm doing in parking garages heightwise.

 

[bsims3996]

thanks for the write up

 

[tybardy]

Im a big fan... already doing this

 

[rgaffney]

Appreciate the write up, now that I know how easy it is I'm gonna definitely do this

 

[Narco]

that's the best part...it's sooooo easy. hopefully my esky cap will come in tomorrow and ill post a coule more pics

 

[rgaffney]

it does look good. but like what was said over in that thread, i like mine to help let me know how i'm doing in parking garages heightwise.

I haven't had any trouble in parking garages, but my mom's Z71 does have trouble because it is slightly taller

 

[Max]

My truck hasn't had one since purchase, it was removed along with the dealer frames and front license plate. I have an ipod, no need for radio but the reception is good the 4 times I've actually had it on. Trim piece sounds like a good idea I'll have to order one of those next week

 

[vatahoelt]

I haven't had any trouble in parking garages, but my mom's Z71 does have trouble because it is slightly taller

i haven't either, but i like the fact that the antenna is the tallest part on my truck, so i can tell if my truck is going to hit anything based on it.

 

[brndns_hoe]

I already did mine, but I just ran wire from the antenna to the base, and I like your idea better of removing the base and laying it down....I did drill 2 holes where the antenna lays down on that thin edge, to put in zip ties....and the esky cover that's cool, didn't know about that

 

[puckhead]

Nice write up! Will be doing this soon

 

[Badluck]

Thanks for the write up. The part number is very helpful.

 

[tybardy]

just did this earlier today thanx to this thread! like it said, took about 5 minutes. I ziptied everything in place so the antena is nice and snugg.

nice little improvement

 

[Copper&Black]

Yup thanks man! I was thinking about a stubby onstar antenna, but this will work much nicer.

 

[Narco]

glad it has gotten such good feedback. tybardy, where did you ziptie yours?

 

[Eagle]

Did this a few months ago, and got about a 50% reduction in reception, and i live in town. I lost my oldies radio station from Las Cruces completely, which is my decent to marginal reception benchmark.

Was surprised it wasn't worse, since 1/4 wavelength antennas rely on being 90 degrees from ground plane (the body, ie VERTICAL) to be in-phase with the transmitting antenna's signal. Not only that but metal bodies are excellent shields for antennas. (One reason why you can disable Onstar with a coke can over the antenna).

When I did it, I could get ok reception when facing one way (crack towards the transmitters on the mountains), and poor to no reception turned 180 degrees.

 

[Narco]

yeah, i havent driver very much but i expect some degree of loss. i hardly ever listen to it and for how little i do its worth the gain in appearance.

 

[rigo_jones]

i did this since day 1. i rarely listen to radio but has anybody tried grounding the antenna to get better reception?

 

[Eagle]

I did.