Fender antenna debacle

[88K5]

I just found out this is not the stock mounting hole for the oem antenna, location is in the right hand fender. Classic industries informed me they don't have anything remotely close that will fit.
The hole sits pretty dramatically at an angle and is large. The truck build is retro original but not show quality, however looking for something sleek and nice looking.
Truck is past the phase of being able to weld over and fill in, prep has been finished professionally and about to go to paint.
Anyone have any ideas? Help please
1988 K5 Blazer

 

[xm20k]

Only place that I've found that has the parts for them.

https://www.lmctruck.com/interior/audio-security/cc-1973-87-oe-style-antenna

Looks like yours is drilled in the wrong spot.

Mine had the fender one as well however I'm not running a radio just Bluetooth from my phone to a pair of turtle boxes. Also, the new fenders don't have the hole so not going to bother with it.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Sad Sack]

I just found out this is not the stock mounting hole for the oem antenna, location is in the right hand fender. Classic industries informed me they don't have anything remotely close that will fit.
The hole sits pretty dramatically at an angle and is large. The truck build is retro original but not show quality, however looking for something sleek and nice looking.
Truck is past the phase of being able to weld over and fill in, prep has been finished professionally and about to go to paint.
Anyone have any ideas? Help please
1988 K5 Blazer

Just curious but didn't the '88s have a windshield antenna or was that an option?

 

[nvrenuf]

Just curious but didn't the '88s have a windshield antenna or was that an option?

Yes but it’s further forward on top of the fender. I’ve never seen it uncovered but the hole is likely small because of the size of the base.

@88K5 this looks like a great time to close that hole up.

 

[WebMonkey]

i'd google replacement car antenna.

it's been awhile but walmart carried a hole mount antenna.
came with several spacers cut at an angle so you could match just about any angle to get the antenna pointing vertical (or swept back to match windshield)

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-nR5T9Wac9Zx/p_12044G935B/Metra-44-GM935B-Replacement-AM-FM-Antenna.html?XVINQ=BP0&XVVER=R07&awcr=76966004648338&awdv=c&awkw=replacement%20car%20radio%20antenna%20kit&awmt=e&awnw=s&awat=&awug=91563&msclkid=07a3e130f9b11399bc7b884c40bbbb6d

ol' crutchfield got a bit of my money decades ago in the days of paper catalogs

'monkey

 

[bucket]

I just found out this is not the stock mounting hole for the oem antenna, location is in the right hand fender. Classic industries informed me they don't have anything remotely close that will fit.
The hole sits pretty dramatically at an angle and is large. The truck build is retro original but not show quality, however looking for something sleek and nice looking.
Truck is past the phase of being able to weld over and fill in, prep has been finished professionally and about to go to paint.
Anyone have any ideas? Help please
1988 K5 Blazer

That is a common spot for a dealer-installed antenna all through the 70's and 80's. You can still buy (I think) aftermarket antennas that fit that large hole and have the needed swivel base... but they aren't exactly pretty, imo.

Personally, I'd shave the hole and use one of those hidden antennas that you lay under the dash pad.

 

[TotalyHucked]

I agree with Bucket. I know it's ready for paint but I'd wanna fill that hole and put a windshield with an antenna or a hidden antenna in it. The universal antennas that would work for that hole/location look terrible IMO

 

[bucket]

This one was installed in '78. Not exactly beautiful:

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[DoubleDingo]

This one was installed in '78. Not exactly beautiful:

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I like it

 

[bucket]

I like it

I'm indifferent. I don't necessarily care for it, but it's part of the history of the truck. I may not reinstall it if I ever get around to swapping out the fenders. I installed a new windshield (when that picture was taken) that has the embedded antenna in it.

 

[Grit dog]

I just found out this is not the stock mounting hole for the oem antenna, location is in the right hand fender. Classic industries informed me they don't have anything remotely close that will fit.
The hole sits pretty dramatically at an angle and is large. The truck build is retro original but not show quality, however looking for something sleek and nice looking.
Truck is past the phase of being able to weld over and fill in, prep has been finished professionally and about to go to paint.
Anyone have any ideas? Help please
1988 K5 Blazer

You’re doing all that work and left a gaping hole in the fender?
Just patch it now. It’s in primer. Not sure what you mean by past the stage of being able to fill it.
Easy fix. Ugly hole to stare at for the next 20 years.

 

[Turbo4whl]

The OP joined the forum yesterday at 9:35 PM and was last seen yesterday at 9:49 PM. That said in 1982 I bought my '82 SBSS without a radio. Looking at the massive GM accessory antenna mount, I wanted something different. The company fleet had Cavaliers, I liked how the antenna mounted. The Cavaliers also had a thin top curve on the fender.

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The Cavalier antenna mounted in the round hole clamp and 2 small screws on the inner lip of the fender. I installed one on the '82. It's been there over 40 years. If the snow ever melts, I'll snap a picture.

 

[vr1967]

In 88 the antenna was moved to the top of the passenger fender. The reason the fender the OP has, is drilled where they did is, there is a factory hole in the inside of the fender there for easy cable routing.

I have an 88 factory fender and can get pictures of the original 88-91 antenna placement and wire routing, plus inside hole location of the OP photo.

Looked at it a bit ago, but didn’t have my phone on me. Our high tomorrow is supposed to be 32, but will try to get photos.

 

[bucket]

In 88 the antenna was moved to the top of the passenger fender. The reason the fender the OP has, is drilled where they did is, there is a factory hole in the inside of the fender there for easy cable routing.

I have an 88 factory fender and can get pictures of the original 88-91 antenna placement and wire routing, plus inside hole location of the OP photo.

Looked at it a bit ago, but didn’t have my phone on me. Our high tomorrow is supposed to be 32, but will try to get photos.

And the '88-'91 antenna base is the same as Pontiac 6000 and Chevy Celebrity.

The '88-'91 fender w/antenna is actually a different stamping with a reinforcement for the antenna base. Realistically though, you can just drill the holes to mount it and it'll be fine.

 

[AuroraGirl]

He’ll, all that trouble might as well install a retractable mast Antenna.

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Not sure where to install it but they don’t go as high as a permanent antenna, maybe 2/3 the length

Also fairly delicate/easily damaged