'96 Chevy Pickup install... any advice?

[kanabecsys]

Hello again

We just got a 'new' 1996 Chevy extended cab 4x4 pickup. I plan to install a Maxtrac or GM300 in it (yup, only one radio), but before I go at it I'd like to see if anyone has any advice to heed on this particular truck or not.

Because it's still in such good shape I won't be drilling up the roof quite yet; for now it'll be a magnetic mount VHF antenna, placed so that I can hide the cord and still keep it from being directional (like toward one of the back corners of the roof).

The radio itself will have to be mounted within view and reach of the driver, but not anywhere intrusive or where it sticks out too much. Of course, the less holes the better. (I'm thinking maybe on the floor in front of the center console?)

And where is a good place to mount the mic hook? It seems that every inch of the cab around the driver (dash, etc) is either curved or covered with stuff.


Keith

[thebigphish]

Because it's still in such good shape I won't be drilling up the roof quite yet; for now it'll be a magnetic mount VHF antenna,

awww COME ON! it's an 8yr old truck and you're still afraid to tap the roof? just pop the cherry, it'll be worth it.

[kanabecsys]

Maybe after we've had it for a while and the novelty wears off, I'll put in that quarterwave NMO-mount antenna that I've been sitting on. But for the moment, I'm just living in the bliss of all those modern features (the last 'work truck' was an '89 Chevy Van - it had a 350 like the pickup, but not nearly the bells and whistles this has... and not near as shiny )

That or I'll just get sick of the magna-mount's performance right off and whip out the drill in a week (or maybe less).


Keith

[tvsjr]

Maybe after we've had it for a while and the novelty wears off, I'll put in that quarterwave NMO-mount antenna that I've been sitting on. But for the moment, I'm just living in the bliss of all those modern features (the last 'work truck' was an '89 Chevy Van - it had a 350 like the pickup, but not nearly the bells and whistles this has... and not near as shiny )

That or I'll just get sick of the magna-mount's performance right off and whip out the drill in a week (or maybe less).


Keith

Here's a way to sell it to your conscious... that mag-mount is going to scratch up that pretty, shiny finish you've got. Drill it, carefully remove the metal shavings (or you can use a Greenlee punch), and be happy!