Trunk Mounted Antenna Hole Location

vince

vince

Well-Known Member
Site Donor
Messages
1,654
Reaction score
1,718
Location
West Linn, Oregon
Hi Everyone,

Hoping to get some help from the group here. A buddy of mine that owns a great body shop just called me with a question. He's got an e9 in his shop getting prepped for paint. The owner wants to add a trunk mounted power antenna and he's asking for specs on where to drill the hole (personally I wouldn't do it). My coupe had its antenna on the A pillar which I've since removed. Could one of you that has a rear mounted antenna take some measurements to help these guys out? Or if there are specs out there that someone could provide?

Thanks in advance!
 
Wow, that's odd. Radio in today's digital world...I's sooner put a USB or Bluetooth compatible stereo in the dash and call it done.
 
seems to me there was something in the blue book ... but i have to agree with Scott + Vince as i took my antenna out of the front fender top and filled the hole when painting. not putting one back in either.
 
perfect decission; sooo cool and soo period correct, an e9 should have an antenna in the rear,
not sure if there is a "correct" place, correct in terms of the blue books, and so on
if it is such a thing front left side is the spot (as some pictures from books show), but it does not look so cool IMHO

rear right is my place

1711867822329.png



antenna

if they make the hole now it will be well protected with the paint and so on

p.s. the radio/antenna addition is not for the function, but for the form, AKA the looks
any car from the 70ies should have one (even if you do not use it)
else you can always convert your M30B30 to a tesla powertrain and get better mileage per gallon...
 
vince said:
Hi Everyone,

Hoping to get some help from the group here. A buddy of mine that owns a great body shop just called me with a question. He's got an e9 in his shop getting prepped for paint. The owner wants to add a trunk mounted power antenna and he's asking for specs on where to drill the hole (personally I wouldn't do it). My coupe had its antenna on the A pillar which I've since removed. Could one of you that has a rear mounted antenna take some measurements to help these guys out? Or if there are specs out there that someone could provide?

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...


i can add this pic but i can not meassure it until weekend


esquema%20geometria_zpst9eqyyqw.jpg



how is mad
 
Seems like the shape and mounting points of the antenna motor itself should be considered when deciding where it goes. That is more important than the hole itself.
 
Arde said:
Seems like the shape and mounting points of the antenna motor itself should be considered when deciding where it goes. That is more important than the hole itself.
Click to expand...
Nah... Just drill some holes through the fender side and use some spacers to attach the mechanism... :cool:
 
Arde said:
Seems like the shape and mounting points of the antenna motor itself should be considered when deciding where it goes. That is more important than the hole itself.
Click to expand...
Arde is right; the length that a power antenna requires beneath the sheet metal is significant and the motor-gearbox at the base is bulky. Don't just drill the hole where the extended mast would look good, and then find that the antenna won't fit underneath it!

My guess is that antennas were dealer-installed, so there is no "standard" position. I'll agree that if you have to have an old-school antenna, a rear mount just looks 1970's cool.
 
while i agree with the sentiment that the rear is where the antenna looks best ... much better than on the A pillar or on the front fender ... just like having shaved USA reflectors, having a shaved antenna just looks soooooo much better.
 
I have mine in the rear as well.
They were dealer installed, so *anything* could be claimed as period correct.

The left front fender does have a little tab welded underneath it's skin specifically to reinforce an antena mounted there. But none were installed there in the factory. Here's an NOS part with the bracket:
 

Attachments

  • 20250326_221622.jpg
    20250326_221622.jpg
    200.2 KB · Views: 28
The best location is the roof, I think DQ had one, and it is best done as a manual antenna so it is partially deployed at all times.
 
Here's the location on my car.
32,1 cm to center of hole, from center of radius of the bootlid corner.

Left to right distance is smack in the middle.

I'd take a hard look to the point of @Arde , as you really want to know if it fit and look the part *before* you drill the hole.
Mock it up with cardboard if needed.
I do it all the time.
 

Attachments

  • 20250326_222143.jpg
    20250326_222143.jpg
    285.1 KB · Views: 27
  • 20250326_222224.jpg
    20250326_222224.jpg
    286.4 KB · Views: 25
  • 20250326_222258.jpg
    20250326_222258.jpg
    192.8 KB · Views: 23
  • 20250326_222041.jpg
    20250326_222041.jpg
    317.9 KB · Views: 24
eriknetherlands said:
Here's the location on my car.
32,1 cm to center of hole, from center of radius of the bootlid corner.

Left to right distance is smack in the middle.

I'd take a hard look to the point of @Arde , as you really want to know if it fit and look the part *before* you drill the hole.
Mock it up with cardboard if needed.
I do it all the time.
Click to expand...

Perfect! Thanks Erik and everyone else for their input.
 
On the fourth photo down, the nice blue one. The front turn signal lenses seem to be backward, i.e., switch sides.
 
the biggest caution about placing the antenna on one of the front fenders - you have to be sure that the location will allow the antenna to go all the way down. the location mine was in would not allow the antenna to go down less than about 14" / 18" (never measured).
 
jmackro said:
Arde is right; the length that a power antenna requires beneath the sheet metal is significant and the motor-gearbox at the base is bulky. Don't just drill the hole where the extended mast would look good, and then find that the antenna won't fit underneath it!

My guess is that antennas were dealer-installed, so there is no "standard" position. I'll agree that if you have to have an old-school antenna, a rear mount just looks 1970's cool.
Click to expand...

yep, both @Arde and you are right,

the frame mast and motor have a size that might interfere with things inside the boot

if you chek my pic the design included the mounting details




i tried not to drill any holes to support it:


esquema%20geometria_zpst9eqyyqw.jpg


how is made














.
 
rsporsche said:
the biggest caution about placing the antenna on one of the front fenders - you have to be sure that the location will allow the antenna to go all the way down. the location mine was in would not allow the antenna to go down less than about 14" / 18" (never measured).
Click to expand...


i see

oh types of antennas

curious, my antenna has a fixed tube, all the telescopic mast goes inside
if you are able to put the whole antenna construction in is place it will go up and down fully always
 
Standard on my E24's and a PIA to keep them going. Gotta lubricate them so they extend, then when extended, dirt sticks to them so they need to be cleaned. Have replaced the masts because the plastic teeth wear and the original motor is robust but the electronics are not, have replaced or rebuilt both. That's why I used a hidden antenna behind the glove box for the E9. I realize your buddy runs a business and needs to give the customer what they want.
 
I did that install on my first coupe. I was rereading my notes from the time and it said to be sure to put the antenna on the right side of the car. That is because when it comes to routing the cable under the dash there is far less "stuff" on the passenger side then on the driver side. The last thing you want to do is add even more wiring on the left side
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top