Mr. Gasket Invisible Antenna? Where can I find a 1" stainless hole cover?

[DeloreanJoshQ]

Anyone use this or know if it works well?
I'd like to remove my fender antenna and replace it with this instead of a rear mounted antenna. I am wondering if it can be placed hidden under the dash...

http://www.jegs.com/i/Mr.+Gasket/720/6100/10002/-1

http://www.jegs.com/images/photos/700/720/720-6100.jpg

Also, Where can I find a 1" stainless hole cover? Lowes only has a 1.5" snap in...

Thanks!
Josh Q

[Ashyukun]

I've been using something similar since my power antenna bit the dust and I was too lazy/cheap to pull it out and replace it- I'm not using that exact antenna, but one that was like $30 from Amazon Marketplace. It's not been bad- I mounted mine on the top louver right in front of my 3rd brake light. It's not as good at pulling the signals in as my original motorized antenna was, but it was definitely better than nothing and a bit better than I was expecting. It looks like that one MIGHT work a bit better than mine since it has actual antennas on the side vs. just the internal antenna that mine has.

[dhaney]

[QUOTE=DeloreanJoshQ;6593
Also, Where can I find a 1" stainless hole cover? Lowes only has a 1.5" snap in...

Thanks!
Josh Q[/QUOTE]

I got mine at the local ACE Hardware.

Dan

[content22207]

Are you sure Lowes' hole plugs are stainless steel?

McMaster sells chrome plugs in 1/16" increments all the way to 2": http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/117/3723/=d2aly4

Bill Robertson
#5939

[sdg3205]

Josh,

If you're interested, I went a little further and epoxied the nice A/T DMC medallion over the hole. I really like it.

I've got a picture of it here (http://www.stevedavegraham.com/delorean/door-antenna-work/).

Cheers

EDIT - PS: I've got a hidden antenna. It's crap.

[Nicholas R]

I'd probably just get a piece of 304 stainless, cut a circle and weld it in. Use as low heat as you can to avoid excessive tinting, then just blend it out. If I had the antenna hole that's what I'd do.

Here's an example:

http://www.pjgrady.co.uk/GenericContent.aspx?PageType=Site_Map&ShowContent=Project_11_Antennae_Hole.html

[DeloreanJoshQ]

I'd probably just get a piece of 304 stainless, cut a circle and weld it in. Use as low heat as you can to avoid excessive tinting, then just blend it out. If I had the antenna hole that's what I'd do.

Here's an example:

http://www.pjgrady.co.uk/GenericContent.aspx?PageType=Site_Map&ShowContent=Project_11_Antennae_Hole.html

That's what I was planning on doing, but first I wanted to cap the hole off until I have the time to remove the fender and get it done right...

[Bitsyncmaster]

I'd probably just get a piece of 304 stainless, cut a circle and weld it in. Use as low heat as you can to avoid excessive tinting, then just blend it out. If I had the antenna hole that's what I'd do.

Here's an example:

http://www.pjgrady.co.uk/GenericContent.aspx?PageType=Site_Map&ShowContent=Project_11_Antennae_Hole.html

I think I may try welding a plug in some scrap 304 stainless and see how it comes out. My fender antenna has been cut off so the black mount is still there.

[jmettee]

Josh,
I got a $20 version (different brand, but same type of antenna) & mounted it to the back of the kneepad at the glove box. It works OK, but doesn't have the reception I was hoping for. It's better than the wire I had before (originally a windshield antenna, but my windshield had been replaced with a non-antenna version).

Based on recommendation, I was going to try to move it up front & mount it behind the grille. Up there, there is only plastic to pass through....on the kneepad, the signals have to go through fiberglass (the dash) & glass/stainless. Not sure it'll be much better though.

[sdg3205]

I bit the bullet and put it right on the window glass. It's still just barely acceptable. The only upside is that it works great with my iPod FM transmitter.

Almost no AM.

[DeloreanJoshQ]

I went to ACE hardware today and they only had a chrome steel version of the 1" plug. I was thinking of wire brushing it with a wire wheel and then painting it with Hervey's stainless steel paint. At least this will get it closer and buy me time until I get the panel off.

Regarding moving the antenna to the front, I wonder how it would work too....I'm not sure how you would hide the wire, plus you could only extend it as long as the wire it comes with is; any more and it would probably reduce reception.
Behind the knee pad sounds like an interesting idea....I may try that myself and see if it gets the channels I want...

TBC...

[DeloreanJoshQ]

Just an update...

I bought the antenna today and installed it.
I connected the ground wire(after extending it) to one of the A/C blower fan grounds and ran the power wire back to the fuse box to the #9 fuse which is only on when the key is on. The blue wire on the back of the radio(power antenna signal) would be ideal I believe but it will have to wait until I remove the radio to get to it.....the wire was too short to crimp a connection.
I was able to disconnect the old antenna from the back of the radio by wedging my hand back there and then after fidgeting was able to get the new antenna plugged in.
Removal of the fender antenna was possible after pushing it down far enough to hinge the underside levers that hold it in from the inside and pop them out.
I took a blending pad with the grain and cleaned the dirt and residue...it looks great.

I have the 1" hole plug and will paint it next and post photos.

Regarding the reception, connecting power does boost the reception. FM works great IMO. However, I am still working on AM reception....it works great when I hold the antenna, but gets static when I let go or try hiding it under the dash in different places...I just have to experiment more until I can get it fixed and then the radio will be fully functional...I'll let you all know how I accomplish it...

Josh Q

[Nicholas R]

Sweet! Can't wait to see!

[DeloreanJoshQ]

Below are pictures of the result.
I used the 1" chrome snap in hole cover from ACE and put some black RTV underneath to seal from water and rain. SS paint did not look right, so I removed the paint and took a scotch brite pad and ran it back and forth over the cap to dull and "grain" it. It looks alot better!
This winter I will remove the fender and have the hole filled in professionally.

FM works excellent, but AM not as well....however, it's worth the trade-off of no visible antennas...

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p48/jaq78/DSC07498.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p48/jaq78/DSC07502.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p48/jaq78/DSC07501.jpg
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p48/jaq78/DSC07499.jpg

[Bitsyncmaster]

It looks very good but will it rust?

[DeloreanJoshQ]

It looks very good but will it rust?

I'll let you all know....no idea....

[dhaney]

It looks very good but will it rust?

No mine has been on for years and it blends in so well with the stainless at initial glance you don't even notice it.

I wish to get the hole filled and the panle grained but always seem to have other priorities.

Dan