94-97 F Series Stake Pocket Antenna Mount
By Rick Harrison W2RGH
May 2004
After searching for a method to mount an antenna in the stake pocket I found several commercial units available, but pricey.
After some trial and error fitting, I finally came up with one that works.
The mount I made is used in the rear most pocket as there is access for tightening the nut by removing the rear taillight lens assembly. While the lens assembly is out, you can route the coax at that time.
Here are the details...
Material needed
weldable steel (aluminum if you have the equipment to weld it)
1-3" x 2 1/2" x 1/8"
1- About 14" of 1 1/2" x 1/8"
1- 3/8" -16 x 1 1/4" bolt with nut flat and lock washer
some primer and paint
1/2" and 3/8" drill bit
some gasket material to cut to size and place under the mount where is contacts the bed rail.
Here are the basics.
Since the bed rail has a slope, one leg of the U is longer than the other by 1/8"
The top plate must be oriented correctly in order for the hole to end up in the center of the rail. You can adjust the top plate size to have the mount out over the side of the bed rail if desired.
Here are some photos of the finished mount. I left the picture size very large so you can see the details. Just click on one of the thumbnails below and it will display in a new window.
Good Luck!
73 tu de W2RGH