Why antennas on truck fenders but installed in windshields cars?

[coobie]

Goofy thought I guess but why are truck antennas still installed on the front fenders of trucks but in the windshields of cars?Just curious?

 

[Redlands Okie]

I also wonder why

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

I think the big 3 all have them on the roofs of trucks. That seems to also be the new standard for cars too.

 

[hawkeye08]

removed from car fenders for pedestrian safety, trucks are higher so not as big of issue

 

[vvanders]

There's also the fact that aerodynamics don't matter as much on a truck.

For what it's worth you'll get the best reception with a large ground plane under the antenna. That's why the top of the roof does the best if you're adding a ham/CB antenna.

 

[boggen]

always hated trying to clean the antennas from all the bug splatter on them.

you would think by how many antennas folks have broken off to do damage to someone else vehicle, there would be something different.

you would think it is more costly to include antenna in a window.

vehicles no longer metal bodies, but some unknown chemicals that no longer reflect radio singles but allow radio singles to pass through them

you no longer fear the dreaded long antenna whacking you as you drive pass someone. some of them antennas were rather long to point of mounted to the front and attached to the rear. or they were so tall, you could see spots on over head signs and were antennas struck.

remember the many "retractable" antennas.

then you had the many "what new thing" to stick over the antenna.

<- well poo, guess i am still stuck in olden days *double checks vehicles out in driveway and realizes antennas sticking off front fender*

 

[coobie]

I think the big 3 all have them on the roofs of trucks. That seems to also be the new standard for cars too.

My 2006 ford f150 & 2016 Ram 2500 are installed passenger side front quarter panel.Wifes 2008 ford taurus is in the front windshield.

 

[coobie]

removed from car fenders for pedestrian safety, trucks are higher so not as big of issue

Please explain for pedestrian safety?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I like them on the fender of atruck because if you can drive into a garage without the antenna hitting you know the roof is not going to.

 

[PILOON]

I think that cosmetics play a more important role than performance.
Cars get face lifts annually while a truck barely changes for a decade.
Then trucks are on the road for much longer stretches of time (like all day) while most cars are used to commute short distances over short time spans.

Otherwise saying many cars are a status or luxury thing while a truck is essentially a tool.
Pickups being more and more an exception.