What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100?
 

I'm wondering what the hole is for, and if it is factory. On the inside, there is what appears to be a hard rubber gasket of some sort, while the outside on the exterior of the cab it appears to be a rivet some sort. Does anyone know what this is, and what's the purpose?

Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100?
 

Probably a CB antenna.

Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100?
 

haven't seen that except for an antenna of some sort.

Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100?
 

That one may have been for a business two way radio. CB antennas usually didn't have that grommet that seems to have gone along with the old business or other 2 ways.

My 71 GMC has a hole dead center in the middle of the outer skin for a radio with the cable routed between the inner and outer skin. That's not going to be a fun fix.

Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100?
 

either way, to repair, clean it down to bare clean steel before attempting to weld a plug in the hole. if you can't find a plug the right size then get one bigger diameter and same gage and use a step drill to make the hole fit the plug. nice clean bare steel that way too. you can use a weak magnet to hold the plug in there nice and flat with the roof, tack it, remove the magnet (magnets tend to distort welding current and cause porosity in the weld), body hammer with dolly under to get the plug flat after slight warpage from the weld process, then another tack across from the first when it is cooled off, same same with the hammer/dolly, tack again, cool same same. soon the plug will be welded all the way around. a flap disc will easily flatten the weld bead down but be very careful not to heat the roof up. take lots of time to allow the roof to cool everywhere or you will spend more time getting the roof normal looking than you would have spent waiting for the weld and grind process to cool off. looks like sand blasting or dipping may be in your future anyway so, good luck with the project.

Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100?
 

My 70 has some holes from the siren it used to have from being a fire trail rig.

Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100?
 

My Tahoe has 2 of those where the fire dept. antennas were.

Re: What is the hole in the top center of the cab on my 1953 Chevy 3100?
 

breaker breaker 19! :D