a BIT off topic, is that an original sticker or belong to something....reason I ask is I can swear I saw that same one ( or pretty darn near), larger, on a boat on the chitna river in Alaska
I talked with him, not about sticker, his name is Chris, he is military, based just outside of Fairbanks Alaska ( we have an army base and an airforce base nearby)

Its "nose art" common on most ww2 aircraft, a company called victory girl makes the stickers and also does actual paintings on stuff as well. I'm a huge fan of WW2 war birds so this is my way of showing that. Don't know the person with something similar on the boat you mention though.

The "In The Mood" is from a B-25J Mitchell and a B-29 Superfortress, but mine is a different variant of the image.

Late to the game here, but I was intrigued by the title of this thread #followed

My factory antenna was also working fine, but I didn't like how it powered on and went up when turning my aftermarket head unit on (vs only raising when using the tuner on the factory radio) so I put a switch on it.

I also added a Y adapter and an adapter for the in-window antenna in the rear passenger glass (it's a micro antenna plug) and you know what? I never raise the main antenna when using the radio unless I'm out in the boonies. Cheap diversity and the option to raise the antenna IF needed, saving the 23 year old motor.

You might want to try a quick $9 antenna adapter for the rear antenna and forgo the mast up front - might just work well enough -saving the expense and time of a taco whip mod project.
(which reminds me of the scene from the Blues Brothers where John Candy's character orders an orange whip)

Can you go through car wash with the taco whip or have to unscrew it ? My mast is broken and don’t hear the motor anymore. Need a new head unit and will get anew antenna when they install, trying to figure out best solution and have parts available.


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Yes you can. In stock form that is on the roof. Once you put roof racks on our 4Runners, most establishments wont let you in the moving parts car washes. The dryless companies like The Pink Elephant here in WA let you go in if your under the height of 7’ high with a roof rack. My truck is at 7’2” and I no longer fit in any drive threw car washes. I have to go to the self wash establishments or wash it myself at home.


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Typically not recommended

Some, though not all aftermarket radios have an "ANT" wire that you can use instead of the "AMP" wire - meant for powered antennas (to power aa antenna pre-amp). My old Pioneer does this, and the antenna only goes up with the tuner.

Might be worth checking...

-Charlie

I’d recommend the taco whip mod but use a stubby antenna in lieu of the actual Tacoma one


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couple of things.
I have the taco whip
1) the taco whip should be unscrewed in a car wash. easy to do, but I have found it is fairly flexible for out in the bush.....but would not trust in a car wash...
2) dont use a drive in car wash, do it yourself, I have seen them pull off window visors and other stuff. I have not used a drive in car wash in prob 20 years....other than a pull in one that you use their wands and sprayer
3) I tried the stubby, but got the full whip....prob due to my location as the tubby was low reception....again ...prob location.
4) my former 99 , 2000, 2001 and current 2000 had a splitter antenna, one on the fender, one on the rear pass window, its obvious if you have one, looks like heater wires for a rear defrost. but the factory radio had a plug in for both, you can get a adapter for hooking together and plugging into a single port on the back of most radios. Only advantage I can see is if your main mast is broken and your in the city and some rural you will still get reception. It worked for me b4 I did the taco whip and had a broken mast on a motor antenna. I have hooked each of my past up with the splitter adapter.
5) you also mentioned getting a new head unit, might get one that can also take a usb adapter....cause if your gonna get out there....like overland, radio might not work anyway..and ive been places with no cell reception either...so most new units will play what you have stored on your phone ( bluetooth) and if not the usb plug is helpful