On a 98 runner, when installing the new mast the rack teeth must face the front of the car. It won't hurt to try it the other way, but it just won't go in. I got a genuine toyota mast on amazon for ~$35, half the dealer quoted price.

This one on eBay is $18... Same part?
Toyota 4 Runner Power Antenna Mast 1996-2002 BRAND NEW | eBay

Thanks great help

Don't know about others, but this is the real deal:
http://https://www.amazon.com/gp/pro...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Link no workie...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sounds simple enough. Very plain, but explicit, instructions. Thank you!
I'm going to attempt this as soon as I determine if my antenna motor is working. Antenna is broken off at top of base and may be preventing mechanical parts to work.
I'll need that "helper" you referred to for listening.

These instructions worked perfectly. As was mentioned by others, my broken antenna and track piece was still intact so I only had to pull the old one from the top and replace with the teeth facing the front instead of the vehicle (3rd gen).
Thanks everyone.

Thank you for the original post with pictures.

We have a 1998 4Runner SR5.

We had three generations working on this project. My daughter and granddaughter manned the radio controls:



Two items to note:

1. Comparing lengths of old/new antennas. My old antenna broke in such a way that the metal components did not retract. To compare old and new antennas, we "zeroed" out the tips of the new and old units and stretched the masts to their full lengths. (My first instinct had been to compare exposed geared white cable. Because some of it was sucked up in the old metal antenna, clearly this was not valid.)

2. Direction of gear teeth. I took photos of the old antenna. They clearly show the teeth facing the windshield. When we tried to feed the new antenna into the motor, it would not take. Finally, after my husband and I both attempted to feed the antenna in, my daughter (at the radio controls) suggested trying it with the teeth facing away from the windshield. It worked like a charm!

The entire repair took about 15 minutes.

Photodocumentation of the repair is up on my flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/155936...57688651984920

Thank you for the information. Should be helpful when I replace mine. I am going to wait until it is warm outside !! Scott

Thanks for the directions. Worked great.

Bought mine with the power antenna removed and a small permanent antenna. Happy i dont have to mess with it

Anyone know where a body can find the "wrench" to lock down that collar? I hated using"chisel or large flat blade and hammer to tighten it up. I replaced mine too...

My dealer didn't even have one... The suggested the above method.
Thanks.

This is an old thread but a good one. Step 5 in the original posting with the pictures is not correct for my 2000. The nylon antenna cable has to be drawn down into the motor prior to the chrome ring being installed. Once the replacement antenna is drawn down by the motor and sitting with the black rubber stop at the top of the mast then the chrome ring is installed over the antenna mast. Otherwise the antenna will just pop completely out of the mast with power on as there is nothing holding it in place on an up cycle.

I always watch the noisy, ornery, old antenna go up and down and sure enough, last night it gave up the ghost. I'll get around to fixing or moving it eventually, but in the Covid-19 world, I'd rather just pull a fuse or disconnect power to the motor so it doesn't have to struggle 24 times (counted them) each time I power up or down the sound system. It got stuck at a reasonable 1/3 of the way up and the radio still sounds good. Can I just un-power the motor and use the antenna as a static (pun intended) device? Appears to be original, so 20 years of service ain't bad - just don't want to stress out the motor - it's quite persistent.

EDIT - Duh - I found dozens of threads and the info I need.