$412 Antenna Replacement

[G-Four]

I have a 2011 SRS that I picked up last summer to replace my 2000 4Runner. Absolutely love the 2011. I have the all unlimited wash at the local car wash to keep it clean during the winter months. I ran the 2000 through the car wash probably 100 times when I owned it with no problem. However the antenna on the 2011 was gone after maybe 10 times though. Of course it was the threaded stud on the base that broke. Parts are about $70 or so, but the install is well over $300.

I have considered trying to do the install, but from what I can see, the wheel well needs to be pulled apart and then the base needs to be plugged in to the back of the radio which seems like a challenge. I assume the radio needs to be pulled to make the connection.

Also not thrilled about reinstalling the same thing when it seem like the threaded stud is so light weight.

Are there better aftermarket choices that won’t be so susceptible to damage?

How hard is it to pull the wheel well and feed through the firewall and pull the radio?

Any other recommendations’?

 

[fourwd1]

On most of them you just buy and install the replacement telescoping mast, not the entire antenna. And it's pretty simple, Search mast replacement.

 

[G-Four]

On most of them you just buy and install the replacement telescoping mast, not the entire antenna. And it's pretty simple, Search mast replacement.

It it base that broke, so unfortunate there is nothing to screw the mast onto. I had thought that maybe i could tape the hole in the base, but it looks like whats left is brass and i don't think that will conduct the signal.

 

[eddiebx]

It it base that broke, so unfortunate there is nothing to screw the mast onto. I had thought that maybe i could tape the hole in the base, but it looks like whats left is brass and i don't think that will conduct the signal.

This thread might help: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...y-tighty-doesnt-work-doesnt-work-antenna.html

Not sure if you're up to the task but if it looks manageable, I'd give it a go by myself. 300 bucks in labor is just too much to part with for something so silly!

 

[fourwd1]

It it base that broke, so unfortunate there is nothing to screw the mast onto. I had thought that maybe i could tape the hole in the base, but it looks like whats left is brass and i don't think that will conduct the signal.

So this is not a power antenna?
I was talking about replacing the mast on a power antenna.

 

[t4rwildlife]

I work for autobell and those are the number one most breaking antenna haha. All the new ones break now so we are starting to take them off now so we don't have to pay for it.

 

[G-Four]

I work for autobell and those are the number one most breaking antenna haha. All the new ones break now so we are starting to take them off now so we don't have to pay for it.

Looking at how small the threaded post was, i don't want to replace it with the OEM part and have to do it all over when that one breaks off.

 

[eddiebx]

I'm confused...what is exactly broken? Just the antenna mast snapped off the threaded studs? If so, have you tried a small screw extractor to get the broken portion out of the base?

 

[Ducmonsta]

Looking at how small the threaded post was, i don't want to replace it with the OEM part and have to do it all over when that one breaks off.

You could just remove the new antenna before going into the paint scratching machine.

 

[G-Four]

I'm confused...what is exactly broken? Just the antenna mast snapped off the threaded studs? If so, have you tried a small screw extractor to get the broken portion out of the base?

The photos below should clear things up. Based on the replacement masts I have seen, there should be a threaded stud sticking out the top of the hole.

I was going to try on extractor, but am having difficulty getting a hole drilled to to run the extractor in to, seemed to just run the little that was left of the stud even deeper.

I tried to super glue a nail to stud and a few other options to back it out.

Thought that if i drilled out the stud far enough i could just tap threads into the hole, but it appears to be brass so i don't think that will be able to transmit a signal.

 

[eddiebx]

The photos below should clear things up. Based on the replacement masts I have seen, there should be a threaded stud sticking out the top of the hole.

I was going to try on extractor, but am having difficulty getting a hole drilled to to run the extractor in to, seemed to just run the little that was left of the stud even deeper.

I tried to super glue a nail to stud and a few other options to back it out.

Thought that if i drilled out the stud far enough i could just tap threads into the hole, but it appears to be brass so i don't think that will be able to transmit a signal.

This is exactly how the base on my 2012 antenna looks...the threaded portion is on the antenna mast not the base. Did you look down in the hole to see if there's a thread portion stuck down there?

EDIT: I might not have typed that clearly, on my antenna mast the bottom is a male threaded end that screws into the female threaded portion in the base of the antenna holder that's on the fender. The antenna base on the fender does not have a male threaded portion sticking out.