Antenna Broke. Can I just screw in something universal?

[Collkid]

Hello all!

I've been searching for a little while and it has helped a little.

My power antenna broke. Wife took it through the car wash. :ybrick:

I do NOT need a power antenna.
I do NOT need a Taco whip.

I'm looking for the cheapest/easiest way to give it a little fix.

I still get FM radio reception. I do not get AM.

Can I just find a universal antenna and set it in somehow? Without pulling out all the old parts?

Will that help with reception?



Yes the motor will still run, but I don't care about that little 7 second thing.

Here is a picture:

IMG_4546.jpeg - Google Drive

 

[Rancho5]

I was in your exact same situation. I ordered these three items and now things are great. There's are a few write ups on how to do this so just look around and remember to FASTEN A STRING TO THE OLD ANTENNA AS YOU PULL IT OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I forgot this step and it was a PITA to rethread the new wire back through.

Getting the universal mount pinched up and under the fender was "fun" too. That took some practice and my wife helping me, and needle nose pliers IIRC.

I got the splitter because I wanted the rear window antenna hooked up too, and it works great. Some say don't but I did.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002CNTQS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...RI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002EXF10/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Oh, and no... All the old parts must go! Start fresh, you'll be glad you did.

 

[Quantumkiwi]

Just do the taco whip, it only like 40 bucks and means you wont break your antenna again.

 

[Collkid]

I was in your exact same situation. I ordered these three items and now things are great. There's are a few write ups on how to do this so just look around and remember to FASTEN A STRING TO THE OLD ANTENNA AS YOU PULL IT OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I forgot this step and it was a PITA to rethread the new wire back through.

Getting the universal mount pinched up and under the fender was "fun" too. That took some practice and my wife helping me, and needle nose pliers IIRC.

I got the splitter because I wanted the rear window antenna hooked up too, and it works great. Some say don't but I did.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002CNTQS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...RI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002EXF10/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Oh, and no... All the old parts must go! Start fresh, you'll be glad you did.

Just do the taco whip, it only like 40 bucks and means you wont break your antenna again.

So it sounds like, either way I have to do an all new antenna.
That sucks.

Anyone have a really good write-up?

 

[alexnumberone]

So it sounds like, either way I have to do an all new antenna.
That sucks.

Anyone have a really good write-up?

Yeah, cause you need a new base for the universal antenna to screw into.
It's fairly simple, I did the Tacoma whip mod.
I used this video : YouTube

 

[Mighty Buffalo]

I used a generic universal fixed mast. I would say use a tacoma antenna, because the boot on the universal sits a little askew.

 

[Spktyr]

Simply replacing the power antenna mast with a quality replacement takes all of five minutes and $30 or less. Fastest way to do it and relatively cheap.

Also, should *not* be taking the truck or any vehicle through a non-touchless car wash.

 

[3bears]

Simply replacing the power antenna mast with a quality replacement takes all of five minutes and $30 or less. Fastest way to do it and relatively cheap.

Also, should *not* be taking the truck or any vehicle through a non-touchless car wash.

that is if the mast plastic tooth tail thing is not broken in the motor. had to take my motor out, open it and take out the broken pieces.
but yes if all the plastic "tail" comes out, its a quick job.

that said, I live in the snow and my automatic antenna keeps freezing, I am doing the taco whip soon.

 

[Spktyr]

that is if the mast plastic tooth tail thing is not broken in the motor. had to take my motor out, open it and take out the broken pieces.
but yes if all the plastic "tail" comes out, its a quick job.

that said, I live in the snow and my automatic antenna keeps freezing, I am doing the taco whip soon.

A brush-type car wash that rips off the antenna usually leaves the plastic antenna drive intact - but yeah, you have to take the motor out to get the fragments out if the tail isn't intact in the motor.

Anyway - this is the only seller on eBay selling the correct OE replacement antenna masts that isn't in Toyota packaging: raderra on eBay

I got mine from him for $19 a couple months ago. He seems to post them for slightly different prices sometimes - Toyota 4 Runner Power Antenna Mast 1996-2002 BRAND NEW | eBay

All the other "non-Toyota" sellers are selling the wrong antenna that doesn't fit or drive correctly, see the archives here.

 

[Collkid]

All interesting options.

Thank you for your help.