Antenna replacement: has anyone tried these non-stubby ones?

[MeetJoeAsian]

I used the stubby antenna and that autozone screw thing and it didn't work so well cuz it didn't pick up the signals that well....so I'm looking for a shorter, yet more functional antenna than the stubbies. I just want it shorter than the OEM so it doesn't scrape the celing whenever I go into the parking garage...I was even thinking about cutting the ball off the OEM antenna and shorten the stem and solder the ball back on. Has anyone tried doing that?

Also, has anyone tried or used there 13", 14", 17", etc antennas on ebay that are listed to fit the gen5?

Black Billet (14") ANTENNA - Toyota 4Runner 2010 2011 2012 | eBay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EuroStyle-13-inch-ANTENNA-Toyota-4Runner-2010-2011-2012-/190664775685?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c64819805

Toyota 4Runner am/fm Stereo Radio BLACK 17" Spiral Removable ANTENNA MAST New | eBay

or have you been using some other non-stubbies that are functional? Where did you get yours from? ThanX

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

The last one looks interesting. Let me know if you get the last one and if it works well. If it does I might be interested in getting one myself, then my antenna won't hit the garage roof when i pull in.

 

[ColoradoFrosty]

Yeah Mikey I am in the market for an antenna as well... I do not want to loose reception really over stock thus I haven't replaced OEM.

Please keep us posted, I too like the looks of the last one.

 

[Johnny Utah]

eh. I'd rather have the look of the stubby than the functionality of an antenna. That being said, the stubby actually isn't that bad. There are areas of my daily commute that suck, but, it still works.

 

[ColoradoFrosty]

Cool... that's good to know JohnnyU. Thx.

Looks are important but when I loose functionality with anything, that's when I look more closely at the pros and cons.

 

[DiggetyDan]

just ordered the 13' euro from ebay

I used the stubby antenna and that autozone screw thing and it didn't work so well cuz it didn't pick up the signals that well....so I'm looking for a shorter, yet more functional antenna than the stubbies. I just want it shorter than the OEM so it doesn't scrape the celing whenever I go into the parking garage...I was even thinking about cutting the ball off the OEM antenna and shorten the stem and solder the ball back on. Has anyone tried doing that?

Also, has anyone tried or used there 13", 14", 17", etc antennas on ebay that are listed to fit the gen5?

Black Billet (14") ANTENNA - Toyota 4Runner 2010 2011 2012 | eBay

EuroStyle (13 inch) ANTENNA - Toyota 4Runner 2010 2011 2012 | eBay

Toyota 4Runner am/fm Stereo Radio BLACK 17" Spiral Removable ANTENNA MAST New | eBay

or have you been using some other non-stubbies that are functional? Where did you get yours from? ThanX

I just ordered the middle one from ebay, the 13inch eruorstyle. I'll come back with pics and comment on any reception degradation once it comes in.

 

[battchan3]

Does anyone know the bolt size (thickness)? I've already pulled off my antenna and just want to cap it off, i rarely use the am/fm radio stations since it has the BT streaming function.

 

[harper7]

Does anyone know the bolt size (thickness)? I've already pulled off my antenna and just want to cap it off, i rarely use the am/fm radio stations since it has the BT streaming function.

It is 5mm


Bunch of guys over on the FJ forum using Firestik II's and where I bought my adapter to use one myself...... http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/foru...isual-tech/135645-firestik-ii-fm-antenna.html
Nestor is a trustworthy guy.

 

[RiDE]

I installed a 2' firestik in my stock location last week. I bought the adapter from one of the FJ guys like harper7 mentioned. It looks perfect and the reception is just as good as the 14" rubber one I had on there. I'll get some pics up eventually.

 

[gray street]

I installed a 2' firestik in my stock location last week. I bought the adapter from one of the FJ guys like harper7 mentioned. It looks perfect and the reception is just as good as the 14" rubber one I had on there. I'll get some pics up eventually.

Maybe a write up?? :whip2:



Edit: wait, for cb as well as fm?

 

[06tundra]

Yeah Mikey I am in the market for an antenna as well... I do not want to loose reception really over stock thus I haven't replaced OEM.

Please keep us posted, I too like the looks of the last one.

I recently installed the 5 inch rubber stubby antenna from Mangwalk site on my wife's '11 SR5. The supplied bolts will not fit the T4R, so buy the kit from autozone metra rubber mast aw rm1r and one of the bolts will work. I glued the end of the bolt that screws into the antenna, greased the threads going into vehicle, and filled the base of the antenna with silicone for a good bond.

 

[MeetJoeAsian]

eh. I'd rather have the look of the stubby than the functionality of an antenna. That being said, the stubby actually isn't that bad. There are areas of my daily commute that suck, but, it still works.

egh, to each his own...some people want looks over function, and others want function over looks....me, I had the stubbies before, and it didn't work too well....can't get the best of both worlds....

I'm liking the first and the 3rd one...here's a picture of the first one from their listing...I like the ball tip:

 

[MeetJoeAsian]

middle one...too bad they don't have a picture with the 4Runner...

 

[DiggetyDan]

I just ordered the middle one from ebay, the 13inch eruorstyle. I'll come back with pics and comment on any reception degradation once it comes in.

Got the antenna in the mail and installed it today. Overall I'm pleased with it. Have not noticed any loss in reception but I only turned the radio on in the driveway. Here are some pics:

 

[Etremo04]

Looking good.

Does anyone know if FJ antennas fit on the 4runner?

 

[MeetJoeAsian]

bought me the first one...very sturdy and solid...weird little gap at the bottom, but not noticeable....

 

[Stifler]

meetjoeasian how is the reception with that one?

 

[gwcpa]

I've got the rubber one from Autozone. Garage was not a problem, but got tired of taking off the stock one for my car cover and car wash. (Jeep in the garage this time of year, no room for 4Runner.)

Reception is slightly worse when going out of town, so just screw the stock on back on if it is too bad. I keep it by the door sill under the floor liner.

 

[ColoradoFrosty]

I got the third one on the original list there... and it works pretty well!

It looks way better than the stock, but no doesn't perform as well when in canyons and such... but that's to be expected.

Just guessing, but I would say 70% as good reception wise as the OEM?

Very happy with it though. No more scraping in the garage and the looks are enough to make me stick with it. I think it was $15.95 with free shipping so it's not a huge risk trying one out.

I do listen to radio but that's normally just too and from work. When I am out in the mountains or on road trips, if I can't find radio reception it's no biggie. I just go back to my iPod or Satellite.

Thanks MeetJoeAsian for posting those up!