antenna up...down...up...down...

[CSL]

Just got my 2000 last week. LOVE IT! Taking it on trails this weekend!

One question...so far.

everytime I switch CD's the antenna goes up and right back down, for the second that the stereo turns back to the radio, just before the next CD is inserted.

I have read a bunch of threads about antenna motor's wearing out, and it seems no suprise to me.

Mine is not broken (yet) but is there a simple way to make it stop going up and down, up and down, up and down... Am I missing something?

Considering I have the factory stereo, it seems like really bad design.

Thanks.

 

[RevengEngine]

hahahaha. my antenna BROKE today.

I agree its a bad design! But what happens to most people is that the plastic "teeth" on the antenna that the motor grabs eventually wear away.

Thus, you have an annoying, broken antenna!

 

[shootmymime]

yes there is something you can do, but it would require a bunch of work




remove your radio and find your wire that attaches to the relay to make the attenna go up and down, all you hvae to do is make that wire on all the time while there is power to the radio,


sounds easy but thats just a theory, and i bet it would work! but good luck with that one buddy

 

[Ron Helmuth]

common thread

To reduce the wear you could add a switch to control for yourself when the antenna is up or down.

This has been done and is here on T4R.org.

Search "in line switch" or just cruise back a few pages and look at the antenna threads. This was just covered again within the last 2 months.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The bad is they will eventually fail and most seem to by 100k miles as my mom's on her '99 just went at about 80k but mine is still going at 140k.

It's just best to keep a new one handy or switch to those smaller rubber whip style antennas which are almost failproof and handle off road nicely.

 

[peter78]

Mine is not broken (yet) but is there a simple way to make it stop going up and down, up and down, up and down... Am I missing something?

First off, congrats on your new 4Runner. There is actually a way to prevent the antenna from going up and down, but it might be overkill. After listening to a CD, turn off the CD / radio. Then hit the "eject" button. When you get another CD, push it in the slot, the CD will go in and start playing, without going to the radio first.

Sometimes I do this, when I want to play a CD and the radio is not on, I simply eject the existing CD and then stick in the new one, that way I don't have to listen to static. If your really worried about the antenna, you could do this all the time.:

 

[RevengEngine]

haha ive been searching the threads in all the forums and i cannot find where to order a Tacoma Whip Antenna.

should i just call my local dealer and order one? because im having trouble finding one on websites. thanks

 

[Ron Helmuth]

google "tacoma whip"

go over to 4x4wire

pretty sure the guy has the part numbers and everything.

 

[Desertyodaboy]

Just do the whip mod....mine broke a few weeks back and once I have a chance I am going to do the whip mod

 

[CSL]

Thanks for all the responses. The switch sounded like a possibility, but Peter78 has nailed just what I was looking for.

Peter, I tried it today and what you say works PERFECT!! All I have to do is hit one extra button (power). That is the simple kind of answer that I was hoping was available. Thanks.

I don't intend for that antenna to EVER come up again (unless I use the radio of course...)

When it does break...I am definitely doing the whip mod. Lucky for me I have 115K, and the antenna already broke on the previous owner. It should be good for a while.

Doing the deckplate mod this weekend, wish me luck! Next step...airaid jr and OME's! LOVE IT!

This site is GREAT!!! Thanks to all for participating!

CSL

 

[RevengEngine]

well i just disconnected the antenna motor for now. haha it only took about 25 minutes.

so now my power antenna is a stubbie and doesnt make grinding noises.