Antenna Woes

[motorheadwannab]

This is a little weird but after off roading all day i went to turn my radio on and noticed my antenna wasn't going up. I hopped out and realized i had no antenna, there is a hole where the antenna is suposed to be. when I turn the radio on i hear the motor running inside the fender. Has anyone ever had that happen?! i plan to open the fender tomorrow. I read the how-to on replacing it and will be check it out tomorrow so hopefully nothing is really broken.

 

[broncosi]

some what, my antenna motor will push the antenna up and then the motor wont stop, it keeps running for another 20-30 seconds. And then when its going down it wont hook and pull the antenna down you have to give it a little push and then it will catch and go down.

so basically i refrain from using my radio, i dont really use it anyways but for weather and traffic or if something big is going on.

are you thinking your antenna is down in your quarterpanel somewhere?

 

[motorheadwannab]

Ya my antenna was down sitting on the plastic fender splash guard. The crom thing that holds the antenna and the top rubber peice nowhere in sight. They most of busted off somtime i was off roading. I just order new ones from toyota, not bad only like $10. How do you take the entire assembly out of the car? I unpluged it but there is another wire(i'm assuming the actual antenna) that goes into the fender wall. Where does this lead? I'd like to take the entire thing out so i can go play in the mud and not have to worry about it dangling and breaking.

 

[broncosi]

do a search for it, i know ive seen the antenna mast replacement write up somewhere on here.

 

[gapboi210]

i want to take my antenna apart to get all the plastic from the mast out so I can replace the mast. However my TR4 is a Limited witht the fender flares. It looks like if I pull the flare off the gasket trim between the flare and the fender is sticky so I will probably have to replace it. Looks like a dealer only item. Any ideas?

 

[motorheadwannab]

mine is a limited aswell, if you follow the write up it works just the same. The fender flare does not get in the way at all. Just undo the plastic fender sheild above the tire like the instructions say and unscrew the antenna and boom your done. If you want to take it completely out you have to take apart part of the dash to unhook the antenna from the dash but I don't think you will need to do that.

 

[gapboi210]

I am at work so when I go on break i willr un out to the parking garage and look LOL. It looked like the fender flare had to be removed so I could get to the wheel well lining. If not great! I probably get one off ebay they look a little cheaper. I am guessing the mast cord broke completely. I can pull my antenna off but there is no cord what so ever visable. I wonder if this affects my FM performance.

 

[motorheadwannab]

ya if you just do a quick search you will find the write up. it works the same for our limited, i did it yesterday. good luck

 

[fireteacher]

http://www.4runners.org/articles/whip/

do this mod, works way better as far as reception

 

[gapboi210]

just not a fan of the whip antenna. imo it looks like a cheap dollar store gimmick. i know however that it is virtually indestructible. I just don't like the way they look. I also love the novelty of the power antenna.

 

[fireteacher]

to each his own! if i had to replace mine, most deff its going to be this way

 

[gapboi210]

Yeah, i know as soon as i replace it and it breaks while going down a trail i am going to be saying $hit i should have put a damn whip antenna on LOL.

 

[gapboi210]

I looked at getting the antenna motor out. The fender flare covers all the bolts that hold the fender lining in except the last two by the front door. Looks like the flare is going to have to come off to get a few more bolt out of the way to move the lining back.

 

[motorheadwannab]

I just pulled the plastic back with a hard yank and then used pliers to undo the plastic clips. It worked for me.

 

[gapboi210]

I was think about doiing that but I was afraid that it would tear or I would not be able to get it back the way it was. I had issues before with the other side making a horrible rattling sound on the highway.

 

[gapboi210]

I can't believe it! I met my friend at the do it your self carwash and someone stole my antenna! I was parked at the vacuums and was over at the washing area with my friend and his new Tundra. I walked back to my truck and the chrome piece that screws off was laying on the hood and my mast is gone! Good bastards got a broken one. That pisses me off! Well guess I have to replace it now.

 

[motorheadwannab]

ha! well that is unfortunate but i guess you can't be to upset seeing as how they took a broken mast! if they were smart maybe they would have taken say the center caps on your wheels haha sorry bout the theft though!

 

[gapboi210]

I was going to replace it but then i decides not to since it look like a bitch to get the flare off to get to the bolts to pull the wheel well lining back. But no choice now

 

[Drew]

My antenna is stuck in the up position and well... yea.

Here's a write up on a Whip MOD.

http://www.4runners.org/articles/whip/



Drew

 

[gapboi210]

Just called the dealership and they want $47.93 plus tax, can get one eBay for about $30.00 including s&h. Has anyone heard of any others that were cheaper from the delaer. I prefer to buy one from a Toyota delaer rather than JackieChan from hongkong or some other crappy part seller on ebay.