Antennae replacement

[mike1305]

I am replacing my motored atennae for a manual antennae from a Tacoma. Unfortunately I was unaware of the line that attaches the radio to the antennae that goes all behind the dashboard...I was thinking about cutting it and soldering the new antennae on until I realized it was a coaxial cable! :bash: Now I need to set aside a weekend to take my dashboard off. Can anyone point me in the direction of a good dashboard removal walkthrough?

Cordially,

Mike

 

[polvadis]

I don't know your reason behind switching to a static antenna, but...

I converted my mom's '98 4Runner auto antenna to static by simply unplugging it from the power source. It's still plugged into the radio, but there is a power plug behind the wheel well that I unplugged so that it the annoying up and down would stop. If you unplug it while the antenna is up, it will just stay there.

On my '02 I thought of doing the same, but I found that with XM Radio and MP3 CD's in the car, I never listen to FM so the antenna never goes up anyway.

Just my few cents.

 

[mike1305]

I just finished doing it. It may have been more trouble than it was worth. It was a PITA to get the cable unrouted and through the wall, then it was a bigger pain to get the new cable routed to the radio again. But...my reception is dramatically increased and it was a good experience.

THe darn antennae wire was routed behind the airbag assembly. UGH!

Plus it gave me a reason to take off the middle dash to fix the clock that fell back into the pit behind where it sat.

 

[wayneboard2]

I don't know your reason behind switching to a static antenna, but...

I converted my mom's '98 4Runner auto antenna to static by simply unplugging it from the power source. It's still plugged into the radio, but there is a power plug behind the wheel well that I unplugged so that it the annoying up and down would stop. If you unplug it while the antenna is up, it will just stay there.

On my '02 I thought of doing the same, but I found that with XM Radio and MP3 CD's in the car, I never listen to FM so the antenna never goes up anyway.

Just my few cents.

where EXACTLY is this? I was going to do this changeover tomorrow but if I have to take my dadgum dash off forget it. Do you have any pics or anything ? I assume I still take the wheel well cover off to see up into the antenna motor and then what? Thanks for the help!

 

[polvadis]

I unplugged the antenna just so it won't go down, ever. My mom was getting annoyed with it every time she started the car, or went from FM to a CD.

There is a plug behind the wheel well connecting the antenna to power, I assume. Just a plastic plug, I disconnected it and the antenna stayed up from then on.

You don't even need to take the entire well off of the car, just the top few screws to see the plug. I took no pics, it took some 5 minutes of work.

 

[mike1305]

Yes, I believe it is the only thing you can unplug from the motor assembly at all.