Change the antenna mast myself

[chupo50]

Hi, I have a 2002 4runner, and the other day the antenna mast broke: it won't go up or down, and the motor just keeps running for a while then stops. The mechanic at the dealer right away said the motor has to be replaced, and it'll cost $480 for the whole thing.
I surveyed auto part store and they only have a universal mast, like about $50. I wonder
1. Will the universal one work?
2. Is it possible to do it yourself? I really know nothing about cars, but I want to try. Just don't know how realistic it is.
Thanks!

 

[oljedi11950]

I think it's doable by you & I'm trying to remember I did my 98 , just got the parts from online & did it ? Should be diagram in parts for it . Hard part is plugging in antenna wire to back of radio itself !

 

[JeepKiller]

Hi, I have a 2002 4runner, and the other day the antenna mast broke: it won't go up or down, and the motor just keeps running for a while then stops. The mechanic at the dealer right away said the motor has to be replaced, and it'll cost $480 for the whole thing.
I surveyed auto part store and they only have a universal mast, like about $50. I wonder
1. Will the universal one work?
2. Is it possible to do it yourself? I really know nothing about cars, but I want to try. Just don't know how realistic it is.
Thanks!

It's incredibly simple if you're a little bit mechanically inclined. Go with either an OEM mast or one that's basically an OEM (NO UNIVERSAL). You'll have to take out the antenna motor assembly and take out all of the teeth from the inside, then remove the antenna. Put it all back together without an antenna mast in it then crank your car, turn your radio on, insert the teeth of the new antenna mast facing you into the antenna hole while turning the radio off. The teeth should catch and you should have a fixed antenna mast. :roll:

 

[Unner]

You can also do the Taco whip antenna mod. I did this and I love it. Plus no chance of breaking the flimsy power antenna mast anymore. If I break the Taco whip antenna then I probably have some other issues haha.

 

[chupo50]

Thank you guys for the replies.
I'm totally not familiar with the taco whip thing, but it seems good, I'll try to check it out.
Ok, I think I just realized that "mast" and "motor" are different things? I'm afraid I have to replace the motor, at least according to that dealer mechanic.
Is this the correct motor? And it seems I have to buy the "mast" separately, correct?
Amazon.com: Fully Automatic Universal Power Antenna: Automotive
Thanks!

 

[davidch]

The base model 4Runner, available through 2000, had a traditional, non-motorized antenna.

Were you to substitute this style for the motorized antenna, you'd need two parts:

86300-35090 antenna assy w/holder $46.24
includes nut & grommet

86309-35100 pole sub-assy, pull top antenna $31.73

Prices may vary, of course.

In my base 4Runner, I keep a 7mm open end wrench in the glovebox so I can quickly remove the antenna before going through a carwash.

 

[squabeggz]

The dealer only says you need to replace the motor because they will not swap out the mast. They want to replace the whole thing and nail you for it. You stated that your motor is running then stops...that is totally normal. The problem is with the mast. The metal collapse able part is connected to the motor by a nylon strip with geared teeth on it. This strip breaks after awhile. JeepKiller is correct that all you need to do is open the motor and get broken section of strip out. Check out this youtube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsGJo_wcbXM It explains where the motor is and how to get to it. it also show you how to insert the new mast. I bought this one when mine broke:

Auto Parts at AutohausAZ - OEM Auto Parts - Discount Replacement Parts, Resources and Car Care Tips
PN# = 8633735111
$22.55

Also, here is a writeup with pics on the whole process right here on this site:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/8838-power-antenna-fix-pics.html

Your motor is running...it is fine...do not spend $400+

 

[02SE]

Buy a new OEM mast, and if you are mechanically inclined at all, install it yourself. There is probably a write-up on here, as to how to do it. Search for that.

If you can hear your antenna motor running, it is still good. There is a gear in the motor housing that can strip in theory, but I've never seen it happen.

What does happen in most cases, is that the nylon cable which raises and lowers the mast, breaks.

Here's a company that sells a mast, along with installation instructions:

1996-2002 Toyota 4 Runner Power Antenna Parts, 86300-35111, 86396-89102, 86392-35020, 86337-35111

4 Runner Antenna Mast Installation Instructions 1996-2002

(Sidenote) I bought an OEM mast from a Toyota Dealer, for less than half of what "Antennamastsrus" wants. Of course that was about 5 years ago, so prices may have indeed doubled.

Some people prefer having a fixed antenna, AKA "The Tacoma whip mod". Personally, I like having the OEM powered antenna mast, which is down and out of sight when not in use.

 

[chupo50]

Wow, thanks guys!
I hope the motor is good. When we first discovered the problem we kept on pushing the button, and then I believe I smelled something burning.
Anyway, thanks again!

 

[JeepKiller]

Wow, thanks guys!
I hope the motor is good. When we first discovered the problem we kept on pushing the button, and then I believe I smelled something burning.
Anyway, thanks again!

It is, just take it apart and take out all the pieces of the old antenna then reinstall.

 

[bama16]

i had the tacoma antenna for a while...but just swapped the "whip" with a cravenspeed stubby. it's small, works well, won't break, and easy to install.

 

[habanero]

A writeup of sorts-
post 332-334. You do not have to take the guts apart as far as I did, just make sure you get all the broken bits out.
habanero's 1996 4Runner Build-Up Thread - Page 17 - YotaTech Forums
I got my replacement mast through the dealership, that was nearly 10 years ago, then put a switch in so it didn't go up unless I wanted it to. There's info in the forum about which mast to get if you go the ebay route.

That the motor runs for a bit when you first turn the radio on or off is a good sign.

 

[Ghostrider]

I posted on this a few weeks ago. Yes you can do it yourself - I replaced the mast and the new one also didn;t work. Usually it is the mast but mine was the motor. I got a used motor from the junkyard for about 20 bucks and then put the new mast in. A few thoughts
1. I had an aftermarket radio with a remote which made running the mast up/down easy for one person. If you have the factory you will need a helper to turn it on.
2. Remember which way the teeth faced when you remove it so you can put the new mast in the same way
3. You may be very lucky and not have to open anything up. I would try the new mast and if there are no broken parts (ie it works) than call it a day. If it doesn't the next step is to open up the old motor and look for small plastic pieces of the old mast.
4. If you have to replace the entire motor than look for my post. I totally gave up on running the antenna wire the way it came from the factory. The motor and the antenna are one unit (poor design) so you have to run it all the way to the radio. Unfortunately the factory method was behind the airbag and a bunch of other stuff so I just ran it along the firewall. I could see why the dealer wanted so much for this - the new motor is about 200 bucks and it would take several hours to run the antenna wire per the shop manual.
5. Only use the OEm antenna mast - there have been several posts over the years of owners finding a mast from a third party is not the same size

 

[Frontier719]

I just didn't like the power antenna in the first place. I bought a universal antenna for $20 at Walmart and did the install myself.

Like others said, the tricky part is threading the new antenna cord through the grommet in the side of the wheel well, and then back through behind the radio.

I found it helpful to remove the glove box too.

 

[habanero]

3. You may be very lucky and not have to open anything up. I would try the new mast and if there are no broken parts (ie it works) than call it a day.

Just a little caveat:
Someone did that with the 99 before we bought it. We couldn't figure out why the antenna would keep trying to go up several seconds after it reached the top and the same when it went down. It turned out someone left an inch long piece inside and that plus the new mast was enough to break the big plastic gear inside, which caused the gear to slip a little when it wasn't supposed to.
I don't think that would happen every time, but it's a possibility to think about.

 

[chimpy]

I am not excited at all by a power antenna. Mine will sometimes stop with about an inch still exposed after turning the radio off then other times retract completely. Sounds like a potential problem to me. I see a fixed mast antenna in my near future.

 

[Ghostrider]

Just a little caveat:
Someone did that with the 99 before we bought it. We couldn't figure out why the antenna would keep trying to go up several seconds after it reached the top and the same when it went down. It turned out someone left an inch long piece inside and that plus the new mast was enough to break the big plastic gear inside, which caused the gear to slip a little when it wasn't supposed to.
I don't think that would happen every time, but it's a possibility to think about.

One quick way to check. Pull the old mast and compare length to the new one to see if anything is still inside

 

[Grenvilleter]

I too have antenna issues on my '97 Ltd. The antenna goes up and down but the motor fails to stop running when it gets to the top of its travel.

If I provide enough resistance with my hand before it reaches the top of its travel, it will stop.
I suspect some sheared teeth near the end of travel.

My question is, how does the motor know when to stop "pushing".

Has it a clutch type mechanism that has some sort of "breaker" that interrupts power or is the power applied for a set duration from the pwr source eg: radio ?

This part is unclear to me however I would be happy with a manual switch that I could just control the height of the mast and manually run it up and down and not rip the whole thing out.

 

[fatherohenry]

Antenna Motor Reassembly

Guess I have to hijack an old thread since I can't yet create one of my own.

'96 SR5.

I bought a new mast from theantennasource.com for $25.

Had an issue getting the wheel well liner off due to "fender trim"(?). After removing the bolts I was able to pry the liner off the grommets. I need to get back to it in the daylight but I suspect it might be easier to get the liner and trim back on if I replace those grommets.

I read somewhere on here about keeping an eye on the small nut behind the center screw when taking the motor apart. That was great advice as I can see how easy it would've been to miss.

What I didn't see was a nut behind the screw holding this wire in place.

When I was reassembling the motor I discovered there was nothing to screw into. It looks like there's a small "nook" where a nut would go to hold this screw in place but I scoured the ground and couldn't find anything. I had a small hex nut that fit the screw but it wouldn't fit in this "nook".

I also couldn't find any sort of schematic for this motor. What's this wire for? Anyone have any suggestions about reattaching it?

 

[habanero]

It's a ground that goes from there to the bracket which grounds to the body. You want that if you want your motor to run.

It's been awhile since I've torn one apart. I can't remember if taking the flat metal ground off gives more room to put the nut in...you can probably determine that. It also has an evil little nut.

Hardware store? Find a nut that is small enough to fit and a corresponding screw that will fit in the hole if the nut doesn't work on the one you have?

Junkyard? Scrounge a nut out of an antenna that's all wrecked up?

bunch o' pics that probably won't help starts at 2720
habanero's 1996 4Runner Build-Up Thread - Page 137 - YotaTech Forums