BamaDrewski
New member
My electric radio antenna died. Tried replacing the mast and no luck. Opened the motor and the gears were shot.
Decided to do the “Tacoma Whip Mod” and reviewed lots of the great posts on T4R.org. One (or more) recommended tying a line to the end of the old antenna wire when pulling it out through the passenger fender well. I did this and unfortunately, the antenna wire (very small in diameter) snapped and fell into the passenger side fender. Took out the glove box and using a light at the hole in the fender/inside the fender, I could see where the antenna wire came in. It is just about the passenger side right-hand plastic “foot kick” under the glove box. Fished a line through the hole (from inside the cab to the outside of the fender well hole) and fished the end of the new antenna back through into the cab.
Instead of trying to route the antenna wire where it used to be (which is a ROYAL PITA) I simply routed it where it would get to the radio as easy as possible and without getting in the way of the servo motors for the ventilation system and the airbag system. I DID TRY routing in through the same passage the original antenna wire was and after cussing like a sailor for an hour, I said “to hell with it” and took the easy route. I thought reception might be bad but, it is much better than the old electric antenna. Now, I have the whip mod and I am VERY PLEASED.
THE LESSON I LEARNED: It is NOT NECESSARY to follow the old path of the original antenna wire. Save yourself the headache of trying and run it in a way that works and does not interfere with stuff behind the glove box.
PARTS:
Antenna Mast - Toyota (86309-0C020)
Antenna Assembly 86300-35090
My cost at the dealer for both parts was $106.08. It actually turned out cheaper than Amazon.com for the same parts and without the wait for delivery.
Decided to do the “Tacoma Whip Mod” and reviewed lots of the great posts on T4R.org. One (or more) recommended tying a line to the end of the old antenna wire when pulling it out through the passenger fender well. I did this and unfortunately, the antenna wire (very small in diameter) snapped and fell into the passenger side fender. Took out the glove box and using a light at the hole in the fender/inside the fender, I could see where the antenna wire came in. It is just about the passenger side right-hand plastic “foot kick” under the glove box. Fished a line through the hole (from inside the cab to the outside of the fender well hole) and fished the end of the new antenna back through into the cab.
Instead of trying to route the antenna wire where it used to be (which is a ROYAL PITA) I simply routed it where it would get to the radio as easy as possible and without getting in the way of the servo motors for the ventilation system and the airbag system. I DID TRY routing in through the same passage the original antenna wire was and after cussing like a sailor for an hour, I said “to hell with it” and took the easy route. I thought reception might be bad but, it is much better than the old electric antenna. Now, I have the whip mod and I am VERY PLEASED.
THE LESSON I LEARNED: It is NOT NECESSARY to follow the old path of the original antenna wire. Save yourself the headache of trying and run it in a way that works and does not interfere with stuff behind the glove box.
PARTS:
Antenna Mast - Toyota (86309-0C020)
Antenna Assembly 86300-35090
My cost at the dealer for both parts was $106.08. It actually turned out cheaper than Amazon.com for the same parts and without the wait for delivery.
