Ideas for a shorter antenna?

[WCVanHorne]

After a little searching though, I found that Canadian Tire carries a replacement antenna that has the proper hardware that fits both the Mangowalk and the 4runner. It's called the E2 Rubber Replacement Mast Product # 35-0095-2 for $9.95.

Hope this saves someone all the time I've wasted the past two days

Thanks! Went out and grabbed the referenced Crappy Tire Special. Install was 2 minutes including opening the clamshell package . Looks pretty good but I wish it was a bit stiffer. Reception quality unknown yet.

 

[JerseyMike]

Here's pics of my new "go big or stay home" mast antenna.
2ft Firestik II with HD spring and adapter .....still need wire it up and work out the bugs and made need the Antman!
Supposed to work for CB and AM/FM with this...... AR-1A

Got the idea and bought the adapter from a guy on the FJ forum.

That's aweome! Who did you get that adapter from? I have a Nestor Firestik on the way and really want to try this.

 

[Bourbonator]

How hard do you need to crank the stock antenna to remove it? Mine almost seems like it's glued in place, and I don't want to take a trip to the dealer.. Has everyone else's just unscrewed with ease, or do you need to put some elbow grease into it?

 

[mad2clam]

How hard do you need to crank the stock antenna to remove it? Mine almost seems like it's glued in place, and I don't want to take a trip to the dealer.. Has everyone else's just unscrewed with ease, or do you need to put some elbow grease into it?

I just replaced my antenna with the one from PepBoys. The stock antenna felt like it was a just little past hand tight. It didn't take much force to remove it with the antenna tool. Reception with the new stubby is very good too.

 

[veloindy]

Another Pilot from Pep Boys

I didn't want to replace my stock antenna, I kinda liked the look. I was bummed to find the stock antenna hit a storage rack in the garage. Pulled into Pep Boys, purchased the Pilot (heavier than expected), screwed it on, and drove away. I haven't noticed any problems with reception!

 

[rigtec]

Anyone know of an easy, shorter replacement for the mast? I don't listen to the radio much, so I may just take it out altogether.

Here's the one that I just got by, ("AntennaX.com"). Yes, it is a bit longer (thirteen inches to be exact), than the argueably Standard replacement, "The Stubby", by cravenspeed. But this product "ACTUALLY WORKS"; just as well as the original!!!

Greg (rigtec)

 

[GrantK]

Finally pulled my Pioneer Nav out yesterday and hooked up the Firestick AR-1A splitter for my Cobra 75 CB and tuned with my SWR . Much to my surprise I'm picking up AM/FM and CB thru the same antenna with great reception!:naughty:
Here is how the splitter looks with the extra adapters.

After having this for awhile, do you still like it? Any issues encountered, etc.

Most off-road clubs require a CB and I'm considering this for my setup since it won't interfere with my ham antennas as much as a roof rack or other mounting options.

 

[MAXISTYLES]

Cheap Shorty

I purchased a Metra 13” Steel Antenna because I prefer a look close to factory. Reception is great however the antenna is cheaply made with paint coming off on the ball and it has a loud whistle at 70 mph or above. Found a link on how to cut down the factory one which seem pretty easy to do. How To: Shorten your stock antenna. - Chevrolet Colorado & GMC Canyon Forum

 

[DannyLlama]

After having this for awhile, do you still like it? Any issues encountered, etc.

Most off-road clubs require a CB and I'm considering this for my setup since it won't interfere with my ham antennas as much as a roof rack or other mounting options.

Bump!

I am wondering the same thing.. Any issues since the install? I'm gearing up to replace my navi unit and am considering same setup as [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION]

 

[harper7]

After having this for awhile, do you still like it? Any issues encountered, etc.

Most off-road clubs require a CB and I'm considering this for my setup since it won't interfere with my ham antennas as much as a roof rack or other mounting options.

Bump!

I am wondering the same thing.. Any issues since the install? I'm gearing up to replace my navi unit and am considering same setup as [MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION]

Well ,I wasn't happy with the the cb reception using it as a dual fm/cb antenna as it didn't have very good range behind me for the cb. The fm reception is as good or better then the oem steel one IMO so I'm going to keep it there for FM .I did take that spring off at end of last summer as it's not needed IMO and the factory rubber mount has enough flex and is sturdy enough.The spring weighed as much as the antenna.

So,last weekend I mounted dual Diamond K9000 Diamond® K9000 motorized antenna mounts on the rack and wired both a cb and dual band ham antenna that I can raise or lower with switches in the truck. I still have to hardwire a single DPDT switch to operate them both at the same time in place of the cig lighter plugin switches they came with.I'll post some pics when I'm all done with the switches as I installed my ham radio too.

 

[GrantK]

So,last weekend I mounted dual Diamond K9000

I've used the k9000 mounts for years for my ham antennas and love them. The only problem is when I space out and forget to lower them when pulling into the garage and end up snapping off the antenna. the K9000 survives but the antenna ends up needing to be replaced.

K9000 Trick: If you have problems with the K9000 ratchet slipping in high wind, you can turn it sideways (assuming your antenna will fold down sideways) or a full 180 (it holds tighter in one direction than the other) then reverse the leads to change which way it works for up/down.

 

[DannyLlama]

Well ,I wasn't happy with the the cb reception using it as a dual fm/cb antenna as it didn't have very good range behind me for the cb. The fm reception is as good or better then the oem steel one IMO so I'm going to keep it there for FM .I did take that spring off at end of last summer as it's not needed IMO and the factory rubber mount has enough flex and is sturdy enough.The spring weighed as much as the antenna.

So,last weekend I mounted dual Diamond K9000 Diamond® K9000 motorized antenna mounts on the rack and wired both a cb and dual band ham antenna that I can raise or lower with switches in the truck. I still have to hardwire a single DPDT switch to operate them both at the same time in place of the cig lighter plugin switches they came with.I'll post some pics when I'm all done with the switches as I installed my ham radio too.

Thanks for the update!

So you are dropping the spliter set up and running them on individual lines?

 

[4runforfun]

i just pulled off the ball at the end of the antenna, cut off 8 inches, tapered the cut end, and then tapped the ball back on. Looks almost like it came from the factory like that. Reception is still good. I don't know what would happen to your reception if you cut off more.

Thinking about trying this little project this evening, how did you get the little ball off the end?

 

[AZrunner11]

Pilot stubby from PepBoys

I'm a fan of the Pilot antennas from Pepboys. I have one on my T4R and FJ and love them. Highly recommended

 

[4runforfun]

I'm a fan of the Pilot antennas from Pepboys. I have one on my T4R and FJ and love them. Highly recommended

[MENTION=68380]AZrunner11[/MENTION] Do you have any pics? Was it an exact fit or did you use extra components like the threaded nipple.

Thanks

 

[AZrunner11]

Pilot

The model number is ANT-029B by Pilot. It costs about 13 bucks. It requires the use of a different threaded nipple that is supplied with about 3 other ones while mounting flush.

 

[ic0517]

First post here! Been lurking.

I have had the same problem, antenna was hitting the 1960's vintage 6' height garage door.

I tried a 7 inch one from AntennaX off of eBay.

It mostly worked, I could get radio stations in Chicago, but I couldn't get WDCB from Glen Ellyn near work in Evanston.

So I did the unthinkable, I just took a Dremel to the stock antenna, lopped off anything that had white paint from the garage, and it worked! No more annoying noise early in the morning, when I leave for work.

I used a thick abrasive cut off wheel on a low speed, otherwise the paint starts burning. I did a rough cut at an angle, then a square clean up cut, then used the face to clean up the burrs and round it off.

I didn't paint the bare metal since its stainless steel. Just don't look at it and you will be OK.

 

[Canazes9]

First post here! Been lurking.

I have had the same problem, antenna was hitting the 1960's vintage 6' height garage door.

I tried a 7 inch one from AntennaX off of eBay.

It mostly worked, I could get radio stations in Chicago, but I couldn't get WDCB from Glen Ellyn near work in Evanston.

So I did the unthinkable, I just took a Dremel to the stock antenna, lopped off anything that had white paint from the garage, and it worked! No more annoying noise early in the morning, when I leave for work.

I used a thick abrasive cut off wheel on a low speed, otherwise the paint starts burning. I did a rough cut at an angle, then a square clean up cut, then used the face to clean up the burrs and round it off.

I didn't paint the bare metal since its stainless steel. Just don't look at it and you will be OK.

Seems like I've read about people doing this with the stock antenna and reusing the ball from the end that was cut-off. If you haven't thrown the ball away, it might be worth hanging onto to it until you can look into it.

David

 

[4runforfun]

First post here! Been lurking.

I have had the same problem, antenna was hitting the 1960's vintage 6' height garage door.

I tried a 7 inch one from AntennaX off of eBay.

It mostly worked, I could get radio stations in Chicago, but I couldn't get WDCB from Glen Ellyn near work in Evanston.

So I did the unthinkable, I just took a Dremel to the stock antenna, lopped off anything that had white paint from the garage, and it worked! No more annoying noise early in the morning, when I leave for work.

I used a thick abrasive cut off wheel on a low speed, otherwise the paint starts burning. I did a rough cut at an angle, then a square clean up cut, then used the face to clean up the burrs and round it off.

I didn't paint the bare metal since its stainless steel. Just don't look at it and you will be OK.

I ended cutting my factory antenna. I used a pair of vice grips to pull off the little ball on the end. (lots of twisting and pulling) Then I cut the antenna down to about 12" using some bolt cutters. After that I looked at the end the ball came off of and used a grinding wheel to get my newly cut end to about the same size. Positioned the ball on the new end (btw it's HOT off the wheel) then forced the ball on the end with a little persuasion. Pushed on it upside down on some wood. Be careful to wrap the tiny wire back around the antenna. Then sprayed with three coats of rustoleum black.

 

[CharmCityT4R]

Pilot #ANT-029B Antenna

I recently purchased the Pilot model #ANT-029B from Pep Boys and sadly have not had much success with keeping reception :Cry:

I live in the Baltimore, MD area and the few FM stations I still listen to sometimes had absolutely horrible reception after installation. For example, one station that I can get (excellent reception) from the most southern point in Baltimore City all the way up to the PA line at Carroll or Harford County (approx 50-60 miles from one to the other) it was extremely fuzzy and then at some points all I would hear was static. And that was in the area I travel every day and never have problems with the radio stations I listen to.

I was hoping I would have the luck a lot of the others on this thread had considering there were many good reviews about it on here. Unfortunately I did not and will be returning it.... I would not recommend it if you live in the Central Maryland area.

Anyone on this thread from Maryland that have had any luck with other brands??? :help: