Ideas for a shorter antenna?
- Thread starter lebowski_c6
- Start date
This was the solution in 2010. If they still haven't made an adaptor for the 4Runner, you might have to contact them to find out if they have one by now or do the Autozone "fix."
BTW: I'm still mulling over getting the Pep Boy's antenna instead of the other ones
I listen to 106.7 The Junkies a lot and I'd hate to lose reception and not hear them in the mornings and Lavarr and Dukes in the evenings.
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ImOnAPlain51
New member
Just picked up a Pep Boy's Pilot antenna ANT-029B (thanks ktn419 for the idea) and stuck it on, took about 30 seconds. Like some others, between the XM radio and ipod dock, I never listen to FM/AM...so I'm not really sure how the reception compares.
ImOnAPlain51
New member
It's a 4.75" Antenna. They had a couple down there, but I didn't really look too much at them.
Pilot Universal Antenna 4-3/4 In. Aluminum Mast Replacement Style | Product Details | Pep Boys
Redwolf
New member
Just picked up a Pep Boy's Pilot antenna ANT-029B (thanks ktn419 for the idea) and stuck it on, took about 30 seconds. Like some others, between the XM radio and ipod dock, I never listen to FM/AM...so I'm not really sure how the reception compares.
Same as you, I am a XM radio, ipod person, so no need for local FM/AM
PracticalFJ
New member
I have the same and works great, when I am listening to AM/FM. I too, spend most of my time on XM.
Also, mine has bent back towards the windshield. Probably from all the highway driving I do.
Just got the Pep Boys Pilot antenna ANT-029B antenna. Reception seems to be good in the DC metro area. It's a lot shorter than I originally thought...LOL. I'll post pictures soon.
The following stations didn't seem to have any issues with reception so far.
FM: 99.5, 106.7, 107.3, 97.1, 103.5, and 94.7
I'll post more as I drive around the city
Update: 99.5 has some very slight signal degradation around portions of NW DC but its still mostly clear. Not bad for $12.
The following stations didn't seem to have any issues with reception so far.
FM: 99.5, 106.7, 107.3, 97.1, 103.5, and 94.7
I'll post more as I drive around the city
Update: 99.5 has some very slight signal degradation around portions of NW DC but its still mostly clear. Not bad for $12.
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MeetJoeAsian
New member
any way to cut the stock antenna shorter and weld the bulb back on top?
TOPDECK
New member
I wanted to add on this thread. I replaced my stock antenna with the same one I have seen on this thread from Pep-Boys (the short little black one). I was washing my car the other day and I accidentally bumped it with my elbow. I thought the whole thing was going to break off at the bracket.
My point: This thing doesn't have any give at all and the plastic piece that holds it onto the fender is pretty week. It wouldn't take much to break everything off if you were to hit a thick branch or something.
I am going to keep it on there for now, but I am looking for a similar sized rubber one.
My point: This thing doesn't have any give at all and the plastic piece that holds it onto the fender is pretty week. It wouldn't take much to break everything off if you were to hit a thick branch or something.
I am going to keep it on there for now, but I am looking for a similar sized rubber one.
harper7
Senior Member
I think you mean threaded antenna not "screwable antenna". 4ths Gens like yours have them embedded in the windshield glass.
screwable : what the Toyota bean counters thought 5th gen owners would be going back to a mast antenna. :bigok:
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.
About an inch or so shorter then the oem mast and clears my garage door.
Qjake
New member
I like this set-up, please keep us updated!
-t-squared
New member
Pilot Antenna update and a question
Hey guys, hope this isn't resurrecting a thread too old, just figured the information was still somewhat relevant and had a question of my own.
First of all, just installed the Pilot antenna from Pep Boys we have seen on this thread before. Installation was a snap, sorry about the poor photo quality but attached some pics to show the process and what is included, you can see the OEM antenna laid down next to the original to show the proper fitting.
No feedback on the reception quality yet, as most others have stated I only have minimal time spent listening to FM these days, but it blends right in with the base and looks great.
My question, that has been posed (but not answered) previously is: have we ever decided if there is a type of lubricant that will / will not affect reception quality? Would definitely like to put something in there to help its longetivity, just don't want to affect functionality too much. Thanks!
Hey guys, hope this isn't resurrecting a thread too old, just figured the information was still somewhat relevant and had a question of my own.
First of all, just installed the Pilot antenna from Pep Boys we have seen on this thread before. Installation was a snap, sorry about the poor photo quality but attached some pics to show the process and what is included, you can see the OEM antenna laid down next to the original to show the proper fitting.
No feedback on the reception quality yet, as most others have stated I only have minimal time spent listening to FM these days, but it blends right in with the base and looks great.
My question, that has been posed (but not answered) previously is: have we ever decided if there is a type of lubricant that will / will not affect reception quality? Would definitely like to put something in there to help its longetivity, just don't want to affect functionality too much. Thanks!
Attachments
harper7
Senior Member
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.
scanny
Senior Member
Wanted to do the same thing for long time, just not sure how to start and how to pull the radio : )
So how did you ground Firestick antenna?
Is there a good space to put splitter behind the stock radio or you put it somewhere else ?
harper7
Senior Member
I just followed the lead of others on the FJ forum. Firestik II as FM antenna - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
There is room in the center shifter console after you pull it up and I just ran the leads up from there. That's where I Had the box for my Cobra 75 anyways. My Limited has the electronic 4x4 selector so alot more room then yours under there but you should still be able to squeeze it in as it's not that big.
Used the repair manual to remove my radio the first time.
scanny
Senior Member
I've read that thread on FJ forum, but I didn't find much about splitter there. Seems to be quite straight forward, the only thing I'm not sure about is how to ground Firestick antenna. I'm not sure if factory mount is grounded properly. Did you do anything special for grounding or just screwed antenna in the stock mount using Nestor's adaptor and connected cables to the splitter?
