NestahEdition CB/AM/FM Antenna Mod

[Fimbulvetr]

I attempted the splitter install the other weekend and ran into a few problems.

I bought these per Harper's post, assuming all the connectors and plugs were the same...
IMAF CB antenna to AM/FM Antenna Splitter
12MFPL - PL259 to Motorola Female 12" Long

Tore apart the dash, kick panels and fender liner looking for a standard motorola plug that I could use but no go. I have a the entune/navigation head unit and turns out it does not use standard motorola antenna plugs and connectors. The entune/navi head unit actually uses Lexus plugs for the radio. So I bought these Metra adapters to go from Lexus plug>>standard motorola connectors.
Metra 40-LX11 Antenna Adapter Connect a new car stereo to the factory antenna select 2009-up Toyota, Lexus, Scion, and Subaru vehicles at Crutchfield.com
Metra 40-LX21 Antenna Adapter Connect an aftermarket antenna to the factory radio in select 2009-up Toyota, Lexus, Scion, and Subaru vehicles at Crutchfield.com

The whole setup looks like this.
CB Firestik 2 antenna >> Toyota wiring and plugs to Lexus Male >> Metra Lexus male to Motorola male >> Motorola female to PL259 male >> CB/FM splitter>> 1st coax output to Pl259 female to connect to CB and 2nd coax output to Motorola male to connect to Radio. At the end of the "to radio" plug I added the Metra female motorola to male Lexus plug and finally back into the Entune head unit.

Thoughts so far:
I haven't had a chance to test out the CB yet.
NOAA weather station are coming in clear.
I lost almost all of the AM spectrum and some of the FM HD mulitcast stations I would pick-up crystal clear before I put the splitter in.
Going to run this for a little bit but will likely ditch the splitter and just do a dedicated setup for the CB.

 

[Matteblack]

Highly recommend ordering from Nestah, super easy transaction and FAST shipping.

Before:

After:

And a side view. As you can see, the antenna is shorter than my ski rack, and during the summertime it should be shorter than my Yakima LoadWarrior.

Looks great, you have the version without the spring and without the quick disconnect, is that right?

 

[thebwlife]

DIY steps ...
1.)E-mail and buy adapter/spring from Nestor
2.) Buy 2 ft Firestik antenna....Amazon.com: Firestik II FS-2BK 2 feet 300 Watt FS Series Tunable Tip CB Antenna - 1 Each - Black: Car Electronics
3) Unscrew your factory antenna
4.)Screw adapter to truck
5.)Screw Firestik onto adapter

I personally didn't use the spring as it made it too tall for my garage opening. The rubber antenna base on the fender has enough give in it IMO and the stud will bend before the spring anyways from my experience.

Thread revival and dumb question. I understand the adding the firestick with the adaptor, but how do you hook it up behind the dash? Is that part of his kit? Or do you need some splitting module and adapters?

Thanks.

 

[JerseyMike]

Thoughts so far:
I haven't had a chance to test out the CB yet.
NOAA weather station are coming in clear.
I lost almost all of the AM spectrum and some of the FM HD mulitcast stations I would pick-up crystal clear before I put the splitter in.
Going to run this for a little bit but will likely ditch the splitter and just do a dedicated setup for the CB.

I just did the same thing. The antenna worked incredibly well when just hooked up to the radio, but with the splitter added into the mix things got funky. As far as the CB with the splitter -- I could never get the SWR into the range I wanted. It was fine for really short-range transmission, but otherwise not that great. Ran a dedicated antenna to the swingaway and kept the Nestah antenna up front.

 

[rpparkster]

For those still looking for these, Nestor is still building these and he ships them out with the antenna. So you don't need to buy the firestick separately. I ordered mine this weekend and will hopefully get a hold of a splitter soon to give that a go also.
Has anyone taken this through the car wash without damage? My dealer gives me free car washes for life, so I ordered a quick disconnect but don't want it to be as long as the stock antenna.

 

[rpparkster]

I just did the same thing. The antenna worked incredibly well when just hooked up to the radio, but with the splitter added into the mix things got funky. As far as the CB with the splitter -- I could never get the SWR into the range I wanted. It was fine for really short-range transmission, but otherwise not that great. Ran a dedicated antenna to the swingaway and kept the Nestah antenna up front.

Did you connect the splitter at the base of the antenna? Or near the stereo antenna plug? I read people had better results installing it at the base of the antenna.

 

[JerseyMike]

Base of the antenna, but I've already gone to a separate CB antenna. Kept the Nestah antenna b/c I like the looks and it gets better radio reception.

 

[comtn4x4]

Base of the antenna, but I've already gone to a separate CB antenna. Kept the Nestah antenna b/c I like the looks and it gets better radio reception.

Have you ordered these recently? Or heard from Nestah? I have e-mailed twice about a month apart and never heard back. Thanks in advance for the help

 

[JerseyMike]

Yeah, I ordered an extra spring set from him not too long ago. Maybe 3 months?

 

[rpparkster]

Have you ordered these recently? Or heard from Nestah? I have e-mailed twice about a month apart and never heard back. Thanks in advance for the help

I emailed him when I was posting about it and got my antenna a few weeks ago.
Just to confirm email: [email protected]

 

[comtn4x4]

I emailed him when I was posting about it and got my antenna a few weeks ago.
Just to confirm email: [email protected]

Yes I got a hold of Nestah and got mine earlier this week

 

[T4RZAN]

How hard is the install? I've no experience with much of anything electrical or pullling apart the dash. Just curious how you connect this to the CB. I'll be running a 75 WX. TIA

 

[Tom_with_a_Dream]

NestorEdition's Firestik adapter is excellent

Just got my AM/FM/CB Firestik, spring, and OEM adapter from NestorEdition. What a great look!!

And it works at least as well as the stock antenna, probably better but that is only anecdotally. I have no way (or interest) to tell for sure.

And it will look great when I add a dedicated CB-only Firestik to the left fender.

Thanks NestorEdition.

 

[Tom_with_a_Dream]

How hard is the install? I've no experience with much of anything electrical or pullling apart the dash. Just curious how you connect this to the CB. I'll be running a 75 WX. TIA

Have you made any progress? I've had my dash apart for some other stuff I'm doing and its easy-peasy. I'm not splitting my Firestik but adding the WX75 should be as easy as this youtube (depending on your year) and plug-play in the back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGCGholXwLk

(Moderators, did a quick FAQ search to see if linking was allowed, if not I apologize. Only trying to help out. )

 

[T4RZAN]

Have you made any progress? I've had my dash apart for some other stuff I'm doing and its easy-peasy. I'm not splitting my Firestik but adding the WX75 should be as easy as this youtube (depending on your year) and plug-play in the back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGCGholXwLk

(Moderators, did a quick FAQ search to see if linking was allowed, if not I apologize. Only trying to help out. )

Ended up having to go a different route. The 2016s don't have an antenna up front. I guess it's all in the shark fin now. Went with a firestik on a Diamond K400 mount on the hatch. Install was more time consuming than it was difficult

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Tom_with_a_Dream]

Or the window, I think I've read that somewhere now that you mention it.

That Diamond K400 is what I'll be using to mount anything new I get. Looks and reviews great.

 

[Tom_with_a_Dream]

Just got my AM/FM/CB Firestik, spring, and OEM adapter from NestorEdition. What a great look!!

And it works at least as well as the stock antenna, probably better but that is only anecdotally. I have no way (or interest) to tell for sure.

Swapped out the 2' Firestik II for a 3' Firestik Firefly (thinner) to improve reception. The 2' was okay but living 50+ miles from any major urban area I was getting a lot of static going through the hills, etc.

And it will look great when I add a dedicated CB-only Firestik to the left fender.

Firestik cust serv told me an antenna booster was more effective than a longer stick. Decided to get a 3' anyway so it will match the 37" HAM antenna I'll be installing on the left fender. Still might add a booster but after using for a week or so it looks like I won't need it.

I kept the NestorEdition black spring even though they recommend a stronger one for longer antennas. The 'fly gives less wind resistance so I took a chance. The pic shows 50 mph and thatvs about all I see up to 80 mph. Behind a large truck with eindy conditions made the antenna go wild but otherwise it just lays back nice and smooth.

I'll post up the HAM antenna once I put it up, Monday likely. Decided to to put a splitter on the NestorEdition since I didn't want an antenna on the rear hatch.

 

[rihavens]

My antenna housing on my 4runner is cracked. Does this set-up replace the antenna housing? (Whatever that piece of plastic is called.)

 

[WabdaQ]

My antenna housing on my 4runner is cracked. Does this set-up replace the antenna housing? (Whatever that piece of plastic is called.)

I tried long and hard get this mod from the guy with no luck, never got a response. I ended up making my own version. You can buy the replacement part that you are talking about on toyotapartsestore.com though and just install it yourself.

Some pics of my version*

 

[rihavens]

I tried long and hard get this mod from the guy with no luck, never got a response. I ended up making my own version. You can buy the replacement part that you are talking about on toyotapartsestore.com though and just install it yourself.

Some pics of my version*

It looks like some heat wrap and some kind of spring. Can you give more details on the adapter?