OEM vs. aftermarket stubby radio antenna

[Joewildlife]

A search yielded no results.

I just got a 2012 with a Kenwood aftermarket touch screen radio installed. It has this little stubby antenna, I presume to be aftermarket. I can only pick up the very strongest AM or FM stations, nothing like the OEM radio/antennas in my other Toyotas.

Could anybody point me to a better antenna? Show me a pic of a 2012 OEM antenna? Also, please tell me where you park your 4runner at night

thanks,
Joe

 

[Polyguy79]

I’ve had the stubby antenna on my Tundra and saw ZERO quality loss on the reception. Also had one on a Colorado with the same results. I would try maybe another brand. I think mine was CravenSpeed on Amazon.

Mine goes in the garage at night. I live in a county where the DA is pro-criminal so I want to make sure it is there in the morning.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

I just really love the ability to roll through a car wash and not unscrew an antenna.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Joewildlife]

Ok, thanks for the replies. I think the antenna is the same as that on my Tundra so when I get it back from my daughter, I'll swap it out and see if the problem is the stubby antenna or the radio.

I lent my Tundra to my daughter while I replaced the counterfeit Denso plugs I put in her Highlander 15K miles ago, they melted down and caused a bad misfire. Just thought I'd preach from the hilltops, BUY YOUR PLUGS FROM THE DEALER or other trusted source. I was an idiot buying plugs off ebay.

Joe

 

[plummerg]

It may seem obvious but double check to make sure its actually attached to the head unit. Ive seen it happen.

 

[Joewildlife]

I will do that, thanks. Sometimes things are not so obvious to me!

There is a huge thread on another Tundra forum about stubby antennas. I went an ordered a 17" rubber antenna from TheAntennaSource.com

The Tundra guys love 'em.

Joe

 

[Humble Leader]

I've done so much reading on stubby antenna or any short antenna that's aftermarket and concluded that OEM is just the best. the aesthetics of the stubby are great but functionally they are hit or miss and very situation dependent (signal tower vicinity for example, urban vs. rural, etc.). I'm not saying you will have a bad experience with aftermarkets, it's just a bit of a gamble

I park my 4runner in the driveway. it doesn't fit in the garage length wise. I have some steps on the one side of the garage into the house which are JUST (literally inches) too wide for the 4runner to fit alongside my wife's SUV. so naturally, she gets the garage, I get the driveway

 

[Joewildlife]

I was joking when I asked where you park your 4Runner, implying that you might go outside in the morning and find your OEM antenna replaced by my stubby :frisky:

 

[Humble Leader]

I was joking when I asked where you park your 4Runner, implying that you might go outside in the morning and find your OEM antenna replaced by my stubby :frisky:

lol. well youre in missouri, you'd have to make a long and cold trip to my driveway to get my antenna. the OEM replacement masts are like $40-$50 canadian $ so you're better off buying the OEM part from toyota! I do have a set of 5 OEM limited rims and dueler H/T tires I need to sell. if you make the trip up here to buy those I'll throw in the antenna for free !

 

[Joewildlife]

A little old lady across the street has a 2WD 4Runner...if the one I bought doesn't work well, I may have to ask to borrow hers to test it out. I've resisted sneaking into her carport just to take a look at what an OEM antenna is supposed to look like