power antenna delete?

AZ4Running

AZ4Running

New member
My antenna mast is boken so i was thinking about changing it to a short fixed style. Has anyine done this already? Im sure someone has. What all did you do to make the change? Remove the power motor, just unplugged it? Any info would be helpful before i buy a trd short antenna. I wan to go short fix so it does not brake out on a trail bushes and trees and all you know.
 
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Look up the Tacoma Whip Mod.

Essentially you're looking to do the same thing, but without the actual whip antenna part. So cut that out of the equation, and insert the antenna mast of your choice.
 
Mine was broken When I bought the truck. It has always bothered me. I should try this whip mod too! Please let us know how it goes for ya
 
I was going to do the Tacoma whip MOD until I found out it was going to cost me around $60. Instead I went to Autozone and picked up a cheap flexible antenna for $12. Works great, won't bend, and easy to put in.

It's simple to install. Take off the passenger tire, remove clips for inner fender, pull inner fender aside, unbolt antenna, remove nut from top of fender, unplug antenna cable, and remove. My build is in my sig and has a write-up on how to do it.
 
I had to deal with this last year. My antenna was stuck in the down position and would not come out. I chose to replace the power antenna motor/assembly. I realized I would have to access the wheel well behind the fender liner and run a antenna cable to the back of the radio either way (whip mod or new power antenna). Not that fun but doable. The cost of a new power antenna motor assembly was $130 from Toyota of Dallas it was about $60 more than the Tacoma whip mod or a shorty antenna. Because it was only $60 more, and equally as difficult I chose to keep the power antenna. It is nice to put it down when I drive through the woods. I also picked up a few of the square grommets that hold the fender liner from my local dealer. And recommend it as the old ones tend to break when removing the fender liner and reinstalling it.

Now, IF only your power antenna mast is broken the easiest thing is just replace the antenna mast and not deal with going behind the fender liner at all. the key is if you can power on the radio and pull the old antenna straight up and out of the power motor assembly. A new metal sliding antenna can be bought for $50. The old antenna simply pulls straight out after removing the threaded ring around the antenna. A new antenna with the new white nylon teeth will go right in. Power the antenna up to remove and power the antenna down when installing the new power antenna mast. Note that the teeth probably point to the rear and install the nylon teeth in the same direction as they come out. This is the easiest option
 
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badattitude said:
I had to deal with this last year...
Click to expand...


You make it sound like it's a pain in the ass.. Replacing the antenna was actually pretty easy. maybe I've done more headache repairs than you no offense but the antenna was pretty ****ing simple. Take out the radio, remove the glove box, loosen the antenna wire where it's clipped in, pull down the fender liner, remove the old antenna, cut the wire then tape the new wire to the old one and pull it through then put everything back together.. I can do that with in 30 minutes.
 
smithTR4 said:
You make it sound like it's a pain in the ass.. Replacing the antenna was actually pretty easy. maybe I've done more headache repairs than you no offense but the antenna was pretty ****ing simple. Take out the radio, remove the glove box, loosen the antenna wire where it's clipped in, pull down the fender liner, remove the old antenna, cut the wire then tape the new wire to the old one and pull it through then put everything back together.. I can do that with in 30 minutes.
Click to expand...

Although you didn't have to remove the glove box.
 
4x4runner2002 said:
ya you do to cut the zip ties on the old antenna cable. i just did it last week. its only 2 screws to remove.
Click to expand...

Well then I don't know how I was able to do mine a little over a year ago. Here are some pictures that show the glove box was not removed. Pictures prove that you don't need to remove your glove box. :wow2:

IMG_00901_zps70d1bb44.jpg~original

IMG_00961_zps5cd8e8bf.jpg~original

IMG_00971_zps34f1b3e6.jpg~original
 
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i see you cut the wire, i didnt cut my wire as my motor is still good and like to keep things together incase i want to go back for some reason
 
TOY2G said:
I have this antenna on both of my 5th gen, my 3rd gen and my wife's Lexus....It looks okay, it changes color, and the reception is noticeably worse.

If you use mostly SAT radio, or your phone its no big deal, but otherwise you loose about 50% reception
Click to expand...

Ouch....while I use a lot of Sirius XM, and my phone, its just not worth it to not be able to use the real radio. Guess I will do the whip mod instead.
 
I bought a cheap 8 inch rubber antenna from Wal-Mart that was terrible so I went to O Reilly's and bought a new black mast and now its awesome. I went through 2 headaches with my power antenna. I prefer my new set up and install is easy. I also did not take off the glove box.
 
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