I need to replace the antenna/mast in my 01 4runner (bulk of nylon mast inside motor and can't fish out). I have no other choice than to remove motor. The problem I'm having is the same as Jerold posted. Removing the bolts on the fender flare does not allow it's removal. I tried punching it in hopes it would pop out. I have not found anywhere as to how to do it. There are posts/pics for other year vehicles but the 01 with molded fender flares are a different animal. I'll keep searching for an answer.
Power Antenna Motor?
- Thread starter Jerold
- Start date
How did this go? My antenna is stuck in the down position and the motor doesn't work at all. I have an aftermarket stereo installed and pretty convinced that the rear window antenna is unplugged. Ill just get that adapter if the reception is decent because I don't get ANY reception at all now.
Ron Helmuth
Senior Member
broncosi-the use of the rear diversity antenna is almost all I ever need any more.
My power antenna simply stays down all the time-if I need it for far off AM reception I do sometimes raise it up (using a toggle switch)-then let the head unit bring it back down and flip off the switch again.
Mad props to Rock Slide for making us aware of the options.
My power antenna simply stays down all the time-if I need it for far off AM reception I do sometimes raise it up (using a toggle switch)-then let the head unit bring it back down and flip off the switch again.
Mad props to Rock Slide for making us aware of the options.
Ok, i went to best buy yesterday for the adapter to my aftermarket unit and he said that rear antenna was intended for 'OME GPS and traffic'?! Regardless ill be going back today to pick up that adapter and try it out because like i said, im getting poor to no reception from my front antenna being down.
Ron Helmuth
Senior Member
Sounds like the Best Buy guy is confused...just follow along on the Rock Slide thread for exact part numbers and so on.
Well ill be swiggered!! I ordered the part off ebay for $2 free shipping, showed up today, installed in less than 10 minutes and BOO YAH! I got my radio back. Some things like this just seem too good to be true. I went from no reception to nearly full reception of every channel!
Thank you soo much!
Ron Helmuth
Senior Member
sweet! I love it when a plan comes together
I have the same situation and have not found much on how to remove that flare without destroying something. Whats the trick?
4RunnerMD
New member
I am having a little trouble locating exactly where this relay is. Can anyone provide pictures or a more detailed description of where this is?
I am hoping to disconnect power to the power antenna mast, and plug in the rear window antenna (assuming I can find that too) to the pioneer head unit using the adapter. Has anyone else done this?
I replaced my factory mast with an eBay one which seems to have also broken after only 4 weeks. It goes up and stops but the motor keeps grinding. It goes down fine, but I would just like to keep it down now and use the rear window antenna.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. 2000 SR5
Pyral
Member
Reviving this old thread because my antenna mast + motor is broken. Ever since I got my 4runner the antenna has been in the fully up position. The previous owner had installed a different head unit so maybe they disabled it but the radio still works so probably not.
Everyone who seems to be replacing these has a motor and mast that somewhat works. Mine is just dead, there is no sound from the motor and when I remove the bezel to pull out the mast the motor gears refuse to let go of the mast teeth.
My fender liner isn't helping, all my clips are intact and they are putting up a fight. I removed the front clip only after I got access to it from behind by removing my cornering light and pinching in the tabs that keep it in. The clip further back is completely inaccessible and I've already had experience with this wheel liner permanently deforming if you surpass its deformation plasticity.
What should I do if my mast isn't coming out and my motor is maybe toast?
Everyone who seems to be replacing these has a motor and mast that somewhat works. Mine is just dead, there is no sound from the motor and when I remove the bezel to pull out the mast the motor gears refuse to let go of the mast teeth.
My fender liner isn't helping, all my clips are intact and they are putting up a fight. I removed the front clip only after I got access to it from behind by removing my cornering light and pinching in the tabs that keep it in. The clip further back is completely inaccessible and I've already had experience with this wheel liner permanently deforming if you surpass its deformation plasticity.
What should I do if my mast isn't coming out and my motor is maybe toast?
From what I've seen, aftermarket head units don't normally trigger the antenna motor to work unless they have been spliced in. I'd pull the head unit and see if there is a labelled antenna trigger wire, and if it isn't connected then you need to do that before you will know if your motor is actually broken.
Devbot
New member
Have you considered installing a whip antenna from a Tacoma? Tbh I think they look so much better on our vehicles
In regards to the clips, just buy some more and don't bother trying to save them, you'll just end up pulling your hair our as I'm sure you've found. They TECHNICALLY can be reused but they weren't exactly designed for it; best to get a big bag of them and shove them through/yank them out of the fender with little regard. Any auto parts store should have a giant selection to chose from behind the counter - NAPA is usually really good at this. Just bring one in somewhat good shape so you have a reference
FWIW/future reference, they should also have interior clips that fit on our vehicle as well if you ever need them
Last edited:
Pyral
Member
Yeah, but since buying my 4runner I reinstalled the original head unit that would of come in it and its is still doing nothing.
Would I have to resplice the trigger wire with the original stereo back in?
It's been too long since I replaced my head unit for me to remember the specifics. The stock setup should have the trigger wire in the connectors that plug in to the stock head unit and amp. I'd look at those and make sure none of them have been cut to tap into, but if you didn't need to undo any taps when you swapped back from the aftermarket to the factory setup, then you probably are having a motor failure rather than an issue with the trigger wire.
Pyral
Member
I'll check my fsm for the wiring. I think the whip mod is a good idea, especially for 4runners being taken into brush, but I want to keep mine with the original setup.
The motor is held in with just a bolt right? I might see if I can service it since I might have nothing to lose if the trigger wire is working.
The motor is held in with just a bolt right? I might see if I can service it since I might have nothing to lose if the trigger wire is working.
Ghostrider
Registered User
I found the opposite on my new radio. There was no wire to disable the antenna coming up - even if I was using the Sirius XM part of it.
As far as a totally dead motor - had that also about 2010. I may have posted this earlier in this thread but replacing the motor is not difficult - at least on a 2001. The only thing that drove me crazy was the "odd" Toyota design of making the antenna wire integrated into the motor. No way to pull it out when replacing. You have to run the wire on the replacement over to the deck. Not difficult if you don't try to follow the factory location of the wire. On mine they ran the wire along the firwall and then added ductwork. I just ran the replacement along the footwell and then up. Probably took an hour to do the whole job
As far as a totally dead motor - had that also about 2010. I may have posted this earlier in this thread but replacing the motor is not difficult - at least on a 2001. The only thing that drove me crazy was the "odd" Toyota design of making the antenna wire integrated into the motor. No way to pull it out when replacing. You have to run the wire on the replacement over to the deck. Not difficult if you don't try to follow the factory location of the wire. On mine they ran the wire along the firwall and then added ductwork. I just ran the replacement along the footwell and then up. Probably took an hour to do the whole job
