Removing mast antenna

[Johnny_Brooklyn]

Whats up everyone, :hatsoff:

Ive just registered as a new member, but have been lurking for a few weeks now in anticipation of the 5th gen 4R. Its been bothering me about the stupid mast antenna they decided to fix on the right front fender..so I was wondering...

if Toyota can remove the fixed mast antenna for the media and photo shoots..is it OK to remove it if we could "live" with XM radio, a CD player and an IPOD/MP3 player? I mean, with just that stub base left, would there be any problems with rust or water seeping into the truck where it shouldnt?

What about voiding the factory warranty?

Thanks and glad to be a new member! eace:

 

[mikeync]

I say email Toyota and ask how they justify that the antenna is not there. I did

If it can't be pushed down then they are altering the vehicles for the pictures. I might be wrong, but I don't think this is legal. Note every time they have a picture they say all the stuff that are added even if you can't see it.........so they should say what they removed

 

[Uneek]

No, the warranty won't be affected. If there are any issues that arises, you can just put it back. At most, I think you'll be removing the mast and not the remaining parts above the fender, i.e. ornament and nut, unless you plan to get the hole filled by the body shop.

Depends on how the antenna is setup on 5th. If it's similar to the 2nd gen Tacoma, it could rust. On my '05 Tacoma, water/dew/moisture seeped into the "ornament", Toyota's term for the piece of rubber-coated aluminum chunk that sits on top of the fender. The ornament is pretty much a giant wedge shaped washer where the nut screws onto holding the antenna (mast) holder in place.

So the ornament on my corroded and cracked, in the process it chipped the paint around the edges of the hole in the fender and causing that to rust. The corrosion damaged the threads on the antenna holder, cracked both the nut and ornament.

Mast antennas suck.

 

[M1911]

Mast antennas suck.

Indeed.

 

[andyman32392]

one way to fix the problem is add a shorty antenna which is only a few inches long.

 

[Uneek]

one way to fix the problem is add a shorty antenna which is only a few inches long.

And a very common replacement shorty is the S2000's. It might require minor modifications. For the Tacoma, it requires changing the thread stud on the mast to work with the Tacoma antenna holder.

 

[mikeync]

one way to fix the problem is add a shorty antenna which is only a few inches long.

Oh this I like (and the thread below that suggests a specific one).

My sales guy isn't working today, but will find out the status on my Limited tomorrow. The antenna will be the first thing to get "fixed"

Guessing you can't just clip the top part of the antenna

 

[JP4RNR]

Is it possible that Toyota went back to the mast aerial because the aerial built into the windshield had weaker reception? I noticed that FM stations atleast in my area were not picked up as strong in my 06 4Runner as compared to my Camry with a mast aerial and so I wonder is it more to do with what works "better" as opposed to what is considered "Cheap" that influenced Toyota's decision to go "backwards"

 

[harper7]

Is it possible that Toyota went back to the mast aerial because the aerial built into the windshield had weaker reception? I noticed that FM stations atleast in my area were not picked up as strong in my 06 4Runner as compared to my Camry with a mast aerial and so I wonder is it more to do with what works "better" as opposed to what is considered "Cheap" that influenced Toyota's decision to go "backwards"

According to the Toyota's 4Runner press release.... "Reception has been enhanced on and off-road by adopting a fender-mounted, pole-type antenna."

http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/2010-toyota-4runner-add-to-rich-102420.aspx

 

[M1911]

I haven't had any problem with radio reception in my 2003 4Runner with the antennae in the rear window. And I'd much rather have that than a pole type antennae that is easily damaged/vandalized.

 

[mikeync]

According to the Toyota's 4Runner press release.... "Reception has been enhanced on and off-road by adopting a fender-mounted, pole-type antenna."

http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/2010-toyota-4runner-add-to-rich-102420.aspx

I think they deleted the part that read. "and we saved money without even having to sign up with Geico"

Seriously every other car manufacturer can work out the in-window antenna. I don't recall reading about all the problems that people had with that solution with the old 4runners.......

Either way the pictures of the 4runner should show the antenna. That is a modified vehicle and if they want to have the ugly antenna on the car fine - but show the car as it is being sold or point out that it was removed.

 

[05Rrunner]

According to the Toyota's 4Runner press release.... "Reception has been enhanced on and off-road by adopting a fender-mounted, pole-type antenna."
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/2010-toyota-4runner-add-to-rich-102420.aspx

So if Toyota thinks the Pole Antenna is better, Will the New Lexus GX get it !


If/When the new GX comes without a fender pole antenna and gets great reception I guess we will no for sure it was all about saving money.
Toyota can't have it both ways on this issue / Either the 4runner buyer or the lexus buyer will be getting lied to.

 

[GatorGreg]

So if Toyota thinks the Pole Antenna is better, Will the New Lexus GX get it !

I'm surprised the PR folks at Toyota aren't claiming to have "enhanced" on and off-road visibility by deleting the rear LED's and projector headlights too