Taco Whip Mod

[JonCor2577]

I've been following this thread for awhile. What's the advantage of the taco whip versus just getting a generic antenna from walmart or autozone?


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[mharding]

I've been following this thread for awhile. What's the advantage of the taco whip versus just getting a generic antenna from walmart or autozone?

Quality, I know I won't have to do anything antenna wise again. Looks, I think the antenna fits the truck perfectly and looks awesome. Guarantee, it's a Toyota factory part so I know its gonna be quality, fit perfect, have great reception, etc.

Also if you have a power antenna you won't be able to just screw a new antenna in. I believe the hook up for the radio wire is way down in the bottom of the motor assembly where a non powered screw in won't reach.

 

[theizzardking]

I've been following this thread for awhile. What's the advantage of the taco whip versus just getting a generic antenna from walmart or autozone?


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well like i said above you can get all of the parts to do this for like $20-$30 bucks from a wrecking yard or not waste the time looking around and spend $100 at the dealer.


if your considering going the wall mart option i'd just call the wrecking yard and get oem for the same price.

if your going to spend 20-30 buck for one at wall mart why not?

and the reasons above are pretty fair,
1. you know it will fit and it'll work
2. it looks 1000x's better then the wall mart ones
3. it's not from wall mart or a flaps, meaning when you go resale you don;t have to explain what they crappy looking ant. is doing on there.
4.longevity
5. ease of replacement
6. over all quality

 

[Qyota]

While my retractable antenna was working fine, I just replaced it with a Metra internal windshield-mounted antenna. Works great, and installed in abotut 20 minutes. Completely out of the way (behind the rear view mirror), and was less than $20.

 

[animal]

While my retractable antenna was working fine, I just replaced it with a Metra internal windshield-mounted antenna. Works great, and installed in abotut 20 minutes. Completely out of the way (behind the rear view mirror), and was less than $20.

do you have a picture?

 

[JonCor2577]

Thanks for the input above guys. I think an antenna mod isn't too far off for me. I wanted to be sure to justify the extra cost.

 

[Qyota]

do you have a picture?

Not of my install, but here's the antenna:

Metra 44-UA200 (met-44ua200) - Sonic Electronix

I tucked it up on the windshield behind the mirror, and ran the cable behind the passenger a-pillar, and through the dash to the back of the stereo.

 

[twa318]

Not of my install, but here's the antenna:

Metra 44-UA200 (met-44ua200) - Sonic Electronix

I tucked it up on the windshield behind the mirror, and ran the cable behind the passenger a-pillar, and through the dash to the back of the stereo.

Thanks for the post.

My antenna is broken and I've been considering my options. Haven't seen this one before, and it looks like a very effective and cost-efficient option

 

[Qyota]

I've had it in for over a month now - and it works great. Definitely no loss in reception, and it's SO nice not to have to hear that damn antenna going up and down!

 

[marmotan]

Can anyone verify that the black whip antenna gets better reception than the silver one (which is really just a metal rod, not what I would call a "whip") that comes with the antenna assembly? Some folks have suggested just painting the silver one black, but I wonder if comparing the function of the two styles is really apples-to-oranges. I ask because I live in the mountains and need maximum reception to hear FM radio.

 

[rfs324]

Finally got the parts in from Toyota $107.00 pretty pricey. Here they are, I'll be installing it this weekend.

Hey Mharding, Greetings from the otherside of Carolina! Do you know the part number for the black mast you got??
Thanks man.

 

[Arrowhead]

From what I have read on another thread.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/70865-non-power-antenna-tacoma-whip.html

Parts
Antenna Assembly: 86300-35090 (list price $36.94)
Tacoma Whip antenna: 86309-AA040 ($27.38 at my dealership)



Please note that the Tacoma Whip Antenna is not picture above. If you want the Tacoma black whip antenna, buy part no. 86309-AA0400 and NOT 86309-35100 or 86309-32011. Also, I've received some feedback that the part numbers may have changed. If so, just ask for the non-motorized antenna assembly for a 4runner and a black whip antenna for the Tacoma.

 

[Wikano]

Can anyone verify that the black whip antenna gets better reception than the silver one (which is really just a metal rod, not what I would call a "whip") that comes with the antenna assembly? Some folks have suggested just painting the silver one black, but I wonder if comparing the function of the two styles is really apples-to-oranges. I ask because I live in the mountains and need maximum reception to hear FM radio.

When I ordered my black mast the toyota rep told me that back in the day some customers had trouble getting AM channels so they added the black antenna option (it comes with an additional wire rapped around the rod for better reception).

I personally noticed a very noticeable increase in reception, sound quality, and a few more usable channels that would previously cut in and out. However this change was from my old power antenna and not the tacoma silver rod.

 

[jsindorf]

Just Finished the Taco Antenna Mod

I have owned my 1999 4Runner Limited for one week, and I love it. When I bought it the antenna was broken and the previous owner gave me a brand new, still in the package replacement. It was the white gear strip and the antenna.

Unfortunately, there was some nasty metal and plastic stuff mangled up in the tube. So I removed everything and took apart the tube and motor and cleaned it out as well as I could, but when I put it back together the antenna would not return all of the way into the tube. I tried long and hard... and gave up.

I went to the two local dealerships and they did not have the parts for the Taco Mod, but they'd be happy to order them... for godawful sums of money. No, I don't care to support local businesses that steal from me.

So I got the two pieces from Camelback -- they were right in there on price, within a dollar or two from the cheapest, but their shipping was by far the best... like so much less than anyone else.

So, the process was simple. Remove two screws, peel back the wheel well lining, disconnect the motor from the electrical connector, remove one bolt from the antenna motor mount... then take the round nut off the top of the tube where it tightens against the fender. Now the motor just drops out.

Pull out the trim panels around the radio and climate controls... very scary at first but then then come out so easily. Remove four bolts holding in the radio. Pull it out gently. Pull out the larger antenna connector (the smaller one is for the rear antenna) and here's the trick, tie a string to it. Now have a friend pull on the antenna cable from outside while you watch its path inside.

You'll have to remove the glove compartment about now. It's easy, just open it and press the two back ends toward the middle and the glove compartment flops forward, dumping all the contents on the floor. But, you're now able to see the cable move around the vents.

Pull it out through the fender and the motor is free to remove. Untie the string from the old antenna cable and now attach it to the new one. A knot below the antenna connector and a clove hitch around the tip kept it in a straight line and allowed me to pull it through the fender, behind the glove compartment and to the back of the radio.

Plug it in, reassemble the radio and the panel and go outside.

Push the antenna holder up through the hole in the fender, place the rubber grommet into the hole around the antenna and screw the nut onto it nice and tightly. Now put the old bolt through the holder and tighten it down. Push the antenna cord grommet to the fender hole, pushing it in halfway to keep the outside, outside. Now put the wheel well lining back into the slot you pulled it out of, reinstall the two screws and you're done down there.

Now just screw in the mast. Toyota provides a nice little plastic wrench for the purpose. Put it in a handy place so you can remove the mast when you go into a car wash.

It was easy and gave me a good sense of accomplishment.
Thanks for all of the advice.

Joe
Grand Rapids Michigan
1999 4Runner Limited

 

[jsukey]

I have been running my '00 Limited 4Runner with no antenna now for almost 2 years now. I mostly listen to my iPod anyways. Well, I decided last week to give it a shot, since the previous owner had given me a new mast and I had nothing better to do. I found it very simple to remove the motor. Two square clips on the fender well, peel it back, then voila! After the removal, I discovered that the mast was broken into bits and that the electrical motor itself was almost completely worn out. It has never clicked or done anything since I bought it. After a bit of thinking I chose my free, alternate path. I cleaned out all of the broken mast, then clipped the remaining white nylon strip-gear from the bottom of the antenna. I then put it all back together the way it was. After it was all put back together, I manually raised the antenna with my hand. I grabbed my needlenose pliers and very gently squeezed every expansion joint, so the antenna couldn't simply retract on its own. Now I have an antenna that I can manually raise and retract without spending a dime. The reception is crystal clear...problem solved!!

 

[Dephcon]

If you want the Taco mod. You will need to buy the whole assembly (86300-35090)
That comes with a silver mast.

If you want a black mast "Like the Tacos have"
then you will have to buy (86309-aa040) also.

Just a note for anyone who is planning on doing this mod, the pn#: 86300-35090 does not come with a silver whip anymore. The parts site didn't mention it was part of the assembly so I'm not holding them responsible for missing parts, was just a pain to have to wait another week for the whip to arrive.

It also looks like 86309-0C020 replaces 86309-aa040 and is identified as a Mast for the FJ Cruiser.

 

[hoodlm]

Not sure what the "Taco Whip Mod" is but I disconnect the quarter panel and removed the motor and antenna. Then I installed this whip. Got sick of them breaking out in the woods.

 

[marshallnoise]

I listen to a ton of AM radio so I hope to be doing this too. The non-Toyota antenna seems like a good option.

Does anyone else listen to AM radio and notice an improvement by getting rid of the powered piece?

 

[ricosuavito]

How's the reception with this small antenna? What is the model #?

 

[2TH4IST]

Just finished this the other day too. Toyota base and a 15 inch whip. Looks much better and reception is great. I listen to am/fm and Bluetooth radio adapter (stock radio for now).