replacing car antenna

topic posted Mon, May 5, 2008 - 4:43 PM by  offlineDan10things
Any tips on replacing a car radio antenna? Mine got snapped off this weekend. It's on a Toyota Tacoma 2001 truck... it looks pretty hard to access the area where the wiring to the base is.
posted by:
Dan10things
Seattle
  • Re: replacing car antenna

    Mon, May 5, 2008 - 4:49 PM
    yeah it's hard...you may have to remove front quarter body panel, or cowl panel for access... or else just cope with working in a very constricted small space with jerry-built tool extensions. Until the fix, use a wire coathanger stuck in the antenna rod hole. Replace it with the kind that has a built-in spring on its base that springs back to position after taking impact.
    • Re: replacing car antenna

      Mon, May 5, 2008 - 4:55 PM
      you need to access the back of the radio to plug in the new cable, then snake the cable up and out the body's antenna hole. You might be able to hacksaw off the old antenna base from the outside... but messy.... best to to the job right. In extremis, telephone Toyota service department, or else an aftermarket sound installation place for advice. They often will advise if it isn't too complex. .
      • Re: replacing car antenna

        Mon, May 5, 2008 - 5:00 PM
        You can also get repair antennas. They fit over the nub of the old one, and use a small Allen bolt to secure.
        Check the " HELP" section of the auto parts store.
      • Re: replacing car antenna

        Mon, May 5, 2008 - 5:05 PM
        boy, the thoughts just keep on coming.
        Remove radio to get at antenna cable. You may be able to saw off existing antenna stub, or simply unscrew it to release it. Taking the outside remaining end of the antenna cable, securely tie or wire the plug end of the replace ment antenna cable to the existing cable's cut off end. Then wrap the attachment point with masking tape so this doesn't snag on anything when you feed in the new cable. Getting back inside, get the old cable and pull on it. This will snake the new cable into place. Attach that to the radio. re-install radio. from outside insert new connected antenna base hardware into body hole and then screw down the bezel to get a secure firm tight fit. (you need the kind that can be secured from outside).

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