How do I change the antenna?

[Chicho]

I would get one from a Sequoia - factory fit!

[monolithic]

Originally Posted by Chicho

I would get one from a Sequoia - factory fit!

Factory fit for double cab or AC?

[Chicho]

I beleive it is. I have a '02 4Runner with a power antenna. Looks like it would be close, but the Sequoia looks like a dead on match. Personally, I took off my antenna and filled in the hole when I got some body work done. Looks much better with a clean fender!

[ferretboy]

Does anyone know the thread pitch on the OEM mast?

I'm going to end up whacking everything overhead - and want a shorter mast, or to plug the hole with a stainless allen head bolt.

[tundranigado]

Hi guys I'm new to this posting site so bear with me...

I have owned toy trucks since the early 80's and somehow toyota does not believe trucks should have power (automatic) antennas so they don't build one for it..this is a tough project so if you're not willing to make some mods to the fixed antenna mount and put a lot of sweat into it...then this project is not for you....think about a short antenna replacement instead - about $10 on ebay

Aftermarket power antennas for the most part will not fit inside the fender space. your best bet is a landcruiser/sequoia OEM if you can get one from somewhere. i found a good used 2000 sequoia from ebay for $80. Make sure you hav ethe top nut/sleeve because your tundra's pieces are smaller. the hard part is figuring out the electrical on OEMs unless you can also get the wiring diagram for the model/unit you bought. wiring may be difficult too for those that are electrically challenged. you'll need to find a constant 12v source and the head unit's 12v power antenna lead (more on this later) and run those to your power antenna within the fender space

i put one in my 2000 tundra pretty much the same way i did it for my 1997 tacoma.

My advice:
1. secure a good used OEM power antenna unit
B. understand the electrical connections ont he unit you bought
c. pre-order the fender liner clips/retainers from the dealer
d. allocate a whole day for the project

Some basic steps:

a. remove the right fender splash guard (plastic fender liner) - easier without the right wheel, need to replace plastic retainers (only available from dealer @ $1.50 ea - check # needed based on model - limited needs more

b. remove old/fixed antenna base - remove top/collar nut and sleeve, then remove base 10mm bolt inside fender space attached to body bracket

c. remove stereo head unit (OEM or aftermarket) by removing center dash bezel (Note screws hidden in vent opening - point the L/R AC vents upward and you'll see a philips screw up top hidden from view). remove HVAC knobs, philips screws behind. Pop out bezel held in place by snap retainers. unlatch electrical connectors carefully. remove 4 10mm screws (2 ea side) that hold the head unit to the dash chassis. pull out head unit. Carefully unlatch electricals and antenna lead

d. remove R door sill plastic floor trim (4 or 5 philips screws) and right passenger plastic kick panel (1 retainer nut in far bottom of firewall)

e. open glove box door and "flip down for easy access to dash innards

f. route antenna lead (remember where it passed) back to fender, push out fender rubber grommet and slip out old antenna/lead

Now for the hard part

Note if it makes it easier - read your PA mount instructions and understand the electrical requirements. you may want to tacke this now before you mount the PA on the fender. I would test it on the battery to make sure it works..

g. depending on the type of power antenna (PA) you're installing - dry mount PA base on fender to see if it fits. -for sure the fender hole will be too small to actually get a correct (straight/vertical mounting position. CAUTION: when making hole bigger - do it slowly and measure often. A round hand file work best...Extending PA mast (by runing it to extended position halfway using the battery) is advisable to get a true vertical (OEM) position. you may also want to angle it towards the rear a little bit - your choice...dry install the top sleeve and collar nut - hand tighten first. measure/fabricate a bottom bracket between PA molunt and body mount. dry fit the fender liner to make sure your PA is not intruding into the fender liner. make sure everything fits then tighten all mounts - collar nut, bracket/mount/screw

h. Electrical - find the head unit PA 12v lead - on aftermarket stereos, typically the blue wire. the best way to find on the OEM unit is to buy a stereo wire harness adapter for the truck ($6-9 at walmart) and find the wire on the truck's stereo harness that connects to the blue adapter wire. tap into this wire and connect this to the PA's switched 12v lead. This rolls the antenna up when you tirn on the radio. Run/connect a separate lead (fused) from the baterry's + line (or any constant +) to the PA as well. This allows the PA to roll down all the way when you switch off the ignition.

i. Route the antenna lead back to the head unit (remember where it passed?)

j. Button up - reconnect everything in reverse and test before closing up.
Turn ignition on/radio off - PA should stay down.
Turn radio on - PA should go up.
Turn radio off - PA should go down
Turn radio on/then ignition off - PA should go down all the way
Turn ignition on (with radio still on) - PA should go back up.

Hope this helps .

Ed

[SDtundra858]

Has anyone seen the "stubbie" antennas that Performance Products sells? Any thoughts?

[Cyberbilly]

Originally Posted by SDtundra858

Has anyone seen the "stubbie" antennas that Performance Products sells? Any thoughts?

I have one, and it fits and works great.

BTW, why does this thread have a "Sticky?"

[GunmetalDCTRD]

Howzit, I have a 12" black stubbie from Performance Products. Works just fine and looks even better.

[sweetz]

I've got a 12" stubbie that I bought in a hurry from Advance Auto Parts for $4 something. Looks & works great. I needed a shorter antenna because I deliver newspapers every night my Tundra & when I would throw the papers to the passenger side of the truck over the hood, they would slam into the antenna! The antenna would actually come back & slap the windshield sometimes. So, I just unscrewed the oem antenna, & screwed a black stubbie universal on. Works for me.

[XDon]

I have fixed antenna so it just unscrews. Actually, it hit the garage door (and some indoor parking garage supports where I parked for work) so I just took some wire snips to it, and woila, a little shorter...hahaha!!!

[MechEng1]

I want to know if there is anything like a stubby antenna that I could use for my 07 tundra.