I store my rig for 4-5 months in a nice dry garage. After I get it out, I turn on the radio and my antenna goes maybe 1/3rd of the way up and stops. Last spring, after a few days, it just started going up the whole way on its own and was fine the rest of year. So far this year it doesn't go all the way up. Is there a good way to manually extend the antenna and perhaps lube it up? I tried pulling on it lightly but it didn't seem to want move. Suggestions?
97 Sticky Antenna
- Thread starter calmont
- Start date
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The automatic antenna is operated by a motor, connected to a drum which has a toothed belt (in your model's case), which in turn is attached to the antenna mast. Pulling on the mast will likely damage the connection, or the belt, or both. The only recourse is to remove the drum and motor and open the case.
First you have to disconnect the antenna from the rear of the radio. This requires removal of the center console. Once you unplug the antenna cable, tie a 12' string to it and pull it through the firewall, behind the glovebox (I used kitchen twine, hundreds of uses). I had to remove the glovebox to do this. The string is useful for reinstalling the cable. Don't pull it all the way through; ideally one end should be on the engine bay side of the firewall and the other should be near the rear of the radio.
Remove the bezel (nut) on the fender. Tape your fender first, then when the tool slips off the nut, you'll likely do less damage to your paint. The best tool for this nut is a bicycle tool designed to remove the nut which holds the crank arm on the frame (your local bike shop has one, or two).
I take my truck to the bike shop and borrow theirs, I have no other use for it. You can do it with a screwdriver and hammer, unless it's really tight, in which case you'll scratch your fender and ruin the nut.
Next, disconnect the power cable form the antenna. It's near the inner fender access hole for the antenna. Unbolt the unit and pull it out.
Do not disconnect the motor from the case, you'll lose the brushes that way. (Ask me how I know)
You should be able to operate the mast with the dash switch, while someone holds the unit after you remove it from the outer fender. This way you can troubleshoot your repair before reinstalling the mast.
This is a one banana job, but it will take some time. If you've removed the dash and near panels before, allow half an hour. If not, allow 2 hours (you will clean all that stuff under the trim panels, and wash them, won't you?)
HTH
First you have to disconnect the antenna from the rear of the radio. This requires removal of the center console. Once you unplug the antenna cable, tie a 12' string to it and pull it through the firewall, behind the glovebox (I used kitchen twine, hundreds of uses). I had to remove the glovebox to do this. The string is useful for reinstalling the cable. Don't pull it all the way through; ideally one end should be on the engine bay side of the firewall and the other should be near the rear of the radio.
Remove the bezel (nut) on the fender. Tape your fender first, then when the tool slips off the nut, you'll likely do less damage to your paint. The best tool for this nut is a bicycle tool designed to remove the nut which holds the crank arm on the frame (your local bike shop has one, or two).
Next, disconnect the power cable form the antenna. It's near the inner fender access hole for the antenna. Unbolt the unit and pull it out.
Do not disconnect the motor from the case, you'll lose the brushes that way. (Ask me how I know)
You should be able to operate the mast with the dash switch, while someone holds the unit after you remove it from the outer fender. This way you can troubleshoot your repair before reinstalling the mast.
This is a one banana job, but it will take some time. If you've removed the dash and near panels before, allow half an hour. If not, allow 2 hours (you will clean all that stuff under the trim panels, and wash them, won't you?)
HTH
The best thing to do is don't spend another dime on that power antenna. Just buy a factory Toyota manual antenna from Cruiser Parts and be done with it.
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Antenna With Holder
$50.91
Antenna with holder (manual, non-powered) for 80-series vehicles.
Price shown is for a new genuine Toyota part.
(Used, refinished, rebuilt/remanufactured, and aftermarket options may also be available. If so, select below.)
Tag: antennas, antennae, Land Cruiser, Land Cruisers, LandCruiser, LandCruisers
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larger image
Antenna With Holder
$50.91
Antenna with holder (manual, non-powered) for 80-series vehicles.
Price shown is for a new genuine Toyota part.
(Used, refinished, rebuilt/remanufactured, and aftermarket options may also be available. If so, select below.)
Tag: antennas, antennae, Land Cruiser, Land Cruisers, LandCruiser, LandCruisers
- Shipping Weight: 1lbs
- Manufactured by: Genuine Toyota
Add to Cart:
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Mine does the same thing: intermittent results. I usually just play with it until it is up all the way then I wipe it down with Dry Slide Lube. Probably could use about any light weight lube or penetrating fluid to clean it up.
The best thing to do is don't spend another dime on that power antenna. Just buy a factory Toyota manual antenna from Cruiser Parts and be done with it.
larger image
Antenna With Holder
$50.91
Antenna with holder (manual, non-powered) for 80-series vehicles.
Price shown is for a new genuine Toyota part.
(Used, refinished, rebuilt/remanufactured, and aftermarket options may also be available. If so, select below.)
Tag: antennas, antennae, Land Cruiser, Land Cruisers, LandCruiser, LandCruisers
- Shipping Weight: 1lbs
- Manufactured by: Genuine Toyota
Add to Cart:
Share
Mine is manual now, since the toothed belt broke and I pulled it out. It goes all the way in and out... manually of course. No money spent.
- Thread starter
- #6
User error on my part. I switched the battery before taking it out of storage which must have changed the settings on the the up/down antenna buttons on the dash. I hit the button to push it all the way up and it is all fine now.
Lubricate, the shaft