Broken power antenna again and no more...

[Spike555]

So my power antenna broke again. That’s twice in 6 months.
The Tundra mod was $65 in parts last time I checked and a couple hours of your time.
This took me literally 10min to do. Remove the power antenna the same way if you were going to replace a broken one with a new power antenna.
Then instead of installing a new power antenna you install their little adaptor base thing. Then you install the retaining ring.
Then you install the threaded stud, then the new antenna. Done.

You DO NOT need to unplug the antenna motor. It only runs for ~15sec and then shuts itself off.

THE POWER ANTENNA MOTOR DOES NOT RUN CONTINUOUSLY IN EITHER DIRECTION WITH NO ANTENNA TO RUN UP OR DOWN!!

You can now install any antenna mast you want if you are not happy with the little one that is included. I installed a 14” fiberglass mast that I had bought from AutoZone as I was trying to make my own adaptor. I had spent 2hrs running around town trying to make one. No luck.

There is a threaded insert in the silver base, that’s what the stud screws into. Then you need a antenna with a female base if you do not want to use their’s.

 

[Spike555]

Here is the 14” fiberglass antenna from AutoZone, $20.

 

[Ayune]

@Spike555 Thanks for this! Are those antennas flexible? Can they be left on through a car wash?

I’m messing with my power antenna right now trying to find a way to hotwire the box to allow manual control different to what’s been done in the past. The other mods bypass the box’s sensing that the antenna is completely up or down, so stripping could result. And when you turn the radio on it raises up about 2”, so it’s not as easy as hotwiring the radio’s antenna trigger “on”. Whatever, I’ll probably just chuck it, do what you did, and repurpose the switch for the flux capacitor.

 

[TXSunDevil]

Thanks. I am actually changing my power antenna today. Next time I’ll go this route

 

[Spike555]

@Spike555 Thanks for this! Are those antennas flexible? Can they be left on through a car wash?

I’m messing with my power antenna right now trying to find a way to hotwire the box to allow manual control different to what’s been done in the past. The other mods bypass the box’s sensing that the antenna is completely up or down, so stripping could result. And when you turn the radio on it raises up about 2”, so it’s not as easy as hotwiring the radio’s antenna trigger “on”. Whatever, I’ll probably just chuck it, do what you did, and repurpose the switch for the flux capacitor.

The antenna that came with the kit is NOT flexible. It is solid and about 6” tall.
The antenna I installed IS flexible, I can bend it anyway I want. It will be carwashable. I am sure the short one that came with the kit is carwashable too.

This kit came via snail, ordered it on the 29th, it came yeasterday the 5th.

 

[TXSunDevil]

I just went out to change mine in the garage. I cut the new one when I was installing it and now it doesn't function correctly. It looks like I may be trying this sooner than anticipated.

 

[Spike555]

I just went out to change mine in the garage. I cut the new one when I was installing it and now it doesn't function correctly. It looks like I may be trying this sooner than anticipated.

You’re not supposed to cut the new one. If the new gear strip is longer than the one you took out, you have a broken piece in the motor and in order to install a new power antenna you will need to remove the power antenna motor, open it, remove the broken bits, lube and put back together.
Or, you can do what I did.

My first anatenna broke when I went through the carwash and forgot to lower it.
The second one, the gear stip broke inside the motor. It’s still there. i am NOT taking that thing apart.

 

[Titan099]

i'm a little slow here.. you purchased the kit from amazon (pic of the order & photos 1-3) and then added the 14" antenna (photo 4) from auto-zone.
The black plastic antenna (photo 3) went bye, bye, and the new 14" fiberglass was added (photo 4).
Where did the plastic piece of antenna below the 14" fiberglass antenna come from? OR is that part of the 14" fiberglass antenna?

 

[TLCJC]

Not a deal killer, but if you are driving in remote areas, not having an antenna that tip extends above the height of roofline will degrade reception depending on your angle of travel to line of sight to the radio station antenna tower.

 

[ZetheGSD]

I just installed this kit from Amazon a couple months ago with the same results as the OP. Yes this kit is very car-washable even through the most aggressive "touch" car washes. I did notice a slight amount of less radio reception, but most probably wouldn't notice this. I am about to completely upgrade all of my audio components, so radio reception will be a thing of the past anyways. This kit is a simple, 10min fix to a constant worry of when your power antenna will break. BUY IT

 

[Spike555]

i'm a little slow here.. you purchased the kit from amazon (pic of the order & photos 1-3) and then added the 14" antenna (photo 4) from auto-zone.
The black plastic antenna (photo 3) went bye, bye, and the new 14" fiberglass was added (photo 4).
Where did the plastic piece of antenna below the 14" fiberglass antenna come from? OR is that part of the 14" fiberglass antenna?

You are the same as me, slow on the uptake. No worries.

The 6” hard antenna that came with the kit is in storage along with the left over pieces, original paperwork and packaging for future reference.

The 14” antenna is from AutoZone, it is a universal antenna. The larger base is part of that antenna. You’d an use any antenna you want, if I notice any reception problems I will go with a standard length all metal antenna.
But so far no reception difference from the factory antenna.

I did NOT try radio reception with the supplied 6” hard antenna. I just was not liking the idea of that antenna and being off-road and it getting broken or breaking the mount because it got hung up on a tree branch.
Odds are that would never ever happen. But I do like the looks of the longer antenna.

Dorman Antenna Mast 76866

I use a bluetooth fm transmitter and listen to podcasts and Spotify 99% of the time. I tried the reception all weekend running errands and noticed zero difference from the OEM antenna.

This kit is the s***. Wish I had known about it sooner. I was not looking forward to the Tundra antenna modification.

 

[87warrior]

This is awesome. Thank you for sharing!

I've grown tired of my antenna failing to completely retract or extend with a little ice on it. I will find a tall, plain, metal antenna as the replacement. Heck, I'd love an antenna that was 6-12" taller than the original to help with reception in hill country.

 

[Titan099]

Awesome response. Thank you. I’ve added it to my cart.

 

[implayaz9]

@Spike555 so the autozone one is working better for you than the amazon one?.. I am little confused sorry.

I need to replace mine so trying to find the best option.

 

[Spike555]

@Spike555 so the autozone one is working better for you than the amazon one?.. I am little confused sorry.

I need to replace mine so trying to find the best option.

I never tried the Amazon antenna mast. Only the AutoZone one. And yes, it works fine.

 

[implayaz9]

I never tried the Amazon antenna mast. Only the AutoZone one. And yes, it works fine.

Did you still have to buy the adapter to put the Autozone antenna?

 

[Spike555]

Did you still have to buy the adapter to put the Autozone antenna?

Yes. The ONLY way to convert from a power antenna to a fixed mast one is with this adaptor or using the Tundra modification.
With this adaptor you can use ANY fixed mast antenna you want. This adaptor kit comes with a stubby antenna.

 

[kruisinkid]

though i realize you have a broken piece down in your motor, this stock replacement mast works perfect and is the cheapest option of them all if anyone comes across this thread for options. but getting a broken piece out does suck. i dont blame you. i am going to keep your fix in the wish list if it comes down to it. definitely the most elegant/simple swap for the motorized one.

Amazon product ASIN B00BDVM8P0

 

[Spike555]

though i realize you have a broken piece down in your motor, this stock replacement mast works perfect and is the cheapest option of them all if anyone comes across this thread for options. but getting a broken piece out does suck. i dont blame you. i am going to keep your fix in the wish list if it comes down to it. definitely the most elegant/simple swap for the motorized one.

Amazon product ASIN B00BDVM8P0

Yes just replacing with another power mast is less expensive, I had done it twice in one year. I was done with doing that.
You can definitely go that route, it is less expensive and easy.
And just a FYI to everyone, a radio antenna tool will not unscrew the retainer ring on the 100 series, it will not fit on the retaining ring because of the shape of the fender, just use needle nose pliers.

 

[eagleeyes170]

thank you! this the solution i have been looking for. I really do not want to exert all this effort into fixing my antenna mast for it to break again. This is a very streamlined and logical solution that will give me many more future options. I just ordered the parts on amazon today and am eagerly awaiting their arrival. Will let you guys know how it goes! Will also post pix.