FJ62 Antenna Mast Repair

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Mackeath

Mackeath

Joined
Aug 30, 2006
Threads
63
Messages
348
Location
Santa fe, New Mexico
Last week I managed to forget to lower my FJ62 antenna and bent it so badly my reception has gone to pot.

I got a new replacement mast in today and it is looking like not the simple (for a mechanical nit wit like I) repair I thought it was. I looked in my book and it said I need to remove my actual radio first. Is this true? Does anyone have an simple instructions for repairing my mast? I've looked all over the site and can't find the actual instructions for replacing a FJ62 power antenna. Oh, and the motor is working just fine.

Thank you, as always, for any help you can give me.
 
hmmm, does the new antenna have the antenna wire on it? is so......your gonna need to get to the back of the radio. If not and its just the mast with the plastic track, then its easy........just like a 80 or 100

62's have power antenna's right?
 
FJ62s do have a power antenna.

For 43 bucks (plus whatever shipping $OR charges), Spector has a replacement insert. They also have the whole shebang for 180 bucks. You probably just need the insert if the motor is working when you try to raise/lower it on the dash.

http://www.sor.com/sor/products2.tam?xax=32299&category.ctx=167-02&page#.ctx=167

I had a badly bent/stuck antenna and did the Spector insert replacement (43 buck option). Worked like a charm. You don't need to touch the wires to the radio at all. You do have to remove the windshield washer reservoir (not a big deal, just a few hidden bolts and unplugging one wire) to remove the old antenna out of the mast. You spool up the plastic wire on the new one, stick it in where the old one was, and it fit like a charm. It doesn't make sense writing this but it will when you do it. It's not technically difficult but a socket set will be required.

About a month after doing this, I bent the new replacement, which made me feel stupid and made me think that a shorter, flexible antenna option is probably best. These are cheap and available everywhere but may require some rewiring work.

I will say this: reception was great till it was bent, then even the slight bend (hardly noticable to the eye until you try to lower the antenna) made the reception go south. Oh well...
 
I've done the SOR mast replacement as well. It doesn't come with instructions and SOR doesn't provide any (nor could they when I asked them) but it is pretty self explanatory and painless.
 
ballardcruiser said:
About a month after doing this, I bent the new replacement, which made me feel stupid and made me think that a shorter, flexible antenna option is probably best. These are cheap and available everywhere but may require some rewiring work.
Click to expand...

Thanks for mentioning that - a good reminder of why I should stop looking to fix mine and be happy with the cheap flexible one I have. ;)
 
I bought a replacement from advance auto parts for about $50, and was able to get it to work sometimes, however the wiring was a little screwy. I ended up just installing a $10 one that stays up all the time and just springs around when you hit branches. It works just as well, is good looking, cheap, and easy to install.
 
azaussie said:
Hey Red Cruiser,

Where did ya get you cheap flexible antenna from and what did you have to do to install it?
Click to expand...

I have one from Pep Boys, it's a short, flexible black antenna that costs abour $30. It's made to replace an existing antenna and includes an adapter that splices into the old cable. It took about 10 minutes to install and has worked flawlessly for a year now.

:cheers:
 
I just replaced the mast today on my 62, here are some notes:

1.
The tube that houses the antenna comes apart from the motor housing. This is not readily apparent when looking at the assembly.
Remove the little brass collar (where the motor is grounded) to reveal the "twist and pull" bayonet connection. You may need to tap out the old antenna from the top especially if it is bent or broken off. Use a long narrow screw-driver and a
hammer. Gently! Avoid gouging the little black plastic seal at the top like I did.

2.
After threading in the new antenna and plastic cable, reassemble everything with the antenna fully extended. Hook up power and use the motor to wind the antenna down before installing in the fender. Trying to wind the plastic around the drum by hand will make you crazy. Guess how I know?
 
After 8 months of pondering, looking, and wondering, I finally realized you have to take apart the entire spool in order to thread the wire in.

I may be dumb, but at least I can now listen to the radio.

Oh yeah, lets here is for the simpleton!
 
Good show! Simpleton's unite!

I too, bent my OEM antenna and replaced it w/ a short, black rubber one much like red cruiser's description. One exception is that I didn't need to splice, as there was an OEM female connection in the cable as it entered the fender. I just zip-tied the 10 ft of antenna cable into a tight ball, plugged it's male end in, and put the washer res back.
As far as performance, it's fine in or near towns but my range is slightly less than when I had the OEM antenna extended, and straight.
 
OK GUYS HERE YA GO...

1. buy a toyota replacement mast...no measuring or anything...perfect replacement to simply instal, it comes with mast and new spindle, got mine from cool cruisers 48$

2.remove 3 screws from washer resevoir, then disconnect hose and electrical connections from pump on resev, simply to get this stuff out of your way
COBRAND_NAME=snapfish


3.On antenna now disconnct black antenna cord going to radio located on the silver tube concealing antenn. loosen bolt holding antenna to fender inside engine compartment. then start tapping counter clockwise with a small flat screwdrvr the silver bolt on the exterior of vehicle where antenna comes out. this will allow the anten to come loose. Now fully remove the bolt inside engine compartment holding the antenn to fender wall. now allow antenn to lower down inside fender and pull it out to easily remove electricle connetion and ground wire.
COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

COBRAND_NAME=snapfish


4. Now antenn is completely out. twist and pull up(bayonet style lock)off the tube concealing antenn. Remove nut holding on gold cover and 2 lower bolts holding on the mounting braket. The silver spindle is now revealed. Remove 4 gold screws to release from white sprocket and you can cut old white nylon cord to remove old antenna.
COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

COBRAND_NAME=snapfish


5. Feed new antenna threw silver tube from bottom and extend it all the way out. Now attach white nylon cord to new spindle and tap down where cord feeds threw little sleave part (refer to old spindle if neccessary) to to lock in place. replce back on white sprocket with 4 new screws provided. Replace gold cap and replace mounting braket to gold cap.

6. now temp hook up elect conn to antenn to test and lower down antenna which will wind your new antenn for you...as stated in previous post MUCH EASIER!!

7. if all good you're ready to re-instal to your rig. replace grounding wire and electricle conection first. Its easier to do now. Then slip antenn dwn into fender and poke antenna out threw hole up top. Now replace the exterior molding and silver tapping bolt(where the antenn comes out of vehicle when in use), but DO NOT TIGHTEN. now attach antenna to fender by replacing bolt to mounting braket inside engine compart, BUT DO NOT TIGHTEN. Now tighten your silver tapping nut on the exterior of vehicle and then tighten mounting bolt braket. Now reconnect black antenna cord going to radio and tape down just to hold in place like factory did. TEST ANTENNA up down ability and radio reception clarity.

8.If all good replace washer resvoir and you're done.

I hope my several hours of cussin and figuring this out helps shave your project down to about 1 hour...good luck fellas! Its pretty easy once you know the tricks! If pics dont show once I post here is a direct link to my photo album:
Snapfish: Share:Registration
 
Great info. I think I have to dig into mine as well. Mast is straight, motor works and will raise the mast but will not lower it.:confused:
 
yeah most likely something is obstructing antenna in the sleave...mine had a metal piece that joins each of the antenna segments together stuck down in there. flat head scrwdrvr wrks great to scrape it out
 
This is a great thread! Thanks to all those who participated. It needs to be in the 60 series FAQ!
 
@bullprick...you are the man! Thanks for the detailed write up on this. I could not even see the pics you posted in this thread on my iPhone. But after reading this a few times and continuing to go at it, I finally got this friggin antenna mast replaced.

Thanks again for taking the time to explain this for a nub like me.
 
I cut off the broken bit, shortened the cable and re-installed. Shorter antenna, but it works.

No cost antenna repair write up here
 
Antenna Mast Replacement

I'm still having trouble with my antenna mast replacement.
This post seems to have the most information on the subject.
But if there are others please link.

1. I have a 1989 FJ62 Land Crusier.
2. My antenna mast just has a kink in it and it can go up and down fine.
3. I bought a replacement mast that can thread in.
4. I removed the nut and the gasket, but cannot pull out the mast.

Questions.
1. Do I just keep yanking on the mast while its going up/down
2. Or do I have to remove the wind shield resevior to remove.
3. Once I finally succeed with removal how do I thread on my new mast.

Thanks
 
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