So I search until I was tired. I am lucky to have a parts truck with a good nylon cord for my 91 FJ80. I plan to just buy the new mast and switch the entire unit to my good truck. Only issue is how in the world those the original mast unscrew? Do they get tight over time? two sets of plyers and a lot of sweat yet it will not come loose. I am concerned i will break the 30 year old nylon cable I am trying to save. Thoughts? Would heating it help? What is the trick here.
removing FJ80 Antenna mast (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter RKTINC
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I've been looking for "help" for the same and found the following:
Just my 2 cents, but i wouldn't brother installing a 30 year old nylon cable if it were me, I'd be buying this kit, and installing a whole new nylon cable, reel ring, and mast. Doing so just might save you from doing this job over again anytime soon. Because installing that power antenna assembly inside the inner fender well, and feeding the antenna cable through the firewall, and back behind the radio is a BIG PAIN in the ass. YMMV
Antenna Mast Repair Kit 91-96 [1991-1996] - $59.99 : CruiserParts.net, Toyota Landcruiser Parts
CruiserParts.net Antenna Mast Repair Kit 91-96 [1991-1996] - 1991-1996 Toyota Land Cruiser Power antenna mast repair kit. If you can still hear your motor working, you should be able to install this and your problem taken care of. Price shown is for a new genuine Toyota part. (Used, refinished...
shop.cruiserparts.net
If you’re talking about the little round piece surrounding the mast and that screws into the fender, I bought a tool at Oreilly Auto for less than $10 that worked. It’s universal in that it can be used on different vehicles. It kept me from raking my needlenose pliers across the fender and hood.
Hi. Replacing the mast on a 1991 with the smooth nylon drive cable. On the bottom of the aluminum mast there is a single notch. (not the notched ring) Can anyone tell me where to orient that notch? Does it even matter? Thanks.
MRS
MRS
- Thread starter
- #8
You are way ahead of me.
I got mine loose and out of the fender but can't seem to get enough slack to get the motor flat in order to work on it. Any ideas on how to pull that antenna cable out of the firewall? I am scarred to damage it by tugging too hard. I it loose from the radio and I have traced it under/behind the glove box. Just seems like I could pull is out towards the engine in order to work on it then tug it back in when fixed.
RKTINC
I got mine loose and out of the fender but can't seem to get enough slack to get the motor flat in order to work on it. Any ideas on how to pull that antenna cable out of the firewall? I am scarred to damage it by tugging too hard. I it loose from the radio and I have traced it under/behind the glove box. Just seems like I could pull is out towards the engine in order to work on it then tug it back in when fixed.
RKTINC
Oh my my, you have to cut the 2-3 zip ties on the metal tube that is part of the structure for the dash, I would just do it like that dude did I am going to order a new mast tomorrow, because I did not do it correctly the first time
- Thread starter
- #10
Oh my my, you have to cut the 2-3 zip ties on the metal tube that is part of the structure for the dash, I would just do it like that dude did I am going to order a new mast tomorrow, because I did not do it correctly the first time
Well I have that kit to replace the smooth nylon and the internal wheel. I just need a little more antenna cord to pull out of the firewall so I can lay the motor assembly flat and work on it.. Sound like there are factory zip ties or other plastic keepers holding that antenna wire under the dash and those are keeping my motor from pulling out for access.
There might be electrical tape, there might be a loop inside the cab, I would drop the glove box and look up and see, the wire is up top above everything good luck I hope mine is not short
I removed the radio and the glove box, was not too difficult. Made it possible to thread the antenna cable through the cab and out of the fender. If you do this, make sure you tie wire or something else to the cable so you can pull it back through the hole to get it back into the cab.
- Thread starter
- #13
Well, after lots of good pointers from the forum, I was able to tear into my 91 FJ80 power antenna project today again. I got it out of the fender after taking the radio out and fishing the antenna cable out a bit. It only took me a month to get this far.
The motor assembly comes out but takes a little bit of twisting and spinning to get out of the fender.
Once I had it out on a board under the hood I stopped to order the mast with nylon cable and drum. I dissembled the drum/winding mechanism that holds the wound up cable to find a very short broken cable left attached to the drum.
The new cable had to be pushed down into the assembly and did not go in the hole easily. I gently twisted and removed the tube to clean and ease the insertion process. I found remnants of a toothpick in there which must indicated some other tech replaced it at some point and used a toothpick to guide the cable in.
I cleaned the old grease up a bit and sprayed silicon spray lub on most parts. Attaching the new nylon cable to the drum is a nightmare. I finally filed a pointed end and a small groove at the end of the plain nylon cable to ease the friction/ziptie-like mechanism to get it to fit. The nylon cable is NOT very pliable but it does bend/curve enough to go into the drum and attach.
The part itself appears to be a reproduction and does not fit exactly right. The screw holes did not line up exactly, but I made it work. I got it from an on-line Cruiser supply house and relied upon there "expertise." The phone rep told me to just stick it in the fender hole and the teeth would grab it. WRONG. I explained the early models were not set up that way. He disagreed. When the part came it was indeed the smooth cable type so I think it all worked out. He just was not knowledgeable. The only item is that the base of the mast is slightly different than the original. I plan to test it tomorrow when I temporarily reinstall the dash faceplate to be able to move the antenna mast switch up and down.
WISH ME LUCK
RKTINC
The motor assembly comes out but takes a little bit of twisting and spinning to get out of the fender.
Once I had it out on a board under the hood I stopped to order the mast with nylon cable and drum. I dissembled the drum/winding mechanism that holds the wound up cable to find a very short broken cable left attached to the drum.
The new cable had to be pushed down into the assembly and did not go in the hole easily. I gently twisted and removed the tube to clean and ease the insertion process. I found remnants of a toothpick in there which must indicated some other tech replaced it at some point and used a toothpick to guide the cable in.
I cleaned the old grease up a bit and sprayed silicon spray lub on most parts. Attaching the new nylon cable to the drum is a nightmare. I finally filed a pointed end and a small groove at the end of the plain nylon cable to ease the friction/ziptie-like mechanism to get it to fit. The nylon cable is NOT very pliable but it does bend/curve enough to go into the drum and attach.
The part itself appears to be a reproduction and does not fit exactly right. The screw holes did not line up exactly, but I made it work. I got it from an on-line Cruiser supply house and relied upon there "expertise." The phone rep told me to just stick it in the fender hole and the teeth would grab it. WRONG. I explained the early models were not set up that way. He disagreed. When the part came it was indeed the smooth cable type so I think it all worked out. He just was not knowledgeable. The only item is that the base of the mast is slightly different than the original. I plan to test it tomorrow when I temporarily reinstall the dash faceplate to be able to move the antenna mast switch up and down.
WISH ME LUCK
RKTINC
Nice. Mines busted in half but the radio still works. So just enjoying it that way. Maybe one day
I always hear guy's asking for pictures, and I told @baldilocks and @GW Nugget that when I start, I just blow and go like a Schnauzer after a gopher
. I am going to do mine tomorrow, I will try to get you some good pictures- Thread starter
- #18
Another update: IT WORKS!!!!!!!! So glad I got it figured out. I actually pulled out the cable by accident on my first attempt after assembly. I just put my head down and took it all apart again and started over. First attempt took over two months from beginning to end, disassembly and reinstall only took 17 minutes on my second attempt. WOW. I may be an expert. UNFORTUNATELY, I need to do it one more time as I did not install that short little stainless piece that snugs up the mast and seals it. Damn Chinese kit did not come with new one. I think I may be done with CruiserParts.net. Poor telephone assistance and the part was of poor quality. I could be just a one-off situation but not a good experience from a Land Cruiser specialist.
- Thread starter
- #19
I saw that notch too. Not sure if it matters as I can tell. I must have a purpose. My completed job places the ball of the new mast slightly above the chrome fender nut but it will be up most of the time so I say close enough. That notch has to have a purpose.
- Thread starter
- #20
COMPLETE!!!!. I finished my installation of the aftermarket/CruiserParts.net smooth nylon antenna mast. It only took me over three months! The ball of the mast sticks up slightly past the full closed position but I really am not that concerned. I suspect I would have to disasemble the entire thing in order to cut/shorten the nylon cable in order to get it to fully seat. It will be up most of the time so I am just not concerned. Tough Tough job. feel free to message me if anyone has questions. I am NOT an expert but I have done a 100 and a early FJ80 now so I can offer some guidance. If your mast is only bent and the nylon is still original then I suggest an OEM mast from Toyota for about $50 bucks. It was the easiest of my two FJ's to repair. My 91 needed the full disassembly and I can say it was NO fun.
RKTINC
RKTINC
