Ok soooooo I solved this problem with a 12 dollar "jeep" antenna and 20 cent bolt. Let me explain....
1. So first you will need this kit...
Jeep whip antenna (ONLY $12). It comes with a bunch of attachments but only need 1. The male / female attachment to be exact.
2. Remove your old antenna from the truck and UNSCREW the end cap of the antenna. I didn't believe it could be unscrewed but it can be, see below. It will release the retractable part of the antenna from the housing / casing and the part that the gears mesh with to drive the assembly up and down. You will ONLY need the casing, with the rubber gasket.
3. Take the new antenna and attach the male female end to it. It will fit PERFECTLY into the housing you just removed!
4. Obtain a bolt from the hardware store. 2.5 inches is exactly what you'll need. I do not remover the pitch or gauge though... just take the male female attachment and make sure it screws in. The bolt will go into the bottom of the assembly and the new antenna will screw into it.. The bolt sandwiches everything together and keeps it in one piece. I used blue locktite to make sure it wouldn't rattle loose.
5. FILE the F---- out of the end of the bolt so it fits into the housing on the truck. See below, you will see it very rounded. It will take a bit but go slow and keep checking! You want it thin enough (diameter) to go into the housing but wide enough so it doesn't slip through the housing thats on the antenna that you pulled out from the old antenna, that holds it all together.
6. Assembly everything and install!
A $12 fix, no need to remove the motor, no need for a Tacoma mod, no need to buy the conversion kit. IT JUST WORKS!
