Stock radio antenna replacement

[Dprio34]

FJ73, don’t over analyze it. Just unscrew the bolts that connect the fender to the wheel well (back half of the wheel well) and the the bolt from lower fender to rocker panel. Flex the fender a bit to break the sealant / epoxy between the fender and wheel well. Then the fender will pull out 4” or so. The old antenna will practically fall out after you un-do the nuts that hold it in place.

If you wan to save a couple of minutes, use electoral tape and tape some clothes line to the antenna cable prior to pulling that through the dash and fire wall. Re-tape the new antenna cable to the length of clothes line or string to fish that that up to your radio.

You will be done before you know it, with clear reception on your radio dial.

 

[Gengis]

OK, so new cars do not come out with any kind of whip antenna, so should we not be looking at what's new and what works, I hate the extending antenna sound and inconvieniance. My second last Subaru had it's antenna stuck to the rear non opening window and the new one has a timy ( 6") wand on the roof which can be removed or folded for roof racks and stuff. My point is, can we not do any better than the old 4 or 5 foot whip catching on trees and causing havoc at the wash bay. I really dig those fins on the new BMW's but they probally are not FM/AM antennas.
Any ideas to get around this one??

 

[Dprio34]

Well, I have the telescoping antenna on my LJ. Stock part #86300-90K01.

And I have a 2015 BMW. The quality of the FM sound coming out of my LJ tuner is as good if not better than the BMW.
The BMW FM signal fades in and out (not constantly, but occasionally), and yes smack middle of Las Vegas.
I'm a little paranoid, and I think that is it Sirius XM Radio sending out a ping to pester me into a subscription. But I can't prove that. But really not sure what else it could be.

I'm sure there are plenty of options for aftermarket antennas, but really I like the stock telescoping antenna. It bolts securely to the wheel well and provides excellent reception. If I get into any brush, I'll push it down, and listen to my USB songs.

 

[eman375]

FJ73, don’t over analyze it. Just unscrew the bolts that connect the fender to the wheel well (back half of the wheel well) and the the bolt from lower fender to rocker panel. Flex the fender a bit to break the sealant / epoxy between the fender and wheel well. Then the fender will pull out 4” or so. The old antenna will practically fall out after you un-do the nuts that hold it in place.

If you wan to save a couple of minutes, use electoral tape and tape some clothes line to the antenna cable prior to pulling that through the dash and fire wall. Re-tape the new antenna cable to the length of clothes line or string to fish that that up to your radio.

You will be done before you know it, with clear reception on your radio dial.

Great tip! After 3 years I finally got mine replaced. It made me wish for longer arms and fingers, though. Thanks!

 

[Dprio34]

And it looks like you had the added bonus of having the snorkel to contend with.
Looks Great!

 

[roscoFJ73]

I put a blanking plug over the hole and added one to my bull bar on my last 75 series. I had a tall fg whip arial for remote locations and it worked better than the old one

 

[coldtaco]

I put a blanking plug over the hole and added one to my bull bar on my last 75 series. I had a tall fg whip arial for remote locations and it worked better than the old one

that's what the previous owner did to mine, gives it a more "outback" look Don't know how much better it is though.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

that's what the previous owner did to mine, gives it a more "outback" look Don't know how much better it is though.

But it looks cool and you can't put a dollar value on that.

 

[roscoFJ73]

that's what the previous owner did to mine, gives it a more "outback" look Don't know how much better it is though.

The other reason I liked it up front was I could judge the height in underground carparks and low lying branches ect. It did look cool because I had a CB whip, a 4 metre safety mast and the am/fm whip all on the bull bar
Another reason is some people think its fun to snap off metal chrome antennae in car parks at night. I think thats how the last one got broken
The fibreglass type are a bit harder for a drunk to snap.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

HAM mast and CB antenna. FM/AM mast will also be added. All in all they will discourage low flying birds.

 

[shansen]

I replaced the antenna this weekend with an OEM non-powered antenna. Took the approach of removing the door, 4 bolts and one pin. Was able to easily access the area to put in the new antenna and get the lower support bolt in correctly. pulled the new antenna line through the existing hole (grommet popped right into place). Overall it took about 90 minutes to complete the job; I did not remove any of the fender stuff. Here is what you have access to when removing the door. You can see the area the grommet goes through just to the right of the bolt connecting the lower fender to the upper section. The bolt that supports the lower part of the antenna is just in front of that. I don't have teeny hands, but they are not huge either, and I was able to position it pretty quickly. The washer/lock washer and nut are secured in the engine bay so once the bolt was in place it was pretty easy.

 

[John Young]

I replaced the antenna this weekend with an OEM non-powered antenna. Took the approach of removing the door, 4 bolts and one pin. Was able to easily access the area to put in the new antenna and get the lower support bolt in correctly. pulled the new antenna line through the existing hole (grommet popped right into place). Overall it took about 90 minutes to complete the job; I did not remove any of the fender stuff. Here is what you have access to when removing the door. You can see the area the grommet goes through just to the right of the bolt connecting the lower fender to the upper section. The bolt that supports the lower part of the antenna is just in front of that. I don't have teeny hands, but they are not huge either, and I was able to position it pretty quickly. The washer/lock washer and nut are secured in the engine bay so once the bolt was in place it was pretty easy.

That's pretty brilliant , SHansen. Was it really tight to get your hand underneath?

Has anyone else tried this?

Golden Boy needs a new radio and antenna (and a lot of other stuff).

 

[coldtaco]

I did it without removing anything, but kind of a pain in the arm Long sleeve shirts would be recommended

 

[shansen]

That's pretty brilliant , SHansen. Was it really tight to get your hand underneath?

Has anyone else tried this?

Golden Boy needs a new radio and antenna (and a lot of other stuff).

Not bad from what I recall.