Tired of the auto antenna...who's gone with a flexable rubber stubby antenna? (1 Viewer)

[Safado]

My stock antenna has been bent and kinked more times than it can handle. Came broken from the PO, and I've hit it several times myself. The motor still seems to work fine, just the mast and probably the innards are in need of replacement. I searched and read that GUMBY runs one, just wanted to see if anyone else does as well and what you've used. I've searched around at local autoparts stores and found a couple applications that might work as well.

Post pics and experiences if you would.

Thanks.

 

[Doc]

Go xm.

 

[Safado]

You're going to have to pay me a whole lot more for the "value" of the EWD for me to pull that upgrade over on the wife.

In all seriousness, I would if my deck was dead....I'm just trying to replace the antenna for now.

 

[T Y L E R]

I replaced my 93 4Runner antenna with one .. worked just fine . I still got all 3 of the stations out here

TY

 

[NW-sickboy]

hey .... I havent had an antena since mine got torn out from a big branch that got the bettter of mine... I have seens some cool flexy ones we could mount to our bumpers. lets get together and do them on a saturday. ....... PM me

 

[ginericLC]

A friend of mine did the bolt on rubber duck antenna on his 60. It screws on to the remaining lower mast. I have to admit I was impressed with the radio performance but I still think it looks like crap.

2 other alternatives:
1. buy a new mast and nylon section from Cruiser Dan
2. buy a complete aftermarket power antenna, you could skimp and just buy a manual one too.

 

[Gumby]

Got one. I like it a lot better. Way better reception. My power one was broken forever.

 

[Doc]

XM isn't that expensive if your deck supports it. Like $150 or so.

But I think the half mast rubber thingies look better too.

 

[Scamper]

While I don't do any real off-road stuff, here are what I see as the pros and cons:

Pros:

Works pretty well. My son has one on the Celica and I have one on the Scamp (belive it or not...).
Less likely to be ripped off when on the trail and hitting all kinds of branches/stuff.
No need for electrical connections for up/down controls, etc.

Cons:

When on the trail, I would guess having NO antenna would be better than having a small yet flexible one...if you want music, you can use your CDs.
To replace the stock antenna, you'll have to extend your cable after removing all the original antenna stuff. Not difficult, but the bendy one does not just screw into the old masthead.

On asthetics, one can go either way, depending on what you think of them.

I'm sure there are others, but I can't think of them.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

so gumby what model is that or is it just a gineric rubber mast? I kind of liek the hook it to the bumper idea though. my cb antannae is on the left side of the arb now if hte radio was on the right side that would look kewl!!!
Dave

 

[Gumby]

Generic. Cheap. I think I got it a Kmart or Meijers. i unscrewed the stock mast, pulled the power unit out and threw it in the bushes with the manik brush guard and exhaust resonator. The stock wire is bound up tight in the fender. You can pull the fender pretty easily, I'm told, or just run the one that comes with the rubber unit through the grommet.

 

[MoJ]

If you're replacing, cut the old lead near where it enters the antenna assembly, tape the end of it to the new one, and pull the new one through to the receiver.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I got one at Autozone, $8. The mast on mine jammed and every time I'd turn the radio on and the antenna would try to activate, it'd blow a fuse. I disconnected the antenna and lived with that for awhile. Will gave me one from the 91 he was swapping the V8 into, but it's a different antenna and connection.

So, I went with the cheap-o rubber one, works great. I'll echo what MoJ said about fishing the new antenna line through using the old wire. The antenna comes into the cab through a hole at the top inside the fender. You'd have to have quadruple jointed arms to feed it back through.

 

[Gumby]

If you're replacing, cut the old lead near where it enters the antenna assembly, tape the end of it to the new one, and pull the new one through to the receiver.

Tried that on mine, but it was stuck fast. No tugging would free it. So it lives there still.

 

[jaysdead40]

I'm not quadruple jointed but I must have unusually long arms because I managed to fish the wire thru with out removing the fender. I was even able to get the factory grommet back in. But yes it is an exercise in patience. Reception on the new rubber antenna has been great.

 

[MoJ]

Tried that on mine, but it was stuck fast. No tugging would free it.

Better watch where you put that thing.

 

[thorvald]

the 60 came with a rubber antenna. i like the looks of it, and it works well-usually get better reception with it than with the 80 with the stock antenna.

 

[Safado]

Sorry about dropping this, fell off the planet for a few days.

Cory, do you know which model you used? I looked through their selection and didn't see anything that would work. Checker had a few good options, but didn't buy anything. Did the new antenna fit well with the base of the stock antenna?

Jared, did you do in on Sat? I'm working Saturdays now and did the Halloween thing with the kid afterwards.

Anyone

 

[lurker]

XM isn't that expensive if your deck supports it. Like $150 or so.

But I think the half mast rubber thingies look better too.

I don't know a thing about XM but here's one for $60.

http://www.bensbargains.net/

 

[Safado]

ahhh...Good to see I hooked someone with Bensbargains

Yeah, I know about the option...but when you weight an $8 dollar antenna vs the $60 deck, the $50 car kit, and $10/month for life....I'll stick to the $8.