Antenna delete

My buddy just got a new 3d printer and I was wondering if anybody has done a proper antenna delete. I was thinking maybe just a little cap over the bolt hole? Or maybe a cap for the fender if I took the entire assembly out? If anybody has done this drop your ideas below! I never listen to the radio. Bluetooth audio FTW

 

Bump

 

If you get rid of it how will you know if you can fit into a parking garage? 3d printing is easy....Modeling is a pain in the ass. If you just want to put a cap on it go to the local hardware store and find a button cap bolt that is the same size.

 

That just screws into the cap? My antenna is already short so it doesnt hit the garage door or anything. Plus I dont have a garage space at my place

 

Honestly it sounds like a dumb idea to me. No idea about Washington but some states will broadcast traffic and weather advisories on local channels, sometimes you may want local news, sometimes on road trips I'll scan the airwaves just to see what the locals are listening to. Besides, I actually like my local college radio station that broadcast in HD; not a fan of the compressed formats.

 

can I has the old antenna whip, I need a new one mines bent

 

I see your year/model is an 08; is that correct? Do you have a roof mounted antenna? If you do, I am assuming it’s the smooth button model. That’s the most minimal roof antenna model out there for the 2nd gen Tacoma with a 1 wire (RG-6)connector. Are you trying to eliminate that due to concerns of aesthetics? A small, plastic/rubber grommet could suffice in sealing the factory holes in the roof. But I don’t see why you would go to the trouble when you can barely see the antenna. Unless, your 08 is lowered?

I’m really curious for your reasoning here.

I have a smooth cover for the 12-15 model sharkfin that I am selling. But it won’t fit an 08.

 

I get alerts through my phone. I'm just going to find a black bolt that will screw into the antenna and call it good

 

I threw that away and put a stubby on. Now I dont like that one either lol

 

Nope, it's on the passenger fender. No reason really, I mean it kinda reflects the ditch light in some way. I just dont have a need for it and will probably just put a bolt in it to make it more slim if that makes sense

 

Funny, I was just thinking about this last night. Previous owner put a shorty antenna on mine but I'd still prefer it were gone. I do listen to the radio on occasion though and figured if there was a delete option that I could just install a hidden / window mount am/fm antenna.

The problem with most 3D printed parts I've seen being marketed is that the resolution of the printer is garbage and you can see all the printing striations. Makes it look like a cheap prototype, not a part that's ready for prime time with good fit/finish. If someone produces a quality part I'd definitely be interested.

 

Same. I was talking to my buddy with a printer today about it and he said it would be pretty easy to make. I just dont want to go through the hassle of taking everything apart so that's where the bolt comes into play

 

I was just thinking about this. I put a set of ditch lights on and the antenna blocks/reflects light back on my face. I don’t use am/fm ever. BT for everything. So going to ace to find a SS bolt to fit and put a black bolt cap on top of it. Probably a silicone washer too

 

I think that's a great idea.

Just because the factory antenna is removed doesn't mean there aren't options to add a hidden antenna elsewhere.

Customizers have been shaving emblems, door handles, and frenching antennas for decades. Something different usually scares people and apparently shaving the antenna on a Tacoma is just too different for some.

I rarely listen to the radio anymore. DJ's opinions hardly ever align with mine and I just don't want to hear theirs. Plus during election time that's all you hear on the radio, there's more to life than listening about the lives and opinions of theives wearing fancy clothes.

Radio is on it's way out to join 4 tracks, 8 tracks, cassettes, and CD's. Barber shops, department stores, etc all stream music instead of the radio for a lot of good reasons.

 

I've seen the other thread with the plugs used in the antenna delete but if someone 3D prints something cleaner, I'd definitely be down for that.

 

A cap that snaps into the fender would be nice. Wouldn’t have to be flush, just more streamlined than that mount you’ll be left with.

Printing lines won’t matter because I’d sand and finish to match anyway.

 

Ace hardware. Rubber washer and a M5x 0.8x 16 stainless rounded Allen head screw. Just looks like a power antenna and cost me $2. Funny thing is I still get a few of my favorite stations just fine.
I’ll keep the antenna in the compartment behind the seat along with the plastic wrench and Allen wrench for if I want it.

 

A lot of '89-'94 Toyota trucks came without radio antennas and they came with a rubber plug for the antenna hole in the fender. I don't know if the hole is the same size but the shape of the hole looks very close to the same shape.

 

I just put a bolt in mine too. I dont listen to the radio haha

 

My brother has a stubby on his 2nd gen it looks better but I think it still looks out of place