flexible thin short antenna

ok, so it seems the following is true:

- any of the short antennas that are thin like the OE one are not flexible. they break and can even mess up the base if hit hard enough. no good for me.

- the only flexible antennas are fat vinyl antennas - unattractive imo.

i read ONE post in one of the threads of my research where a guy heated the end of the OE antenna and pulled the ball off, cut the stocker to the height he wanted, and with the end a little hot he put the ball back on and it sealed back up. that sounds ideal to me but i can't verify it.

any other options you guys are aware of where i can get a flexible and thin short antenna? i'd say 14" would be ideal, about roof height, or really short...anything in between looks weird.

 

you will only loose reception.

 

i'm not concerned as i only listen to sirius radio. the OE antenna length makes it so i have to affix vice grips in the track of the garage door to keep it from hitting each and every time i want to move the truck in and out of the garage. i'm sick and tired of doing that. the truck clears just fine with several inches to spare. the antenna is the thorn in my side.

 

Then completely remove the antenna and put plug un the base so it doesn't rust out.

 

thanks. asthetically that doesn't please me. that solution looks like the antenna broke and the base is left. if it was "shaved", that would be different.

 

I also removed the ball from my antenna, cut to desired length (roof line height) and placed the ball back on. I found a post on here that showed how to easily remove the ball. Place a set of pliers just behind the ball and tap the pliers with a hammer. This prevents you from trying to pull the ball off and scratching the ball. If you try to pull the ball off, it is near impossible and made of a soft metal that will easily leave deep scratches. It will take a few taps to knock the ball off. Make sure you are tapping the ball into a confined corner so you can find it when it comes off.

Cut the antenna to the desired length. The cut location I chose was low enough that the antenna was thinner than the hole of the ball. To make sure I had a good fit and a clean finish I used the dermal to sand down the tip of the antenna and the black from the tip of the antenna. I filled the ball with solder and quickly placed back on the antenna. I used some extra solder around the bottom of the ball once it was placed on the antenna to ensure a tight fit. Then sanded down the solder to give the ball and the antenna a smooth finish. Finally I used flat black paint to repaint the antenna.

The ball is nice and tight on the antenna. Also the antenna is now to a desired height so it no longer hits my garage door when driving in. I have not had any reception with any of the main local stations. There are a couple stations that I get very little static now when going under a bridge, in parking garages but no complaints about looks or reception.

I intially bought one of those thick shorty antennas and I didnt like the look and also got a decent amouth of static.

 

http://www.stubbyantenna.com/detail1.asp?key=Toyota_Tacoma_1995

I have the same one but 14 inch and love it. has flex and looks great

 

Having that antenna hit the roof of a parking garage first is better than having the cab hit it. If you use parking structures, I would leave it as is. The antenna hitting is the first sign clearance is tight.

 

dang, thanks!!!

that is a very good point as it is indeed a built in height check. but for me, i only park my truck in my garage. i haven't parked any of my personal cars in anything but my garage, ever! my wife's cars, yeah, but mine typically stay home or i will insist on a street/lot spot.

 

is it springy like the OE one? that site says it's made out of aluminum

 

is it springy like the OE one? that site says it's made out of aluminum
Tony
Here is the same one i have the 14 inch black. It is a springy but since it is so small there is a point where you cant bend it anymore. I love it it makes the truck look better (my opinion) does not hit the top of my garage when i pull in, works as good as the stock one still get al the radio channels with clear reception. Would refer to a friend. Hope this helps

http://www.shortyantennasource.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=8_57

 

i pulled the ball off, cut it down to clear the garage opening and put the ball back on, no reception problems

 

Antenna X

http://www.antennax.com/searchadv.a...ShowPics=1&make=Toyota&model=Tacoma&year=2007

Here is the one I use.

 

in for more info on any of the thin antennas IF they are flexible like stock. thanks.

 

^^ Me too...I got an Antennax for Christmas and it made it through two car washes before it was fup duck. I took my stock and cut about 8-10" off of it and super glued the ball back on and it looks pretty cool. Reception seems to be about the same but like some others I'm an XM guy so don't listen to terrestrial radio much. That's what I'd do...

 

yeah, i'll probably go that route. i just hate cutting things unless i have an original to replace it with. i'm super careful and precise but just hate permanently modifying stuff on new vehicles, lol. i know, it's crazy.

 

I've done this on many vehicles including my Tacoma and it's very easy to do and looks good. Just remove antenna from truck, cut it at whatever length you want and then dip the cut end into a can of black liquid electrical tape. I usually cover about 3/4 inch of the antenna end and apply three coats. It holds up very well, even in the carwash, and looks professional. You can find this black liquid electrical tape at any auto parts store or even walmart and it's not very expensive.

 

Do you know how the EU style one that they offer holds up?