Rectractable antenna

I'd like to install a retractable antenna to get it out of the way.

A few days ago I installed a Boss receiver from Crutchfield. It works good. I connected up the wire harness and plugged in the antenna plug.

What confuses me is there was also a "power antenna" wire in the new harness that was not pre-stripped like the other wires and instead had like a small bulb on the end of it that I left alone out of caution instead of stripping and connecting it to the matching wire. I wish I took a pic. What would the bulb mean? If the antenna wire is just the radio signal input, it seems like some wire for retracting the antenna would be needed?

Side question, does the mic connect to the aux port on the front, or should I have plugged that into the rear? In the manual the circular connectors on the rear (all unused because it uses the wire harness instead) are V-in, R-in, L-in, SUB1, SUB2, and then the 4 speaker ports.

 

The new radio should have a separate wire for trigging the new power antenna.
I installed an aftermarket power antenna and the radio will activate the antenna up and down when the radio is turned off and on.

I put a separate switch on off so to leave the antenna down most the time unless I'm using FM instead of XM

 

Right, but my question is what's up with the bulb on the "power antenna" wire instead of a pre-stripped wire? I think there was a bulb on one or two others also, for something I didn't need or aren't on this receiver model like backup camera. Surely any $225 receiver like this would support a power antenna?

 

Normally the head unit will have a REM for remote amp tiggers. You could try that. I actually installed a manual switch in the 4runner I had instead.

Who knows why there was a bulb. That's the kinda thing that needs a Pic.

 

Really need photos,
The OEM power antenna is completely different and has a relay and wired completely differently

 

Ok, I'll see about getting pics. My OEM is not a power antenna, it's a 30" flexible.

Actually, now that I realize the wiring is not there for a power antenna (duh) and that it should also go through the fuse box, I think this is more trouble than it's worth and I should just get a stubby antenna. I'm not an electrical guy at all.

 

Your call on that one

 

Uhhhh, I think that the picture that was called for was of the antenna or its box, or its receipt. Not of your truck. But WTF do I know...

 

He was showing OP the antenna delete

 

I bet what your seeing is a crimp on wire nut to keep that wire from shorting.

If you never used this style it is like a crimp on wire nut that could look like a bulb to most people that have never used this type.

 

So it's supposed to be kept as it is, or it should be stripped and wired up? I can't remember what all wires had it, but I feel like there were 2 or 3.

 

Not all vehicles use electric antennas so that wire is capped for safety as it would be the trigger wire for the antenna.

If your installing a aftermarket electric antenna you need to follow those directions and schematics .

 

Your late to the party,OP wasn’t sure if he want an aftermarket electric antenna,
So the photo I posted is my aftermarket electric antenna and what it looks like in the down position