Antenna replacement

Hello all!

I had broken my antenna awhile back now going through a tight trail and had just taped it up for the time being. Now I’m ready for a replacement!

Are there any nice simple stubby replacements that are easy to swap out. What I’ve found is a bunch of people replacing with an original and having to replace the whole assembly which is a bit time consuming.

Is that the route im going to have to take?

Thanks in advance!

 

I put in a universal electric antenna on a separate switch, so in the down position it's flush with the fender

 

Now THAT is a smart idea! However, I’m hoping for a bit les work than that.
I’d like to pretty much unscrew the old one and screw in a new one without having to go into the wheel well and into the dash. Not sure if that’s even a possibility haha

 

I tried replacing the stock antenna multiple times. All of the aftermarket stubbys had crap reception so I went back to stock.

 

Was it a simple swap for you? Because I’m having trouble with the actual antenna not coming out. I’ve got it down to the final piece and unfortunately can’t get it out. I’ve tried turning it on to see if it’ll “push” it out and I’ve tried pulling on it and nothing. Thinking I might have to replace the whole assembly?

 

It has been so long I no longer remember.

Then so many antennas are no longer original 20 plus years later

Can you remove the broken antenna mast from the base ? Some you need special tool things unscrew you install the new mast.

That tells you just how easy your job is. i have replaced many antennas to me it is not that hard.

Electric or spring loaded to keep from breaking .

Good Luck!

 

I am struggling to remove the mast. I got the little chrome bolt like thing unscrewed which I have read a lot of people struggle with. I was able to get that off, aswell as the black plastic piece. I’m struggling to get the antenna out of the holder thing. Is there a possibility that mine is all one piece and I have to replace the whole assembly? Or am I missing a step…

 

Impossible to know without pictures or being up close and in person.

Quite a few after 20 plus years things just will not come apart. You have used your penetrating spray of choice??

Many just need cut apart and replaced not much else you can do.

Any more I don`t waste time if things fail to come apart the first try.

 

Sorry, didn’t see your reply until right now. Got lost in my other notifications.

Yes, I’ve used penetrating oil. I also tried turning it on so it is trying to extend, seeing if I could pull it out at the same time.

Got pretty upset over it and it now looks pretty mangled. I’ve given up on it for the time being so it’s just sitting with some electrical tape covering it but this is how it currently sits…

 

My 1996 is just a screw-on that I replaced with a stubby that's supposed to be good because it has an internal copper coil. No nut that I noticed. I broke free the old one from the threads with vice grips, bing bang boom.

$25 AntennaMastsRus Short Rubber 6 3/4" Antenna for Toyota Tacoma (1995-2015) - USA Stainless Steel Threading, Car Wash Proof, Easy Installation, Enhanced Radio Reception with Internal Copper Coil

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9JZBSQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

Replacing the antenna was the first thing I had to do when I bought mine a year ago. The base of mine was rusted out so replaced the whole line. I did not find a shortcut. Had to remove passenger tire, peel back part of fender liner and take apart lower dash to run line and connect to back of stereo. I got a 13" Amazon antenna which does not get good reception with the JVC head unit. Tomorrow am upgrading to an ATOTO. Let's see if the reception improves

 

Looks like you have the power antenna optioned on your truck. Not sure if you got it figured out but i just figured it out on my 95 tacoma sr5 so i figured id share for you or anyone else with the problem. I was able to get my power antenna mast out by taking the electric motor off of the tube that holds the antenna mast and pushing it down through the bottom of the tube with the motor removed. Tube comes apart from motor with 1 screw and you can use a drill bit and a long screwdriver to push it through where the motor was attached. Looks like you bent yours up quite a bit so you may be better off cutting the extremely deformed stuff rather than making it round to push back down through. Its only a pain in the ass because you have to remove the passenger fender liner to get to it and anyone who has removed those stupid square fender clips knows the pain. If you plan ahead you can just order a bag of new clips so you dont have to be so careful removing them with a pick.
Installing the new power antenna mast for me was the opposite of removing the old one. got it from Amazon for $36

$36 AntennaMastsRus - Power Antenna Mast is Compatible with Toyota Tacoma (1995-1999)

heres the link. Insert new antenna in from bottom of tube with ignition on, turn off ignition and feed the geared cable into the motor and sandwich the tube and motor back together making sure to include the plastic stopper that the gear cable goes through to prevent the antenna getting sucked too far down. 1 screw on the tube to re secure the motor. Its a little tricky but at this point youre on the home stretch. Now just put the assembly back into the truck and the top nut. BOOM.
Quick note, while you have the motor off take it apart and make sure there isnt any left over geared cable from the last mast.
Obviously if you cant hear your electric motor running when you turn on an off the truck you can swap the entire unit out for a non powered variant found on the other tacomas or a universal power antenna but that involves fishing the cable through the dash which isnt so bad.
I kinda find it crazy that you cant insert and remove the OEM power antenna through the top but in my case both the old and new power antenna mast needed to be inserted and removed from the bottom of the tube as if theres a stopper that doesnt allow it to come out the top. Anyways hope this helps you or anyone else who reads this.