Aftermarket antenna suggestions (1st gen)

I am looking at replacing my stock antenna with something a bit less ....boring? Right now I have the stock steel mast, but I don't like it. Specifically when I turn on the overhead light bar, the light reflecting off the mast is just a tiny bit distracting. It's not a HUGE deal, but hey, I want a new antenna.

So any suggestions on ones where I won't lose the signal any more than I already do? I live a bit away from the stations, so signal loss is there already. I don't want to make it worse.

 

Check out Antenna X. They are members here on TW and have good pricing. For something less boring, check out euro style 13" antenna. Another slightly less boring is their black billet 14" antenna. I just bought and installed their hidden antenna a few weeks ago. I haven't noticed any difference in reception, but I do live in the city. Their website claims "99.9% of the time reception stays the same OR improves." In my situation, it stayed the same.

If you want to go the DIY route, you could also spray paint your antenna flat black as to avoid the glare from your lights. Or just cut it down so the light doesn't hit it. I remember seeing someone on here removing the ball at the top of the stock antenna, cutting the antenna down, and then putting the ball back on.

 

If you haven't already, talk a stroll through the What Antenna Do You Have on Your Tacoma thread. Lots of ideas in there for you.

 

Thank's but that thread is about 2nd gen. I will have to look at see if they will work on a 1st gen. Different mounting styles. I do appreciate the replies though!

 

Oops, I didn't notice that. I'm sure many of them would work on a first gen though. I know nearly all of the AntennaX ones will work on first and second gens.

 

First gen antenna will work on second gen not sure about other way around

 

If one works on the other wouldn't it have to be the other way around?

 

It seems that the MASTS are interchangeable. The base is not however, But good to know. Only problem is that I can't use a shorter antenna, or I lose what signal I DO still have out here. I am 50 miles or more from the radio stations. I already have signal loss as it is. (The HD radio stations lose the HD signal on a regular basis)

 

You might want to keep your stock antenna and look into a signal amplifier or signal booster. If I remember correctly, amplifiers are the better of the two.

 

I went with an Antenna X short stubby for both my truck and the wife's jeep.