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Low profile antennas

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by paul0909, Apr 6, 2015.

  1. Apr 6, 2015 at 9:04 PM
    #1
    paul0909

    paul0909 [OP] New Member

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    Austin, Tx
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    I want to replace the antenna on my 2012 with something that has a lower profile. I've seen the 4.7" TRD antenna's on eBay and want to know if anyone has tried them? If so, any feedback or does anyone have any suggestions on a replacement?

    Thanks,

    Paul
     
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    #1
  2. Apr 6, 2015 at 9:09 PM
    #2
    Himynameisnick

    Himynameisnick 'Murica

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    Dont waste the money on those aluminum antennas...

    I got one a lost almost half the radio stations (I mostly just listen to the radio when I'm driving).

    They have some 13'' ones that seem better, but I am not too sure about their reception quality.
     
  3. Apr 6, 2015 at 9:16 PM
    #3
    geekhouse23

    geekhouse23 The "Liftman" - @DrFunker

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    I just cut my stock one down to 13". No reception loss.
     
    I married my tacoma likes this.
  4. Apr 6, 2015 at 9:25 PM
    #4
    Bpassmore8

    Bpassmore8 Brian13DCSB

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    Debadged, N-Fab step bars, LED cup holder lights, LED dome and map lights, TRD stickers, HID retrofit (Morimoto Mini H1 6.0, BHLM, HomerTaco ghost raptor grill, OME 885s with 90021 up front, 60091 in the rear with trim spacer
    I have . this one and like the looks of it and it fits perfectly in the base which i saw some people complain about with other ones. I don't listen to radio so it wasn't a factor but I tried the other day and I noticed a significant amount of signal loss but I am also about 30 miles from the radio station so would get a slight amount of intermittent loss with the OEM antenna
     
  5. Apr 10, 2015 at 5:19 PM
    #5
    paul0909

    paul0909 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks all VERY helpful. Saved me some coin!!!
     
  6. Apr 10, 2015 at 6:07 PM
    #6
    TheTacoAdventurer

    TheTacoAdventurer Well-Known Member

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    Forever modding!
  7. Apr 10, 2015 at 9:07 PM
    #7
    B737

    B737 Throbbing Member

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    stock
    This.

    i tried atenna-x or whatever it is, and it was complete crap. if your nipping the garage door, just remove your antenna, pull the ball off, trim off a few inches, re-install the ball, few coats of paint and you will have good reception. try not to cut the wire, just the metal part, and re-wrap the wire.
     
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  8. Apr 11, 2015 at 9:00 AM
    #8
    steelhd

    steelhd Well-Known Member

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    I have had terrible luck with short antennas. They seem to be fine for city dweller types where all the radio signals are close and high strength. But for driving in rural areas where signals are weak they don't seem to work very well.
     
  9. Apr 11, 2015 at 2:12 PM
    #9
    jbrnigan

    jbrnigan Well-Known Member

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    Factory antenna measured 32". I cut it in half, removed the ball, reinstalled it on the 16" piece and repainted the tip. Zero discernible loss of signal/reception quality. The PBS station I listen to most often, is 60 miles away.
     
    I married my tacoma likes this.
  10. Apr 11, 2015 at 7:12 PM
    #10
    clh850

    clh850 Well-Known Member

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    I'm thinking about doing the same thing to mind and I'm curious how this looks. Do you have a pic?
     
  11. May 29, 2015 at 11:44 PM
    #11
    goblue82

    goblue82 Well-Known Member

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    I heard these tend to bend back at speeds above 70 or so and they don't return to their normal position over time so you're left with a bent di*k of an antenna. I went with the TRD Shorty. It looks clean and I have an XM radio script so need for FM antenna.
     
  12. May 30, 2015 at 12:08 AM
    #12
    NMTrailRider

    NMTrailRider Well-Known Member

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    I picked up a ~13" at o'reiley (garage door issue). it looks just like the stock wire wrapped one and it works great. right around $16 bucks. no loss of reception. and I'm often 50-150 miles from towers.
     
    goblue82 likes this.
  13. May 30, 2015 at 1:03 AM
    #13
    PoweredBySoy

    PoweredBySoy Well-Known Member

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    I just installed this one the other day - and yeah, it kinda looks like a limp dick while driving. It mostly goes back erect after you stop or slow down, but not entirely. I'm wondering if it'll get worse over time.

    Zero reception loss though, but I'm in the city.
     
  14. May 30, 2015 at 1:12 AM
    #14
    goblue82

    goblue82 Well-Known Member

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    From what i've read they do get worse over time. I really wanted to pick this one up but just couldn't get over the bent issue.
     
  15. May 31, 2015 at 2:48 PM
    #15
    stbear

    stbear Well-Known Member

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    You need the blue antenna pill mod.
     
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  16. May 31, 2015 at 3:36 PM
    #16
    kjm19

    kjm19 Well-Known Member

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    Yes they bend alot in the wind. But they go back to normal. If you do however get one that doesn't, no big deal as they are only $20 anyways lol
     
  17. Aug 4, 2015 at 4:37 PM
    #17
    TheTacoAdventurer

    TheTacoAdventurer Well-Known Member

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    This is mine after about 1.5 years

    14cdbdc5100e096091f0b1f9c439a699_c78daa0d8c86235ad6220296c8e1b7a06b8e7b18.jpg
     
  18. Aug 4, 2015 at 4:40 PM
    #18
    T4RFTMFW

    T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

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    Jeez. Only a year and a half and its parallel to the roadway.
    :D
     
  19. Aug 4, 2015 at 5:20 PM
    #19
    devkurf

    devkurf Member at Large

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    I got the little TRD one from Amazon, it was only like $7 or something. It loses my local stations from where I live once I get about 20 miles away. It looks pretty cool, but I kept the old one just in case I ever get tired of the reception.
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2015
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    #19
  20. Aug 26, 2015 at 11:10 AM
    #20
    Dr. Jekyll

    Dr. Jekyll Well-Known Member

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