How-To: Replace OEM Antenna (in-fender)

Thanks for the step by step instructions. I replaced my antenna today with parts from Camelback.Have already heard an improvement in reception, especially with HD stations. Had to drill out part #3 as despite looking ok on the outside, was basically fused by corrosion on the inside. Despite snapping some drill bits in half I finally bored it out enough to expand and come loose. The picture doesn't really do it justice.
Sadly the drill gave my fender a nice love tap but fortunately 95% of it compounded out. Anyway, thanks again for the great write up. I was happy to finish it because this was a pain in the arse to get to. Hopefully one and done...

 

Excellent write up, because you took the time you saved lots of time
at my end. The Dealer was of little help ( NORMAL ) the parts person thought the antenna was located in the roof as per their blown up parts diagram.

 

Loved your write up with the photos. Thank you
I had to teach the parts person how to sell me the proper body clips.
Yoshio knows !!!!!


I now have to many radio stations Lol

 

Sounds like your antenna was just as bad as mine!

 

Glad to help! I'm surprised a parts guy didn't know about the clips, my parts guy was the one who recommended I buy them!

 

Just replaced mine. Thanks for the drilling tip & the post (my mounting nut was a bear to get off too).
I took off the wheel and only needed to remove 3 of the mounting grommets, my mudflap and a couple extra screws
to get enough room to get at the antenna assembly. Got the replacement grommets at local dealer for a total of $4.

These posts sure make life easier.

 

I must first start by saying thanks for the great directions. Replaced mine today and it was a battle every step of the way. If for some reason I find myself having to replace the antenna mast again, I'm trading my Taco in for a F-150!

Seriously though, thanks!

 

Thank you for these instructions. I just recently bought a 2010 PreRunner, the truck looks great except for this bezel being all corroded. I plan on buying these parts and swapping it out in the next couple weeks.

 

First, thank you for taking the time to do this tread. It was a huge help!

It seems the corrosion in the base of the antenna was so bad it actually loosened the base due to missing metal.

I used a 7mm wrench to unscrew the antenna mast. No corrosion there. The photos of access inside were very helpful. Removing the glove box is easy and routine if you check you filter in there for the heater system.

I had to use pliers to pull the lower white clip, but used a screw driver for the top one closer to the connector.

Had to drill out the antenna base to free the frozen ring, and yeah, I was too aggressive with the drill and it skipped off and hit the paint. I was warned!

The hardest part was the fender well. Pulled the mud flap off and was able to save the black snap plugs on it. There were four black snap plugs I pulled out that held the fender well. The one at the top and bottom where reusable and the center two have to be destroyed by prying out; no rear access. I was able to bend the fender well back enough to see the bolt for the antenna mast, but that job in there is mostly by feel.

Nice design for assemble; the antenna base has a small hook at the bottom to help hold it in place while you fumble with the rubber cover and ring. The tang at the bottom of the antenna mast also had a similar hook to hold it in place while you put the bolt in. 10 mm socket is handy for this and for the two bolts on the handle inside.

Too bad the base is so prone to corrosion. Mine is a 2008 so 7 years in New England winter salt did its toll.

Not sure what the little blue snap plugs were for. Never saw a need for them. What did I miss?

Thanks again for all the help!

Everything went back together easy, but make sure that radio works well before you close up.

 

First of all I would like to thank you about this thread.

That was very useful for me and your instruction was very nice.

I change my antenna and am glad this is done I hope to not changing again because space is very limited and a bolt broke because too much rust.

It take me around 1 hours and a half to do the job.

Again Thank you for this thread

 

Thanks for the excellent write up. It made changing the antenna a breeze.

In order to prevent corrosion I would suggest using Fluid Film - http://www.fluid-film.com/applications/automotive/

I have been using this on gate hinges and battery terminals for a while and used it on the reinstall of the antenna. It is a non-drying lubricant that is also a dielectric. It is basically lanolin. It doesn't get washed off by water either, which makes it great for outdoor/marine applications.

 

I signed up for this forum to thank the OP, Yoshio, for his post.... 2 years later I have just had to replace my antennae and wouldn't have known where to start without this!
Thanks again!

 

I just purchased a 2014 taco DCSB. Love the truck! There exists only one problem, I think. There was no antenna on the truck, so I purchased one from AntennaX. The problem is that the base is too large for the hole opening on the rig. I am assuming, after reading so many threads on this that the stock antenna snapped off. But it isn't apparent, to me anyway. I am assuming it was broken, however, I can not locate any remaining screw in the hole. Placing a wire hanger down the hole goes ~4" before I hit anything solid, again, I think. Hard to tell. So there is no way to drill a hole in the bottom. Can anyone tell me what I am looking at here?

 

That round silver thing with the notches is a nut,, back it off and the antenna will fall into the fender,,so be sure you have your wheel well liner off so you can into the fender t retrieve it..

 

Of course.... now reading about the aluminum oxide line below the antenna, I have to check mine... no, it is not just dirt because I haven't washed it in about 2 years. Tiny bit of pressure and the plastic cover is completely separated from the base.

Oh well... at least it isn't a "major" problem.

 

I lifted the rubber boot and found dust underneath, the metal that was there had disintegrated. Magic Eraser removed the rust marks,,

 

Aluminum oxide, to be precise.

 

Just like the people above me, thank you OP, this thread was a great help! I just replaced my antenna today, and thanks to your instructions, it wasn't too bad. I did have to run out to the stealership to grab some new black clips, but thankfully they had them in stock. I finally have my reception back! Thanks again!

 

Great write up! I currently have my antenna stuck into my snorkel intake cause the base is all corroded and broken! hope I can replace the base. Thanks

 

Yoshio, dude this right up was fantastic, saved me hours of work... thanks a million. At first i thought it was my stubby antenna that was mucked but after reading this it gave me new hope. I slowly started losing local stations and couldnt figure out why. Im sure my factory antenna took a hit or two somewhere down the line which i honestly think contributed to this. That and the fact im in canada and our municipalities dump salt all over the roads throughout the winter months surley didnt help. The infamous "white corrosion stain" was a good indication i had this issue. Home made bezel tool worked like a charm.