Installing aftermarket antenna

I've tried a few shorter antennas and although they appear to have ever adapter with it they are not long enough to screw in.

Any suggestions ? Am I missing something?

 

Which one did you try? I've run 2 different stubby ones and both had a long enough adapter. Predictably, the reception suffered and back to stock. I may have adapters still though if you want them.

 

I run a cheap short one from Advance. It installed in about 5 minutes.

In metro areas like I live I can't tell a difference.

On the rare rural road trip I occasionally use it for, I can use a USB, MP3 or things like Pandora right off my phone. So the lower reception levels don't really matter to me.

 

I ran into the same problem. I went to Lowe's and found a long bolt with the same thread pitch as the antenna and adapter. I cut the head off of the bolt with a Dremel, and then cut it down to the appropriate size. I left it as long as I could, so it is not going anywhere no matter what happens.

I basically replaced the adapter that came with the antenna, that was too short, with a much longer one that I made that allowed it to screw all the way down into the truck's antenna mount.

Mine also came with about a dozen adapters, all of which were too short. I ended up making something like this:

 

I'm on my third one since my truck was new. The OEM antennas break easy in car washes. I replaced it with one similar from Advance and that one snapped off too. I went to a rubber 12"-13" one. Never had any trouble with the screw mounts though.

 

I ordered a stubby off Amazon, and it came with the required adapter to just thread in to the factory antenna mount.

Like others have said, reception definitely is degraded- but I use Android Auto with Pandora/Spotify, or SiriusXM so I didn't care. I definitely like the look better though!

 

I picked up a $9 short rubber, about 14" iirc, antenna from advance because I was afraid the factory one was going to rip out of my fender after the last wheeling trip. Came with half a dozen adapters. Needed one.

Reception is not as good, didn't expect to be even half as good. Glad that it is!

 

I still had all the adapters rattling around in my toolbox. The one on top is the one that worked in my '10. The smaller end is the truck side. If any of these look like they'll work for you, PM me and I'll drop them in the mail.

 

Thank you for all of the feedback. I felt pretty stupid for even posting it but it turns out that the size in 10/32nds but the length is the issue.

Boyk 1182 Very industrious!

Risk G Let me check the local stores again and if I cannot find one I will take you up on your offer.

Thank you again!