Replace Stock Antenna?

I've got a 2014 Taco double cab and I was wondering if anyone has replaced their stock AM/FM radio antenna with something that got better reception. I lived about 15 miles north of Boston and just moved down to the Cape. I lose most of my AM/FM reception around Plymouth which is about 40 miles south of Boston. My wife's 2012 Honda picks up stations another 20-30 miles south of where I lose my signal.

 

Honestly I did the opposite to stop smacking it on the roof of a storage unit garage I used to have. That was the only place it did that. I kept it.

installed a stubby and reception got worse. I kind of want to put the stock one back on because it looks cooler and more off roady.

not sure if there’s an upgrade but I imagine there is

I usually don’t listen to radio though unless my phone dies. The “radio” “music” ends up being non stop commercials

 

https://www.theantennasource.com/TOYOTA/TACOMA/2005-2016 Tacoma.html

^ If anyone has one they do. ^

I bought a smaller flexible one from them so my antenna would stop collecting trees. It has slightly worse reception though.

 

I'd like to delete the antenna entirely. I've had my truck for over a year now, and the only times I've ever used the antenna, it was accidentally. I have a deck that takes MP3's off a USB thumbdrive, and that's all I ever listen to.

 

Google "how to improve reception on tacoma tacomaworld.com
bunch of hits but yes, most of us cut to shorten

 

It may be the electronics not the antenna.

 

Maybe try a FM signal booster? Super cheap on Amazon, probably worth a try.

 

Back in the days before digital tuners, someone I knew had something called a power antenna. Not electrically powered up and down. Since you had a knob to find a station, you’d have to play with the knob to try to lock into a station. His power antenna would sorta grab the station if you dialed close to it. It was probably a signal booster like leomania mentioned.

 

I have this shorty flexible antenna from The Antenna Source on my 2015 DC. It does its job of being out of the field of view from in-cab photography, and helps with infrequent automatic car washes. But it DEFINITELY hurt FM reception, and not by just a little. A LOT. In the city it's fine, but the minute I'm out in the country I'm on XM or iPod. The company's description of its performance is wildly optimistic.

 

I have to admit, I giggled at 'play with the knob'. I know, I know, I'm like a 3 y/o, but... Well, nevermind, I'm'a go play with a knob.

That shorty looks good, though. Still wondering if there's a flat out delete kit available.

 

@Sarra

Sort of a delete... short of removing, plugging, prep-n-paint

 

That is going in my cart, thank you very much. :3

 

Most large Boston FMs appear to have their antennas at 350 Cedar Street or 800 Boylston Street, so you would have been well within their coverage area.

The Cape should be inside the reliable coverage area for the large Boston FMs, but it's near the edge.

Somewhere on TacomaWorld, there are one or more discussions about cleaning up corrosion in the Tacoma antenna base. That could be your problem. Also make sure the antenna isn't loose.

Also, the stock radio in a 2nd gen Tacoma sucks, so that may contribute to why you can't pick up the Boston stations. Your wife may have a better radio.

How's reception of Boston FM stations on receivers inside the new house? Are there any TW members who can report on their FM reception on the Cape?

Jerry Bear
retired radio broadcast engineer

 

No FM stations either. Really surprised no one else has this issue or has found a solution.

 

It’s probably the base and NOT the antenna. It corrodes and causes poor reception.

 

Here’s some good info. As Tnshooter said, it’s probably a corroded base and that is causing a problem
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replace-oem-antenna-in-fender.261341/

 

Stock radio in my 2011 sucked, poor FM reception. Thought it was the antenna, but after getting a new Pioneer head unit, reception is fantastic.

 

I wonder if a furniture foot would do the same thing. Cuz that's what that looks like.

 

How about a PVC end cap, shot to the color of choice, with a bolt epoxied on the inside... I do MacGyver crap like that.

Did the above on my MC side cases. JB welded a key in each.

 

I ahve one of those sitting in front of me right now, and it doesn't fit. The threads are either too small (slides straight in), or it's not long enough. Either way, I drop it in, it falls as far as it can go, twist it, and it just spins freely. Gonna have to see about getting a refund.