fo_runner

Hey folks, I have a question concerning the whip antenna mod. My current antenna is obviously broken because the gear teeth are chipped(the mast doesn't come down), and the mast is broken, its just a stub sticking out of the fender.

Anways, I have already read the write-up on the taco whip antenna mod, but my question is; from what year 4runner and tacoma do i get the antenna assembly and whip antenna? I beleive it is the 3rd-gen trucks (1996-2002), correct if i'm wrong. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Scottiac

I believe all the info you could possibly want can be found here:

http://www.4runners.org/articles/whip/

(It doesn't exactly answer your question, but it should help)

fo_runner

Thanks, but i read that already and it doesn't seem to provide all the info I need. BTW, I want "Black" whip antenna; I have a 2000 4runner.

ebelen1

Not to be smart but does it really matter where the antenna comes from? I did this mod not too long ago and plugged in the part numbers in the search field for 1sttoyotaparts.com and they popped up.

JHupp

yeah, you basically order the assembly from a 3rd gen Runner, 96-02. My assembly came with a silver antenna. So I ordered a black whip antenna from a Taco, believe it was 95-04, but you can correct me if I'm wrong. Not too hard, and I believe the part numbers are specific to each generation of Taco and 4runner. By the way, the black whip was an extra $40 or so, if you can deal with the silver one, you'd save about $40. I would have, but I was real picky at the time.

garrett1478

just use the part numbers at www.toyotapartsales.com (same as trdparts4u) and they will hook you up.

Bob_98SR5

or just call them, for goodness sakes! just tell them what you want and if the part #s match or they recommend something else, go with it!

TRDatVT

I cannot find a working link to the antenna mod... Can someone point me in the right direction and/or tell me if this will work if I want to replace my motorized antenna with one for my CB since i dont listen to the radio?

johnw999

The 4runners.org website has been down for some time. I was able to retrieve the text portion of the write up using a google search and then selecting cached. Here is what's left of the write up on the net:


The "Tacoma" Whip Antenna Mod
By: Bob_98SR5
Date: 12-19-2002


Tools Needed
Flat-bladed Screwdriver
Philips-head Screwdriver
10mm rachet wrench

Parts
Antenna Assembly: 86300-35090 (list price $36.94)
Tacoma Whip antenna: 86309-AA040 ($27.38 at my dealership)



Please note that the Tacoma Whip Antenna is not picture above. If you want the Tacoma black whip antenna, buy part no. 86309-AA0400 and NOT 86309-35100 or 86309-32011. Also, I've received some feedback that the part numbers may have changed. If so, just ask for the non-motorized antenna assembly for a 4runner and a black whip antenna for the Tacoma.

Thanks to UKMyers from Yotatech.com who provided the following part number in this thread for 2nd generation 4Runners: Toyota Part # 86300-35070 (2nd gen 4Runners)

Addendum: 5/13/06
Based on the information in this writeup, a Yotatech member figured out how to do this mod without removing the wheel well liner. Read here.

Disclaimer
I am providing this write up for illustrative purposes only. Perform at your own risk. Any mods (including this one) you perform on your vehicle is your responsibility. Commercial use of this write up will result in legal action as well as the undying scorn from members of the online Toyota 4Runner community. You've been warned.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary
One of the most common problems with any vehicle including the 4runner is its power antenna. Over time, the antenna mast's "teeth" usually breaks because the "teeth" themselves (that is part of the mast itself) wear out. In other cases, the mast is simply bends or breaks which will not allow it to retract back into the motor unit.

One solution is to buy a replacement mast, remove the old one, and hope that the new one feeds itself perfectly into the motor unit. However, many times the mast "teeth" breaks inside the motor unit itself, requiring removal and opening of the motor unit in order to remove these pieces of teeth.

An alternative solution is replacing the motorized unit with a non-motorized antenna assembly with a non-motorized (obviously) mast antenna. The advantage of doing so is that you really don't have to worry about anything motorized breaking ever again. Furthermore, the whip antenna is tough---I've hit many low hanging tree branches and the antenna just twangs itself right back into place. A motorized mast, I'm sure, would have snapped in half.

Step 1: Removing the Fender Flare and Running Board End Cap (front)
Depending on your type of fender flare trim and running boards, remove these pieces in order to access the wheel well lining:



After removing these trim pieces, you need to remove 2 of the 3 wheel well lining plugs. Here is a diagram of what you need to remove as well as a close up of one plug removed:



Step 2: Remove Wheel Well Lining
After removing the wheel well plugs, pull and invert the wheel well lining so you have enough room to access the motor unit. Don't worry, the material will not crack or break. The material is very similar to a kiddie pool, only much thicker and more durable:



Step 3: Removing the Antenna and Bezel Nut
At the top of the mast, unscrew the bezel nut by wrapping your flat bladed screwdriver with masking tape and putting the side of the blade into the bezel notches. Turn counter-clockwise to remove.



Unless you run like Speedy Gonzales, you might call your friend to help you here. To remove the broken mast, turn off your stereo and let the mast retract as far as it can go. Then ask your friend to turn the stereo back on. While it is going up, pull it up until it comes out of the unit. You will see the metal antenna and a long, white strip of "teeth." Some people have tried with some success to just pull it out, but my dealership advised me to pull it out this way.


Step 4: Removing the Motorized Unit
Unplug the power wire that is connected to the motor unit. Then unbolt the single bolt holding the motorized unit to the bracket inside the wheel well. Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of the motorized unit prior to removal, but here a blurry picture of the non-motorized one after installation (the bolt is the same):



You can now partially detach your motorized unit. You will see that there is a wire leading into the body of the 4runner. This is the antenna wire that connects to the back of your stereo. If you intend to possibly re-use the motor again, do not cut this wire (like I did). To remove it, continue reading below.

Step 5: Removing the Passenger Side Bottom Panel and Front "Radio" Panel
The antenna wire starts from the motor unit itself into the 4runner passenger compartment area, above the A/C duct, and into the back of the stereo. Here is the path it takes to get there:



You must remove both the passenger side bottom panel and front center "Radio" panel to properly remove the antenna wire. To remove the passenger side bottom panel, unscrew the following screws to remove the glove box and bottom panel:



To remove the rest of the radio panel, follow this excellent write up that SLC_Punk wrote, which is contained in Yotatech's "Tech" section. Go as far as "Step 5" in Travis' write up and continue below.

Step 6: Removing the Antenna Cable
Pull out the stereo as far as you can and detach the power and antenna cables. I believe the cable marked "2" (the furry one) is the antenna wire. Pull this one out and leave "1" as is. From my recollection, the "1" cable is the power cable.



After unplugging the antenna cable, follow the path of the antenna cable to the right and cut the zip ties in the four places marked here:



After you've done that, go back to the outside of your 4runner and then you can pull out the antenna cable.

Step 7: Attaching the Non-motorized Tacoma Whip Antenna
You can now bolt on the non-motorized unit. Then thread the antenna cable through the hole, run the cable all the way to the stereo, zip tie it along the top of the A/C duct, and then plug it into the back of your stereo:



Attach the bezel nut at the top of the non-motorized unit and screw in your Taco whip antenna.

I would suggest at this point to test the antenna connection before attaching all the panels you removed in Step 4. If the test goes well, re-attach all the panels in reverse order and enjoy hassle-free radio listening pleasure!

You can see two pics of the Taco whip antenna by clicking here.

As always, email me if you have any questions, comments, revisions, etc.

LEARNING POINTS
If you take your 4runner to a car wash (gasp!), I would highly recommend you carry a small adjustable wrench in your glove box to remove the antenna. Some car washes may not have the wrench or do this for you. Now I did say the whip was tough, but those large, heavy, wet blanket car wash strips would probably rip the antenna off in a second.

TRD 4RNR

BLACK Taco Antenna


Non motorized 4Runner Base


I ordered the 2 parts listed above for my 1999 4Runner
Through: http://www.Toyotapartsales.com

And completed the job in 2.5hrs

Thanks for all the help in this thread.
-Mike

AlexJet

Will need to do it when it become warmer.

aowRS

Exactly what I did recently.


Andreas

Elton

i got my antenna parts off a 98 tacoma and a antenna of a 92 pickup cost me all of 5 dollars

SigEp4Runner

When my power antenna stopped working I just went to autozone and bought a whip antenna kit there. It works fine.

xskydivingdudex

my dad is a OEM freak so when mine broke we got the one from the dealorship... i went there and asked for the non-motorized 4runner antenna assembly and the tacoma mast and so i got a silver mast and a black one. It cost a total of 100 which wasnt too bad but im sure u could find it much cheaper onlne or used.

Ron Helmuth

I was going to convert my motorized unit to the whip antenna set up but it is just not necessary . Read up on Rock Slide's thread of combining the two antenna signals.

What an awesome thread it is

here is a linkie:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/g...stereo-193751/

I have a Tacoma whip assembly and 2 masts. I could not bear to spend $26 or more just for the silly mast. I picked up two silver ones at a junk yard and was ready to rattle can paint one or both.

I found that by simply cutting my solid blue power antenna wire I have left the mast down- within the fender -and get perfectly fine reception from the rear side window (cargo area) antenna unit embedded in the glass combined with the reception of the unit still connected but hidden within the fender. Perfectly good reception on AM and FM and seems fine for distance as well.

Putting the power antenna unit on a separate controlled switch allows you the luxury of determining how often it raises and lowers-thus extending it's life span and Rock Slide did that also. If I determine later my reception is suffering that is likely what direction I will go next.

If you have stock radio then you won't need all the signal combiner gear-(my deck is a Sony) your side glass is already plugged in rear of the head unit-that is the smaller skinnier plug and the fatter normal size antenna plug is the fender mounted one.

I can make you a deal on the Tacoma antenna- with or without a silver mast. I can verify the part number if anyone is interested. Gerone at TRDPARTS4U.com hooked me up with an 03 Tacoma antenna to match the fender's curvature.

Brando338

Kind of off topic fo runner, but is that J ROCK from trailer park boys ? I love that show. this looks like an old post too. so wtf.

AlexJet

Thats an interesting proposal.

crolison

I got my whip antenna from toyota of dallas (trdparts4u) it was like 30 something bucks shipped to my door, had the silver antenna, but who gives a crap.

AlexJet

Ordered 86300-35090 Antenna Assy and 86309-AA040 Antenna Wip. Dealership told me that Assy is not coming with silver or any other mast options, but it does comes with the cable to my radio, I ssume it's a complete cable all the way to the radio.