kittykat

Does anyone know any specific reasons or complications that may be encountered when mounting a 3' Firestik to the driverside rear bumper. I am planning on having a washer machined to assure the antennae points straight up through the bumper. The very corner of the bumper would have to be drilled to accept the mounting screw, but this way there is no interference with the tailgate. Any thoughts are appreciated.

bflooks

you could also get the hood channel mount as in bobs write up, and flatten it out like he did when he moved it to the hatch on his 4runner. the would stop any interference with the tail gate. i just installed it, and i love the mount! very very strong, and stainless to boot!

Intrepid

You should get at least a 5' antenna if you plan to mount it to the rear bumper and a 4' to mount it by the taillight like Bob 98sr5 did, so that is reaches above the top of the truck, otherwise you will have trouble transmitting and receiving. A 3' Firestick works very well on a hood channel mount, that is the setup I am using.

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www.toyotacrawlers.com
'85 4runner: 4.7's, FoxFab sliders, custom bumpers, 1" body lift, F-150 springs rear, lockright, welded third, IFS rear axle, 1.5" wheel spacers, high-steer, rears up front, Longs, 38" SX's on steelies, 12Voltguy dual battery, soft top, BMW seats. NO LONGER lacking an engine. :D :D

kittykat

Do you have any issues with the hood mount??

Intrepid

My only complaint is that from shaking around so much off road it rubbed some paint off the edge of my hood, so if you get one, stick a small peice of rubber on the hood side of the mount, that should solve the problem. I would also suggest a spring, regardless of where you put the antenna it could hit something and snap. The first day I drove around with it on there it kept catching my eye and I wasn't sure if I could deal with it there, but after that first day it faded away and I never really even notice it anymore.

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www.toyotacrawlers.com
'85 4runner: 4.7's, FoxFab sliders, custom bumpers, 1" body lift, F-150 springs rear, lockright, welded third, IFS rear axle, 1.5" wheel spacers, high-steer, rears up front, Longs, 38" SX's on steelies, 12Voltguy dual battery, soft top, BMW seats. NO LONGER lacking an engine. :D :D

kittykat

Thanks.

Intrepid

The one I used is a firestick adjustable hood channel mount. I have been very happy with it except for one thing. It is all stainless, EXCEPT ONE WASHER!!! So that has rusted mostly due to salt in the winter. If you get it, go buy some stainless washers. Also, if you ever want to put it in the rear you can flatten the angle and use it there too.

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www.toyotacrawlers.com
'85 4runner: 4.7's, FoxFab sliders, custom bumpers, 1" body lift, F-150 springs rear, lockright, welded third, IFS rear axle, 1.5" wheel spacers, high-steer, rears up front, Longs, 38" SX's on steelies, 12Voltguy dual battery, soft top, BMW seats. NO LONGER lacking an engine. :D :D

masterwacker

I have a 5' Firestik mounted to my rear bumper and it has worked fine for over a year now.

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I am the assistant manager at 4wheel Parts in Cleveland, OH call me at 216-267-6668 for "Yotatech" discounts (usually 10% - 30%) on anything. Ask for Paul.

1999 Toyota 4runner 3.4L SR5 4wd, 2.5" front spacer, 890 coils, 265/75 R16 BFG A/T, custom front light bar with Hella FF1000.

1993 Toyota P/U SR5 3.0L ext cab 4wd. SAS, locked front and rear, snorkle, TJM bumper with winch, custom interior, and some other small modifications... Sold!!

Expat

One cautionary tale re the hood mount (which I have).

When we were at Pismo dune hopping, mine flicked backwards and hit my roof putting a small dent in it. Also on rocky trails I am starting to dislike the way it sways around so much. I could never imagine the bracket holding up without the spring mount either. It takes a lot of the movement/shock that the bracket or antenna would normally have to absorb.

I still don't like the rear mount as I want to have the best reception possible (within limitations) and I believe the rear mount blocks a significant part of the antenna - not withstanding that, I am considering moving it to the rear

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Mark
04 4Runner SE,275x70x17 MTR's, Shrockworks Bullbar, Shrockworks Rock Sliders, 1.5" 4Crawler Body Lift, Kurt trailing Arms, OME Suspension, MagnaFlow muffler, 60" High Lift Jack, Yaesu FT-7800 Ham Radio, Diamond Magnetic Mount Antenna, Cobra 75WX ST CB radio, Wilson 5000 Antenna, Sirius Satellite Radio, Garmin iQue GPS, On-board CO2 system.

bflooks

this is my runner with the 4' firestik, the hood channel mount as in bob's write up, and the firestik heavy duty spring. i use the tennis ball mounted low so it can't come up and hit the body. with the heavy spring, highway "sway" is minimal. i like it. you can see how high up it is over the truck. about a foot, maybe foot and a half.


http://community.webshots.com/photo/...49255321BepEmU

Expat

Does a Firestick (and others) radiate a signal (recieve and send) from the entire length of the antenna, just from the top, or proportionally more from the top?

I know many people say they don't lose signal strength by putting in behind the car but how can that be?

Sorry if it's a dumb question - just don't know much about they work. (despite reading about them!)

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Mark
04 4Runner SE,275x70x17 MTR's, Shrockworks Bullbar, Shrockworks Rock Sliders, 1.5" 4Crawler Body Lift, Kurt trailing Arms, OME Suspension, MagnaFlow muffler, 60" High Lift Jack, Yaesu FT-7800 Ham Radio, Diamond Magnetic Mount Antenna, Cobra 75WX ST CB radio, Wilson 5000 Antenna, Sirius Satellite Radio, Garmin iQue GPS, On-board CO2 system.

deathrunner

my 1st gen doesn't interfere too much since my top is fiberglass, but I guess you newer guys lose reception in the back

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Decroded Piece of Crap

runnerboy97

as far as i know the signal get proportionally stronger towards the top, as thats where the wire is wound the tightest. i think the top 1/3 of the antenna does most of the work. i have my 3foot forestick mounted on my TJM bumper using an antenna bracket from and arb bumper.

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1997 4runner,lifted, locked, dash and grille mounted red LED lights, its my DD
1988 4runner, SAS, dual lockers, dual cases, longfields, 36's, and lots more.

Lone4runner

i found a awesome mount no modification needed.


firestik
Model SS-204:

or
Model SS-204A

no bending needed