antenna modification
 

When i brought my runner in to get a new cd deck, for some reason after my antenna would always be up, whether it was cd or radio., and the tools at the store just gave an "i dunno". I like the option of the power antenna but i dont want it to get messed when i hit trails and etc. So i did a mod today and have the antenna on a seperate switch that i put in the back of the shelf plate. Now the antenna can be down while listening to both cd and radio! bonus!, If anyone wants a writeup of what i did let me know and ill post one in the other forum.

Please do! Mine is always up after I replace the stock head unit with a Pioneer. It would be very helpful.

George

you could just wire it right...

How? Any diagrams or directions :readit: :wtf: ?

George

today's wiring harnesses (metra) for our trucks come with weird little plugs for our pwr antennas. you have to cut them, and solder/crimp corresponding wires. it's not exactly plug and play

please, please, please do a write-up. my aftermarket player on my '02 causes my antenna to do the same thing. drives me bonkers. i'd love to put a switch on the dash.

wat is this other forum that u speak of?

just a fyi guys some cd players only have a blue/white remote amp turn wire which means it will turn the power antenna on even in cd mode now if it has another blue wire that's the power antenna wire

Many aftermarket radios have the antenna up whenever the unit is on.

Paul

you could just get a taco mast antenna :D

For what its worth, my Alpine HU (CDA-9884) w/harness from Crutchfield (120701761) in my '97 sends the antenna up only when the radio is on. Stays down w/CD and iPod. Amplifier was bypassed. Sound is much better.

A previous gen Alpine HU (CDA-9883) in my '95 (w/the same exact harness) would keep the antenna up regardless of source. As I recall, I did not bypass the amplifier.

Yes, back in 04' on my 92 4Runner I had a shop do it since I hated opening up the 2nd gen dash. Anyways, it was a blessing in disguise as I have the stock deck in my 99 yet have wired a switch in to the antenna to keep it down even with the radio on.

Could always get a 1st gen 4Runner power antenna. It is operated only with a dash switch and can be left down, partly up or fully up as you desire. Most of the time the radio reception is just fine even with the antenna fully retracted.

You know--it would be nice to do away with a power/non-power antenna and get one of those roof mounted ones--like what the new cars have......

ya once again asking if theres anywhere i can learn to do the antenna mod w/ the switch

Pretty easy for most antennas. They have a single wire to the antenna motor controller. 12 volts runs the antenna up and no voltage causes it to lower. Just find that wire, cut it and hook both ends of that wire to a switch. Close the switch and the antenna works like normal/automatically, open the switch and the antenna is always down.

my pioneer does the same thing. i'd love to know which wires to solder.

Well, like it has been said here already. Most aftermarket stereos only have a line that is ment to turn on amps and external antennas, and since it is ment for amps more then antennas, it is powered any time the stereo is one. Some, but very few aftermarket stereos have two different outputs, one for antennas that is only powered when the radio is selected, and another that is powered any time the radio is on.

To put a switch on your power antenna, you simply have to put it in the line between the blue amp/antenna output from your head, and the blue wire to the radio harness that powers the antenna. Keep any amps you have added connected to the blue wire out of the radio to keep them powered. Some will put a switch like this to their sub amp to turn it off when not needed, or not wanted such as when loaded, or close to home to prevent theft.

from a Ford Focus / Merc Cougar - easy install and no water leaks - difficult to tell in this pic, but the mast is actually ~18"
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...ano/4r2mb5.jpg