Write Up: The Taco Whip Antenna Mod
 

Guys,

I just finished my write up on this non-motorized "Taco" Whip antenna mod. I highly recommend it, esp for you folks that have busted or fussy power antennas.

http://www.4runners.org/writeups/whip/index.html

Bob

The writeup looks good
So have you also done this to your Camry. Mine has broken twice, this new one hasn't broken *yet*

Very nicely done Bob :bigok: I guess the same rules would apply if one was to swap with the short Honda whip antenna?

Travis,

I did not use a stock, non-motorized unit for my wife's Camry. I bought a plastic, flexible whip from ebay for her. It works well.

Beowolf: I really don't know much about the Honda whip antennas. If you are thinking about the S2000 whips, they are angled towards the rear and might look kind of funny on the 4runner. Ask Ckonsarke (Chuck) and he might be able to help you. I considered the S2000 whip but backed off b/c of the reason I mentioned above.

Bob

Bob nice write up. I am still wondering if that assembly will work on my 2nd Gen. I think I'll call the dealer and see what he says.

great write up
 

Thank god someone did this before I tried it. I have the fixed 4R assembly, I just need to yank the old powered marble grinder and install the new fixed unit. Thanks for the valuable info.

Nice write-up!

Here's the S2K stubby antenna:

http://ebay2.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_...330ce7/i-1.JPG

Please forgive my ignorance...is there a reason why you cannot use the existing antenna cable that connects into the radio? Also, on your write up you indicate that the Tacoma mast is optional, however, the 35090 does not come with a mast, so you will need a mast of some sort right? What exactly foes the 35090 come with? Thanks and maybe I am just being a little slow today :D

Mike

Well that looks like it would work, how about the base Jason is it slanted at all?

Good write up! :bigok:

I did a mod similar to this on my Supra. I purchased a whip antenna from Radio Shack with a "Coil Load" in the base for better reception. The Load Coil simulates a longer antenna, which is needed for proper FM Reception. Whips aren't usually long enough. If the Taco Whip has that in the base, then you're all good. If not, you might notice not-so-good FM performance. It really won't affect AM.

That particular antenna survived the car wash countless times, by the way.

My .02
Dr. Z

Mike,

The antenna cable for both the motorized and non-motorized units only have a plug connector at one end. The other is fused into the motor/non-motor unit itself.

The part # I listed for the antenna assembly did come with a silver antenna. I'll look at my parts sheet again as well as the invoice...one other member emailed me about this too. Maybe I goofed.

As for the s2000 stubby antenna, it does appear that the unit is straight up and down and not tilted. HOwever when I've seen it mounted on the s2000 as well as Chuck's Honda Odyssey, it looked angled when mounted. If its possible to mount, maybe someone here can do it and do a write up!


Bob

So, to do this you need to order both kits...one includes all the hardware, the other includes the Tacoma whip...yes??

My 4Runner came with this antenna stock. No power anything, including the radio antenna.

Mike, et al:

Maybe I got lucky, but I was charged only for the price of the antenna assembly (86300-35090) but got both the silver antenna and the antenna assembly...which is the reason why I said that you get both parts.

If you look at the following pic below, you can see that item #27 is separate from item #25, which includes #28 and #29 (the antenna assembly).

Here is a diagram of what i'm talking about:

http://www.4runners.org/images/whip/unit_nonpower.jpg

I've revised the write up accordingly. So in closing, you need to buy 86300-35090 and 86309-AA040. :nerd:

Bob

S2000 Antenna
 

I had the honda s2000 antenna for my celica (wish I kept the antenna). It is flat on the bottom. It was so much better than having and antenna that looked like a remote control car. Most cars that I see it on have a mount that is slanted so it has the slant look.

here is the link to an online honda parts store.
http://www.hparts.com/part_lookup.ph...51&submit2.y=9

Re: S2000 Antenna
 

Does that mean there are 2 versions of the mount (slanted AND flat)?

Thanks

2nd Gen Conversion
 

Here is the fixed antenna assembly part number for the 2nd Gen 4Runners: 86300-35070.

I'll be doing this within the next week. Just ordered my single DIN "pocket". The CB is more of a priority in my JGC than my Runner currently. The Runner will get it's CB in place of the pocket in the spring.:D

I just ordered the antenna assembly. The part # is slightly different for a 2nd Gen but comes with the same stuff.

My antenna is black as well. So base model 4Runners recived them as well.

Steve,

Yours came with a black antenna? The diagram above, that antenna is silver and that is why I bought the black whip for the Tacoma.

Bob

Back from the grave.

Will a Tundra 2000 antenna work?

Where is this write-up now? Can't find it.

4runners.org-

just the root directory. i think he rearranged the site awhile back

Fixed the link.

Thanks for the heads up guys!

I found this writeup, and then lost it (couldn't get to it from that link, but eventually found it).


Here is an alternative, if that one keeps disappearing.


http://www.toyotawiki.org/index.php?...ip_Antenna_Mod


Thanks for the great idea.


I would add that the stupid grommets (wheel well plugs) are about $1 each. After I broke the first two, I just went down to the dealership and bought a handful. Then I tore the hell out of the rest, without a care in the world.

Also at NAPA. No cheaper, but may be more convenient. It is for me by 15 miles:

Attachment 211929

Holy Hell! A 12 year old thread?!

Would you prefer a new thread every six weeks where five people tell the poster to search and find this one?

Hi think link is brokern as i get error message 404 cannot be found.

It is broken however the other link to another write up works http://www.toyotawiki.org/index.php?...ip_Antenna_Mod

Good point. lol

Yeah, I generally look for the thread with the most recent activity, the thread with the most activity, or the thread that seems the most relevant, if I have something to add.


I'm not big on starting new threads on a site like this, unless I am positive it hasn't been asked.


In this case, I had a good link to a write up, so I thought I'd leave it here for the next person who did a search.

Why didn't my mechanic know about this mod? I am so excited to have found this thread! Thank you!!