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.

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.

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.

masterwacker

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

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

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!)

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

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.

Lone4runner

i found a awesome mount no modification needed.


firestik
Model SS-204:

or
Model SS-204A

no bending needed

Traintech86

I know I am dragging this up but i wanted to ask if the above mount would allow me to mount 2 antenna's using the rear tailgate latch hook? i have a first gen runner and i know the bracket for the tailgate uses only 2 bolts but could this work?