Antenna replacement options!!! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Euro'wagon · 02-11-2010, 05:45 AM

Hey guys. I'm sure all know about the 7th gen 'rolla driver's side antenna on the pillar. In my opinion its kinda hedious. Here in Norway mine is not even retractable, so it just sticks way up in the air.

Anybody know of oem retractable replacements for these things, or even aftermarket that could fit perfectly in its place? At times when I'm not using radio, I'd like to be able to push the antenna down so its not bouncing around everywhere all the time, or for even going through drivethru car washes and able to bring it down so it wont break off.

Whats you guys' thoughts on this? Possibly I could leave the base on the antenna, take off the antenna itself, and install a slicker look antenna somewhere else on the car. I don't know....

Feel free to share...

dJcHiKo · 02-11-2010, 08:31 AM

what im planning on doing to mine is shaving the antenna off the side pillar completely so theres nothing there, then from the inside im gonna re-root the wires through to the headliner and have some wire coming out behind the rear-view mirror, then i believe you can buy in car antennas from car audio/electronic stores. and just simply wire it to that and stick it to the inside of my windshield.
I know some people have done that so thats an option.
in my opinion it looks a lot cleaner too
good luck man

Hook · 02-11-2010, 10:46 AM

The 7th Gens here came with a power antenna mounted in the trunk as shown here. If you're good with your hands and have the necessary tools n' time, maybe you can do a DIY install.

It's not a close-up, but it's the only shot I got with the antenna.

***Kiwi-Corolla*** · 02-11-2010, 12:48 PM

My antenna is incorporated into the rear window glass (next to the rear defroster lines), which gives the car a nice clean look because there are no holes or aerials poking out, but the reception gets a bit bad in some places. I've been thinking of installing an external one, like in the photo that Hook posted above.

gameguru1360 · 02-11-2010, 02:31 PM

what about doing one of those rubber flexible antennas??

Euro'wagon · 02-11-2010, 07:13 PM

must be nice to have the power one installed back near the trunk. and also an antenna mounted in the glass. anything's better than my floppy pillar mounted one.

i saw on ebay an oem style replacement for mine, where the antenna is actually retractable which would be better than just a straight out one like mine, that way i could fold it in whenever need be with the retractable. was like $16 so no biggie on price. of course just taking mine off completely and filling in the holes would be nice, but then could get extensive as i'd have to make sure its all smoothly done and then respraying and trying to match the paint thats on there now. burgundy paint is just a pain to get to match, especially after its 13 yr old original as well.

scratching my head as what to do.... good to hear about the options though and what others have. very nice.

Hook · 02-12-2010, 05:57 AM

There's an antenna roll I've seen on a buddy's B13SER that plugs into the antenna socket in the head unit, and then through a small junction box it attaches to a clear adhesive roll with the thin antenna tracks that u stick along the edges of your windscreen to conceal it a bit. It's barely noticeable.

It's not powered, but IMO the reception is comparable to the stock antenna he had before, if not better. Just throwing that option out there as well.

Lanuza_fox · 02-12-2010, 11:42 PM

I have an antenna that you sitck inside the car. I chose to stick it to the windshield and tucked the cable under the headliner. I dont know how to post pictures on here, but I have pictures of it on my Cardomain page.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3212190

sequoiasoon · 02-21-2010, 10:32 AM

I think I got my replacement retractable (manual) one from Crutchfield. Wasn't real expensive and came with all the install instructions. The antenna lead on the new one seemed real short until I read the directions and found that it connects right by the left side pillar with a separate extension lead to bring it to the radio. I changed mine because it was "frozen" corroded in place and wouldn't retract. Somebody tried to force it and popped off the drain tube so I started getting a leak. Replacement was REAL easy and fast. I also used a small piece of string on the old before removing to make it easier to pull the new lead through.