Replacing the power antenna with whip antenna **Picture heavy**

The 4runner limited has a power antenna. This is not a good idea for offroading because power antennas are very flimsy. So what I decided to do is install a regular whip antenna from the 4runner base model of the same year.

I called camelback Toyota and they shipped me regular antenna assembly without the whip. I already have a Toyota whip antenna here at the house.



Part number:



Antenna assembly:



Next thing to do is find a way to access the existing power antenna assembly. I do this by removing bolts and clips that hold down the plastic splash guard in the fender well, the amount of bolts and clips removed depends on how comfortable you want to get to fold back the splash guard and fit your hands and tools:





Again, ^^^ the amount of clips and screws removed will be determined by the user. I removed about four bolts and four clips.

Clips:



Pulling the splash guard back:



Once I take a peek back there, well see the power antenna assembly being held by ONE bolt, remove it:



Next, the silver crown nut must be removed:



This can be done one of two ways.

Break it out or turn on the 4runner so the power antenna can rise up. Then have a helper hold the antenna firmly, turn off the 4runner and prevent the antenna from coiling back in. This removes the antenna from the power antenna assembly. Since my power antenna had started failing, I went with the option of breaking it out.

Once the previous step has been taken care of, look in the engine bay. Passenger side to the corner:



That there is the retainer clip to the harness of the power antenna. Push it out or break it out.

This allows complete removal of the assembly.



We are not done yet. Now we need to trace back the antenna cable to the back of the radio:

Pop open the glove compartment and remove it:



This is done by squeezing the ends.





Remove three bolts that are holding the upper trim of the glove compartment (only two are shown):





If we take a peek towards the back right, well see the antenna cable. it has gray tape on it:



Now to remove the radio, the center console and radio trim need to removed. The center console needs to be pulled out firmly:



shifter trim:



Radio trim:



Carefully unplug power outlet, hazard light switch, clock, etc.





This allows radio to be removed:



Remove the four radio bracket bolts:



Two antenna cables are behind the radio. The smaller one is for the rear antenna, which I ignored. The thicker one is the one we are replacing:



This is very important! Tie a string at the end of the antenna cable, so when you pull it out at the fender outside, you can tie the string to the new antenna and easily guide and pull it behind the dash towards the back of the radio! Picture of new antenna plug:



Install the new antenna assembly, attach the bolt and run the antenna cable by carefully pulling the string to guide it to the back of the radio and plug in!



Put everything together and screw in the new whip antenna and boom! no more worrying about breaking the power antenna mast!

 

Meh, I see some poor grammar and two wrong pictures. Will fix tonight.

 

Nah Perfect.
I am going to use this tomorrow.
My power antenna is shot and this write up came just in time.
Thank you Ramon.

 

Just remember to use some string to help you guide the new cable in thru the firewall and behind the dash. I did it the hard way.

 

Tie it to the end of the old cable before you yank it out.

 

I will.
Thanks again.

 

grammar and pictures update.

 

Wow , this is exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you Ramon. By the way when you removed the gromets holding the inner fender liner did they brake or were you able to reuse them. Thanks again.
Rey

 

Came out easy

 

Awesome post, the part number is definitely appreciated. Used this to throw mine on yesterday. The string idea definitely helped and I took the black trim off that sits above the glove box(just 3 bolts) to help guide the cable between the airbag and cross members which made the process faster and easier.

 

glad it worked out!

 

Tied the old antenna wire to the new one to help pul through. Great advice. It was a bit hard to pull through but with some tenacity I got it. Thanks for the post.

 

Hey there Ramon! I was helping someone on TW & linked him to here. I also noticed that there is a new part # for the Taco Whip.

Part Numbers (Sept 2018):
Antenna Assembly: 86300-35090 ($54.77)
Tacoma Whip antenna: 86309-0C020 ($30.04)

Here's about as inexpensive as Toyota parts get:
parts.toyotaofdallas.com

 

Thanks for posting these!

 

is the Tacoma Whip antenna:

$42 86309-0C020 Pull Top Antenna Pole Sub Assembly

86309-0C020 ($30.04) a one piece antenna and non retractable? i was talking to the toyota parts guy and he told me it is retractable. thanks

 

Look at the picture yourself before trusting the lowest paid employee at the dealership:
https://parts.toyotaofdallas.com/oem-parts/toyota-antenna-mast-863090c020

 

@Burnsy where did you pick up that stubby antenna? I assume you installed the antenna assembly but opted for that instead of the whip antenna?

 

What size antenna screws into that base? I found an antenna that has a 3/8"×24" thread that I want to use. I just wanted to make sure it can screw in there properly. What do you think?

 

Extraordinary detail in the description and especially the photos, thank you!

 

There is an easier route.

 

1999 4runnerSR5 Remove threaded cap , remove power antenna mass by turning on radio and pulling gear cord out . Replace with conversion fixed antenna. Remember to disconnect power under fender to antenna motor. ( advise seal or tape end of adapter. Zip tie cord or fasten connector , keep from rattling or slapping .