How to rotate your antenna.

toyota4x405 · 07-08-2009, 09:19 AM

I have some windshield mounted lights on my home made brackets and my lights were sticking pretty far out to the side. My antenna was rubbing against them so I decided to rotate it. I now some people have done this but I have never seen a write up on it so here it is. To get the plastic cover off, first unscrew the antenna. There are 2 tabs at 3 and 9 o'clock. You will need to either use a small screw driver to release them or at the bottom of the cover, there is a small hole that you can work a coat hanger through and push the sides out. The tab at 9 o'clock on mine was already sticking out a little so I started with that side. If you use a screw driver, make sure you put tape on the paint so you don't scratch it. This is what the cover looks like on the inside (notice the tabs), and how the antenna is mounted to the panel.

At first, I was going to try and drill 3 more holes and rotate the bracket that it screws into but I found out that it is attached all over the place. So, I drilled 3 more holes on the out side bracket. Where the red dots are at. (Sorry but I don't remember the drill bit size so you will have to match it up with the bolts.)

On the back side of that bracket, there is a tab that sits at the 12 o'clock position. You will need to notch out another spot for that tab to sit roughly around the 11 o'clock position. The red at the top is what you need to notch out.

After that, you can bolt it back on. My antenna is sticking out a little bit but I am going to secure it better using the 3M clear tabs hook (last picture is from akonius from another forum, thanks).

Beltfed09 · 07-08-2009, 01:23 PM

Hmm, nice mod... I plan on painting my antenna Flat Black just as soon as I get around to it

toyota4x405 · 07-08-2009, 02:10 PM

Mine is outside drying as we speak. Along with my KC lights.

toyota4x405 · 07-09-2009, 08:49 AM

My before/after pics. The first picture shows how my antenna used to hit the light, and shoot out.

BiGEN · 07-09-2009, 12:08 PM

great write up.. i may try it.. i just took my antenna off.. cause who listens to the radio anymore? im all ipod lol

Vertisce · 07-09-2009, 12:14 PM

I like it! A friend of mine has his set up on his Wrangler so that there is no "stick" antenna. He cut it off near the base and then manufactured a simple short plug that attaches to it. The plug is connected to several yards of thin copper wiring that he wrapped around the roll bars under the fabric covers. He gets a perfect signal with practically his whole Jeep being one big antenna. I will try and get some pics.