Short Antenna Anyone??
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 135
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
I figured I just lopped off 2.5" off my antenna. I should hit 25 mpg NOW!!
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 730
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From: Utah
Originally posted by YellowFX4SCrew
GearHead_1
Thanx for the input. I did that with my antenna and now it does NOT hit off the garage.
Hey, ya never know, maybe now I will get better than 10 mpg with this truck. Heck, Ford Reps have blamed the poor fuel economy on everything from:
My driving
Bad fuel
Weather
Accessories
...etc
...cause their $10,000 machine is ALWAYS right.
I figured I just lopped off 2.5" off my antenna. I should hit 25 mpg NOW!!!
GearHead_1
Thanx for the input. I did that with my antenna and now it does NOT hit off the garage.
Hey, ya never know, maybe now I will get better than 10 mpg with this truck. Heck, Ford Reps have blamed the poor fuel economy on everything from:
My driving
Bad fuel
Weather
Accessories
...etc
...cause their $10,000 machine is ALWAYS right.
I figured I just lopped off 2.5" off my antenna. I should hit 25 mpg NOW!!!
YellowFX4SCrew, My father just picked up a truck like yours. It isn't an FX4 but is a Lariat. He's getting 16 out of his 5.4. Yours sounds a little low to me. Oh, by the way don't mention shortening your antenna to the dealer. They'll probably void your warranty.
Last edited by GearHead_1; Apr 9, 2004 at 09:24 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,061
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From: Detroit Rock City
Originally posted by GearHead_1
This has been discussed a couple of times in the past. If you want to save a couple of bucks you can take your stock antenna and pop the ball off of the end (I do this with a pair of electrical pliers closed around the antenna so as not to touch or scratch it, pick a crimp gauged slightly larger than the antenna a quick short slide stroke with a couple of inch run will do it, do it upside down over a towel and it won't run away from you) and cut the antenna to your desired length. A couple of light taps with a plastic hammer and the ball will stay on, it's a press fit. You can put a drop of epoxy on it if your not comforatble with this idea. This is a job that just about anyone with a small amount of interest can accomplish easily.
If you want to do away with the black look you can use acetone on the antena and bring out the stainless steel look. It won't look like chrome or polished but looks fairly good. One thing about the factory antenna is that they don't whistle (the wound shaft helps this). I've put a couple of stainless aftermarket antennas on different SuperCrews and both of them picked up a whistle. They definitely bend easier as well. I've tried some of the rubber ones and though they don't cost much seemed to pick up a wind bend after they have been on for a while. When it comes to reception in most cases the longer the antenna the better, particularly when you get further away from the stations you are tuned to. Following the above suggestion lets you cut away only what you need for clearance and keeps it as long as you might want. Anyway just my 2 cents.
This has been discussed a couple of times in the past. If you want to save a couple of bucks you can take your stock antenna and pop the ball off of the end (I do this with a pair of electrical pliers closed around the antenna so as not to touch or scratch it, pick a crimp gauged slightly larger than the antenna a quick short slide stroke with a couple of inch run will do it, do it upside down over a towel and it won't run away from you) and cut the antenna to your desired length. A couple of light taps with a plastic hammer and the ball will stay on, it's a press fit. You can put a drop of epoxy on it if your not comforatble with this idea. This is a job that just about anyone with a small amount of interest can accomplish easily.
If you want to do away with the black look you can use acetone on the antena and bring out the stainless steel look. It won't look like chrome or polished but looks fairly good. One thing about the factory antenna is that they don't whistle (the wound shaft helps this). I've put a couple of stainless aftermarket antennas on different SuperCrews and both of them picked up a whistle. They definitely bend easier as well. I've tried some of the rubber ones and though they don't cost much seemed to pick up a wind bend after they have been on for a while. When it comes to reception in most cases the longer the antenna the better, particularly when you get further away from the stations you are tuned to. Following the above suggestion lets you cut away only what you need for clearance and keeps it as long as you might want. Anyway just my 2 cents.
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Senior Member
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 31,440
Likes: 4
From: The Bluegrass State
I'm dredging one up from the ancient past to, hopefully, get some updates here...
Has anyone experienced any problems with doing this antenna mod? I ask because the antenna is starting to leave black marks on the trim into my garage (this after only two entries/exits).
Thanks for the help and great mod Gear!
RP
Has anyone experienced any problems with doing this antenna mod? I ask because the antenna is starting to leave black marks on the trim into my garage (this after only two entries/exits).
Thanks for the help and great mod Gear!
RP
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 38
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From: Little Rock
I tried a fence cutter with no luck. These antennas are tough!
I then progressed to a hack saw which worked fine. I stabilized the antenna in a vice, wrapping it in a shop towel first to protect the finish.
I also had trouble getting the ball to fit back on. I solved this problem by using a grinder to taper the end of the antenna so the ball would fit. I then used some jb weld to make sure the ball stayed on.
I just did this today after reading this thread. It worked great!
This forum certianly provide some valuable information.
Thanks guys.
I then progressed to a hack saw which worked fine. I stabilized the antenna in a vice, wrapping it in a shop towel first to protect the finish.
I also had trouble getting the ball to fit back on. I solved this problem by using a grinder to taper the end of the antenna so the ball would fit. I then used some jb weld to make sure the ball stayed on.
I just did this today after reading this thread. It worked great!
This forum certianly provide some valuable information.
Thanks guys.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Originally posted by RockPick
What did you utilize to CUT the antenna? Just regular wire cutters?
What did you utilize to CUT the antenna? Just regular wire cutters?
I've used both a hack saw and an air bizzer. I'm sure a dremel would also work. The more you cut off the fatter the antenna gets. Using a grinder to dress the tip slightly works well.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 31,440
Likes: 4
From: The Bluegrass State
UPDATE:
Mine works great as well!
I ended up using a cutting wheel on a Dremel to cut mine. Once cut, I utilized the "ball shaped" grinding bit and made it so the black ball would fit back on the antenna. Epoxy'd in place.
Thanks for a great idea!
RP
Mine works great as well!
I ended up using a cutting wheel on a Dremel to cut mine. Once cut, I utilized the "ball shaped" grinding bit and made it so the black ball would fit back on the antenna. Epoxy'd in place.
Thanks for a great idea!
RP
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Lillington, NC
No problems with my reception as well. Thanks Gearhead. I did this a while back when it was first posted. You're right that antenna is tough. I used a combination between the hacksaw and heavy duty wire cutters. I did this for the same reason, the garage door.
After I got my daystar installed, I had to go back in to do some more trimming. It's a real knuckle buster. I never bothered putting the ball back on, but I still have it for whenever I get around to it.
After I got my daystar installed, I had to go back in to do some more trimming. It's a real knuckle buster. I never bothered putting the ball back on, but I still have it for whenever I get around to it.
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Bothell, WA
Originally Posted by GearHead_1
This has been discussed a couple of times in the past. If you want to save a couple of bucks you can take your stock antenna and pop the ball off of the end (I do this with a pair of electrical pliers closed around the antenna so as not to touch or scratch it, pick a crimp gauged slightly larger than the antenna a quick short slide stroke with a couple of inch run will do it, do it upside down over a towel and it won't run away from you) and cut the antenna to your desired length. A couple of light taps with a plastic hammer and the ball will stay on, it's a press fit. You can put a drop of epoxy on it if your not comforatble with this idea. This is a job that just about anyone with a small amount of interest can accomplish easily.
If you want to do away with the black look you can use acetone on the antena and bring out the stainless steel look. It won't look like chrome or polished but looks fairly good. One thing about the factory antenna is that they don't whistle (the wound shaft helps this). I've put a couple of stainless aftermarket antennas on different SuperCrews and both of them picked up a whistle. They definitely bend easier as well. I've tried some of the rubber ones and though they don't cost much seemed to pick up a wind bend after they have been on for a while. When it comes to reception in most cases the longer the antenna the better, particularly when you get further away from the stations you are tuned to. Following the above suggestion lets you cut away only what you need for clearance and keeps it as long as you might want. Anyway just my 2 cents.
If you want to do away with the black look you can use acetone on the antena and bring out the stainless steel look. It won't look like chrome or polished but looks fairly good. One thing about the factory antenna is that they don't whistle (the wound shaft helps this). I've put a couple of stainless aftermarket antennas on different SuperCrews and both of them picked up a whistle. They definitely bend easier as well. I've tried some of the rubber ones and though they don't cost much seemed to pick up a wind bend after they have been on for a while. When it comes to reception in most cases the longer the antenna the better, particularly when you get further away from the stations you are tuned to. Following the above suggestion lets you cut away only what you need for clearance and keeps it as long as you might want. Anyway just my 2 cents.
Talk about an old thread...
