Anyone know where I can get a shorter antenna for my 2004 F-150 Screw ? I park in a parking garage every day, and although
the truck cab has plenty of room, the antenna slaps some of the beams etc. in the garage. I'm afraid it is going to loosen it from the fender.


Thanks in advance for any advice !

 

davatk,

Here's an earlier thread that discussed short antennas (actually, antennae) including where some can be purchased:
Short Antenna Anyone??
GearHead_1 has a great post within that thread with instructions on how to shorten the stock antenna. I park in parking garages occasionally and it is very annoying to have the antenna banging around. I will likely try to shorten my antenna before buying an aftermarket replacement.

Good luck,

 

www.shortyantennas.com.

 

I had the same prob in parking garages. Read Gearheads post, in 5 minutes with my trusty cut-off wheel, no more problem!

 

http://www.shortyantennas.com

MINUS THE PERIOD at the end

 

Under $10 from Pep Boys ... works and looks great IMO.

http://gordonmerrill.110mb.com/truck...na_750x620.jpg

 

I just bought a short black metal antenna at Advance Auto for my wifes Tahoe and it works fine and cost $4.98 plus tax.

 

I cut my stock one down and reattached the ball like mentioned earlier. Took about 5 minutes, and you can't tell I ever touched it.

Instead of the 10 guage wire stripper method to "pop" the ball off, I grabbed the ball with vice grips and turned the bottom of the antenna with a crescent wrench. It came right off, and there is no possibility of having to chase the ball around the garage.

When I put the ball back on, I put a little Loc-Tite on just in case.

 

Don' pay for a shorter antenna!!!

Take a pair of tin snips or heavy guage cutters and pop of the ball on the end of the antenna. (don't loose it when it comes flying off.) Mark where you want the antenna cut at. Take the antenna and place it in the heavy duty snips and lay them on a wooden table or solid surface. I had to take a hammer and hit the cutters on the handle. You will NOT be able to cut it by hand unless you have an awesome pair of cutters. I tried with a normal pair and it broke the 3/4" metal in half.

After you cut it, put the ball back on and you are finished.

$$$CHEAP$$$

 

Wait.

I have a question about that YellowFX4SCrew.

How the hell do you remove the ball and put it back? Does it screw on/off?

 

I just lopped off about 6 inches on my antennae, not sure why, but I like the look of it now.


To get the ball off, take some wire cutters (the ones with the wire strippers on them) and using the 10 gauge strippers, place it around the antennae. It should slide up and down on the antennae, and with that motion hit the ball with a bit of force and it should pop right off. Do it over carpet or something, so it won't roll away.

Cut it to your length, and tap it back on when you're done.

 

Well, aint that cute. Never would have thought it.

 

For those of you who have shortend your antenna, and or replaced with a shorter one, have you noticed a decrease in your radio reception?

Just want to make sure before I go cutting

Thanks to all for your comments.

 

My radio still gets great reception, no problems here!

 

Too bad for me my antenna is my "Oh ***** I am about to hit the roof!" indicator...damn parking garages.