I need to get a shorter antenna on my 06 F150 S-Crew. It hits the top of my garage and my garage door everytime I pull in and out, and has started to gouge the wood on the trim.

I don't want to bend it, and I don;t want of of those stupid, flimsy, rubber "european look" things. I just need to have a shorter one, say 2"-3" shorter.

Any ideas?

 

not sure if this will work but maybe u can get one from a junkyard from say an explorer or another ford vehicle maybe there shorter.

 

Yeah, and it's free!!
I took mine off, got a very heavy duty set of "snips" and cut it down to about 12 inches high. Looks really sporty, but not ricey at all. you can use pliers and pull the stock ball off...but be VERY careful not to scratch or dent the ball when you pull it off because the metal is soft. Use a rag in between the pliers and the ball. then use something like JB Weld to re-attach it. I touched up any minor scratches with a Sharpie.

Works like a charm

 

I had EXACTLY the same problem.

I removed the antenna, took the little cap from the top off [it WILL come off], snipped about 2" off with my side cutters, replaced the cap with a little dab of super-glue and that's it.

Some will say this aproach will [should] effect reception quality but honestly, no difference whatsoever!

Certainly a lot cheaper than purchasing a new one.

 

Ummm... yeah, what Lumadar said too.

 

OH yeah...almost forgot...depending how far you cut down, you may need to drill out the hole in the ball a little bit larger. Remember, always go better safe than sorry when you drill...don't go too deep, or too large on the bit.

 

just cut off a few inches and put the ball back on

 

Thanks for the idea..just lopped about 8" off and because of the "twist" in the metal a little further down I just tapped it on tightly without any "glue" and it fit tight. Little satin black spray paint and viola. Getting bored waiting for my lift to come in.

 

Any ideas if you've lost the ball to the top of the antenna mast?? I don't know if it was missing when I purchased it or if it came off when the mast hit against the open garage door?? Anyway, I thought I'd give the idea of trimming the mast down a shot. Just need to find a replacement ball for the end. I've put a request out on "needapart.com" for an antenna but no response from any salvage yards.

 

does any one know if a bend at the base of the antenna will make a diff in reception.. i went through a car wash or sumthign i think, and it bent, and was going to just buy a new antenna, bc i want it shorter also, but if the bend doens tmatter, then ill just cut it too make it shorter and save the cash.

 

My antenna hit the garage door too every time i pulled in. After searching for quite a while, I settled on an 18" model from Tennatoys. Actually, I think the reception is better than the stock one. Looks great...didn't cost much, either.
Hope this helps, LightningBolt.

Later,

 

today i saw one on a lifted Scab that was only maybe.. 6 inches.. max.. it was chrome with like a little bullet looking thing as the tip..

it looked kina good.. anyone know of this type?

 

You can get antennas like that anywhere. StylinConcepts, Summit, Jegs, etc...Ebay too

 

what if i cut my stock one to like 6 inches.. ?

 

That will work also. Youll loose some reception, but personally I think it would look better than one of those big thick ones.