OK if I need to open myself up for hopefully gentle mockery I might as well go the whole way.

First time truck guy here - driven mostly mid size cars for 15 yrs. Bought the beast after careful comparison with all usual suspects and thorough checking. Measured garage width and length to see if I'd be able to get it in and still walk around. Tight but doable. Never thought to check the damn height.

Luckily I have about three inches clearance (didn't look that way pulling in!) but the antenna boings pretty nastily against a fairly flimsy vinyl garage door trim. Don't want to either screw that up or whip the antenna about a whole lot either.

So here's the stupid question - can I just cut off the top of the antenna ? My completely unmechanical mind sprang to the idea of making it exactly the same height as the cab roof so I can have a kind of cat's-whiskers feeler gauge for clearance on low parking garages etc. Does losing the **** at the end do anything ?

Also I assume this is a simple screw out antenna and I could just buy a shorter replacement but I'm usually a guy who leaves original equipment in whenever possible even just for a piece of darned wire.

Thoughts ? Surely I can't be the only one who doesn't want to wear a groove in his garage door trim but can't see any other suggestions. Enlighten a neophyte will ya ?

Thanks

 

Not sure if i did this right, never tried it before. Here's a link I found using the search feature of F150online. Just in case it doesn't work, I just typed antenna shortening and let it find the threads.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...nna+shortening

Good luck

It worked!

By the way welcome to the gang. A very informative site, both for f150's and a variety of other topics. Ask and ye' shall receive. You might not like what you get, but you will get it.

 

Great stuff - and now I know how to use the search feature too!

Yes it appears that others have acted on the same idea so I will too - measuring about 1" higher than the cab and cutting it down to that level so I have a feeler gauge. Save having to repaint the garage trim every few weeks !

I agree with you on the value of message boards - I make sure I find a board like this for any hobby or vehicle I own (but somehow missed the search link here - normally I'd try that first thing) - they really help the mechanical dunces like me and are great sounding boards for other questions too - sure I'll be dropping in from time to time and thanks again !

DM

 

Hey the scraping antenna is a cool thing remember the "curb feelers" on the old Cadallics? well same purpose especially when in a parking structure. Really mine does the same thing and I have had no problems from it striking the garage. the other option I have done is purchase an 18 inch bullit antenna on Ebay for about $25.00 looks cool and is far shorter. if this antenna where to scrape something you would be short a head.

Here is a link to one similar that I bought
http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI...&category=1467

 

I just went with the 'Rubber Ducky' antenna, even though I dont park in a garage. I couldnt resist since it was only 5 bucks



PS The fog lights should be on their way....Hopefuly

 

Got it done. The ball is a pain in the patoot to press fit back on but no biggie.

Slides in just under the garage door and is about 2" higher than the cab, which should give me a great feeler gauge for low structures (I decided to go a bit higher than the cab in case of inconsistent flooring, slopes, etc - basically if I have less than 2" of clearance I'm not sure I want to be there !)

Thanks for the reassurance it can be done !

 

I had the same problem with a parking garage when I commuted in DC.. bought me a shorty antenna and replaced it... REAL nice quality and looks great too.... I did not notice any drop off in range of recieving radio signals when on trips either...

http://www.shortyantennas.com/main.html

Mosa 01