Need a shorter antenna
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 75
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From: Cypress, TX
Need a shorter antenna
Anyone replace there antenna? I have an 05 FX4 and the antenna hits the garage at home and at work and is really annoying. If anyone has replaced their antenna can you let me know what you replaced it with and where you got it. Thanks in advance. 
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 279
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From: Subz of the Windy City!
Guyz, there are allot of internet companies out there selling billet replacements called "shorties". But remember this before you take that leap into changing the stock antenna, most of us believe Ford had a good reason for using them.......like in parking garages etc. the antenna will hit first before your roof does. sort of a "Early Warning System". But if you're like some that lifted or lowered your truck I guess it wouldn't apply to you because either you can't enter them or you truck is as low as a sedan. check this out: http://www.f150store.com/Shop/ViewPr...&PlateTypeID=1 these are 19" and your stock is 32"-----big diff. 
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
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Another solution...
... is to cut off the existing antenna 3 inches or so; that is what I did.
The little ball on the top is easily removed. I took a pair of visegrips and twisted the ball off.
Then I cut 3 inches off the length of the antenna from the top. A small amount of Loc-tite on the ball and then tapped it back on.
A shot of black spray paint to match and cover the scratches and it looks like new.
The little ball on the top is easily removed. I took a pair of visegrips and twisted the ball off.
Then I cut 3 inches off the length of the antenna from the top. A small amount of Loc-tite on the ball and then tapped it back on.
A shot of black spray paint to match and cover the scratches and it looks like new.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
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Good point about the ‘roof feeler’ aspect of the long antenna, but driving in and out of my garage got old about the second time. Being on the cheap side I went down to Kragen’s and bought a 8.00 universal antenna, the kind with a hideous silver ball, huge black base , a short rubber thing. I then disassembled it, tossing the ball and ugly black bottom with it's wiring into the spare parts box, then got a steel Allen head screw about two inches long, and replaced the short screw inside the aerial with the two inch Allen. Looks good in a short stubby way, gets about the same am/fm reception and cost under 10 bucks. Total time invested about five minutes work and fitting.
Chris
Chris
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 807
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From: Idaho
I had the same problem. I grabbed the antenna about 6" off the bottom with vise-grips. Then, I bent it back untill the angle matched the windscreen. At the top, I bent about 2" back to vertical, and took off the top ball. I glued a little car (about 1.5 inch long) on top. #88 replica. Don't put too big of a car there, or when hitting bumps, it will smack your windscreen.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Cypress, TX
Thanks for the link HawaiianStyle. Also thanks for all of the other ideas guys. I wanted to get something that was as close to the same height as the roof of the truck. Cutting the existing antenna sounds like the route I want to take. I like the look of it better than any aftermarket antenna I have seen and the shortening process seems simple.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 16
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From: Minnesota
I had the same garage clearance problem (my truck barely fit to begin with). I first measured and removed the antenna. Next I cut off as needed (so I didn't scratch the antenna shaft). I then removed the ball using two vice grips, but it got scratched. I then glued the ball back on with loc-tite and used the red touch up paint Ford sent me to cover the ball along with the scratch marks. I did not notice any change in reception.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 75
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From: Cypress, TX
Went with the 'cut it off' method. I wanted to keep the look that I already had and that method seemed to be the best for doing that. The only thing I did differently was to use epoxy instead of Loc-Tite.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Madison Wisconsin
Originally Posted by tomdoggie
Just got 3 new F450's at work. they all had a stainless antenna. tried one on my f150, fit perfect.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: St. Joseph, MO
I took the little ball of and cut mine down to 20" reapplied the ball and gave it a touch up of black spray paint and put it back on. Had to paint due to scraping up the ball when I took it off.