Antenna

[01Y87]

Has anyone ever swapped the fixed mast for a power antenna on a 4th gen? IIRC the Camaro never had a power ant option but I thnk the Firebird did. In the parts catalog however, there is a listing for Camaro and Firebird both.

How hard is it? Is the wiring harness already there on the fixed-mast model?

Dang car wash. My fixed antenna was getting bent so I went to (gently) bend the base back toward the car to straighten it and the thing snapped off - the stud that the antenna screws onto. So I'm probably going to have to replace that part called the Antenna Bracket next to the spare tire.

bruce

[raroZ28]

man get another fixed antenna. Power antenna's suck man. I've had them on 2 cars and always hated them.

Aside from that, I think the swap would be really easy. I have swapped fixed antenna's where power antenna's used to be. It's pretty easy. Very easy actually. On your 4th gen just remove the speaker cover in the hatch, and you will see everything you need to remove.

[Christopherrr]

I swapped my power ant for a fixed one...or stubby, whatever you want to call it.

I hate the power antennas...

Stubbies look better anyway.

Just pull your cover and look at the assembly...you'll see how everything is setup. Pretty easy.

[01Y87]

I'm wondering....if I just leave off the mast part, will that significantly reduce the reception? I haven't driven the car yet (will do that later today) but I wonder if it would even be noticeable just to leave it off, but with the stubby part still connected in there and sticking out of the fender.

bruce

[Christopherrr]

dont know...when my power antenna went on me I left it down and reception was horrible.

[Black97]

I upgraded my TA to power antenna, allthough they are prepared for it.

Here's a nice writeup for a 4th Gen Camaro

http://www.geocities.com/mdw9965/power-antenna.htm

Another source here

http://www.f-body.org/faq/4/4_6.htm#ch4_6c

[96Camaro]

I'm wondering....if I just leave off the mast part, will that significantly reduce the reception? I haven't driven the car yet (will do that later today) but I wonder if it would even be noticeable just to leave it off, but with the stubby part still connected in there and sticking out of the fender.

bruce

My antenna part broke down to the stubby thing. And didnt get neary as good reception, if that answers your ?

[01Y87]

yeah, at times its not that great. I can see that. And the "seek" feature doesn't work most times, probably because the signal is not strong enough so the "seek" function doesn't find it.

I'm probably going to replace it with an original. When the weather gets a little less cold!

bruce

[Mark B]

Stop using the automatic car wash... You paint will thank you. (And so will your new antenna)

[Joe 1320]

If you really want a nice custom touch, there are hidden replacement antennas. You remove the original one, fill the hole (bodywork required) and mount the hidden one along the upper edge of your rear hatch glass. It remains mostly unseen, reception is great and no more external antennae.

[thenuge876]

That sounds like the best solution to this stuff, if you can fill the whole it sounds like a great fix, especially if your stocker is already broken off.

[01Y87]

If you really want a nice custom touch, there are hidden replacement antennas. You remove the original one, fill the hole (bodywork required) and mount the hidden one along the upper edge of your rear hatch glass. It remains mostly unseen, reception is great and no more external antennae.

do you have a link to a place that sells them for the F-Body?
bruce

[Mark B]

I actually bought one a week ago. They are universal. I havent gotten a chance to install it because my car is in pieces right now, but heres a link to the one that I bought.


http://www.crutchfield.com/S-TVlxQvK...0&I=12044UA200

[01Y87]

thanks!

bruce

[aldaran]

When the antenna is leaning (bent) is it the mast that's bent or the bracket that the mast screws onto? Mine is leaning, and I want to correct it, but don't want to spend money on the mast if its the bracket.

Mast Price: 26.51
Mast Bracket: 17.24

Of course these prices are AC Delco prices. I appreciate a reply.

Thanks.