Broken Antenna- Need Help

[Dapo2008]

Would anyone know how to fix a broken antenna on the 06 XLT. The antenna mast is broken, but I also need to know where the antenna cable runs from the back of the radio to the the mast. I was thinking about just going to the dealership to get this done, but I was wondering if it was feasible for me to do it in my garage, as well on put on a short antenna so it doesn't make the the Explorer look so tacky

 

[bentley]

Without looking at my X, i think the mast just unscrews from its base.
If not, i know the antenna cable runs behind the glove box.

 

[Dapo2008]

Thanks Bentley, Any Idea on how to take out the glove box?

 

[bentley]

you just open it and squeeze the sides inwards and pull on it.

 

[bitkahuna]

If you just want to replace the mast, why do you need to do something with the cable??

I replaced my factory antenna with a nicer one I think I got off eBay. Just unscrewed the old one and put the new one on.

 

[Chris_FL]

Don't mean to Hijack the thread, I've installed power antennas before on some of my other cars. has anyone installed one on their explorer?

 

[Dapo2008]

I have not installed one in the previous explorers, but I was looking at this window-amplified antenna at crutchfield http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RnMJUEXQMLG/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=232750&I=12044UA200
, and I was wondering how I would install this in the 06 Explorer, because I like the no antenna look better than any antenna at all lol!

 

[bitkahuna]

I have not installed one in the previous explorers, but I was looking at this window-amplified antenna at crutchfield http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RnMJUEXQMLG/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=232750&I=12044UA200
, and I was wondering how I would install this in the 06 Explorer, because I like the no antenna look better than any antenna at all lol!

But what will you do with the hole where the old antenna was?

 

[Dapo2008]

Remove the rest of the mast, paint over it , gloss it up, and Smooth it over.... after I do it, I will post pics to show you what it looks like, just wanna get a vote on what you guys think about the window antenna, and how I should install it.

 

[bitkahuna]

Another approach - I did have one replacement antenna on, and now I've put a 'stubby' one on - I like it!

$8 at stubbyantenna.com

 

[Dapo2008]

That is awesome, I kind of like that too, where did you get that stubby antenna?

 

[jessydog]

Bit,
That stubby looks a lot better than the stock mast antenna. Be honest, though...how does it perform? Also, did you just unscrew the stock antenna and screw on the stubby, or was the install more complicated? (I checked the site you linked, but their "how to install" page was blank, and the Explorer isn't listed in any of the compatibility charts, so I'm also curious about which model you got.)

Hoping it's working out well for you, and is an easy install. If so, I'll definitely spend the 8 bucks. Thanks for the info!

 

[gh67]

Another approach - I did have one replacement antenna on, and now I've put a 'stubby' one on - I like it!
$8 at stubbyantenna.com

Very cool "stubby"...which model is it, the "I" or the "O"? Is the reception at least tolerable? Hopefully will have my Sirius installed soon so won't matter.

 

[bitkahuna]

That is awesome, I kind of like that too, where did you get that stubby antenna?

You must have missed it. I said at, wait for it, stubbyantenna.com! It is an 'I' series.

Now here's the deal though, it wasn't quite plug and play...

I actually bought it for my '07 Mazda MX-5 but, contrary to the web site, it doesn't match the factory base and so doesn't look good. The web site vendor was very nice and said no problem, return it for a refund, but then I realized, hey that might look good on the Explorer!

I already had an aftermarket antenna on the Explorer - same size as stock just not as cheesy looking, but I thought the stubby would look better.

The stubby antenna comes with a couple of different threaded adapters but neither works for the Explorer which needs a longer threaded piece.

So I took off the after market antenna I had on there, and thought I might be able to removed the threaded piece from it and use it on the stubby, and it worked!

Now since you guys aren't likely to have this extra third party antenna around with threaded adapter that conveniently worked, I tried doing to remove the adapter from the stock antenna but I couldn't. I figure it's glued in there pretty good.

Here's a pic of the ends of the factory and after market antennas, the after market one has the threaded adapter removed.

 

[bitkahuna]

Bit,
That stubby looks a lot better than the stock mast antenna. Be honest, though...how does it perform?

I only tried the radio in the car in my garage and it seemed fine, same as usual. I believe the bigger down side to short antennas is AM reception which I don't care about.

Also, did you just unscrew the stock antenna and screw on the stubby, or was the install more complicated?

See above.

 

[bitkahuna]

OK, maybe this will help explain what I'm talking about with the adapters.

Below is a pic with the stubby and the supplied adapters above it and the one I used from the other after market antenna in line with the stubby.

 

[bitkahuna]

Gee I scerred everyone away.

 

[Dapo2008]

Lol, I am still here biktkahuna, I like that short antenna, but I saw an 07 Limited the other day with nothing but a window antenna, and it looked GOOD, not cheesy at all. Let me ask you this though, How would I install the amplified window antenna into the explorer since it needs a 12V ground, just like a power antenna?

 

[gh67]

still like the stub

I'm still interested too. But I don’t want to ruin my OEM to get the bolt out....so looks like I need to buy 2 aftermarkets to make one good one. Not a big deal seeing how cheap the stubby is. Anyone know of an aftermarket of any type that is a direct bolt on so I can sacrifice it? Then again...can't imagine a replacement OEM is that expensive.

 

[bitkahuna]

gh67, let me dig up the info on the other 3rd party one I sacrificed for ya.