I bought a shorter antenna and tried it out for a week. Decided I didn't like it and took the stock antenna and cut at least 12" off with my dremel and went to the hardware store and bought a small rubber cap (which fits perfectly) and placed it over the antenna tip. Reinstalled the antenna and it looks great!

 

Reception still as good?

 

No Change at all in reception, it works great. I'll be switching to XM radio in the next few weeks as soon as I find a place to mount the unit. Im going with the roadie II.

 

Have you driven through any tunnels? or any areas that would have bad reception? if so is it still just as good?

 

Looks good. I have an 8 inch one waiting to go on my car. what did you not like about the other antenna?

 

I cut my stock antenna a while back to 18" (just at the roof line) with no loss in reception at all. Here's a pic...

 

WOW, I like that idea, hope you don't mind if I steal it from you

 

Not at all... it's one of the easiest and definitely cheapest mods you can make. Subtle changes like that make a car IMO.

 

I did mine as well and have ZERO issues

-Bryan

 

I bought a shorter antenna at Pep Boys for $10.00 and it is pretty much even with the roof line.I only listen to one station here in town so I didn't notice any problems.I was going to cut the factory antenna but didn't want to screw it up.I can put it back to original since I didn't cut it off.

 

This might be a dumb question, but how does the stock antenna come out?
Is it something that I can remove by hand or will I need to wrench it out?

 

The antenna whip is screwed into the dase,there are flat spots around the base just above the plastic cover.Just use a wrench and it comes right off.

 

The shorter antenna works just as good as the stock one. There is no loss of reception at all. I trimmed about 12 inches off the stock antenna and it is now even with the roof line, and it works great and it could even go lower if desired. I tried the pepboys shorter unit for $9.95 and it was ok, but it didn't look as good IMO. And the pepboys antenna was somewhat loose at the base and not exactly straight. The important part is the rubber cap for the end after cutting the stock antenna. I got mine from my local hardware store, but home depot or lowes should have it. It's black soft rubber and fits snug over the top, and adds that custom look.

 

I wonder if it is possible to install a power antenna, is there room for it to retract?

 

A pop up one would be wicked.

 

Back in the mid 80's I had a '66 Fastback. A prior owner had moved the antenna to the top of the right rear quarter panel, just behind the rear quarter windows. It had a slight rake and looked SWEET.

But I wouldn't drill a hole in my fender on the new car...

 

I heard that the ball on the top of the antenna can be "popped" off so when you cut the antenna you can use that ball again to keep it looking like a factory antenna. Has anyone tried this?

 

I popped the ball off the tip of the original antenna but it takes a good hit or two to get it off.If you try it be in a confined space because that little stinker will take off and be very difficult to find.I had some one hold the antenna(took it off the car)and took a good sized adjustable wrench opened just enough for the antenna to fit and whacked the ball,then went hunting for it.

 

"be wery wery quite...I'm hunting *****...."

 

Anyone going to try the motorized retractable antenna route? I think I saw a universal kit for like $64 at Pep Boys.