Antenna replacement? Suggestions?

[technocoy]

Hey guys,

During my clean up yesterday I noticed all the seals and coverings on my antenna are basically dry rotted and falling off. Not good as it appears water could also be going into the roof.

Has anyone replaced theirs and do you have any recommendations on aftermarket? I imagine I could call St Charles, but I gotta think there is an aftermarket alternative that wouldn't cost as much.

Mostly what I found in the forums was related to CB Radio installs.

Thanks for any help you guys!

- David

[RickOKC]

The previous owner of my VX bought one through his local Volkswagen dealer. It's flexible with the spiral and about 18" tall. I have no idea if it's the same as stock or even if it's close.

$36 .... Part# 130-035-849-E

[Ldub]

[atilla_the_fun]

I just recenctly bought this one from e-bay. It fit the base perfectly and I like the shorter look. It comes with different sized threads. Its easy to install.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-5-B...ht_3345wt_1167

[technocoy]

Thanks guys,

I'll look into these. I need the base too unfortunately. I can't figure out how it rotted so badly when nothing else on the truck is to that level of degradation.

Thanks again for all the help.

[Ldub]

The salvage yards I posted have the whole shoot'n match...

Sorry the pic didn't work on the first go-round.

The 1st ones # is: 1-888-811-5051 ($35.00)
The 2nd ones # is: 1-800-682-9257 (call for price)

[technocoy]

Thanks Dub! It's weird, your first post doesn't even show up for me? Like I see the header, but nothing after that... weird.

I'll give these guys a call. I have the feeling we're getting into the years were we're going to be chasing spare parts and finding alternate replacements. I just hope nothing ever busts up my cladding.

[Ldub]

Thanks Dub! It's weird, your first post doesn't even show up for me? Like I see the header, but nothing after that... weird.

I'll give these guys a call. I have the feeling we're getting into the years were we're going to be chasing spare parts and finding alternate replacements. I just hope nothing ever busts up my cladding.

How about now?

I can see the screen snip I posted, can anyone else?

[Ldub]

I need the base too unfortunately. I can't figure out how it rotted so badly when nothing else on the truck is to that level of degradation.

Sounds like a job for 303 Aerospace protectant...

[RickOKC]

All I see is the header with the blue background, blank space (enough for 1 line of text), then your signature photo & quote.

[raider]

AntennaX has them on ebay motors. Just bought one a few months ago for about $12.00, I think. It's the exact one as the original. It was just the antenna and I'm not sure if you can get a base from them.

[SlowPro48]

He's talking about the antenna base, not the mast. Well - both actually - but masts that fit the Isuzu base are a dime a dozen, while a reasonably priced Isuzu base is near impossible to find. Go ahead and call Merlin about the price. I bet you won't be buying OEM!

David - try doing an eBay search for "Ford Focus antenna base" - or VW Jetta, or Toyota Yaris... maybe one of those will work and they're 1/5 the cost of OEM. Hard to tell just by looking at pics though - need dimensions to know if it will fit properly. My antenna is in the same condition as yours. The plinth is pretty much falling apart. I dread replacing it because the headliner will have to be removed. What a PITA. So to stave that project off as long as possible I used black RTV to seal up the cracks and keep water from getting to the headliner. Needs to be replaced though....

....So if anybody out there has already found a good substitute, chime in and let us know!

Thanks!

[Ldub]

I dread replacing it because the headliner will have to be removed. What a PITA.

Thanks!

I'm not 100% sure on that...

I think it might be possible to reach with just the rear ceiling panel removed, & the H-L held down just enough...

[samneil2000]

That's correct. My radio wouldn't tune in a station for crap and I remembered something about the factory antenna being "powered" and that it could go out. I went to Auto Zone and bought a short flexible antenna with base and mounted it up on the roof. I think it was a tight fit and I had to fight it a bit. I'm sure the guys with the more pristine VX's would want a better match to factory.
Anyways, Dub is right. All I did was remove the rear plastic panel and could reach it easily while standing on the back of the VX.

Oh yeah, and it does tune in stations better now to boot.

I'm not 100% sure on that...

I think it might be possible to reach with just the rear ceiling panel removed, & the H-L held down just enough...

[RickOKC]

It's a little blurry, but is that the base shown in the middle of page 6 of the parts list (1. antenna mast)? My last purchase indicates the current multiplier for St Charles Isuzu is about 1.42.