DIY: Stubby Antenna on 240sx or any NISSAN

[Dano]

I swapped out my base model, 3ft long r/c car antenna for this 3" stubby, rubber GM OnStar antenna. This is really easy but will take a little bit of patience. This is how I did it.

What you'll need:

-GM OnStar antenna, or whatever you choose-towel-pliers-visegrips-hacksaw (I used my bandsaw with a metal band on it)-red (heavy duty) threadlocker-1" long bolt, same diameter as antenna bolt, 0.80 thread pitch-file



The GM antenna threads are only about 1/2" in length from the base of the antenna. The stock antenna threads are about 3/4" long, but also has a 1/4" of the antenna that is recessed into the base. The GM antenna does not have this, so we have to make up for that extra 1/2" of thread. We do this by finding a bolt or screw that has the same thread pitch, and about 1" in length.

Here you can see the stock antenna, and right at the 1" mark you can see a small line where the base wore a mark into the stalk. This is the recessed portion above the threads:



Now we need to remove the thread stalk out of the stubby antenna. Wrap the antenna in the towel and then get a grip on it with the pliers, grab the threads by the vise grip and twist out the old stock. It's threaded in there with threadlocker, but it'll unscrew with some elbow grease.

From right to left: (left) New bolt [note: not the same pitch, bolt used for photo purposes] (center) old thread stalk out of stubby antenna (right) OEM base antenna



Now we need to take the new bolt, and cut the head of it off. Right at the top. I used my band saw, which made things very quick and easy. After you cut the head off, take the file and knock off any real sharp or sticking up, but DO NOT screw up the threads.

Here you can see the cut bolt vs. an uncut bolt:



Take the the bolt you just cut the head off, put a dab of red threadlocker on it, and screw it up into the stubby antenna, now let that dry for a bit. Now you can screw that into the base on your car and blammo, done. I put a little, tiny dabble of blue (medium) threadlocker on the threads going into the base just so it wouldn't unscrew, this is obviously not necessary.

Reception vs. stock I would put around 90% of stock reception. All the local channels come in fine, but the stations that are 25-50miles away have trouble coming in. They come in, just not as clear as they used to.



-Dan

[bt2s14]

Awesome, now it looks like i wont shave my antenna.

[lucky7]

looks really good. but nothing GM will ever even touch my car. lol.

actually, i really like the traditional look of the oem 'flagpole' antennas. cant really describe it. but very nice writeup. should come in very useful for alot of people.

[240on430]

good work

Looks a little to short for my taste. I just bought a new mast on ebay for $20 or so. I like seeing how older cars have the auto antennas still working.

[JDMricer]

this is indeed a serious problem, i just took mine right off cause I hated the look of it sooo much, but now I can only get like 2 stations. Good Idea though, You've deffinitally got me thinking, id love to see some more done.

[NCturbo75]

HERE'S an eBay link to some GM On*Star antennas:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

$24.99 w/ ....FREE s/h

[KA24Power]

Sweet writeup Dan, this will be done to the 240 soon I hope

[240Kid4]

Nice write up def going to do this since my antenna broke and it wont go up and down anymore.

[240sxautox]

Very nice, I was just looking for some stubby antennas for my 240 on the net and couldn't find much, glad to see that you found a way to do it. This should be on my S13 in notime.

[le_ryan]

Awsome Im doin this for sure, i hate the factory motorized piece of crap.

[wa-chiss]

HERE'S an eBay link to some GM On*Star antennas:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

$24.99 w/ ....FREE s/h

On*Star......... whats that?................Oh, you mean Blonde*Start.

[ZiG]

Hm, I prefer to shave them.

[Hellngo15]

does it pick up stations pretty well?

[KA24Power]

does it pick up stations pretty well?

Reception vs. stock I would put around 90% of stock reception. All the local channels come in fine, but the stations that are 25-50miles away have trouble coming in. They come in, just not as clear as they used to.

-Dan

Reading pwns you.

[NSR240sxe]

nice write-up...a little to late though lol I ended up buying a power antenna for the kouki, should be going on the car soon

looks good though, I love what you've done

[oldschoolsilvia]

I totally need to do this, the stock antenna is way tooo tall.....

[nismopwr240]

nice... i was planning on doing this since we get a lot of these antennas laying around at my car wash but wasnt sure how to go about it. Thanks

[Dano]

-Dan

[R6_240sx]

Nice write-up but it looks weird tho.

[boxcarracer]

so basically making a extention for the stubby antenna Brilliant

[Quiksilver89]

who listens to the radio anyways

[boxcarracer]

who listens to the radio anyways

Traffic reports wheather and for people who dont have ipods sat radio but im non of those my car has ipod and sat radio so I DONTKNOW WHO USES THE RADIO BUT IM SURE THERE OUT THERE .....SOMEWHERE

[slipnfall]

PS - here's one I bought from ebay about a year ago. A little pricey, but well worth the money. It's powered for quite a difference in reception.

http://www.locustom.com/shark2_kit.htm

For those with stock powered antennaes, this is perfect: you already have a switched +12V back there, all you need to do is splice it. Perfect water-tight fit(rubber base piece), never had a leak. Below are two pictures installed.

[Dano]

I spent $6, the cost of a bolt and threadlocker (which is over $5!!!) I traded the 350Z antenna I had for the OnStar antenna, but you can get onstar antennas cheap.

But that is another option. I love my upgrade, or downgrade, whatever you want to call it. I listened to the radio all tonight

-Dan

[slipnfall]

I spent $6, the cost of a bolt and threadlocker (which is over $5!!!)

, didn't mean to steal your thunder BTW.

Someone bent my whip antennae in the shape of a Z one night, so I wanted to replace it all. I actually priced the replacement mast from Nissan:

Also worth noting: even if you don't have power antennae *installed*, the switched +12V & harness is still back there in the trunk.

[Dano]

***holes that bend antennas like large women in a bath of fruit loops.

-Dan

[srpowered240sx]

my antenna is a vacume cap on top of the threaded stub thats left. i get ok reception the few times i listen to the radio. yours is much more classy. but we all know your a much classier person than i.

[boxcarracer]

lol thats funny in a Z shape eh? sorry thats funny well i got 2 antennas in my trunk and one on the car right now all long metal factory ones i dont want them so if anyone wants them throw me some offers but yeah i wanna find a stubby rubber

[ToolMaker240]

anyone got pics(or know where i can find some) of an s2000 antenna on an s14?

[Dano]

my antenna is a vacume cap on top of the threaded stub thats left. i get ok reception the few times i listen to the radio. yours is much more classy. but we all know your a much classier person than i.

Wanna go hit up the strip club and pee off a bridge?

-Dan