Shorter antenna - but not a stubby?
03-31-2015, 01:57 PM
#11
I just bought a stubby for my 02(I know but this is a universal topic) and looks great but lost 3 country stations and ESPN is in and out. Might try that one above to compare. Amazon link below for prime members.
03-31-2015, 04:15 PM
#12
Senior Member
I did as others: removed the antenna, "knocked off" the ball, cut it to size, replaced ball, painted, reinstalled. Works great. I cut it to height of the cab; it won't rub unless roof rubs...
03-31-2015, 04:30 PM
#13
Senior Member
I had the same trouble as doolin with my 2010 F150. I did the knock the ball off the end and cut it and put the ball back program. I used a crescent wrench as a slide hammer. I adjusted it so the antenna would just fit/slide between the jaws. then proceeded to slide it down the antenna and hit the ball until it came off...only took about 6 or 8 hits. I did it over a 5 gallon bucket with a towel in it so it would catch the ball when it flew off. I had measured the length I needed to remove..added another inch for good clearance and cut it off with my dremel. The 2010 had a wire wrapped around the shaft of the antenna...I assume to cut down on wind noise. I used the dremel to champfer the edge a little to get the ball back on, made sure the little wire was inside the opening on the little ball. I dropped the ball end on the concrete a couple times to knock the ball all the way back on. There were some rough spots from working on it, so I took a file to it to smooth it out, then painted the end with some matte finish black paint..could also use a sharpie I suppose. put it back on the truck...works just like before.
I have a 2015 on order....hopefully it will come on time. I will have to shorten the antenna when I get it home. I will take some pics as I do it and post them as a little DIY mod. Anyone know if the 2015 has the wire wrapped around it like my 2010 did or does it have the groove in it like most I have seen??
In and For Christ,
Glen
I have a 2015 on order....hopefully it will come on time. I will have to shorten the antenna when I get it home. I will take some pics as I do it and post them as a little DIY mod. Anyone know if the 2015 has the wire wrapped around it like my 2010 did or does it have the groove in it like most I have seen??
In and For Christ,
Glen
04-03-2015, 09:51 AM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well...I trimmed my about 4 inches yesterday. It still sits above the cab roofline, but no longer hits the siding/trim on my garage as I pull in. My suggestion...definitely use tape around the base of the antenna when removing. The paint comes off easy. One you trim the antenna, then work on removing the ball off the cut piece. Other than that, I just used my dremel like others described. First to cut the antenna, then with a sanding disk to smooth the head to accept the ball. The vice grips did a number on the ball. So after reinstalling it, I had to it with the dremel to smooth it out before painting.
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04-03-2015, 08:52 PM
#18
Senior Member
it is wrapped around and the paint holds it on...once I cut off several inches I file down the end of the wire and then repainted with black paint.
Last edited by Voltruckguy; 04-03-2015 at 08:57 PM.
04-15-2017, 10:38 PM
#19
Junior Member
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I did similar... I cut my antenna to my desired length first (28" about 1-1/2" higher than the cab) then I used my cut off wheel to remove the powder coat around where the ball joined the antenna. I then put the cut off piece with the ball into a vise so that the ball was about 5/8" above the jaws. I used a crescent wrench that I had adjusted to just above the diameter of the antenna to pry against the jaws of the vise to pop off the ball. I ground down the main part of the antenna with a slight taper, and drove it onto the ball by pounding it on my work bench (holding the antenna, ball down against the workbench. After I was satisfied with the penetration, I tried to pull the ball off, and I could not. I spray painted the tip with some gloss black spray paint. Looks pretty good. I thought about blasting it and having it powdercoated gloss black at my work... but not really worth the trouble.The entire process took less than 30 minutes.
I prefer my antenna to be a little higher than the cab... it is my feeler gauge... if it hits I am backing up!
I prefer my antenna to be a little higher than the cab... it is my feeler gauge... if it hits I am backing up!
04-18-2017, 12:07 AM
#20
I popped the ball off, cut mine, epoxied the ball back on and painted to match.
Cut it short enough to clear my garage door but long enough that it still provides the protection of being taller than the cab so I'll know if the parking structure, etc is too low.
J-
Cut it short enough to clear my garage door but long enough that it still provides the protection of being taller than the cab so I'll know if the parking structure, etc is too low.
J-