SilverStallion50

How far can I shorten the stock antenna and still maintain reception? Has anyone done this mod? The stock antenna length is too tall for my garage and it hits the opener. I know the ball will pull off and it is a simple cut, taper and tap back onto the antenna with a little black touch up if needed. I was considering taking it down to 14".

Any advice or input would be appreciated. Thank you.

Darren

JHG

I took mine down 14", looks great, works great. Of course I haven't turned on the radio yet.

Rampy

2015F150XL

My radio antenna was hitting the top of the garage door frame so I used a dremel tool and cut off about four inches of antenna. Did not have any affect on radio reception. It should not be necessary to cut the antenna all the way down to fourteen inches because that will be way below the top of the truck. Antenna that short most likely will have a negative affect on radio reception.

doolin64

I chopped 4 inches only and noticed no difference.

JHG

I am left with 20", I'm pretty sure it was 34" to start with. Reception is fine on all my preset stations from before the shortening.

motorhead2013

I took 6" off mine and it works fine,had to do the same with my last F150.Had a little trouble getting the ball back on so i tapered the end of the rod a bit and used jbweld and paint.

Jake390

Took about 2" off mine so it wouldn't hit my garage door frame. No noticeable change in reception.

FX4*

Its total length is 32" I measured yesterday. Is it required to put the BALL back if I shorten to 24"?

JHG

I think the 14" I took off was 2 or 3" more than necessary, just make it even with your roof line. I don't think the ball is critical but for an extra 30 minutes you end up with a factory look and a little more steel for reception. Getting the ball back on is no picnic. Tools I used: wrench, hacksaw, (dremel or grinder would do as well) Crescent wrench, hammer and a vice (to remove the ball) you also need some way to catch that ball when it comes flying off, I saw a great idea elsewhere on the forum. Maybe a Joint compound bucket with a towel in it, A file, epoxy, plasidip and black paint.