FREE And Easy Shorty Antenna

DanTheMan · November 13th, 2007, 06:35 AM

This applies to 79-up Mustangs and I'm sure some of you guys have seen this mod elswhere on the internet, but I just think the results are great and wanna share it.

Ford gave us a huge antenna that doesn't really follow the lines of the car. Sure people sell shorties for $20, but why spend that when you can take 10 minutes and do it yourself??

What ya need: Masking tape, Claw hammer or pry bar, another hammer, Bench vise or equivalent holding device, File, Possible drill and glue, Semi-gloss black paint.

1. Remove the antenna from the car. All you have to do is unscrew it. You might need a pair of pliers to get 'er loose though. (It may be helpful to go ahead and mark the length you want it to be).

2. Use some masking tape and cover the ball on the tip of the antenna (it needs to be a wad, this is how you avoid losing it!)

3. Take a claw hammer or pry bar and place against the ball and hit it with a hammer to knock the ball off. Placing the antenna in a vice is highly recommended. (Find the ball and keep it.)

4. Cut to desired length with a hacksaw. (The one on my '02 GT is about 18")

5. Use a file and clean about 1/8 or so of the tip of the cut antenna and try to fit the ball on. I found it neccesary to bore out the ball with a slightly larger bit to ease installation.

6. Hammer the ball back on (use glue if you want, I didn't).

7. Hit the antenna with a quick coat of semi-gloss black paint, reinstall the antenna, and enjoy!!

I didn't really lose much reception on my radio, and you wont unless you get crazy with the cutting. I hear about 15" is the shortest you can have and still retain good reception. I think my 18" matches the roofline on the '02 fairly well. Will post pictures later today.

Kinshen · November 13th, 2007, 04:12 PM

Interesting concept.

Nice lol

mdvaldosta · November 13th, 2007, 04:16 PM

Did this a couple years ago, looks great and didn't cost anything. Reception wasn't noticably less either. Thumbs Up.

00vabchgt · November 13th, 2007, 05:30 PM

nice. i saw this on mustangworld.com i think, but i haven't gotten around to doing it...

DanTheMan · November 13th, 2007, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by 00vabchgt

nice. i saw this on mustangworld.com i think, but i haven't gotten around to doing it...

Yeah that's where I saw this... Just thought it'd be seen more here on MM

1stimeford · November 13th, 2007, 09:54 PM

Yep...Did mine exactly the same way and works great

mattstang · November 13th, 2007, 09:55 PM

i bought mine

ZOOTOXIN · November 15th, 2007, 10:39 AM

sounds like too much work for a simple project. Just buy a new one and stop chop slopping those beautiful cars. And i promise you -that ball that was replaced on top will be lost very soon. It wont stay very long, not even with epoxy. Quick changing temps will cause the metal to expand and shrink and adventually will come free. I promise you this! Not enough area for bonding of ball no matter what you use. It may be a day a week or a few months but you will soon be balless.

i read the rest of the thread and see a lot of others have done this....do you guys still have your balls.LOL .The guy that did it over a year ago should post what he used to adhear ball back onto antenna. seems he had the best run. Must live in warm climate all year?

mdvaldosta · November 15th, 2007, 10:40 AM

Mine's been on for 3 years and all I had to hold it on was some red loctite

ZOOTOXIN · November 15th, 2007, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by mdvaldosta

Mine's been on for 3 years and all I had to hold it on was some red loctite

that is great to hear

95opal · November 16th, 2007, 05:51 PM

Mines been on a year, no problems.

TurboLX · November 16th, 2007, 07:13 PM

Shaved mine

ZOOTOXIN · November 17th, 2007, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by TurboLX

Shaved mine

Hey, hope all is well Turbolx. question-how and what did you use to cover the hole. 07stanggt has satellite radio and has no need for the stock antenna but wants it to look cosmetically nice.

Dennis-96GT · November 17th, 2007, 01:34 PM

my guess either bondo and paint for a quick fix or metal plate and welding and grinding and sanding for a pro finish lol and i need to try that chopping on mine i got one of those cheap 18 inch ruber ones lol the old one is around somewhere

TurboLX · November 17th, 2007, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by ZOOTOXIN

Hey, hope all is well Turbolx. question-how and what did you use to cover the hole. 07stanggt has satellite radio and has no need for the stock antenna but wants it to look cosmetically nice.

i been good ZOOTOXIN, you?

What i did was cut out a small quarter size aluminum sheet and tigged it on the bottom of the hole and filled it with bondo and sanded it smooth

DanTheMan · November 19th, 2007, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by TurboLX

Shaved mine

I kinda want to do that myself, just put the hidden antenna like I had on my Cutlass under the fiberglass hood... or even the scoop. Dunno tho

birdnfish · November 25th, 2007, 10:50 AM

Thats a good write up I done this about 3 years ago on my s10 glad to see other people thought of it.

1badasgt · November 27th, 2007, 01:17 AM

thnx dan it looks good i just tried it on mine

DanTheMan · November 27th, 2007, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by 1badasgt

thnx dan it looks good i just tried it on mine

that'll be $10 now. Advice ain't free.

8t6gt · November 28th, 2007, 05:49 PM

Dan I love you

I am just gonna do this instead of buying one now

November 13th, 2007, 06:35 AM	#1
DanTheMan Hardcore Enthusiast 1991 Civic DX 16min@42mph Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 1,198	FREE And Easy Shorty Antenna This applies to 79-up Mustangs and I'm sure some of you guys have seen this mod elswhere on the internet, but I just think the results are great and wanna share it. Ford gave us a huge antenna that doesn't really follow the lines of the car. Sure people sell shorties for $20, but why spend that when you can take 10 minutes and do it yourself?? What ya need: Masking tape, Claw hammer or pry bar, another hammer, Bench vise or equivalent holding device, File, Possible drill and glue, Semi-gloss black paint. 1. Remove the antenna from the car. All you have to do is unscrew it. You might need a pair of pliers to get 'er loose though. (It may be helpful to go ahead and mark the length you want it to be). 2. Use some masking tape and cover the ball on the tip of the antenna (it needs to be a wad, this is how you avoid losing it!) 3. Take a claw hammer or pry bar and place against the ball and hit it with a hammer to knock the ball off. Placing the antenna in a vice is highly recommended. (Find the ball and keep it.) 4. Cut to desired length with a hacksaw. (The one on my '02 GT is about 18") 5. Use a file and clean about 1/8 or so of the tip of the cut antenna and try to fit the ball on. I found it neccesary to bore out the ball with a slightly larger bit to ease installation. 6. Hammer the ball back on (use glue if you want, I didn't). 7. Hit the antenna with a quick coat of semi-gloss black paint, reinstall the antenna, and enjoy!! I didn't really lose much reception on my radio, and you wont unless you get crazy with the cutting. I hear about 15" is the shortest you can have and still retain good reception. I think my 18" matches the roofline on the '02 fairly well. Will post pictures later today. __________________ click for my cardomain ^

November 13th, 2007, 05:30 PM	#4
00vabchgt MM Fanatic 2000 Mustang GT Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,228	nice. i saw this on mustangworld.com i think, but i haven't gotten around to doing it... __________________ Submariners Do It Deeper Military Crew MM1 (SS) Bluenose US Navy Veteran

November 13th, 2007, 09:54 PM	#6
1stimeford Regular Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, Va Posts: 319	Yep...Did mine exactly the same way and works great __________________ Never argue with a fool, or someone may come along & not know who the fool is. ________________ JLT CAI, Accufab 70MM Throttlebody and Plenum,Xcal 2/BamaChips Tune

November 15th, 2007, 10:39 AM	#8
ZOOTOXIN Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: IN FRONT OF YOU Posts: 1,190	sounds like too much work for a simple project. Just buy a new one and stop chop slopping those beautiful cars. And i promise you -that ball that was replaced on top will be lost very soon. It wont stay very long, not even with epoxy. Quick changing temps will cause the metal to expand and shrink and adventually will come free. I promise you this! Not enough area for bonding of ball no matter what you use. It may be a day a week or a few months but you will soon be balless. i read the rest of the thread and see a lot of others have done this....do you guys still have your balls.LOL .The guy that did it over a year ago should post what he used to adhear ball back onto antenna. seems he had the best run. Must live in warm climate all year? __________________ zo•o•tox•in (zō'ə-tŏk'sĭn)-animal poison; venom Last edited by ZOOTOXIN : November 15th, 2007 at 10:48 AM.

November 16th, 2007, 05:51 PM	#11
95opal Enthusiast 95 opalfrost gt Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 953	Mines been on a year, no problems. __________________

November 13th, 2007, 04:12 PM	#2
Kinshen Regular 2007 Mustang V6 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 96	Interesting concept. Nice lol

November 13th, 2007, 04:16 PM	#3
mdvaldosta Maintenance Man 2002 Mustang GT 11.47@120.58 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 3,945	Did this a couple years ago, looks great and didn't cost anything. Reception wasn't noticably less either. Thumbs Up.

November 13th, 2007, 09:55 PM	#7
mattstang Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: May 2007 Location: Henryetta, Ok Posts: 1,460	i bought mine

November 15th, 2007, 10:40 AM	#9
mdvaldosta Maintenance Man 2002 Mustang GT 11.47@120.58 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 3,945	Mine's been on for 3 years and all I had to hold it on was some red loctite

November 16th, 2007, 07:13 PM	#12
TurboLX I Post Entirely Way Too Much 1990 Mustang LX Turbo 8.67@165.91 mph Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hidden In NY Posts: 8,487	Shaved mine __________________ Wiring Diagrams, TSB's, OBD Service Codes and Engine Diagrams Available. PM For Info Myspace *Small Block Posse*

November 25th, 2007, 10:50 AM	#17
birdnfish Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 30	Thats a good write up I done this about 3 years ago on my s10 glad to see other people thought of it.

November 27th, 2007, 01:17 AM	#18
1badasgt Newbie 2007 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mooresville Posts: 40	thnx dan it looks good i just tried it on mine

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