Antenna
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Ken,
I replaced my antenna with a shorter stainless steel one. My carport allows only 3" clearance and the OEM antenna was rubbing the ceiling of the carport.
Easy to replace if you can reach the antenna. I leaned a blanketed stepladder against the A pillar and I could just reach the antenna to unthread it and thread in a new one.
No change in radio reception.
Ed
I replaced my antenna with a shorter stainless steel one. My carport allows only 3" clearance and the OEM antenna was rubbing the ceiling of the carport.
Easy to replace if you can reach the antenna. I leaned a blanketed stepladder against the A pillar and I could just reach the antenna to unthread it and thread in a new one.
No change in radio reception.
Ed
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2,975 Posts
Sorry guys, I'm a Ham Radio guy and I had a stainless steel whip that I just cut to length and inserted in a threaded fitting that worked.
On the other hand, I have seen in auto parts stores, a "universal fit" car antenna that had 3 or 4 different threaded studs and a metal antenna whip. That would work for the Promaster.
If you unscrew the antenna, and take it to a parts store like Pep Boys, Autozone, etc. I'm sure they would have a replacement antenna that you could buy and then cut to length. Just make sure you buy a metal antenna, not one of those rubber or fiberglass ones. The metal ones are usually stainless steel and can be cut. The rubber or fiberglass ones usually have a coil of wire inside, and don't work right when cut.
Next time I'm in a parts store, I'll look for a specific model, but I'm sure that you will find one in your local parts store.
Ed
On the other hand, I have seen in auto parts stores, a "universal fit" car antenna that had 3 or 4 different threaded studs and a metal antenna whip. That would work for the Promaster.
If you unscrew the antenna, and take it to a parts store like Pep Boys, Autozone, etc. I'm sure they would have a replacement antenna that you could buy and then cut to length. Just make sure you buy a metal antenna, not one of those rubber or fiberglass ones. The metal ones are usually stainless steel and can be cut. The rubber or fiberglass ones usually have a coil of wire inside, and don't work right when cut.
Next time I'm in a parts store, I'll look for a specific model, but I'm sure that you will find one in your local parts store.
Ed
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I wouldn't cut the original. I believe that it is a flexible type that has a wound coil inside. The replacement kits are cheap!
Ed
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2,975 Posts
To further clarify,
I looked at my original antenna. It is a "wound" antenna (note the spiral line on the antenna - that's the wire). Cutting it may have an impact on the coil inside. The wire sometimes is wrapped up the antenna then back down, so cutting at the end will break the continuity of the coil.
Here's a picture of the original antenna
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The stud that is sticking out the end is an M6 x 1.0 thread, about 3/8" long. Many auto stores will have a replacement metal antenna that you can cut, and will have a threaded stud provided, to match the M6 x1.0 hole that the antenna threads into.
Ed
I looked at my original antenna. It is a "wound" antenna (note the spiral line on the antenna - that's the wire). Cutting it may have an impact on the coil inside. The wire sometimes is wrapped up the antenna then back down, so cutting at the end will break the continuity of the coil.
Here's a picture of the original antenna
The stud that is sticking out the end is an M6 x 1.0 thread, about 3/8" long. Many auto stores will have a replacement metal antenna that you can cut, and will have a threaded stud provided, to match the M6 x1.0 hole that the antenna threads into.
Ed
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887 Posts
I cut mine in half with tin snips. I just didn't care >
It's a solid fiberglass mast coated with plastic. Didn't see any sign of a wire inside.
I switched my radio over from SiriusXM to FM. It works on FM.
No idea if it hurt the number of stations you'd get for free.
I figure if you're not using the stock one, might as well try cutting it.
It's a solid fiberglass mast coated with plastic. Didn't see any sign of a wire inside.
I switched my radio over from SiriusXM to FM. It works on FM.
No idea if it hurt the number of stations you'd get for free.
I figure if you're not using the stock one, might as well try cutting it.
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Dwight,
Devil made you do it?
If you peel the plastic/rubber cover off the piece you HACKED off, you should find a wire wrapped around the fiberglass shaft. It's there because (and you can quote me), "fiberglass don't pick up no radio stations, metal do!"
A FM antenna should be around 31" long. To make a shorter antenna, they wrap about 31" of wire around a fiberglass (flexible) rod... voila!
Enjoy whatever stations you do get!
Ed
Devil made you do it?
If you peel the plastic/rubber cover off the piece you HACKED off, you should find a wire wrapped around the fiberglass shaft. It's there because (and you can quote me), "fiberglass don't pick up no radio stations, metal do!"
A FM antenna should be around 31" long. To make a shorter antenna, they wrap about 31" of wire around a fiberglass (flexible) rod... voila!
Enjoy whatever stations you do get!
Ed
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11 Posts
I used a hook and 3M indoor outdoor tape to bend the antenna to fit in my garage. I replaced the original adhesive with the 3M tape. It has been thete since last June 2015, no issues.
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324 Posts
I am looking to replace my antenna with a shorter one. The factory antenna is about 21" long. I found this one on ebay that is 6 3/4" long. Has anyone tried this one or something similar?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHORT-6-3-4-ROOF-ANTENNA-MAST-FITS-2014-2017-Dodge-Ram-Promaster-/331696379990?hash=item4d3aa51856:g:mYYAAOSw4GVYLH61&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHORT-6-3-4-ROOF-ANTENNA-MAST-FITS-2014-2017-Dodge-Ram-Promaster-/331696379990?hash=item4d3aa51856:g:mYYAAOSw4GVYLH61&vxp=mtr
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324 Posts
Shorter Antenna Results
I installed this which brought the height of my regular height van to about 7'8". With the factory antenna, the auto search picked up 43 FM stations. With the shorter antenna it found 21 FM stations.
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I never got back with a specific replacement, but I did find these two online.
The first, specifically states it has an M6 stud, which would match the one on the PM
https://www.carid.com/metra/metra-universal-antenna-mast-84219503.html
At 13" it should be better than the 6 0r 7" versions.... OR
The second, has a whole set of universal adapters and should have one for the PM
https://www.carid.com/metra/metra-universal-antenna-mast-87764441.html
At 17" long, this one would be less of a compromise than the 6 or 7" versions out there.
Sorry I forgot about this thread... hope this info helps!
Ed
ps. both of these are from a forum vendor
The first, specifically states it has an M6 stud, which would match the one on the PM
https://www.carid.com/metra/metra-universal-antenna-mast-84219503.html
At 13" it should be better than the 6 0r 7" versions.... OR
The second, has a whole set of universal adapters and should have one for the PM
https://www.carid.com/metra/metra-universal-antenna-mast-87764441.html
At 17" long, this one would be less of a compromise than the 6 or 7" versions out there.
Sorry I forgot about this thread... hope this info helps!
Ed
ps. both of these are from a forum vendor
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324 Posts
For me being under 8' is a critical dimension so that I can use parking garages. We usually use satellite radio so the loss of stations is not that critical for us.
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