Antenna Replacement
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Antenna Replacement
Why is nothing evef easy working on this car.
My antenna on my 86 broke, so I bought a new one. The upgraded Harada style that the later model C4s have. I should have stayed with the stock direct fit bolt on style.
4 hours later, and I have the antenna in, and working, but now I need to go to Home Depot to build a metal bracket to secure it.
Pulling out all the rear cargo trim, pulling back the carpet was alot of work just to get to the antenna lead connector. Fighting the rubber grommet took at least 30 minutes trying to pry it out of its position.
None of the 86 antenna bezels would fit on the new antenna, so I guess it is just the rubber bezel that slips into the fender hole. But how in the world does this thing bolt up. Neither the new antenna bracket that was supplied, or the old antenna bracket will fit. It is two different designs. So the only way I can figure to make this work is to design my own bracket tomorrow. 4 hours today working on it, and I still need maybe another 2 hours to complete.
This should have been a simple 2 hour job.
kdf
My antenna on my 86 broke, so I bought a new one. The upgraded Harada style that the later model C4s have. I should have stayed with the stock direct fit bolt on style.
4 hours later, and I have the antenna in, and working, but now I need to go to Home Depot to build a metal bracket to secure it.
Pulling out all the rear cargo trim, pulling back the carpet was alot of work just to get to the antenna lead connector. Fighting the rubber grommet took at least 30 minutes trying to pry it out of its position.
None of the 86 antenna bezels would fit on the new antenna, so I guess it is just the rubber bezel that slips into the fender hole. But how in the world does this thing bolt up. Neither the new antenna bracket that was supplied, or the old antenna bracket will fit. It is two different designs. So the only way I can figure to make this work is to design my own bracket tomorrow. 4 hours today working on it, and I still need maybe another 2 hours to complete.
This should have been a simple 2 hour job.
kdf
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 12,182
Likes: 1
From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey
I'm sure you know it already, but I'll still say it:
True ownership of a 20 year-old Corvette = blood, sweat, tears, and a lighter wallet. Welcome, brother!
(or you should've done what I've done when my antenna crapped out... install a hidden amplified antenna
)
Good luck with yours!
True ownership of a 20 year-old Corvette = blood, sweat, tears, and a lighter wallet. Welcome, brother!
(or you should've done what I've done when my antenna crapped out... install a hidden amplified antenna
) Good luck with yours!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Antioch California
Mine is a $50 Kragen jobby that went right in with the exception of the top side grommet thingees not fitting. I used a washer the diameter of the hole it rests in and painted it black, problem solved. Good luck.
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Why is nothing evef easy working on this car.
My antenna on my 86 broke, so I bought a new one. The upgraded Harada style that the later model C4s have. I should have stayed with the stock direct fit bolt on style.
4 hours later, and I have the antenna in, and working, but now I need to go to Home Depot to build a metal bracket to secure it.
Pulling out all the rear cargo trim, pulling back the carpet was alot of work just to get to the antenna lead connector. Fighting the rubber grommet took at least 30 minutes trying to pry it out of its position.
None of the 86 antenna bezels would fit on the new antenna, so I guess it is just the rubber bezel that slips into the fender hole. But how in the world does this thing bolt up. Neither the new antenna bracket that was supplied, or the old antenna bracket will fit. It is two different designs. So the only way I can figure to make this work is to design my own bracket tomorrow. 4 hours today working on it, and I still need maybe another 2 hours to complete.
This should have been a simple 2 hour job.
kdf
My antenna on my 86 broke, so I bought a new one. The upgraded Harada style that the later model C4s have. I should have stayed with the stock direct fit bolt on style.
4 hours later, and I have the antenna in, and working, but now I need to go to Home Depot to build a metal bracket to secure it.
Pulling out all the rear cargo trim, pulling back the carpet was alot of work just to get to the antenna lead connector. Fighting the rubber grommet took at least 30 minutes trying to pry it out of its position.
None of the 86 antenna bezels would fit on the new antenna, so I guess it is just the rubber bezel that slips into the fender hole. But how in the world does this thing bolt up. Neither the new antenna bracket that was supplied, or the old antenna bracket will fit. It is two different designs. So the only way I can figure to make this work is to design my own bracket tomorrow. 4 hours today working on it, and I still need maybe another 2 hours to complete.
This should have been a simple 2 hour job.
kdf
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
My 85 came with a Harada MX22. I had a hard time finding out what mast fit it. Ended up reusing my original mast on a new ribbon.
I have no clue why GM changed the antennas so much on these m*f*ers. Shopping for a replacement at Ecklers will make your head spin with the different p/n's available. I had a source that had my OEM antenna for $60, I can't find it now. The Harada setups are VERY common and used by lots of manufacturers. The only vette specific part is the plastic nut on top, and the trim piece that sits flush with the rear decklid.
I have no clue why GM changed the antennas so much on these m*f*ers. Shopping for a replacement at Ecklers will make your head spin with the different p/n's available. I had a source that had my OEM antenna for $60, I can't find it now. The Harada setups are VERY common and used by lots of manufacturers. The only vette specific part is the plastic nut on top, and the trim piece that sits flush with the rear decklid.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
i replaced the antenna in my 85 last summer with a late model c4 gm unit. i bought it new off ebay and it came with the rubber bezel and a bracket to retrofit early c4 configurations. the top of the antenna is held in place by the rubber bezel, and the bracket attaches to the bottom of the antenna assembly. the bracket bolted in to the flange where the left rear quarter panel mates to the rear bumper fascia. installation went fairly easy without issues.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Ok, the antenna is in, bolted up and working. I made a bracket that resembles the letter Z to bolt to the original location on one end, and the bottom of the antenna on the other.
I used 1 inch wide, 1/4 inch thick aluminum stock. Something that I can bend on the vise, drill through, but give me enough rigidity to support the antenna from moving around. I turned the radio on and had the antenna in the full up position so I could check out the angle form the back and side to insure that it was not tilted in some abnormal direction. Crawled back under the car, and tightened it down. Installed the ground strap and that was done.
I did notice that my shocks looked pretty old and beat up. I have not changed these since I bought the car 3 years ago, so that is on my to do list. Also the rubber bushings for the rear sway bar are cracked and brittle. Add another task to my ever increasing list.
kdf
I used 1 inch wide, 1/4 inch thick aluminum stock. Something that I can bend on the vise, drill through, but give me enough rigidity to support the antenna from moving around. I turned the radio on and had the antenna in the full up position so I could check out the angle form the back and side to insure that it was not tilted in some abnormal direction. Crawled back under the car, and tightened it down. Installed the ground strap and that was done.
I did notice that my shocks looked pretty old and beat up. I have not changed these since I bought the car 3 years ago, so that is on my to do list. Also the rubber bushings for the rear sway bar are cracked and brittle. Add another task to my ever increasing list.
kdf
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
kdf
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
