[Z06] Replacing the fixed mast antenna
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 434
Likes: 1
From: Clermont FL
Replacing the fixed mast antenna
Since I use a car cover daily, unscrewing the mast on a daily basis (twice) is becoming a nuisance. I have discovered that I could install a power antenna via Eklers, but since I am removing the cover from the rear of the car anyway, I could push an old fashioned telescoping antenna up or down just as easily and with a lot less installation effort and cost. I checked the clearance (access the antenna cavity via passenger side taillight nearest antenna)i and found my local auto parts stores carries a lot of antennas that fit. A swap out with the OEM fixed mast antenna would be a piece of cake. The problem is none of the antennas have posts to attach the grounding straps and wires. Does anyone know of any brands or stores that might have the right grounding? For that matter does anyone know of an antenna on any other car (old or recent) that might have grounding straps? I seem to remember either German or Swedish cars had posts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Re: Replacing the fixed mast antenna (z06dailydriver)
contact Ken Fichtner,,,one of the forum dealers,,,,,he sent me a power antenna complete with 2 brackets and a rubber grommet thing that mounts at the top,,,,,all for about a 100.00 including shipping,,,,,,and it has the posts that attach the 2 grounding straps which the antenna comes with as well,,,,,,i will be swapping out my mast antenna as well when the car arrives
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham WA
Re: Replacing the fixed mast antenna (z06dailydriver)
I had the same 'fixed mast' issue with a Z-28 i covered. I put the cover on the car right up to the antenna, made a cut out the size of a quarter and then removed the cover. My wife did a doube stitch around it and it has held for years. I like easy. Be good to yourself.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Re: Replacing the fixed mast antenna (Av8ter)
Av8ter,
Where does the set-up you've described get its power for the antenna motor? Is there a power connector available or do you need to run a power harness?
Thanks,
02BlueZ06
Where does the set-up you've described get its power for the antenna motor? Is there a power connector available or do you need to run a power harness?
Thanks,
02BlueZ06
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Re: Replacing the fixed mast antenna (BOBSZ06)
Thanks for the reply BOBSZ06.
I want to make sure I have all the pieces required before starting. I've seen other related posts and your tech tip previously but what prompted me to ask was Av8ter did not mention a power harness in the kit from Fitchner. Also, I don't see a detailed list of parts required and respective GM part numbers on the tech tip. So far, I understand from this and similar posts, that the GM power antenna, 2 brackets, 2 screws (size?), power harness and a rubber grommet are required. Is that all?
Thanks again,
02BlueZ06
I want to make sure I have all the pieces required before starting. I've seen other related posts and your tech tip previously but what prompted me to ask was Av8ter did not mention a power harness in the kit from Fitchner. Also, I don't see a detailed list of parts required and respective GM part numbers on the tech tip. So far, I understand from this and similar posts, that the GM power antenna, 2 brackets, 2 screws (size?), power harness and a rubber grommet are required. Is that all?
Thanks again,
02BlueZ06
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 434
Likes: 1
From: Clermont FL
Re: Replacing the fixed mast antenna (02BlueZ06)
You hit it on the head. why I am not too excited about the power antenna. I did not see any connectors for powering the antenna in the vicinity of the taillights. The tech tip advised running wires to the fuse panel. Also, if you look closely at the Ekler's power mast conversion in their catalogue, you can see a large coil of wire for guess what?
Thanks for all the advice.
Thanks for all the advice.
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Brett Foote
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 2
From: Norman Oklahoma
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Replacing the fixed mast antenna (VetterMan)
If you go for the power setup you might need to know this stuff. :yesnod:
Get the GM power antenna, and bracket.
The right rear tail lights need to be removed.
The fixed comes out after disconnecting the signal coaxial wire at the inside right rear connection, and two grounding straps.
The power for the antenna is a little more complex.
The antenna has four wires to connect including the Coaxial RF signal wire which is already available and a three wire connector from the antenna has a 1.orange-12v constant,2. black-ground, and 3. pink-12v via radio on/off.
use the orange and black accessory wires near the fuse box under the kick panel on the passenger side for 1 and 2
The pink 3. needs to be connected to the radio on/off.
Use the Bose signal processor,
which is located on the drivers side above the gas pedal....silver box with two plugs.
The plug you want, plugs straight up into the Bose box. Pull this plug out and it has two rows of wires.
You want the green, A8, wire. This is the 12v on/off with radio.
splice into the this wire and run a wire around and under the console near ash tray area, this green wire connects to the 3. pink.
It sounds worse than it is. :crazy:
Get the GM power antenna, and bracket.
The right rear tail lights need to be removed.
The fixed comes out after disconnecting the signal coaxial wire at the inside right rear connection, and two grounding straps.
The power for the antenna is a little more complex.
The antenna has four wires to connect including the Coaxial RF signal wire which is already available and a three wire connector from the antenna has a 1.orange-12v constant,2. black-ground, and 3. pink-12v via radio on/off.
use the orange and black accessory wires near the fuse box under the kick panel on the passenger side for 1 and 2
The pink 3. needs to be connected to the radio on/off.
Use the Bose signal processor,
which is located on the drivers side above the gas pedal....silver box with two plugs.
The plug you want, plugs straight up into the Bose box. Pull this plug out and it has two rows of wires.
You want the green, A8, wire. This is the 12v on/off with radio.
splice into the this wire and run a wire around and under the console near ash tray area, this green wire connects to the 3. pink.
It sounds worse than it is. :crazy:
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Re: Replacing the fixed mast antenna (White_98)
Hey White_98,
Isn't your post a replay of the the tech tip? :confused:
I am in the process of replacing my fixed antenna with the GM power antenna and will post all the required parts when the conversion is complete.
02BlueZ06
Isn't your post a replay of the the tech tip? :confused:
I am in the process of replacing my fixed antenna with the GM power antenna and will post all the required parts when the conversion is complete.
02BlueZ06
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 8,827
Likes: 10
Re: Replacing the fixed mast antenna (02BlueZ06)
Something worth noting here < I just finished the mod myself - see sig/sig pic>...
The GREEN wire you want is NOT lime green, it is GREEN! It is in the MIDDLE of the connector above the gas pedal. It is a REAL BIATCH to get to. The pay off is worth it. It looks great! :) :cool:
The GREEN wire you want is NOT lime green, it is GREEN! It is in the MIDDLE of the connector above the gas pedal. It is a REAL BIATCH to get to. The pay off is worth it. It looks great! :) :cool:
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Replacing the fixed mast antenna (EdwardETraylorIII)
Anyone have pics on how to run the wires to the front of the car? The rest of the tips seem detailed enough but I'm left :confused: looking into the taillight hole.
Does GM have a harness (part #) to attach to the power antenna that keeps the colors constant and avoids cutting/splicing wires?
I have the Fichtner kit which looks like it would be complete with the wires that Ecklers provides. Guess I need to lope down to Radio Shack if there is no GM harness.
Does GM have a harness (part #) to attach to the power antenna that keeps the colors constant and avoids cutting/splicing wires?
I have the Fichtner kit which looks like it would be complete with the wires that Ecklers provides. Guess I need to lope down to Radio Shack if there is no GM harness.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Re: Replacing the fixed mast antenna (NickS)
originally posted by EdwardETraylorIII:
"Does GM have a harness (part #) to attach to the power antenna that keeps the colors constant and avoids cutting/splicing wires?"
I've been in touch with Fichtner and they do not sell the wiring harness. They did say, "The power wire you need to run, use 18 gage wire and 2 universal connectors."
02BlueZ06
"Does GM have a harness (part #) to attach to the power antenna that keeps the colors constant and avoids cutting/splicing wires?"
I've been in touch with Fichtner and they do not sell the wiring harness. They did say, "The power wire you need to run, use 18 gage wire and 2 universal connectors."
02BlueZ06
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Re: Replacing the fixed mast antenna (02BlueZ06)
Use 18 AWG 3 for the run up the passenger side rail. If you are going to install a cd changer you may wish to do so at the same time as you would have to run the changer wiring harness in the same location. :)
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 2
From: Norman Oklahoma
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Replacing the fixed mast antenna (02BlueZ06)
Hey White_98,
Isn't your post a replay of the the tech tip? :confused:
I am in the process of replacing my fixed antenna with the GM power antenna and will post all the required parts when the conversion is complete.
02BlueZ06
Isn't your post a replay of the the tech tip? :confused:
I am in the process of replacing my fixed antenna with the GM power antenna and will post all the required parts when the conversion is complete.
02BlueZ06
I thought they might help.
:seeya
