Has anyone bought one of the power antenna conversion kits being sold for Z06? What kind? Ease of install?

 

I purchased the stock GM convertible electric antenna from Fichtner Chevy 800-234-5284, here is how to install it:


Z06 Power Antenna Install -- 1 of 1
Date Published: 2001-06-09

Submitter's Name: BOBSZ06
Email Address:
Corvetteforum.com Member Alias: BOBSZ06

Just installed the antenna two days ago. Get the GM power antenna, and bracket(order mine from Fichtner). Also need two screws to attach the bracket to the bottom of the antenna. The rear two tail lights need to be removed. Very simple install.

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 more complex. The antenna has four wires to connect: 1 is the coaxial RF signal wire which is already available; 2 the three wire connector from the antenna has an orange-12v constant, black-ground, and pink-12v via radio on/off. I used the orange and black at the accessory wires near the fuse box under the kick panel on the passenger side. This was also used for the Valentine 1 connection.

The pink needs to be connected to the radio on/off. This may be available from behind the radio, but I used 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. I spliced into the this wire and ran a wire around and under the console near ash tray and over to the right side passenger floor to connect to the three wire that I ran from the antenna to the front right passenger floor accessory connection. This green wire connects to the pink. That will do it.

To add some confusion, I added a 12vdc rocker switch with a lamp at the console to:

1. Normally on, this will allow the antenna to rise and fall with the radio switch even when only playing CDs.

2. Off with this switch and the radio switch(green wire which goes throught the switch) will not allow the antenna to rise...switch off). This allows the CD player to be used and the antenna to be down.

Without the switch, the antenna is always up even when playing the CD only. The switch is Radio Shack no. 275-712 Lighted SPST Rocker Switch... ~$3.00

I spliced into the three wires going to the antenna on the passenger side, and ran three wires to the switch:

1, from the accessory (green or pink wire) to the power lead on switch;

2, load the wire going back to the three wire green or pink wire that was cut; and

3, the black or ground wire for the lamp obtained by splicing into the black ground wire in the three wire going to the antenna. Whew, it took a while to find the green/pink wire needed. All this was done while the car was interior was removed for Dynamat Super install.

 

Just a small change.
It is not necessary to remove the inner tail light unless you have huge hands. The rest is fairly easy.
Dave

 

I bought mine from Mid-America-Des. and I thought the instructions made it look easiear than it realy was. I am no mechanic by no means but if I can do it any one can!! It looks great and works great as well. I can put my cover on with out taking any antena off. Good luck! :cheers:

 

i know its a stupid question but how much does the conversion cost? :chevy :cheers:

 

I installed the one fron Eckler's and it took about 1 1/2 hours to install. It was well worth it to me, never did like the fixed antenna.

Roy

 

Forgive me if this has been discussed before, but I want to do the power antenna conversion and there are still a couple of questions I have. I've already done the V1 hardwire thing (remote unit also), so I'm comfortable with the auxilliary power connections under the passenger side kickpad and routing wire under the tunnel. But .....

(1) whichever unit you buy, specifically .. how do you run the wiring between the antenna and the auxilliary power location without tearing up the interior?

(2) I looked under the driver side dash today and did not see any bose connector box. Does every Z have one (it says "bose" on the door speakers), or do I have to look elsewhere for radio on-off power? If so, how do I get at it?

I'd sure appreciate some help. Thanks in advance.

 

I think the parts were around $90.00 from Fichtner Chevy, Mid America wanted $199.00 of course that did include $5.00 worth of wire :eek: :eek: It took a little over an hour to complete.