J Berk

Has anyone tried replacing/relocating their antenna to the roof ( behind the sunroof) with one of those small black rubber-looking antennas that are used on most euro cars today????

My antenna must have broken and the PO replaced with a 'rubber duck' antenna that looks like it was installed by Kmart....in looking to replace I am not sure I want to put another antenna up-front!

billybones

well aside from leaving a hole in your fender and actually cutting into the roof.. you could do it. but will require a paint job. also running the wire thru the roof.. well you would have to remove the head liner to cut the hole in the roof. You could get a new fender prefferd to bondo to cover the hole.. just make sure that you treat the hole where you put the new antenna in so it does not rust.. roof leak would suck..

J Berk

Car is in need of a paint job anyway ( as soon as I get the time to pull off and replace the nose panel)...but now that you mention it, it's probably more work than it's worth; and I definately do not want another leak!

Guess it's going to get a stock electric one because I can not take looking at the RUBBER DUCKY too much longer!

thanks for the course correction!

Renntag

The roof mount you are refering to is called a 'Fuba' they come with amplified circuitry. I dont think it would be a bad idea. have at it.

You wont have to do any body work or painting. I have installed these on Jettas and GTIs many times. Dril the hole carefully, then install a blanking grommet where the antenae used to be.

Good luck.

J Berk

Renntag

Any idea where to find these on-line? I'd like to look at one and then decide if it's worth the work ( see my last response)....

I thought it would look a little more modern then the old chrome electric antenna.....and the blank in the old position is a great idea...!

thanks!

J Berk

Actually I did a search on fuba antennas and found one ( with an adobe file on how to install)

think I'll do it hen it warms up ....thanks renntag!

Andre

my car does not have an antenna, and the reception is horrible..is it hard to add one?if not...how do i do it?

Dave

If your car is an 85.5 or later, it's in the windshield. If this is what you have, there is a signal booster (behind the glovebox IIRC) that is often not reconnected when a head unit is replaced.

EDIT: BTW, I haven't looked in a while, but power antennas used to be available in matte black also. Might be a better match, and allows use of old hole, no filler plug needed.

Skwerl

I did the Fuba deal to my car, and it works (and looks) great. I got it here:

<a href="http://www.autotech.com/antenna.htm" target="_blank">http://www.autotech.com/antenna.htm</a>

It came with everything you need, except the drill bit and Dremel saw I used to actually cut the hole.

I removed the headliner and used the Dremel tool to cut out a square on the interior side of the roof, which exposed to the interior the single sheet of metal that makes up the exterior roof. Then I drilled a hole through the top of the roof through that single sheet of metal. The directions that came with the antenna will lead you the rest of the way. My reception was a million times better, plus I think it updates the look a little.

Renntag

The Fuba is very easy to install, works great, and looks cool too.

you only need to lower teh headliner a bit...no teven remove it totally. Just enough to access the base of the antenae for install. Look at the underside of the roof before any drilling is done...you dont want to drill into a support and have to drill a new hole....

if you are going to paint the car anyway....have the old antenae hole welded closed. I welded closed all the holes in the body of my GTI....there is NOTHING on the outside of my VeeDubb. (trim, badges, marker lights...etc.)

Renntag

[quote]Originally posted by J Berk:
<strong>....thanks renntag!

</strong><hr></blockquote>

No prob.
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Andre

hey dave...are you saying all i have to do is reconnect a wire under my glove box?

billybones

My bad on this subject.. thanks for all the info. I may just replace my crapy window one now.. thanks rentag.

01gt eibach

DP