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Lumatic · 03-26-2009, 07:36 PM

The original radio antenna on my 71 needs to be replaced. I assume I can remove the OEM from the outside without too much hassle. Any advice?

overlander63 · 03-26-2009, 07:40 PM

We replaced ours with an auto antenna for an import car. It had an extra mount that keeps it from wobbling around while towing. Is your radio in the front overhead, or is it mounted on the side of the wall near the antenna?

Lumatic · 03-26-2009, 07:46 PM

The radio is an aftermarket radio installed in the front overhead. The antenna is roadside front corner.

Lumatic · 03-26-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

We replaced ours with an auto antenna for an import car. It had an extra mount that keeps it from wobbling around while towing. Is your radio in the front overhead, or is it mounted on the side of the wall near the antenna?

Was this a generic aftermarket antenna, or for a particular model?

Ganglin · 03-26-2009, 09:19 PM

The one you have now - if original - has nuts on the back of the base bolts. The manual shows cutting a hole in the skin to replace the base and entire antenna. I have that hole but chose to keep the original base. We took an antenna with a similar ball and used it in combination with the half ball you will have still attached to the base if you just remove the shaft assembly.

overlander63 · 03-26-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumatic

Was this a generic aftermarket antenna, or for a particular model?

It was for "import cars and trucks". IIRC, it looked like something you'd see mounted on the A pillar of a mid-1990's Toyota or Honda.

Lumatic · 03-26-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganglin

The one you have now - if original - has nuts on the back of the base bolts. The manual shows cutting a hole in the skin to replace the base and entire antenna. I have that hole but chose to keep the original base. We took an antenna with a similar ball and used it in combination with the half ball you will have still attached to the base if you just remove the shaft assembly.

The problem with the original is the rubber pieces have hardened and shrunk and it also looks like a gasket has broken into pieces and is no longer there. The result is the antenna is loose in the base and will no longer stay in a vertical position. The antenna actually works fine and I would not have to replace it if I could somehow secure it in a vertical position that did not look like a cob job.

It is the original antenna as it appears on page 197 of the 1972 service manual. I don't want to cut a hole in the skin if there is an alternative.

Ganglin · 03-27-2009, 10:40 PM

I don't recall there being a gasket but I didn't remove mine completely. All we did was remove each of the retaining bolts and replace them with stainless (one at a time). Again, mine has a 3 inch circle cut on the interior skin.

May be a long shot but, if I recall correctly - there's a retaining nut on the rear of antenna shaft on the interior wall. You might try pulling out on the antenna and turning it clockwise - what that may do is seat the nut inside so the shaft will tighten in it. Hopefully it would only take one turn or the feed cable is going to twist and start fighting you.

The problem as I saw it in replacing the antenna base is the holes it will leave in the skin. I looked everywhere for a base large enough to replace that one (including at the factory) - nothing. Ours was dried out but not really cracked. So I soaked it in 303 Protectant and hope to get a lot more years out of it. Amazon.com: 32 oz. Bottle w/Spray: Your Store

Lothlorian · 03-28-2009, 04:09 AM

Would it be possible to buy gasket material at a Auto parts store and make your own rubber mateiral or gasket? I bought a roll of gasket material and made all different sizes and shapes of gaskets.

Lothlorian

Ganglin · 03-28-2009, 05:37 PM

OK - DO NOT TRY WHAT I SUGGESTED ABOVE. Went out to the trailer today. Instead, remove the screw that holds the two sections of the ball together. Behind that you will see a screw. That screw holds the retaining plate and the remaining ball half to the skin. On the inside is a flat washer and collar nut on the shaft. Try tightening that screw and see if it will firm your attached ball half. Sorry about the wrong information above.

(haven't been to the trailer since fall - I have a d*#@ leak in the curbside armrest - that's for another day)

Lumatic · 03-28-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganglin

remove the screw that holds the two sections of the ball together. Behind that you will see a screw. That screw holds the retaining plate and the remaining ball half to the skin. On the inside is a flat washer and collar nut on the shaft. Try tightening that screw and see if it will firm your attached ball half.

Tried that. The screw that holds the retaining plate just spins, and I'm not ready yet to cut a window in the inside skin.

I'm trying some PC7 epoxy to hold the ball in a vertical position. Last ditch, nothing to loose, effort before I start cutting.

Ganglin · 03-28-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lumatic

Tried that. The screw that holds the retaining plate just spins, and I'm not ready yet to cut a window in the inside skin.

I'm trying some PC7 epoxy to hold the ball in a vertical position. Last ditch, nothing to loose, effort before I start cutting.

Hope that works for you. The hole on ours was cut with a 3 inch hole saw rather than a square like the manual says. Presume you have the kinda tan speckled skin in yours? I was able to bribe a matching piece large enough to cover the hole from Zep (thanks again Zep) - not sure if he has any left or not. If he hadn't - I was going to cut a piece from behind the sofa and patch that with plain aluminum....

Lumatic · 03-28-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganglin

I was able to bribe a matching piece large enough to cover the hole from Zep (thanks again Zep)

Zep is supposed to help me put a window in my door, so I should have a window size piece of patch material. Bless his aluminum heart. are you listening Zep?

Gkiesel · 07-04-2009, 07:35 PM

Lumatic, how did you solve your antenae problem? I took the antenae off our Argosy today because its going for paint soon and the old one looked real bad. Problem is now, I don't know if I can get an original style antenae or if I can find one to match. Did you find a suitable replacement? Bigger problem is I don,t know how to mount even the old one back up without cutting a hole in the trailer from inside. Any help? Thanks, George

Lumatic · 07-04-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gkiesel

Lumatic, how did you solve your antenae problem? I took the antenae off our Argosy today because its going for paint soon and the old one looked real bad. Problem is now, I don't know if I can get an original style antenae or if I can find one to match. Did you find a suitable replacement? Bigger problem is I don,t know how to mount even the old one back up without cutting a hole in the trailer from inside. Any help? Thanks, George

PC7 did the job

Gkiesel · 07-05-2009, 07:11 PM

You glued the antenae to the trailer?

Lumatic · 07-05-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gkiesel

You glued the antenae to the trailer?

My problem was the rubber base had shrunk over the years causing the antenna to flop around. The antenna mast actually has 2 parts: the mast itself and a metal base which attaches to the rubber base with a bolt. I used PC7 to 'glue" the metal base to the rubber base. When the PC7 starts to set, you can mold it to a nice finish. The dark color of the PC7 comes pretty close to the rubber base.