Antenna Relocation Ideas

[LWM]

As many of you know I have installed the Air Flow Snorkel on my Commander. This however created a small problem that I have yet to resolve but working with Air Flow I need to come up with a solution for the XK (the HK has the antenna in the rear passenger side window).

I am considering running the antenna cable up the A pillar and drilling a hole in the roof and mounting the antenna in the passenger side front corner like the newer models have done with the Sirius antenna, anyone have any other ideas?

[NeilSmith]

My idea has always been to heat the snorkel with a heat gun until it becomes somewhat pliable and press fit it around the antenna and base. Now I haven't seen a snorkel in person so this idea may not be possible.

[Spigot]

What about doing something like this?

http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/FoliaTec/antenna.php

The will even custom match your paint. Just a thought

[HueyPilotVN]

I think that I have seen side mounted after market antennas. Then you would not need to extend the cable.

[LWM]

My idea has always been to heat the snorkel with a heat gun until it becomes somewhat pliable and press fit it around the antenna and base. Now I haven't seen a snorkel in person so this idea may not be possible.

This was the original idea, however research shows that the modification would reduce the sir flow to the engine by too much to be an option


What about doing something like this?

That is sort of what I was thinking



I think that I have seen side mounted after market antennas. Then you would not need to extend the cable.

The issue is that our antenna cable is only about 20 inches and has an odd end on it, it will not reach anywhere else.

[LWM]

Here are a few pictures:

The first one shows where the cable comes through the firewall and has the fixed end on it.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/02/Antenna16-1.jpg

The cable is only about 20 inches and as you can see it has an angle shape to the end of it where it sits on the inside of the passenger fender

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/02/Antenna11-1.jpg

Here is the hole up inside that it matches up to and then the antenna screws on from the other side (where the snorkel now is).

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/02/Antenna8-1.jpg

This is what it looks like on the fender (this is the drivers side fender)

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/02/Antenna18-1.jpg

And attached to the hood (don't like this idea)

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/02/Antenna21-1.jpg

And up on the roof

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/02/Antenna19-1.jpg

[El Cid]

Isn't really a perfect solution, is there? Really a shame that AirFlow didn't think this all through when they put together the kit.

(I'm not blaming them, by the way; I know from experience how differences between American and international models can surprise you when it comes to accessories. I'm just saying it's a bummer.)

It would be quite a bit of careful measuring, but the other option is you could cut holes in the snorkel intake tube to allow the antenna to pass right through it. With a bit of advanced thinking you could even utilize some high-quality rubber/poly grommets to ensure that the contraption is still sealed when everything is back in place. The thickness of the antenna in the middle of the tube isn't going to effect the snorkel's flow. It would look pretty wild, but it would be perfectly usable and less intrusive on the workings and aesthetics of the rest of the vehicle.

[NeilSmith]

just put it in the driver's fender and buy an extension for the cable.

[El Cid]

If you do that, you might not need an extension cable. Just pull it back through to the radio and then reroute out the other side of the firewall.

You'd be getting into the radio either way, I suspect, since if you do need an extension, you'll likely want to put it between the existing antenna cable (with its nicely angled bracket) and the radio itself (assuming you can remove that angled bracket from the line). There are plenty of extensions available. All pretty cheap.

[IamJEEP]

Just buy an amplified window antenna, problem solved.

[LWM]

If you do that, you might not need an extension cable. Just pull it back through to the radio and then reroute out the other side of the firewall.

You'd be getting into the radio either way, I suspect, since if you do need an extension, you'll likely want to put it between the existing antenna cable (with its nicely angled bracket) and the radio itself (assuming you can remove that angled bracket from the line). There are plenty of extensions available. All pretty cheap.

You are correct, if the antenna is moved to the driver's side the existing cable should work as long as it is rounted throughthe firewall in a new location, and if it is extented the extension will need to go between the radio and the OEM cable in order to keep the angled end of the current OEM cable that is not adjustable.

[LWM]

Just buy an amplified window antenna, problem solved.

I will have to look for one of these too see what you are talking about.

[IamJEEP]

I will have to look for one of these too see what you are talking about.

Sorry it took so long to reply but, here you go------> http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_20615_Metra-44-UA200.html

Only $20 and works like a charm.