Vanagon Replacement Antenna

4thCarVanagon · Samba Member Joined: February 20, 2011 Posts: 2

I finally broke my original antenna off while removing its bra. I was wondering if there are any replacements that are shorter, my antenna scraped through every parking garage.

Something similar to a modern car antenna, short, black, and rubberized? I don't mind if it takes a little bit of work to get it to work.

Thanks,
Jonathan

GMByers · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:15 pm Post subject:

If your antenna scraped in the parking lots, then I doubt you had a stock Vanagon antenna.

Bus Depot, Bus Boys, and other vendors have the correct Vanagon antenna.
_________________
And then there were two...downsized to 83 Doka &
74 Thing.

Ahwahnee · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject:

I got an OEM antenna from Terry Kay's site -- very reasonable and an easy install.

Like the original it collapses down to nothing -- i.e. is completely out of the way when you want it protected.

OwnYourReality · Samba Member Joined: April 04, 2004 Posts: 56

I've seen other posts where people have used a rubber antenna from like Radio Shack & i think it was tristar eric(?) that had a gti antenna on his? small, rubber, flexible. Use the search for Terry & Eric, might take some wading thru posts but you get better at it the more you use it. Good Luck.
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"Imagination is more important than knowledge"
Al Einstein

syncrodoka · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 9:15 pm Post subject:

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_441_158/hirschmann_antenna_german.html
It can retract flush all the way to the base if you want. I installed one a few weeks ago and the quality is good.

vanis13 · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 10:50 pm Post subject:

after replacing a couple of the metal ones, I went to something this about 6 years ago-

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Metra...id=1136673

I had to do a little grinding but it was about 30 minutes to install.

My kids broke the metal ones climbing on the westy (there is another thread on Samba about kids swinging on the pop top push bar, my kids did that too)

I did have to replace the rubber on this once about 4 yrs ago (I think the kids again but could have been time/sun/wind) Just bought a new antenna and used only the rubber top as is just screws to the base - cheap 30 second repair.

I have been very happy with this over the OEM metal.
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

The hirschmann antenna, is the right way to go---and is the original factory mounted antenna.

You can run the Van through a car wash, hide it if your in a bad neighborhood simply by shoving it down into the front cowel--
It retracts flush to the cowel, and safe from just about anything.

I always have them in stock, and can be seen here at the samba.com Vanagon want ad section..

Same price as the Van-Cafe too---
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T.K.

OilNBolts · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 4:52 am Post subject:

Make sure your new antenna seals well, as water leaking in the antenna hole inevitably drips into the fuse block and starts all variety of corrosion troubles.
_________________
Current fleet: Vanagons, two '88 GLs and an 89 Bluestar. Beetles, '63, '64, '72 convertible. Plus, four Subarus and three Prius. Too many cars.

RCB · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 7:56 am Post subject:

stevey88 · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 10:13 am Post subject:

syncrodoka · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 10:53 am Post subject:

There is a firewall between the antenna and the fuse box. A bad window seal or rust is the perfect way to give the fuse block a bath though.

Ahwahnee · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:34 am Post subject:

4thCarVanagon · Samba Member Joined: February 20, 2011 Posts: 2

I appreciate the input. After thinking about it, I did not have an OEM antenna. It was an aftermarket, it didn't need an adapter to my aftermarket radio.

I was hoping for a little more insight into the stubby antenna but I may just get the hirschmann. I am sort of local to gowesty so I'll poke my head in if I can't find another option.

stevey88 · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:35 pm Post subject:

madspaniard · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:43 pm Post subject:

78BayDriver · Samba Member Joined: September 27, 2007 Posts: 247

I used an antenna off of a Saturn. The mount thread is the same, and it is a little shorter. It works too.
_________________
1987 Vanagon GL 2.1 Flat Stanley (present)
1991 Golf GTi Forest Green
1981 Vanagon L 1.6 Diesel
1978 BayWindow Bus
1974 Bus
1990 Jetta
1979 Dasher Wagon
1972 Beetle

VanWilder · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:54 pm Post subject:

msinabottle · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 10:17 pm Post subject: BTDT

I had one, too, and liked it very much--but up here in Colorado, the UV got to it. My reception started cutting out, and when I inspected it carefully, I found that the rubber was disintegrating.

I went to a faux cell phone antenna because of the built-in spring, probably something longer later. Saturn antennas are actually a very good idea.

Best!
_________________
'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."


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