How To: Shorten your stock antenna.

**brewer15650** · 10-11-2009, 07:34 PM

Disclaimer
The community here at 355nation.net urges you to please use caution and seek professional assistance when performing modifications to your vehicle. Before attempting any modification it is advised that you refer to your Colorado or Canyon service manual or contact a certified mechanic as not all GMT355 trucks are the same. The staff and the associated members are in no way responsible for any damages, injuries or other harm inflicted to your vehicle or yourself which may result in attempting these modifications. The posts and content presented on this site reflect in no way the views of 355nation.net or it’s ownership.

A 355nation How To presented by
brewer15650

Project Name
How To: Shorten your stock antenna.

Project Description
Shortening your factory antenna to a reasonable size while retaining the factory ball and factory look.

Skill Level
Easy/Noob

Project Vehicle
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Colorado
Year: 2004
Engine: 3.5L
Power windows: Yes
Sun Roof: No

Tools Needed
Vise Grips, Utility Knife, 8mm Wrench, Hack Saw, Sand Paper, Black Spray Paint and Epoxy or Super Glue.

Project Time
1 hour or less

Project Cost
Effort

**Warning** Your stock antenna could be seized and or rusted together at the base and possibly could break off when removing.

First remove your stock antenna via an 8mm wrench.

Using a razor blade knife cut through the coating below the antenna ball. Make sure you go all the way around the ball.

Take your vise grips and lock them on to the ball....just tight enough to get the job done. The blue painters tape is on the jaws to keep any marks down to a minimum that the vise grips might leave.

Use the 8mm wrench on the end of the antenna to hold it while you twist the ball off the end using the vise grips.

The ball should just twist right off.

Measure how much you would like to remove and make your cut using a hack saw. Please take note that the shorter you make the antenna the worse your radio reception will be. I usually cut just enough off the top of the antenna to be level with the roof of the truck.

Now you will have to taper the end of the freshly cut antenna so the ball will press back on. The top one is the Factory end and the freshly tapered end is the one on the bottom.

Epoxy or Super Glue the antenna ball back on. You can use the vise grips to hold the ball and twist it back down on the end of the cut antenna.

Ball glued on and excess epoxy wipe off.

Sand out the vise grips marks and then mask off a few inch's of the antenna.

Shoot 2 light coats of gloss black paint on it and leave it dry for 5-10 mins and then remove the tape and dust on another coat of paint over lapping the masking line.

After it drys....that's it. You just made your stock whip antenna into a factory looking shorty antenna.

**Supermodulation** · 10-11-2009, 07:45 PM

Good mod!

I used a 1/8" rubber cap. much easir and cheaper. McMaster-Carr

**brewer15650** · 10-11-2009, 09:20 PM

Thanks man, Yep wack it and cap it is faster. I learned how to to do this back when I had my 92 s10 and I prefer the factory look over the cap look. We just installed the one from the how to on covered'n' ink truck yesterday and it looked perfect.

mwcky2204 · 10-11-2009, 09:26 PM

Nice, just lost my rubber ap from NESM meet "free mod" from James, it stayed a good while but the carwash finaly got it this weekend. Gona do this soon. Good write up!

WTRacing · 10-11-2009, 09:55 PM

yeah mines still done from NESM.. I cut it there and when I got home I re did it and put the factory ball back on it

nice write up! I need to do this to my S10

SWEEETRUCK · 10-11-2009, 10:21 PM

did you notice any difference in radio reception?

**victoryredzq8** · 10-11-2009, 10:23 PM

nice write up.. i just took my antenna off

never listen to the radio anyways

07ColoradoBLK · 10-11-2009, 10:40 PM

nice . i remember when i cut down a cb antenna to use as a shorty antenna on my s10. easy as pie.

WTRacing · 10-11-2009, 11:39 PM

Just did it to my S10's in like 10min

brandonb208 · 10-12-2009, 01:42 PM

i wud think a shorty wud be like 4-14"?

WTRacing · 10-12-2009, 04:04 PM

shorty is anything shorter than it was stock

radocrazy07 · 10-12-2009, 08:16 PM

I did this to my antenna prob 2 years ago, i used the stock ball and cut it to 6". reception sucks ass but idc never listen to it anyway.

Something i did that i thought looked better was take that wire wrapped around it off, it leaves a little indention where it wrapped around the antenna so i sanded it down to the metal and sprayed a few coats of black paint on it and it looks pretty good.

just a thought for anyone who doesn't like the wire wrapping around the antenna.

BlueDragonX · 10-12-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radocrazy07

Something i did that i thought looked better was take that wire wrapped around it off

That's probably why you're getting horrible reception.

Off topic, but Brewer, do you work for Smart Parts or something? Or possibly formerly worked at SP, as I understand they had a huge layoff...

**brewer15650** · 10-12-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueDragonX

That's probably why you're getting horrible reception.

Off topic, but Brewer, do you work for Smart Parts or something? Or possibly formerly worked at SP, as I understand they had a huge layoff...

Yes I did....I was just laid off.

covered'n' ink · 10-12-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWEEETRUCK

did you notice any difference in radio reception?

no loss here....maybe in the mountians but none so far..

WTRacing · 10-13-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer15650

Yes I did....I was just laid off.

Fuuuuuuuuuuck man! sorry to hear!

mwcky2204 · 10-18-2009, 07:04 PM

finished mine today, Thanks Brewer

izzarado06 · 10-18-2009, 09:00 PM

how did yall taper the end again? j.w

mwcky2204 · 10-18-2009, 09:28 PM

I used a 1" table top belt sander. it dosn't need alot tho.

Boulder Canyon · 10-18-2009, 10:42 PM

Cool, i got the XM thing going anyway, I'll hack a lil off the top to flush it with the roof line. People who have no idea will have no idea, but those who know... well they know bra! And they see that shit.

10-11-2009, 07:34 PM	#1
brewer15650 Quadruple O.G. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Latrobe PA 15650 Posts: 4,737 Member's Picture Albums	How To: Shorten your stock antenna. Disclaimer The community here at 355nation.net urges you to please use caution and seek professional assistance when performing modifications to your vehicle. Before attempting any modification it is advised that you refer to your Colorado or Canyon service manual or contact a certified mechanic as not all GMT355 trucks are the same. The staff and the associated members are in no way responsible for any damages, injuries or other harm inflicted to your vehicle or yourself which may result in attempting these modifications. The posts and content presented on this site reflect in no way the views of 355nation.net or it’s ownership. A 355nation How To presented by brewer15650 Project Name How To: Shorten your stock antenna. Project Description Shortening your factory antenna to a reasonable size while retaining the factory ball and factory look. Skill Level Easy/Noob Project Vehicle Make: Chevrolet Model: Colorado Year: 2004 Engine: 3.5L Power windows: Yes Sun Roof: No Tools Needed Vise Grips, Utility Knife, 8mm Wrench, Hack Saw, Sand Paper, Black Spray Paint and Epoxy or Super Glue. Project Time 1 hour or less Project Cost Effort Warning Your stock antenna could be seized and or rusted together at the base and possibly could break off when removing. First remove your stock antenna via an 8mm wrench. Using a razor blade knife cut through the coating below the antenna ball. Make sure you go all the way around the ball. Take your vise grips and lock them on to the ball....just tight enough to get the job done. The blue painters tape is on the jaws to keep any marks down to a minimum that the vise grips might leave. Use the 8mm wrench on the end of the antenna to hold it while you twist the ball off the end using the vise grips. The ball should just twist right off. Measure how much you would like to remove and make your cut using a hack saw. Please take note that the shorter you make the antenna the worse your radio reception will be. I usually cut just enough off the top of the antenna to be level with the roof of the truck. Now you will have to taper the end of the freshly cut antenna so the ball will press back on. The top one is the Factory end and the freshly tapered end is the one on the bottom. Epoxy or Super Glue the antenna ball back on. You can use the vise grips to hold the ball and twist it back down on the end of the cut antenna. Ball glued on and excess epoxy wipe off. Sand out the vise grips marks and then mask off a few inch's of the antenna. Shoot 2 light coats of gloss black paint on it and leave it dry for 5-10 mins and then remove the tape and dust on another coat of paint over lapping the masking line. After it drys....that's it. You just made your stock whip antenna into a factory looking shorty antenna. __________________ MY Album MY Cardomain Donate To The Nation SINSITY KUSTOMZ Last edited by brewer15650; 02-01-2010 at 10:49 AM.

10-11-2009, 07:45 PM	#2
Supermodulation The Wise OWL......... Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Middlesex, N.J. Posts: 3,784 Member's Picture Albums	How To: Shorten your stock antenna Good mod! I used a 1/8" rubber cap. much easir and cheaper. McMaster-Carr __________________ 355NATION DONATIONS I North East Chapter of 355Nation - NEC355 Supermodulation Ported Throttle Body Exchange Service. MAKE HISTORY, BE THERE. 2012 USA SUPERMEET. Click Here to join! Last edited by brewer15650; 10-11-2009 at 09:12 PM.

10-11-2009, 09:20 PM	#3
brewer15650 Quadruple O.G. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Latrobe PA 15650 Posts: 4,737 Member's Picture Albums	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. Thanks man, Yep wack it and cap it is faster. I learned how to to do this back when I had my 92 s10 and I prefer the factory look over the cap look. We just installed the one from the how to on covered'n' ink truck yesterday and it looked perfect. __________________ MY Album MY Cardomain Donate To The Nation SINSITY KUSTOMZ

10-11-2009, 09:26 PM	#4
mwcky2204 Kentucky 295 Canada 205 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dot, Ky Posts: 5,402 Member's Picture Albums	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. Nice, just lost my rubber ap from NESM meet "free mod" from James, it stayed a good while but the carwash finaly got it this weekend. Gona do this soon. Good write up! __________________ -Cowan Order DRL covers here > http://www.355nation.net/forum/class...rl-covers.html

10-11-2009, 09:55 PM	#5
WTRacing Custom Title Garnered Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 10,403 Member's Picture Albums	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. yeah mines still done from NESM.. I cut it there and when I got home I re did it and put the factory ball back on it nice write up! I need to do this to my S10 __________________ -Tribo

10-11-2009, 10:21 PM	#6
SWEEETRUCK Nation Elite Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Renton WA Posts: 3,728 Member's Picture Albums	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. did you notice any difference in radio reception? __________________

10-11-2009, 10:23 PM	#7
victoryredzq8 Global Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: south bend, IN Posts: 3,651 Member's Picture Albums	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. nice write up.. i just took my antenna off never listen to the radio anyways __________________

10-11-2009, 10:40 PM	#8
07ColoradoBLK Nation Elite Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 2,374 Member's Picture Albums	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. nice . i remember when i cut down a cb antenna to use as a shorty antenna on my s10. easy as pie. __________________ facebook '07Colorado Z85 LS

10-11-2009, 11:39 PM	#9
WTRacing Custom Title Garnered Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 10,403 Member's Picture Albums	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. Just did it to my S10's in like 10min __________________ -Tribo

10-12-2009, 01:42 PM	#10
brandonb208 Nation Affiliate Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: houston TX Posts: 407 Member's Picture Albums	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. i wud think a shorty wud be like 4-14"? __________________ officially layd rails.

10-12-2009, 04:04 PM	#11
WTRacing Custom Title Garnered Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 10,403 Member's Picture Albums	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. shorty is anything shorter than it was stock __________________ -Tribo

10-12-2009, 08:16 PM	#12
radocrazy07 Formerly JHartColorado Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: In the sticks Posts: 446	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. I did this to my antenna prob 2 years ago, i used the stock ball and cut it to 6". reception sucks ass but idc never listen to it anyway. Something i did that i thought looked better was take that wire wrapped around it off, it leaves a little indention where it wrapped around the antenna so i sanded it down to the metal and sprayed a few coats of black paint on it and it looks pretty good. just a thought for anyone who doesn't like the wire wrapping around the antenna. __________________ JHART RIP Shane "SC" Christenson, you'll always be remembered.

10-18-2009, 07:04 PM	#17
mwcky2204 Kentucky 295 Canada 205 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dot, Ky Posts: 5,402 Member's Picture Albums	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. finished mine today, Thanks Brewer __________________ -Cowan Order DRL covers here > http://www.355nation.net/forum/class...rl-covers.html

10-18-2009, 09:00 PM	#18
izzarado06 Nation Affiliate Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: virginia beach Posts: 369 Member's Picture Albums	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. how did yall taper the end again? j.w

10-18-2009, 09:28 PM	#19
mwcky2204 Kentucky 295 Canada 205 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dot, Ky Posts: 5,402 Member's Picture Albums	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. I used a 1" table top belt sander. it dosn't need alot tho. __________________ -Cowan Order DRL covers here > http://www.355nation.net/forum/class...rl-covers.html

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10-18-2009, 10:42 PM	#20
Boulder Canyon Nation Advocate Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 566 Member's Picture Albums	Re: How To: Shorten your stock antenna. Cool, i got the XM thing going anyway, I'll hack a lil off the top to flush it with the roof line. People who have no idea will have no idea, but those who know... well they know bra! And they see that shit.