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But Ive had a few TA and Bird folks ask how hard it was to change from their broken power antenna to a std Camaro fixed antenna.
I was approached by "Baron Von Doolgas" to swap out his antenna...on his 1998 Formula.
Having never done it I thought it would be a good thing to know..in the past all I could tell people was that thy need ed to get a Camaro antenna and install it....not allot of help...
Total time for this project...30min...We did this swap at 6am...Marines like to wake up early
Tools:
10mm wrench and a drill motor and bit ~1/4 in...
The Complete Material List Total Cost ~25 bucks:
From GM Parts Direct
[EDIT.... THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE NUMBERS LISTED BELOW THEY WORKED FOR ME
BUT SEEMED TO HAVE CHANGED ... EDIT BitViper 11/20/2009]
Fixed mast--10425536 - The base that the new antenna mounts to.
Bezel-------10298264 / 10253391 - Not really required you can reuse your original..its the black rubber thingie
1. Open your rear door and remove the rear quarter panel covering the spare:
2. Remove the spare tire to expose the antenna motor:
3. Next using a crescent wrench loosen the top of the antenna base
4. next disconnect the electrical power wires an dteh antenna cable from the motor base and remove the nut at the base of the motor
A shot of the old electric base and the replacement base
5. We next trial fitted the new base in the car and marked the new base where the mounting whole on the original mounting bracket was..then unassembled it and drilled a hole for the attachment bolt. Our whole is the smaller one above the elongated one..I guess if you buy the bracket you can omit the drilling of the hole
6. Next reassemble the antenna back in the car..install the bolt and tighten. You can use a few washers to make sure that its completely vertical but we thought it wasn't necessary
7. Cap the electrical wires reconnect the antenna connection wire..
8. Replace the spare an d the plastic quarter panel stuff...
Done...I wont post that image directly cuz I don't wann get dinged by the mods....they got enough work...ignore the antenna we used..it could be any Camaro antenna
I totally agree..but when they break..youve either got to pony up $$$ to fix it or replace it with somthing..
The cheapest fix would be to buy the complete Camaro system including the steel antenna then cut that to make a shorty antenna prolly only cost around 30 bucks..cheaper if you can find a donor Camaro jfor parts
Ive always wondered why GM jdidnt put the antenna in our big assed windshields in the first place
__________________ Yellow 2004 ZO6 (pic) Caraviaggio GT3 Seats(pic)
* Interior Redline Goods Accents,B&M Shifter,Bassani X Pipe
* Lowered on stock bolts,T1 sway-bars
* CCW SP500 Polished Wheels 18's (10.5's & 11.5's) all around
* ACI Rear Spoiler
Thanks for the write-up... I'm going to be faced with these decisions soon.
__________________ 2002 Trans Am Convertible - Maple Red Metallic - LS1 Turbo 16 psi 700 rwhp 1999 Trans Am Coupe - Black on Black - Stock
Become fast: Masport | South Florida's family of F-body's: SSP
Good job man. Looks like I don't have to walk everyone thru this anymore. It's really a very simple straight forward install. I just think some get the idea it's more involved since your takin out the electric antenna.
I hated my electric antenna & it broke in the up position. I wouldn't switch back now for anything.
__________________
1999 Trans Am Ws6 6-speed--12.9 @ 108.7 w/2.1 60' (street tires)(before H/C/I no new times yet) MODS: MTI Lid--Hooker Muffler--Pacesetter 1 3/4" race LT's--TSP 3" ORY--LS7 clutch--224/.581 114--5.3 Bo White heads port/polished & milled .018"--Bo White port/polished TB--LS6 intake--Patriot Gold dual spring kit--7.4 TR chromemoly pushrods--Racetronix pump
Awesome write-up, and I'm glad I don't have to deal with a power antenna. I actually considered the swap to a power antenna, but realized that a lot of well-used TAs had antennas that wouldn't retract or extend anymore.
Awesome write-up, and I'm glad I don't have to deal with a power antenna. I actually considered the swap to a power antenna, but realized that a lot of well-used TAs had antennas that wouldn't retract or extend anymore.
THX!
__________________ Yellow 2004 ZO6 (pic) Caraviaggio GT3 Seats(pic)
* Interior Redline Goods Accents,B&M Shifter,Bassani X Pipe
* Lowered on stock bolts,T1 sway-bars
* CCW SP500 Polished Wheels 18's (10.5's & 11.5's) all around
* ACI Rear Spoiler
Location: South Jersey (15 miles from Atlantic City)
Posts: 2,150
Thanks for the write up! I actually went thru this 2 days ago in my Fornula. I actually just pulled the antenna up and let it stay up on its own until i get a Camaro Antenna
Isn't that what this write-up is for - switching to a stock Camaro antenna?
Well yes, but I was using this guide to install a BitViper. The parts/numbers he listed are mixed up so now I have a camaro antenna instead of what I need :/
__________________ 2006 Impala LT - Auto - Bone stock
1998 Camaro Z28 - M6 - forged motor, cam & heads, full exhaust & weight reduction - Sold
Well yes, but I was using this guide to install a BitViper. The parts/numbers he listed are mixed up so now I have a camaro antenna instead of what I need :/
So my numbers are wrong?
Can you shoot me the correct one's...I got these off the parts I ordered for the conversion..Id hate to be sending out wrong information
I love my power antenna... I know installing a power antenna in a Camaro is a bitch, but installing a fixed antenna in both Camaro or TA is easy... Almost TOO easy...
When my factory power antenna bit the dust, I installed an aftermarket chrome tipped stainless steel mast Metra antenna ($40) while reusing OEM parts so I could swap in a stock one in a matter of seconds... Looks great and also goes with my rims.
Replacing Your Power Antenna 
