Metro universal power antenna
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,273
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/POWER...item20bba678ed put one of these in a buddys a few years ago still working (00 SS)
So, if you have a TA, I assume your current antenna won't go down? Have you looked at just replacing the mast? Have you tried the mineral spirits fix?
Replacing the mast is a heck of a lot less expensive and less effort. (The mineral spirits route is almost free.)
Replacing the mast is a heck of a lot less expensive and less effort. (The mineral spirits route is almost free.)
I assume it would not go down for the previous owner because the mast was broke off.
If I knew the motor would last and if I could replace it without having to open the motor casing, I would.
If I knew the motor would last and if I could replace it without having to open the motor casing, I would.
I replaced mine with a Metra 31" power antenna (stock height). I cut the old antenna up after removing and took the antenna-side wiring harness and cut/re-used it to make a plug-in adapter for the Metra, so if I wanted to, I could go back to stock easily.
The most difficult part of it was making an adapter. I couldn't find any locally so I had to make one from parts found at my local electronics store. Later I found that you could just buy the adapter here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=pd_lpo_k...W2RY0SEAJG8J11
I'll get some pictures of my setup tonight.
The most difficult part of it was making an adapter. I couldn't find any locally so I had to make one from parts found at my local electronics store. Later I found that you could just buy the adapter here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=pd_lpo_k...W2RY0SEAJG8J11
I'll get some pictures of my setup tonight.
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 5
I replaced mine with a Metra 31" power antenna (stock height). I cut the old antenna up after removing and took the antenna-side wiring harness and cut/re-used it to make a plug-in adapter for the Metra, so if I wanted to, I could go back to stock easily.
The most difficult part of it was making an adapter. I couldn't find any locally so I had to make one from parts found at my local electronics store. Later I found that you could just buy the adapter here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=pd_lpo_k...W2RY0SEAJG8J11
I'll get some pictures of my setup tonight.
The most difficult part of it was making an adapter. I couldn't find any locally so I had to make one from parts found at my local electronics store. Later I found that you could just buy the adapter here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=pd_lpo_k...W2RY0SEAJG8J11
I'll get some pictures of my setup tonight.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
You don't need an adapter to plug in an aftermarket power antenna to the factory antenna cable connector. The GM antenna adapters everyone sells (as shown in the posted link) are for plugging in the miniature GM antenna plug in the dash to a standard size connector in an aftermarket head unit.
You will need some sort of adapter to connect the electrical wires. I am not aware of anyone who makes such an adapter so either cut the plug off the original antenna or use crimp connectors to splice into the factory wiring.
You will need some sort of adapter to connect the electrical wires. I am not aware of anyone who makes such an adapter so either cut the plug off the original antenna or use crimp connectors to splice into the factory wiring.
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Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
WhiteBord00 is right.
The stock Firebird power antenna is connected to an extension wire via a standard size connector. You don't need any adapter to just replace the power antenna. You only need an adapter if you are changing the stock headunit to an aftermarket one.
The stock Firebird power antenna is connected to an extension wire via a standard size connector. You don't need any adapter to just replace the power antenna. You only need an adapter if you are changing the stock headunit to an aftermarket one.
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Verdad Gallardo ^ have you guys ever installed a Metra 31" antenna into an F-body? I built an adapter for the antenna cable (not just the electrical connector) since the store I was at didn't have one. The GM antenna cable connector was different from the Metra antenna cable connector. There was not a snowballs chance in hell that it would fit. If you want, I will gladly show you a picture to illustrate this. We are talking about METRA brand antennas, not a Delco antenna.
Last edited by ZexGX; Sep 11, 2012 at 03:29 PM.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
I have never checked that specific model but I've seen plenty of aftermarket AM/FM antennas and they all have a standard Motorola connector on them:
The factory antenna cable from the right quarter area to the dash behind the head unit uses that type of connector at the back and a miniature version of it at the head unit. That's why you need an adapter for an aftermarket head unit:
The factory antenna cable from the right quarter area to the dash behind the head unit uses that type of connector at the back and a miniature version of it at the head unit. That's why you need an adapter for an aftermarket head unit:
I have never checked that specific model but I've seen plenty of aftermarket AM/FM antennas and they all have a standard Motorola connector on them:
The factory antenna cable from the right quarter area to the dash behind the head unit uses that type of connector at the back and a miniature version of it at the head unit. That's why you need an adapter for an aftermarket head unit:
The factory antenna cable from the right quarter area to the dash behind the head unit uses that type of connector at the back and a miniature version of it at the head unit. That's why you need an adapter for an aftermarket head unit:
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
ALL "UNIVERSAL" AM/FM antennas that I have seen in over 30 years have the standard size Motorola connector - it's been used in US cars for over 50 years. There are specialty antennas that are designed for certain nonstandard cars such as VWs, Mercedes, and even some GM models that have "diversity" antennas (amplified multi-element antennas) but they don't apply to f-bodies.
Last edited by WhiteBird00; Sep 12, 2012 at 03:31 PM.
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: DFW, TX
Anyone use this on a 4th gen? How hard is it to install? Has it lasted?
Below is what a metro is in both forms...
[IMG]
Seriously, back when I used to do a lot more electronics installs for a previous employer, we used Metra quite a bit, and I never had any complaints on installs done to F-bodies or similar GM products until it was the onstar equipped vehicles. They required up to $200+ in adapters so the car/radio wouldn't think it was being stolen while plugged into a foreign object. Don't get me started on VW electronics though.
This is the part you most likely need to adapt it:
http://www.metraonline.com/part/Afte...ntenna_40-GM10
It adapts the universal motorola connector to the mini adapter as found from Metra's site. Amazon has the part listed for $0.40.
Last edited by omgitsmikeyc; Sep 12, 2012 at 09:53 PM.
I just took a picture of mine although I didn't need to. The adapter that I made (because the local car audio store didn't have it) is identical to a Female-Female Motorola connector. The harness coming out of the antenna is a male Motorola plug on about 3" of cord (the stock harness is a male Motorola connector).
Now, you may say "Well! You just bought the WRONG antenna!" However, this would be incorrect. Metra's own website specifies the exact antenna that I bought, along with an identical model that has a different colored mast (44-PW22B has a black mast, not have a stainless+chrome mast like 44-PW22). http://www.metraonline.com/part/44-PW22
The install manual is here, which clearly shows the male Motorola connector exiting the antenna: http://www.metraonline.com/files/pro...NSTAW-PW22.pdf
So... This (or equivalent) is the part that is needed (for sure): Unless you want to run all new antenna wire, that is.
Now, you may say "Well! You just bought the WRONG antenna!" However, this would be incorrect. Metra's own website specifies the exact antenna that I bought, along with an identical model that has a different colored mast (44-PW22B has a black mast, not have a stainless+chrome mast like 44-PW22). http://www.metraonline.com/part/44-PW22
The install manual is here, which clearly shows the male Motorola connector exiting the antenna: http://www.metraonline.com/files/pro...NSTAW-PW22.pdf
So... This (or equivalent) is the part that is needed (for sure): Unless you want to run all new antenna wire, that is.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Ahhh... we're talking about a gender bender. Sorry, I thought you meant that the antenna had a completely different kind of connector on it. I don't know offhand whether my antenna cable had a male or female connector on it because I replaced it with a stealth CB antenna using PL-259 connectors. A female to female Motorola gender bender is the one in your last post on Amazon (your previous link went to a page full of different adapters). It is also available (even a little cheaper) from Parts Express, one of my favorite places to get wiring parts and accessories.
VIP1, you've done some work with antennas, did your car need a gender bender for the antenna cable?
VIP1, you've done some work with antennas, did your car need a gender bender for the antenna cable?
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
I haven't had to replace the power antenna in my Formula yet, but I know others who have and I don't remember them needing a gender adapter. Maybe the Metra one is different than the GM in that regard or maybe the current model Metra sells is different than the one they used to sell.
However, at one point, I did install a wired FM transmitter in-line for my XM recevier (before I replaced the headunit) and it plugged right into that junction at the back, in the correct orientation (as far as I remember since that was 4 years ago) so maybe something has changed in the market from then to now to change the default gender of the antenna cable on aftermarket antennae.
I've wired a switch in-line with the power wire so mine stays down all the time. It is practically new.
However, at one point, I did install a wired FM transmitter in-line for my XM recevier (before I replaced the headunit) and it plugged right into that junction at the back, in the correct orientation (as far as I remember since that was 4 years ago) so maybe something has changed in the market from then to now to change the default gender of the antenna cable on aftermarket antennae.
I've wired a switch in-line with the power wire so mine stays down all the time. It is practically new.
Last edited by VIP1; Sep 13, 2012 at 09:22 AM.
So, have you guys ever installed a Metra 31" antenna into a 4th gen F-body? Since that is the topic of this thread, and not installing headunits, XM modules, etc.. I did it four years ago using a Metra antenna that looked like it had about a years worth of dust on the packaging, so it was definitely an "older" model. And yes, the Metra one IS different than the GM one... Why do you think the documentation and all of the evidence so far clearly shows a male Motorola connector?? https://ls1tech.com/forums/10212659-post4.html
I would not be posting in this thread if dtumbl4u didn't ask for help with finding the right adapter.
I would not be posting in this thread if dtumbl4u didn't ask for help with finding the right adapter.
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: DFW, TX
I'm trying to help as well, but was also confused on what he was referencing. Plus adding some light humor made me feel better. Now if it's a connector issue, why not just cut off the connectors and hard wire it? It would solve the issue, you just need a volt meter to make sure you don't cross lines some how. Better safe than sorry.
I'm trying to help as well, but was also confused on what he was referencing. Plus adding some light humor made me feel better. Now if it's a connector issue, why not just cut off the connectors and hard wire it? It would solve the issue, you just need a volt meter to make sure you don't cross lines some how. Better safe than sorry.
Thankfully, the Metra antenna has performed wonderfully.
