fixing antenna?

OK, my 1st official question! I have been on internet for about 4 hours straight :banghead: to find ANY info on fixing my antenna on my 4runner. And yes, about 1 1/2 on AF. I have searched many different topics in forums, but can't find. Any answers are much appreciated.I have a power antenna on my 4runner which broke and the cable broke with it. Auto Zone help said I could go from power to non power antenna. I unbolted fender as much as possible ( only way i saw i could get in there) to obtain access room to power unit. My problem is, I can't seem to find any way to get unit undone to remove it so I can replace the coaxial cable and non power antenna.It's driving me absolutely :screwy: . Any ideas? Thank you in advance!

Damn Toyota antennas!! Both my power antenna's have had problems. It starts with freezing in the winter, then totally fails eventually.

I don't know about the 4 Runner, but the Camry's and Avalon motors are accessible from the trunk (you have to remove spare tire and nearby panels/carpeting) pretty simple really.

What I'm tempted to do (I'm curious about comments) is to not buy a new antenna or even fix it, but to disconnect the antenna motor altogether; leaving the antenna in the UP position. With the co-ax cable still attached the antenna should still receive signal, but with the motor disconnected it just won't bother to try to go up and down. Depending on how you disconnect what (there is a nylon "toothed" cord that runs along a gear in the motor that drives the cord and pushes the antenna - this may have actaully broken/failed, not the motor), you should be able to still raise and lower the anteanna by hand.

Any thoughts? I'm fed up with these motorized antennas.

What year 4Runner do you have? Try the 4Runner forum. We have discussed replacing antennas many times. If you search correctly, you will find information on that.

On 1st and 2nd gen Runners you just remove the plastic fender liner, you don't have to unbolt the fender. You can get replacement masts from the dealer.

Try this:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=8838

I replaced the antenna mast on my 1994 4runner yesterday. The mast cost $41 from the dealer, only one in stock. By removing all the screws I was able to move the plastic fender liner back far enough to remove the one bolt holding the antenna motor at the bottom. Something was holding the fender liner at the bottom that prevented me from removing it. There was enough slack in the coax and power line that I was able to remove the motor with the lines still attached. I didn't time it, but taking the motor out, opening the motor to remove the broken rack, putting everything back, and installing the new antenna mast took maybe thirty minutes. Works like new for a lot less cost and trouble than I thought it would be.