How hard to install roof mount antenna?

762 Views 17 Replies 9 Participants Last post by mhjett, Feb 8, 2002

Fast16v

Discussion Starter · Feb 7, 2002

Going to slap one on my wife's A2 Jetta. All my past 6 vw's have had them so this will my first attempt. Whos done it and how much work am I looking at?
Thanks.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

2Dr16vJettaGirl

· #2 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (Fast16v)

It's pretty simple, I installed mine on my Coupe. The toughest part is doing the precise measuring to ensure you place it in the correct spot. It helped having a GLi there with me to measure from. Then just mark the spot, bore out a big enough hole, and secure it from inside with the nut. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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tkic

· #3 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (2Dr16vJettaGirl)

i watched that coupe go by new seasons on tacoma today!

Fast16v

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (EbraketurnGTI)

How do you wire it up to the radio? Do I need to remove the entire headliner?

12 Inch Club

· #5 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (Fast16v)

Yeah that's what it says in the bentley

ghostrider

· #6 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (Fast16v)

quote:[HR][/HR]I want to say the back edge of the antenna base should be 4 inches from the window moulding, maybe 4.5 inches. It's been about 4 years since I've installed one. Measure twice, drill once. Make sure you "start" the hole by tapping a nail into the metal (not all the way, just enough to make a dent) that way the drill bit won't wander when starting to drill.
It really isn't that hard, just a little time consuming.[HR][/HR]

Yup, but be sure not to tap too hard. You really don't want to make a depression in the roof. Also, be sure to drill far enough forward. There is some heavy duty steel along the rear window frame that you won't be able to drill through. I installed my antenna about 4.5" forward I believe. You can measure diagonally from the window corners to make absolutely certain you are centered.

gaia0510

· #7 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (12 Inch Club)

I did it on a Jetta. the hardest part for me was running the wire. I sugest removing the front seats as it is easier to get the headliner out this way. It shouldnt take to long to do. use a file to get the hole square. and make sure the fuba sits straight and doesn't stick out to one side. Thus you must get the square hole just right so it looks good, and straight. You might want to drill up from the inside to avoid the rafters.

[Modified by gaia0510, 5:25 PM 2-6-2002]

G30ff

· #8 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (gaia0510)

you don't have to take the whole headliner out... just undo everything from the sunroof (or where one would be) back... i ran the cable under the headliner to the pillar between the doors on the pass side, then under the carpet along the door frame... also, place masking tape on the roof where you are going to drill... mark the spot and drill through the tape.. it's less likely to slip..
-Geoff

G30ff

· #9 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (G30ff)

ph yea, the biggest pia is that my fuba base was square (are they all like that?) so i had to drill the hole smaller and file it square... and also put some silicon or something under the base/ in the hole to help seal things up...i didn't trust the rubber seal that's on the base

mhjett

· #10 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (Fast16v)

hey its a LOT easier than that! i did it on my GL. do the antenna like everyone has said. just drop the rear of the headliner (like only behind the moonroof) but for the wire, just run it along the driver's side edge of the headliner, where it meets the doors. all you have to do it pull the rubber seals down, stick the cable in there under the headliner, all the way to the A pillar. Then take the a pillar trim off and run the wire in there, it fits nicely. from there, its an easy run to behind the dash. watch out for power wires back in behind the dash if at all possible, i think they can have a tendency to interfere with radio reception.
good luck http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

[Modified by mhjett, 12:13 AM 2-7-2002]

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JettaManDan

· #11 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (mhjett)

quote:[HR][/HR]hey its a LOT easier than that! i did it on my GL. do the antenna like everyone has said. just drop the rear of the headliner (like only behind the moonroof) but for the wire, just run it along the driver's side edge of the headliner, where it meets the doors. all you have to do it pull the rubber seals down, stick the cable in there under the headliner, all the way to the A pillar. Then take the a pillar trim off and run the wire in there, it fits nicely. from there, its an easy run to behind the dash. watch out for power wires back in behind the dash if at all possible, i think they can have a tendency to interfere with radio reception.
good luck http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

[Modified by mhjett, 12:13 AM 2-7-2002][HR][/HR]

he's right - that's how I did it on my '86 GLI - just took the back of the headliner down a little - then down just 1 side of the headliner - and ran the wire down the A pillar - very easy that way and everything will go back in place well - just be carefull not to break the headliner board.......and as said before - try to go see a car with a fuba and take some decent measurements - no one will know if you are 1 inch off front or back - but if it is uneven side to side you will be able to see it......and corner masurements from the edges of the rear window will give you a good center measurement.....

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Fast16v

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (Fast16v)

Thanks for all the help guys. My Fuba didn't come with any long wires. Do I need a special wire or can I just get something from radio shack? Was it hard to drill through the roof? Any special bit I should use? Thanks again!

mhjett

· #13 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (Fast16v)

hmmm i think you can order a special wire for a fuba from some of the places you can buy a fuba from (not sure of were specifically). but all it really is is a coax cable, so if you go to radio shack and get a long coax cable you should be cool. i think the antenna end is a regular screw type coax cable connector, and then the radio end is whatever the connection is on your radio. if you have a stock vw radio, i think you are screwed. no actually, you need a vw antenna adapter i think. i have a sony radio, but my antenna came with a cable with a connector for vw radios, so i cut it off and put on a different one that i picked up from radio shack that is the standard push on type.
no special drill bit, just take it easy and make some kind of pilot mark to keep your bit from walking. use a bit that is just larger than the part of the fuba that goes in the whole (of course). dont remember what size that would be.
well that was long winded, good luck man http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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JettaManDan

· #14 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (Fast16v)

quote:[HR][/HR]Thanks for all the help guys. My Fuba didn't come with any long wires. Do I need a special wire or can I just get something from radio shack? Was it hard to drill through the roof? Any special bit I should use? Thanks again![HR][/HR]

well - yes - you need a 8 foot wire to run to up to the front - does your fuba have the white or black connector and the antenna wire with the metal screw on connector comming out of it? if so this is called an amplified base fuba - and you need to run power to it and the antenna wire to the radio - a good resource for the wires is http://www.antennaworld.com - got my fuba there.....my suggestion for a drill but is something with a carbide tip - will make it faster - you just have to be REAL carefull - and invest in a tube of silicone sealant too for when you are redy to put in in - to seal it up well - I recommend a 2nd person tp help hold the antenna straight when you are tightening the nut from below........
click on this link and let us know if this is what your base looks like - http://www.antennaworld.com/eshop/Default.ASP?WCI=ItemDetails&WCE=1723BASE-OE94

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Fast16v

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (JettaManDan)

The antenna just has one wire comming out of it and it is black. I do not believe it is amplified. It doesn't look like this

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JettaManDan

· #16 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (Fast16v)

ok - then it is un-amplified and I think you can use a regualr radio-shack wire - but your reception may be crappy -

G30ff

· #17 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (JettaManDan)

i have the non-amped on aswell, radio shack doesn't have the right cable, so i got a antenna extension cable(or something like that) one connector was right, so i just cut the other side off and spliced in the connector off my old fender mount ant. .... the reception is no better than the fender antenna, but i got my fuba off ebay for like $15,,,
-Geoff

mhjett

· #18 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: How hard to install roof mount antenna? (G30ff)

i have an unamplified antenna too, and compared to the fender mount one, my reception is probably a little worse but not bad at all

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