I have some windshield mounted lights on my home made brackets and my lights were sticking pretty far out to the side. My antenna was rubbing against them so I decided to rotate it. I now some people have done this but I have never seen a write up on it so here it is. To get the plastic cover off, first unscrew the antenna. There are 2 tabs at 3 and 9 o'clock. You will need to either use a small screw driver to release them or at the bottom of the cover, there is a small hole that you can work a coat hanger through and push the sides out. The tab at 9 o'clock on mine was already sticking out a little so I started with that side. If you use a screw driver, make sure you put tape on the paint so you don't scratch it. This is what the cover looks like on the inside (notice the tabs), and how the antenna is mounted to the panel.



At first, I was going to try and drill 3 more holes and rotate the bracket that it screws into but I found out that it is attached all over the place. So, I drilled 3 more holes on the out side bracket. Where the red dots are at. (Sorry but I don't remember the drill bit size so you will have to match it up with the bolts.)


On the back side of that bracket, there is a tab that sits at the 12 o'clock position. You will need to notch out another spot for that tab to sit roughly around the 11 o'clock position. The red at the top is what you need to notch out.


After that, you can bolt it back on. My antenna is sticking out a little bit but I am going to secure it better using the 3M clear tabs hook (last picture is from akonius, thanks).

That's a nice mod. I had thought about trying to do something like that back when I did my windshield lights, but I had no idea how it was done. And was afraid of f'ing it up. So I bought a stubby antenna instead... Wish this write-up had been around back then.


I would give you some "points" to your reputation for this post... But I've been disabled

Great write up. I might have to look into this once I have somelights to put on the Jeep.

cool thanks for the write up

excellent - you did it! until you get those clear clips, when you go around 40 or so...the antenna may start whipping the crap outta your windshield pillar! Not always but when it's windy it's real bad. I think I got those 3M clips at Target. They've held on even with all the heat. One thing to do though...install the bracket with the open end facing the rear of the Jeep. THEN, put the antenna in the bracket...grab a lighter...and heat the bracket up a bit. The plastic will become pliable and you can bend the opening shut.

Reason I did this (and it's worked great so far)...was that at hwy speeds, sometimes the antenna made it's way outta the bracket and slapped the crap outta the Jeep again!...and there's nothing you can do about it when you're driving!

Anyway - that's the only thing I forgot to mention to you about this mod before! Here's a pic of the clips I used.

No, you told me about it. Notice the last picture in my OP. I just haven't been able to go get them yet. I was coming home last night and there was a storm moving in so it was really windy, plus me going about 70 on the high way, my antenna was slapping the front passenger side window pretty close to the middle of it. I thought it was actually pretty funny. A few times it kinda scared me but I had a good laugh. Now I just need to get up there and get those clips. Thanks again for your help.

Edit: Oh, did you mean about heating the bracket up and bending it? OK, will do. Thanks. With out you telling me everything you did I would probably have a lot of scrapes in my paint right now. And a broken plastic cover.

Hmmm...I wonder if this works for a TJ.

you also bend the crap out of it like i did mine.

BTW, what the hell is happening to my rep and points. i was +4 yesterday and now i am -48. that sux

crazy shit