Antennae Shrink Wrapped Black

[Gangplank]

Got this idea from a member on here looking through the antennae threads. I used some heat shrink tubing to wrap my antennae black. Looks better and now it won’t scratch my a pillar or crack the window. I used 1/4” shrink tube but if I did it again I’d go smaller. It’s tight at the bottom but could have been tighter toward the upper 1/3

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[The Last Cowboy]

I did the same thing, maybe it was my post you saw, but others have done it. I used thin shrink wrap for the mast, and a larger diameter for the base. I didn't have a long enough piece for the mast, so I had to overlap the top 4". I wanted to do it over, afterward, but I never notice the spot unless I'm looking for it. This is a n incredibly easy mod to do.

Amateur Tip: Look for shrink wrap with no sizing/spec text on it. If you are going to shrink wrap the base, remove the antenna.

 

[Gangplank]

I did the same thing, maybe it was my post you saw, but others have done it. I used thin shrink wrap for the mast, and a larger diameter for the base. I didn't have a long enough piece for the mast, so I had to overlap the top 4". I wanted to do it over, afterward, but I never notice the spot unless I'm looking for it.

Amateur Tip: Look for shrink wrap with no sizing/spec text on it.

Very well might have been. Good idea about the base I’’ll have to go back and do the base with a bigger piece.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

Very well might have been. Good idea about the base I’’ll have to go back and do the base with a bigger piece.

Find a piece that barely slides onto the base, so that when you shrink it, it will contour to the tapered area as well.

 

[autotragic]

One good thing about a '24...no external antenna anymore. Best factory mod ever.
Okay maybe not the best...but it's pretty neat and just one more thing I don't have to spend more money on to fix later.

 

[Flip]

I did the shrink wrap on my TJ antenna, it seemed to prevent chipping on the A pillar. While on the trail the antenna still slapping against the A pillar, got on my nerves. I picked a cheap flexy antenna at AutoZone for my JL $13 it works well.

 

[CRZYCDN]

Be cautious on the type of heat shrink, as some has glue that is activated with the heat. Works well for wiring but not sure it would be good for this use...and may make it a pain if you needed to remove due it being damaged

 

[Gangplank]

Be cautious on the type of heat shrink, as some has glue that is activated with the heat. Works well for wiring but not sure it would be good for this use...and may make it a pain if you needed to remove due it being damaged

Good point. I would have rather replaced it with a black whip antennae of the same height bad stock. I use it to tell if I’ll make it under trees/garage.

 

[Bhmkv]

Can’t stand the long antennas. I swapped for this.

 

[Heimkehr]

Yes, do take care when using marine heat shrink tubing (its proper name) on a particular project. The internal adhesive is very strong and fairly inflexible when cured.

As when chemically welding PVC with primer & cement, consider the use of marine heat shrink as a one-chance, permanent add-on. When used properly, it is a very durable protective layer.

 

[JeepinJason33]

One good thing about a '24...no external antenna anymore. Best factory mod ever.
Okay maybe not the best...but it's pretty neat and just one more thing I don't have to spend more money on to fix later.

Until you have to pay for the replacement windshield...

 

[autotragic]

Until you have to pay for the replacement windshield...

Well one of my cars already has a windshield with an integrated antenna and I can tell you that it doesn't cost that much. Unless your idea of an expensive windshield is like 500 bucks...

 

[JeepinJason33]

Well one of my cars already has a windshield with an integrated antenna and I can tell you that it doesn't cost that much. Unless your idea of an expensive windshield is like 500 bucks...

I spent $800 on the Gorilla Glass and it did not last any longer than the generic $200 one I have on there now. For as easy as these break, $200 is not a big deal. Once you start adding in the safety sensor spot and antenna, the price gets higher.

Depending on how often you have to replace it, $500 is not a big deal, but $200 is certainly better, especially here in Colorado where it is practically a yearly expense. Most people have some kind of replacement insurance, unfortunately, my company (USAA) does not offer it in Colorado. I suspect because of the high payout rate.

 

[autotragic]

I spent $800 on the Gorilla Glass and it did not last any longer than the generic $200 one I have on there now. For as easy as these break, $200 is not a big deal. Once you start adding in the safety sensor spot and antenna, the price gets higher.

Depending on how often you have to replace it, $500 is not a big deal, but $200 is certainly better, especially here in Colorado where it is practically a yearly expense. Most people have some kind of replacement insurance, unfortunately, my company (USAA) does not offer it in Colorado. I suspect because of the high payout rate.

And I'm saying adding the antenna doesn't really increase the price, not enough for it to matter anyway. The last $200 windshield job I had done was on a GMT800 platform SUV. The next cheapest windshield replacement I've ever had was my Renegade at $265 for the generic glass. I doubt the antenna adds more than $50 to the cost. It's nothing special at all.

 

[Gangplank]

I spent $800 on the Gorilla Glass and it did not last any longer than the generic $200 one I have on there now. For as easy as these break, $200 is not a big deal. Once you start adding in the safety sensor spot and antenna, the price gets higher.

Depending on how often you have to replace it, $500 is not a big deal, but $200 is certainly better, especially here in Colorado where it is practically a yearly expense. Most people have some kind of replacement insurance, unfortunately, my company (USAA) does not offer it in Colorado. I suspect because of the high payout rate.

When I lived in CO & NV it was literally once a year or two. FL isn’t as bad because of how much rain we get. Also FL auto insurance includes $0 deductible window replacement. The chip I got last week is getting repaired at no cost.

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