Tech article by Jason Bauer (SACHEM)

I’ve never liked the stock antenna on our beloved Classic Broncos. They are prone to breakage from trees while wheeling and expensive to replace if you can find one.

When I had new fenders put on my Bronco I opted not to have a new antenna hole cut in the stock location. I was sure there was something better out there. I had been tied up with other mods and have decided it was now time for a stereo.

I looked at a couple of Hot Rod Shops to see if they offered anything. All I found were over priced billet aluminum setups. I had resigned myself to the fact that I was going to have to buy a expensive antenna but being a Early Bronco owner means I’m resourceful (and cheap), so I made one more swing through the local bone yard.

I walked row after row and I finally found gold in the form of a 1986 Isuzu Trooper. The Trooper antenna mounts on the windshield frame and would be somewhat protected from off road dangers. It’s not completely safe but it’s way better than the factory setup.

A cool thing about this antenna is that it mounts with only two Phillips head screws. It is also super easy to get the wire unwound from under the dash. It only takes about 10 minutes to remove it. The best part is that the guys at the bone yard didn’t charge me for it.

FREEBIE!!!
You can’t do better than that.

Installation is straight forward. You have to drill 2 holes in the side of your wind shield frame. Run the wire through the wind shield frame and follow where your wiper wiring goes. Snake the plug over to your dash mounted radio. Radios mounted into Tuffy stereo consoles will need a antenna wire extension.

Just a word of advice, Do not try to mount it on the front of the wind shield frame. You won’t be able to thread the plug for the radio through the hole. It is to long to make the corner. Please don’t make the same mistake I made.

I’m happy with this antenna and I think it look way better than stock. For the price it can’t be beat.

antennae01.jpg antennae02.jpg antennae03.jpg antennae04.jpg antennae05.jpg antennae06.jpg antennae07.jpg