Stubby Antenna Help

[Saul Goodman]

I run my stubby (and my paint, done @ me) through the tunnel wash multiple times per week.

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[drewfaulk]

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone here has found a stubby antenna which has a base width that matches our Lightning's?

I've tried a couple different ones and they all have a weird gap at the bottom due to how the Lightning's antenna stack is.

I love the look of the Cravenspeed "Stubby Jr.," but they don't make it for the Lightning (only the "Stubby"). So, I bought one off Amazon that looked similar ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09MCT5L9J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) and used a 13/64 drill bit and 1/4-20 tap to thread it the same as the factory antenna. Then I cut the threaded stud off the factory antenna and screwed 1/2 of it into the antenna, and then screwed the antenna with the transplanted stud into the truck. I put a rubber washer between them to ensure a tight fit. Not perfect, but I was concerned about the mismatched mating surfaces with most of the aftermarket antennas and the Lightning's antenna base/mount point, and I wanted an antenna as short as possible without going the "delete" route. In any case, pictures below:

 

[BennyTheBeaver]

I love the look of the Cravenspeed "Stubby Jr.," but they don't make it for the Lightning (only the "Stubby"). So, I bought one off Amazon that looked similar ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09MCT5L9J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) and used a 13/64 drill bit and 1/4-20 tap to thread it the same as the factory antenna. Then I cut the threaded stud off the factory antenna and screwed 1/2 of it into the antenna, and then screwed the antenna with the transplanted stud into the truck. I put a rubber washer between them to ensure a tight fit. Not perfect, but I was concerned about the mismatched mating surfaces with most of the aftermarket antennas and the Lightning's antenna base/mount point, and I wanted an antenna as short as possible without going the "delete" route. In any case, pictures below:

Looks great! Washer isn't noticeable and it looks clean.

 

[drewfaulk]

Looks great! Washer isn't noticeable and it looks clean.

Thanks! I don't use FM radio, but for some reason it is important to me that all systems on the truck are functioning, so that precluded going with the antenna "delete" solutions that are out there. I wanted an antenna that was as short as possible to improve visibility, allow me to go through car washes, and improve (in my opinion) the profile of the truck. I tried a 4" antenna first and found it more distracting (from the driver's seat) than the full-length factory one for some reason. This solution seemed like the best for what I was trying to accomplish.

 

[SmoothJ]

You might as well go to the hardware store and pick up a stainless steel bolt for a lot cheaper (1/4-20 if I remember correctly), and just paint it black or use some sort of plastic/rubber spray.

Otherwise, you can just use a plastic tree too.

 

[brewski]

I just went to Lowe's in the "specialty fastener" drawers and grabbed a 1/4-20 x 1/2" black hex head. They were out of the more rounded head. Fits great. FM still works.

 

[EdRudy]

That looks nice. I just used an aluminum spacer between my stubby and the mount to eliminate the space. I kind of like the aluminum spacer look. I already had a stubby from my 2021 Platinum. I'll post a pic later today after my meetings...

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