Question for Stubby Antenna People

[ericjtsang]

Thinking about replacing that long antenna, but I find the additional use for clearance comforting. This is also my first truck, so is height clearance really an issue in many places?

If you have replaced it, do you ever get nervous going into a new parking garage?

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[HaroldCal]

I drove my 05 F350 as my daily driver for many years. It was taller than these trucks, at almost 7'. I made it a point to never go into a garage lower than 7.5'. Because you can't trust the height markings in garages. Sure, it might have been 7' 1" when it was built, but then the plumbing and electrical people came through years later and put a sprinkler pipe or conduit in and now it is 3" lower than before, but no one bothered to update the signs.

There is merit to having the antenna as an indicator, but it's not critical. Especially if you have the sunroof (so you can stick your hand out and physically touch things), and are really conscious of it. If anyone other than me was driving it (say, oh, a significant other that is far less aware of such things), then I would definitely want them to have the early warning indicator.

 

[Priccijr]

Replaced mine with this. Looks great and no reduced reception on the radio.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R574FNF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

 

[RickLightning]

Been driving my 2013 F-150 into my garage for years with an antenna that's a bit too tall. Not a concern.

 

[ivan256]

It is an interesting trade-off. You lose the early warning of rubbing your antenna, but you don't rub your antenna anymore.

I picked the latter. I can't handle watching the stock antenna catch the wind on the highway. And you have to be extra cautious driving such a ridiculously large vehicle in garages anyway.

 

[queuewho]

I got a plug for it, did the total delete. Haven't listened to FM in like 12 years.

 

[metroshot]

I tried, but AM radio dropped which was a deal breaker.

Put the original antenna back on.

 

[Jim Lewis]

Has anyone had trouble with folks swiping replacement antennas, or do you all Locktite them on?

The 13-inch Rydonair is pretty highly reviewed by users. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BDKNQWM/ One reviewer claims its signal reception capability is within a few dB of the stock antenna. But the OEM advises removing the Rydonair antenna to go through a car wash, and a number of users who didn't reported that their antennas eventually broke off in a car wash. So, kinda hard to remove if you use Locktite as a theft deterrent.

 

[Rancheroni]

I bought the builtright stubby antenna. Noticed more static on FM. My 2023 didn't come with AM.

My work garage is 7 feet and I think I have a couple of inches clearance, maybe 3". Never really got out and checked.

Might put the original antenna back on. I'd say it's only worth the money if you really like the stubby look. Although it does make the lightning appear less old school. I think the stubby look matches the lightnings overall appearance more than the stock one.

I didn't put locktite because I'm still deciding. Either way hand tightening it should be enough.

 

[Priccijr]

Replaced mine with this. Looks great and no reduced reception on the radio.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R574FNF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Got the same one. Works great. No loctite on mine. I check it once in a while to make sure it’s tight in two months it hasn’t been loose yet.

 

[ScubaSteve_TheReal]

Got the same one. Works great. No loctite on mine. I check it once in a while to make sure it’s tight in two months it hasn’t been loose yet.

7” or 8” ? I am looking to order asap.
thanks

 

[Priccijr]

7” or 8” ? I am looking to order asap.
thanks

7”

 

[Aaron]

Replaced mine with this. Looks great and no reduced reception on the radio.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R574FNF?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Do you have a lightning EV you installed the smaller antenna on? I hate the huge one it has

 

[DiveMan911]

I also went with a near complete delete. I do not use any local terrestrial radio (AM or FM). I don’t like the look of the long whip antenna. While I can appreciate the parking garage “warning”, I feel there are other effective strategies to mitigate damage to the truck.

Here’s what I got. I’ve been happy.
CravenSpeed Untenna Compatible... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YVMZ2QC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[ivan256]

Do you have a lightning EV you installed the smaller antenna on? I hate the huge one it has

FM reception is fine in the Lightning with the stubby antenna. Haven't really tried AM. Just make sure you don't get one of the "billet" ones. Those won't work for anything but decoration. You want the antenna to be about the same length as the original, but coiled up short instead of stretched out long. Ford should have integrated the antenna into the windshield and been done with it. It's in the way when you're clearing snow off the truck even when it's stubby.

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