Sponsored

Stubby Antenna Help

Saul Goodman

Well-known member
First Name
Saul
Joined
Sep 26, 2022
Threads
0
Messages
67
Reaction score
58
Location
Omaha
Vehicles
Formerly Mach-E FE, 2022 F150L Lariat in transit
I run my stubby (and my paint, done @ me) through the tunnel wash multiple times per week.
Sponsored

 

drewfaulk

Active member
Joined
Sep 27, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
33
Reaction score
11
Location
Atlanta
Vehicles
2022 F-150 Lightning
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:

Ford F-150 Lightning Stubby Antenna Help IMG_3741.JPG
Ford F-150 Lightning Stubby Antenna Help IMG_3740.JPG
Ford F-150 Lightning Stubby Antenna Help IMG_3742.JPG
Ford F-150 Lightning Stubby Antenna Help IMG_3739.JPG
 
OP
OP
BennyTheBeaver

BennyTheBeaver

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 18, 2021
Threads
43
Messages
2,108
Reaction score
2,274
Location
PNW
Vehicles
2023 Lightning XLT ER
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:

IMG_3741.JPG
IMG_3740.JPG
IMG_3742.JPG
IMG_3739.JPG
Looks great! Washer isn't noticeable and it looks clean.
 

drewfaulk

Active member
Joined
Sep 27, 2022
Threads
3
Messages
33
Reaction score
11
Location
Atlanta
Vehicles
2022 F-150 Lightning
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

Well-known member
First Name
John
Joined
Dec 22, 2021
Threads
60
Messages
1,053
Reaction score
764
Location
New Jersey
Vehicles
2021 F150 HEV
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.
 
Last edited:

Sponsored

brewski

Well-known member
First Name
John
Joined
Sep 21, 2022
Threads
34
Messages
331
Reaction score
411
Location
GA
Vehicles
2023 F150L Platinum
Occupation
Yes
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.
Ford F-150 Lightning Stubby Antenna Help antenna-delete
 

EdRudy

Well-known member
First Name
Ed
Joined
Sep 6, 2022
Threads
1
Messages
277
Reaction score
381
Location
Springfield, VA
Vehicles
2022 F150 Lariat Lightning ER MaxTow Iced Blue Silver
Occupation
Retired
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...

Ford F-150 Lightning Stubby Antenna Help stubby
Sponsored

 
 





Top