But Ive had a few TA and Bird folks ask how hard it was to change from their broken power antenna to a std Camaro fixed antenna.
I was approached by "Baron Von Doolgas" to swap out his antenna...on his 1998 Formula.
Having never done it I thought it would be a good thing to know..in the past all I could tell people was that thy need ed to get a Camaro antenna and install it....not allot of help...
Total time for this project...30min...We did this swap at 6am...Marines like to wake up early
Tools:
10mm wrench and a drill motor and bit ~1/4 in...
The Complete Material List Total Cost ~25 bucks:
From GM Parts Direct
[EDIT.... THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE NUMBERS LISTED BELOW THEY WORKED FOR ME
BUT SEEMED TO HAVE CHANGED ... EDIT BitViper 11/20/2009]
Fixed mast--10425536 - The base that the new antenna mounts to.
Bezel-------10298264 / 10253391 - Not really required you can reuse your original..its the black rubber thingie
Bracket-----10282649 -- We didn't use this part
Attach bolt-11515756
This is what we started with:
1. Open your rear door and remove the rear quarter panel covering the spare:
2. Remove the spare tire to expose the antenna motor:
3. Next using a crescent wrench loosen the top of the antenna base
4. next disconnect the electrical power wires an dteh antenna cable from the motor base and remove the nut at the base of the motor
A shot of the old electric base and the replacement base
5. We next trial fitted the new base in the car and marked the new base where the mounting whole on the original mounting bracket was..then unassembled it and drilled a hole for the attachment bolt. Our whole is the smaller one above the elongated one..I guess if you buy the bracket you can omit the drilling of the hole
6. Next reassemble the antenna back in the car..install the bolt and tighten. You can use a few washers to make sure that its completely vertical but we thought it wasn't necessary
7. Cap the electrical wires reconnect the antenna connection wire..
8. Replace the spare an d the plastic quarter panel stuff...
Done...I wont post that image directly cuz I don't wann get dinged by the mods....they got enough work...ignore the antenna we used..it could be any Camaro antenna
I totally agree..but when they break..youve either got to pony up $$$ to fix it or replace it with somthing..
The cheapest fix would be to buy the complete Camaro system including the steel antenna then cut that to make a shorty antenna prolly only cost around 30 bucks..cheaper if you can find a donor Camaro jfor parts
Ive always wondered why GM jdidnt put the antenna in our big assed windshields in the first place
Thanks for the write-up... I'm going to be faced with these decisions soon.
__________________ 2002 Trans Am Convertible - Maple Red Metallic - LS1 Turbo 16 psi 700 rwhp 1999 Trans Am Coupe - Black on Black - Stock
Become fast: Masport | South Florida's family of F-body's: SSP
Good job man. Looks like I don't have to walk everyone thru this anymore. It's really a very simple straight forward install. I just think some get the idea it's more involved since your takin out the electric antenna.
I hated my electric antenna & it broke in the up position. I wouldn't switch back now for anything.
__________________
1999 Trans Am Ws6 6-speed--12.9 @ 108.7 w/2.1 60' (street tires)(before H/C/I no new times yet) MODS: MTI Lid--Hooker Muffler--Pacesetter 1 3/4" race LT's--TSP 3" ORY--LS7 clutch kit--LS2 flywheel--224/.581 114--5.3 Bo White heads port/polished & milled .018"--Bo White port/polished TB--Patriot Gold dual spring kit--7.4 TR chromemoly pushrods
Awesome write-up, and I'm glad I don't have to deal with a power antenna. I actually considered the swap to a power antenna, but realized that a lot of well-used TAs had antennas that wouldn't retract or extend anymore.
Awesome write-up, and I'm glad I don't have to deal with a power antenna. I actually considered the swap to a power antenna, but realized that a lot of well-used TAs had antennas that wouldn't retract or extend anymore.
Thanks for the write up! I actually went thru this 2 days ago in my Fornula. I actually just pulled the antenna up and let it stay up on its own until i get a Camaro Antenna
__________________ CJ/31/blk male www.fquick.com/CJLS1Z28TA 2000 Chevrolet Corvette FRC M6(Pewter) 1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 M6(Hugger Orange) Under Construction...
PAST F_bodies(LSX's listed)
1999 Z28 M6/1999 Camaro SS M6/2001 SS M6/1999 B4C A4/1998 TA A4/1998 Z28 M6/2000 Formula(pewter)M6/2000 TA WS6 M6/2000 Firebird(BLK)Formula M6/2000(MMM)Z28 M6 and 5 LT1's
That's what I plan to do when I get mine repainted is to shave that sum bitch !! Look s good BTW.....
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99trans am (Under the knife block is at HKE) SQR tuned/built,H/C,Circle D stall, SLP Loudmouth,BMR/Spohn suspension ,2005 Duramax crew cab dually,and a 1984 65 passenger school bus (party bus haha)
Isn't that what this write-up is for - switching to a stock Camaro antenna?
Well yes, but I was using this guide to install a BitViper. The parts/numbers he listed are mixed up so now I have a camaro antenna instead of what I need :/
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'96 Firebird Trans Am -Auto- K&N CAI, Pacesetter LTs & ORY, TSP Rumbler cat-back, MSD 8.5mm wires, Meziere EWP, CRT Elbow & air foil, !A/C, !AIR, !EGR
Well yes, but I was using this guide to install a BitViper. The parts/numbers he listed are mixed up so now I have a camaro antenna instead of what I need :/
So my numbers are wrong?
Can you shoot me the correct one's...I got these off the parts I ordered for the conversion..Id hate to be sending out wrong information
I love my power antenna... I know installing a power antenna in a Camaro is a bitch, but installing a fixed antenna in both Camaro or TA is easy... Almost TOO easy...
When my factory power antenna bit the dust, I installed an aftermarket chrome tipped stainless steel mast Metra antenna ($40) while reusing OEM parts so I could swap in a stock one in a matter of seconds... Looks great and also goes with my rims.
Replacing Your Power Antenna 
