4 Runner Antenna Mast Installation Instructions 1989-1995

Before installing your new mast, compare the old mast with the new one. They need to be identical in every way. If they are different, you may have an after market power unit. Also it is very important that you NEVER cut the white cable on the new mast at any time.

1. Remove the nut on the outer end of the power unit where the mast comes out of the fender.

2. As someone turns the radio on and as the mast begins or tries to come up,... grab hold of it and pull out the old mast...taking note which direction the teeth on the plastic center cable are facing so you know which way the new mast cable is to face when you put it in. ( With your 4 Runner the toothed cable faces the REAR of your 4 Runner ) ... Make sure that the short outer grounding/retaining sleeve ( as what is on the outer NEW antenna mast ) has come out with the old mast, this is very important, as this is what holds the antenna mast in when the nut is fastened..... If the old mast and grounding/retaining ring are out then proceed with step 4. If not proceed with step 3.

3. If at this time you can’t pull the mast out and it seems to be stuck, more than likely the grounding/retaining sleeve is corroded to the top of the antenna tube. What one needs to do at this point is Pull the mast extremely hard and it will come out. If at this time the old mast comes out proceed with step 4.

4. Compare the old mast with the new one, the length of the white teethed cable MUST be the same length of the one you took out of your power unit (DO NOT CUT THE NEW MAST CABLE).... If the cable is not the same length, then you probably have a broken piece left in your power unit.... If the cable is shorter proceed with step 5.... If the over all length of the stainless portion of the mast and diameter are the same along with the white cable length continue with step 6.

5. There are occasions where the antenna mast cable breaks off in the power unit and this will not allow the replacement mast to be pulled in all the way. SO IT MUST BE REMOVED. In this event you will have to remove the power antenna assembly from your 4 Runner. This is done by turning the wheel extremely sharp to the right. ( Or Remove the Right front tire ). Now remove the screws that hold the plastic splash pan from under the fender, from the lower rear of the fender up to about the middle of the fender and then push the splash pan out of the way. Next at the base of your power antenna unit there is a bolt remove it, now the power unit will drop enough for you to work on it. Next pull up the plastic cover from around the power unit and now you will see the cover on the lower motor section of your power antenna, looks like its covering a dounut, remove it and as you do you will see what looks like a donut looking plastic drum, pull it out from the antenna and then manually remove the broken portion of the cable from inside that drum. Once the cable is out, clean the old grease out from the drum assembly before you reassemble the drum use a light grease or white grease in that drum assembly.. Put the cover back on, once this is done, now reassemble the power unit back up into the fender of your 4 Runner and proceed with step 6.

6. Insert the new mast cable into the top of the power antenna tube on top of the fender with the teeth facing toward the REAR of your 4 Runner,.. then have someone turn the radio off,.. as the power unit begins to pull the new mast in, guide the new antenna mast cable and mast into the power unit, as it pulls the mast down into the power unit, it may on the first try not pull the mast all the way down, don’t worry, install the outer nut and then turn the radio on and off a few times as this will center the new antenna mast in its proper place, then, "Voila! The mast is installed."