Antenna Mount Question

[Dejourknee]

Hi there folks - 

 

I have a 2014 Journey SXT that we just bought and really like the car. My other car is a Jeep and there are plenty of forums/info out there on that, so I am happy to see this forum!

 

I will cut to the chase:

What size is the screw on the antenna to screw in to the base? 

In other words, if I took off my antenna and wanted to put a screw in that hole, what size would I need?

I have tried literally every screw I have in the garage, along with buying a couple from Lowes/Home Depot.

I admit I do not know my screw sizes and I have been buying/trying via trial and error and I have not found one yet.

Hence I have been determined to figure out the dang size of this. : -) (In the mean time I continue searching.) 

 

Can someone tell me the exact size, so I can just go in and buy a screw that fits that hole???

(2014 Journey SXT w/Satellite Radio)

Thank you very very much - it is very much appreciated and may you all have a blessed day!

 

 

Edited September 1, 2018 by Dejourknee

[Neto]

I have a 2009, and not sure it is the same, but a lot of hardware stores have a display that has all of the different thread sizes mounted on it, like studs for matching a tapped piece, and long nuts for matching a threaded piece.  I would assume that it is metric, and so I'd take the antenna into the store, and see if there is one that matches.  If not, it may be some sort of proprietary thread, but I doubt they'd go to that extra expense.

[Dejourknee]

Yes, correct I did that, to try to guess the size I need,  but what I did was take a screw I had that was close.  (I need the screw itself)

I used that was close, and guessed which to buy from those hardware displays. I bought 3 on 3 different trips, so finally decided to ask.

 

I am glad you said that though, because it can help me present what I need to know a little better .....

If one of you have a Journey and are at Lowes, Ace, or Home Depot can you take off your antenna mast, bring it in to the store, then check the screw size to it?

 

haha Yeah, with some really cool people on the internet it is worth a shot. I know I would do it, so hey. haha I would never in a million years expect that though.

 

Thanks!

 

 

[Dejourknee]

Basically I have this antenna and none of these adapters fit. I took the closest one and used the store display. The thing that looks like a black cylinder at the bottom is actually 2 additional extensions that don't fit either. 

.

Just thought I would post this to let anyone else who stumbles on this, that if you see this antenna mast out there, none of these adapters fit a 2014 Journey SXT antenna base. (This is made by Metra, and while it looks like two pieces, it is one.)

Edited September 2, 2018 by Dejourknee
Added a return to make text wrap image better.

[Armando G]

I just want to get this clear in my head...are you trying to replace your stock antenna with an after-market antenna (maybe your antenna broke)? Now that after-market antenna does not fit the base on the roof of your DJ? Did you just buy the new antenna and did they claim it will fit your car? It seems like you are doing a lot of extra work for something that should not be that hard. And if you just bought it, it would seem like you should be able to go back to where you bought it to get it all straightened out. If no, I believe a new antenna that will fit is not that expensive.

Or am I way off?

[jkeaton]

On 9/3/2018 at 3:07 PM, Armando G said:

I just want to get this clear in my head...are you trying to replace your stock antenna with an after-market antenna (maybe your antenna broke)? Now that after-market antenna does not fit the base on the roof of your DJ? Did you just buy the new antenna and did they claim it will fit your car? It seems like you are doing a lot of extra work for something that should not be that hard. And if you just bought it, it would seem like you should be able to go back to where you bought it to get it all straightened out. If no, I believe a new antenna that will fit is not that expensive.

Or am I way off?

 

Channel your inner Zoltar to diagnose the issue over the Internet. Lol

Edited September 4, 2018 by jkeaton

[Dejourknee]

Car had no antenna

Bought after market

Can not return aftermarket,

Want to make aftermarket work

Need to know size of thread of base

Got stumped, so got determined

Need to know thread of base antenna

 

Thanks Folks - I am going to post a pic of what I need exactly.

 

 

[Dejourknee]

 

Let's just forget anything I typed up until now. Let's just say I am curious and this image below is a great mystery to me (and that is actually true).

 

 

I wonder if someone knows the answer, or if someone who is helpful like me, who drives a Journey, would unscrew the thing in question 1, go in to Lowes/HomeDepot/Ace and screw it in to the display there to find out the answer to the question?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 7, 2018 by Dejourknee
To add some text.

[Neto]

Mine is a 2009, so not sure if it will be the same.  There is a Do-It-Best hardware a quarter mile from my place, and since it's raining today, it's not hot.  So I walked up.  Metric thread.  M5 x 0.8 on the 2009 Journey.  

[2late4u]

you would have had it fixed with less aggravation if you had just went to the dealership and bout the replacement mast they are not expensive.

[Dejourknee]

Thank folks, and especially Neto ... That was totally 100% cool of you!  

I am the type, I would have done the same thing. I go the extra mile for people day in and day out, without expecting a thing.

It's good to know other's are out there, and also to get some karma back.

I will definitely pay it forward and just know it was much appreciated!

 

As to why I never just went to the dealer, at first it was because I wanted to use the antenna I had, then it became one of those things where I just wanted to know the size. You know us guys get head strong, and the more I searched and didn't find, the more I just wanted to know because the mystery was getting to me after I had lots of time in to it.  C'mon, we are all guilty of that right?, and this was my thing.

 

My plan is to head to Lowes/Home Depot around the corner and buy an M5 x.8 and if that doesn't work, then I am going to just head to the dealer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Neto]

I'm happy to help.  I'm sort of working in the opposite direction myself.  I don't know if anyone here remembers this, but older cars had an antenna that could be collapsed, you might say.  The thinner part slid down inside the main antenna mast, so that it was about 1/2 the full height.  Well, the antenna on my 46 Plymouth split open like the petals on a flower at the top of the part where the thinner part fits into.  I kept the antenna from a 93 Chrysler Town & Country I cut up for scrap, and got to looking at it, and I think I can make it work on the Plymouth, but fitting a bolt down into the stub of the original antenna mast, where I cut it off.  So I took the antenna to the hardware store, and tried all of the metric bolts.  None fit.  It turned out to be standard 1/4-20, so I don't even have to desecrate the Plymouth by putting something metric on it.  (Most fasteners on the 93 are metric, but the antenna somehow escaped.)

[Dejourknee]

I remember those antennas well. Back in the day we used to pull them up and push them down just hanging out in the garage and it was always a given to push it down before the car wash. Not only because it would break, but because it would get bent out of shape, and then you were stuck with it. I can also appreciate not putting anything metric on any restored American car. I have always been very much in to late 60's early 70's, but in recent years I have begun to appreciate 30's and 40's model years of all makes too. 

 

Anyway, I went to Lowe's and bought me a pack of M5 0.8's and was happily waiting for the Mrs. to get home, when she did I ran right out and it was a bust. That's fine though. I know you had a 2009 compared to her 2014. 

 

It crossed my mind to come here and say it worked, and be on my merry way, in order for you to feel good about that good deed (and you should) but I thought of anyone down the line ever came here and had the same issue, so I felt the need to be completely open.

 

With that said, I still appreciate the help, and good deed. I actually got something from it and that was a great day of closure on the problem hahaha and also finally able to give in and let it go. Yeah simple enough to let go, but I had that determination set it.

 

It's funny, I am calm, cool, and collective on the most serious of things, but little things like this that should be so simple, really drive me. Oh well, it happens to the best of us. :-)

 

Peace and God Bless to any brothers and any sisters who may ever read this.

 

 

[Neto]

8 hours ago, Dejourknee said:

I remember those antennas well. Back in the day we used to pull them up and push them down just hanging out in the garage and it was always a given to push it down before the car wash. Not only because it would break, but because it would get bent out of shape, and then you were stuck with it. I can also appreciate not putting anything metric on any restored American car. I have always been very much in to late 60's early 70's, but in recent years I have begun to appreciate 30's and 40's model years of all makes too. 

 

Anyway, I went to Lowe's and bought me a pack of M5 0.8's and was happily waiting for the Mrs. to get home, when she did I ran right out and it was a bust. That's fine though. I know you had a 2009 compared to her 2014. 

 

It crossed my mind to come here and say it worked, and be on my merry way, in order for you to feel good about that good deed (and you should) but I thought of anyone down the line ever came here and had the same issue, so I felt the need to be completely open.

 

With that said, I still appreciate the help, and good deed. I actually got something from it and that was a great day of closure on the problem hahaha and also finally able to give in and let it go. Yeah simple enough to let go, but I had that determination set it.

 

It's funny, I am calm, cool, and collective on the most serious of things, but little things like this that should be so simple, really drive me. Oh well, it happens to the best of us. :-)

 

Peace and God Bless to any brothers and any sisters who may ever read this.

 

 

Sorry it didn't work out.  (I guess I could watch for a 2014 model when I'm up around the hardware, and see if the owner would allow a person to check out the antenna in the store.....   When we first got our  2009 Journey (It was actually built mid 2008, we bought it used in December 2010), it was the only one we ever saw around here.  Now we even see one the same color.  But I couldn't tell one year from another just looking at the outside.  That's the thing about old cars - no one who knows a 46-48 Plymouth (like mine) at all, would never mistake it for a 'real' 49.  (There are 2 models for 49, the "first series", which is the same as the 46 - 48, manufactured until early 1949, and the new 49.)  Or a 61 Chrysler (think fins) for a 62 (finless). 

 

But back to the topic - I don't know, would a Dodge Nitro have the same antenna?  Hey, maybe a friendly dealership (or used auto lot) would allow you to check the stud size & thread count.

[Dejourknee]

Yeah if I think of it or cross one in the wild outside of the hardware store, I will probably ask the guy if I can look at it. I've done weirder things in life, so hey. haha

I just went ahead and ordered one. I am still curious though since I not only bought a few screws, I also tried every single one I had in the garage + the 7 that came with it.

 

You know, I can tell the difference between a few 60's 70's era cars on a year by year basis. I have friend who can not only tell you the difference on all 60-70's Mopars but he can also tell you all the details of small things like door knobs, where the factory markings were etc... but also tell the difference by VIN's. It might not be a big deal now, but back in the day you could give him a VIN and he would tell you which car it belonged to, which engine it should have, and which options were on it.