My experience with Power Antenna Replacement 87 WE4

This is my experience hopefully it will help some one who is looking to do this.
Total cost was about 90$
Time 1.5 hours

Tool list/parts list
Crown Automotive 56003151 Power Antenna Kit 87-96 Cherokee (XJ) Comanche

-10 mm socket and ratchet
-10 mm wrench
-Phillips Head screw driver
-wire heat wraps
-wire connectors
-GIANT cup of coffee
take your time and be careful lots of stuff to cut yourself on
Special thnx to PeteAudiodynamics for the advice.
The forum's search feature was also a huge help

First I masked the door and fender, I suggest using a few layers to protect your paint. There isn't much space to work.

I found the 3 wire connector in the engine bay tucked along the passenger fender and unplugged it. ( some cars I have read its under the ac box yuck ) It can be identified by the 3 color wires green grey and white

Opened the door as far as it can go.

(Started with the inner fender bolts) Using the 10 mm socket I unscrewed the top 4 bolts
the bottom I had to use a wrench. Once they were loose enough I took them out by hand to be careful bc the socket was getting too close to the paint. (The middle bolt with the star washer is the bolt that connects to the bracket that holds the antenna in place.)

Then I undid the 3 bottom bolts in the fender well.

I gently pulled the bottom of the fender out I was shitting a brick I was going to mess this part up. Just take your time. ( some guys use a small 2x4 to hold the fender open like a cave man I just used my forearm)

Then I unscrewed the nut on top of the fender that holds the antenna in. The old unit should drop to the bottom. Mine was hanging by the antenna coaxial cable. Through the wheel well using an extension I unscrewed the 2 small screws on that hold the cable in place on the mast of the old antenna.

Then I pulled the old antenna out.

I pulled the antenna cable out of the wheel well and screwed the old cable into the new antenna. Then put the new set up back into the fender well. Used a hanger to fish the 3 wire connector back up into the engine bay.

Also using a hanger I connected it to the top of the new antenna and pulled it up toward the top of my fender, used one hand to hold in place and with my other hand screwed the top antenna screw into the new antenna. The bracket didn't line up great so I left it out. (Obviously its better to use a bracket. I drove the car and there is no banging around in the fender well.)

Then I gently pushed the fender back into place and screwed the bolts back in. Took a little jostling to get it lined up right but not too big a deal.

The antenna I ordered had a plug that didn't fit the old power wires. I snipped the old antennas power wires connector off and used connectors and heat wrap to splice it together. Plugged it in and it works great.

gusszgs said:

Pretty whats required to re/re..........if you want to save some coin just replace the cable in your existing power antenna, provided it's still working. Zip Corvette has the cable for $38 (A-330). You just need to spend some time opening up the old unit, removing the broken cable and lube everything up again. You need to drill out the rivets that hold the unit together. You can use small bolts and nuts to replace the rivets. I did mine back in the early summer and the antenna works beautifully. Zero steel wool works great for keeping the antenna extensions nice and smooth for ease of operation. And make sure none of the masts are bent. Not even a bit, just adds extra stress to the cable.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately that wasn’t an option my mast was destroyed. Good info though


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michael evans said:

Thought the antenna unit was my problem but in taking it apart to replace my broken unit (also broken mas wire) I discovered that the issue was/is the lead wire and maybe the intermediate coaxial wire also. When I tried to unplug them at the A/C box it was corroded bad. I took two set of pliers and got it separated. The inner wire was broken in the lead wire.

Long story short the lead wire needs replaced.

Anyone know where I can find a replacement ?

Click to expand...

I have a coaxial cable that came off my new antenna if you need lmk

this is the wire that connects to the mast. I was told not top try to disconnect the antenna cable in the engine compartment. So I just used the stock one on the new antenna
if you can use this just message me your address and ill mail it to you
good luck