My power antenna broke, the motor works, but the cable came off...I was wondering wether to fix it or swap it for a permanent (non power) aftermarket replacement...

 

yes you can, but you need to pull the entire assembly out.

very tedious. but straight forward. i hacked it so the power antenna just sits mid point and no longer "turns on" because the cable broke too and could not just repalce the mast. the entire assembly ahd to be replaced.

but the signal is weaker half up. if i wasnt lazy and i cared more about the car i would prob repalce it with a non power one.

it would benefit me too because i have HD radio and the works!

 

The entire assembly is a very costly replacement.

I'm waiting for a new mast that I ordered to replace one that snapped off. (Thankfully, the motor works fine.)
The plan is: Splice into the power that feeds the antenna assembly from the stereo, and run it through a switch (mounted in the cabin). This way I can have the antenna up when desired (on-road driving), or down (off-road driving).

 

i bought a complete elec ant for my montero on ebay for $40.00

 

Hopefully it'll last as long as the OEM unit...if it dies an early death, you can still buy a couple more and not even spend the cost of an OEM unit.

 

Well, I bought an OEM mast on EBAY for $40, but now, I can't seem to get the left over antenna out???

The top of the antenna came off with all the cable, but I still have the bottom 3 metal sections in place (about half the antenna) I try yanking the thing out, but it just won't budge.

BTW, I already took the top nut off, the dammed metal just wont come OFF!!!