Hello,

I have a 96 limited 4runner. I need to remove the fender flare so that I may remove the antenna motor. I have read all of the threads on here including this write-up. http://www.4runners.org/articles/whip/index.html All of these sources mention going in through the wheel well to access the antenna motor. This sounds easy enough but when I tried it, I failed.

I removed the bolts from my fender flare but there is something else holding it in place. I looked through my door jam and it looks like there are some plastic clips holding the top of the fender flare to the fender. I don't know how to release these clips. What do I need to do to remove the fender flare?

Also, the black wheel well lining has two plugs that need to be removed. How do I remove these? Do I just pry them out? Do I access them from the back?

Thanks,

Craig Wilson

I hope someone responds because I ran into the exact same issue this past weekend. I was able to get the fender flare loose enough to move it out of the way without completely removing it, but I got stuck on the plastic plugs that hold the wheel-well lining in place. I'm afraid I'm going to break them or tear the liner trying to pry them out.

There's always the SawzAll <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

OK, I just tried the sawzall and now I have some paint and body panel damage. Did you try this before recomending it? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Please tell me you are kidding... The sawzall recommendation was sarcasm... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I was joking. I wish someone would explain how to remove them though.

If you found your way here because you are trying to remove your fender flare to fix your antenna go here immediately: http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showf...mp;amp;sb=5&o=14&fpart=1

Or search for threads written by me. You will find that you do not need to remove the fender flare.

Dang! I wish I had read this before I replaced my antenna this morning. I ended up taking the flare partway off and breaking all of those plastic grommets to get the wheel liner off. Fortunately, I bought a handful of replacement grommets when I bought the replacement antenna. Now my only problem is running the new antenna wire to the radio. My wire doesn't follow the same path as indicated in the Taco Whip Mod write-up.

I wish you luck in following that wire.

Did you remove the radio? I looked at the pics in the "radio removal" write-up and I felt that many of the pics were far less than self explanatory. I thought about trying it but I am scared of breaking something.

Fortunately, I had a satellite receiver installed yesterday and the installer agreed to run the new antenna wire to the radio for me since he was in there messing around anyway. I do notice that the Taco antenna's FM reception isn't as good as the original power antenna. But since I have satellite now, I'm not too concerned.