I searched and found this in an old thread. I'm fairly sure I have the exact same problem as they did with their's (95-99?). My 01 will have the same mast and control correct? I may even pre buy the clips.......but.....
Is there a way to just disable mast motor....e.g. pull the relay or motor leads and manually use the mast ?
thx
CH

Their story - quote -

Thanks for the website suggestion!
I ordered one from these guys the other day and it came this morning (took only 2-3 days, including shipping). My wife's new-to-her 1999 SR5 4runner came with a DOA antenna mast. It wasn't going up or down, but I could hear the motor running both ways and the signal was coming in okay.

I first pulled just the antenna mast per the instructions, but as I expected the mast had broken the plastic belt near the top (mast) end (nothing's ever easy). Next, I pulled the fender liner out. That was a PITA because of the notorious fender liner clips. I broke all but one removing them with pliars and a screwdriver (towards the end, I just started cutting them off and pushing them through). Finally, I removed the liner and chrome fender accent band.

The antenna motor assembly is mounted with one bolt, which I removed easily enough. I disconnected the power, but left the assembly attached to the truck by the antenna lead (I'm guessing that's what it was) and the power cable, which was clipped to the truck. No real need to disconnect it.

The assembly was in a heavy plastic bag, electrical-taped shut. I pulled it out, cut the tape, and removed the screws to open the housing. Out came the coiled-up broken cable. I resealed it without greasing it because it seemed plenty greasy already. Reassembly was the reverse of disassembly. I had to make a stop by the stealership to pick up 6 new fender liner clips, which were overpriced (I paid $10 for 6; they had 3 for my 4runner, but found another 3 for another vehicle which were identical). O'Rilley Autoparts didn't have any, and I was racing a thunderstorm so I just caved and went to the dealership - Autozone might have had them cheaper.

The new antenna mast went in smoothly on the third try. It just required a little fiddling. The radio now doesn't play back that screeching noise when the antenna goes up like my regular 1999 4runner's does. I wonder if I'll be replacing another mast soon. Oh well, second time will be easier.

Why Toyota couldn't just have everything bolted into the fender instead of into plastic clips is beyond me. I thought the clips were very easy to strip out. If it hadn't been for that part of the process, this would have been a 30 minute job. As it was, more like 2 hours, including the drive to the dealership.

Overall cost:
$20.50 (antenna mast from above link)
$ 6.00 (shipping)
$10.00 (overpriced fender liner clips from dealership)
-------
$36.50

 

You can pull the relay for the motor. It is located under the stereo on the left hand side. Should be a brown box, and believe it says Antenna Relay on the outside. Unplug and remove it.

My antenna broke after an ice storm, and dealt with the loud click for about 2 months before pulling the relay. It was easy to do, and had wished I would've done it sooner.

It is best to have a manual one anyways since the antenna would always go up, even if you were only listening to a CD.

 

I fixed that "problem" when I installed my DVD/Navigation head unit a couple months ago. I bought a Toyota OEM rocker switch and wired it in series with the power antenna signal lead (blue wire) of the head unit wire harness.

I installed the switch in one of the switch knockouts next to my fog light switch. Looks totally OEM and now I can run my antenna up or down anytime the head unit is on. I got annoyed with the antenna going up anytime the head unit was on even if I wasn't listening to the radio.

 

good info
Thanks y'all
CBohl51, I found the tan colored relay......Looks like it can be unplugged and left in place correct ?

 

Yea you can just unplug it and leave it in there. Should do the trick for you.

 

Done
Thanks !