Attempting to extend the range of key fob remote

[BrokeYota]

I was super stoked to find out that my 2025 SR Model has a remote start, but the range is PATHETIC. I found the antenna module behind the plastics behind the driver-rear seat and soldered a wire onto the antenna. I ran the wire up the rear pillar and all the way across the top of the rear window. I've seen other people make similar modifications with very impressive results. I got two or three times the range out of it, but IMO, it's still barely acceptable. I'm going to continue to try to find other ways to improve it and I'll post here if I come up with anything.

This is the antenna module. It's behind the rear seat on the driver side. The plastics just pull away and the only tools you need is a 10mm socket to remove the module. You need to remove the corner and the back one on the driver's side.

Here's a close-up of the module removed.

This is what it looks like under the cover. The silver thing shaped like a messed up rectangle is the antenna.

I drilled a hole in the cover for the wire to go through. I drilled mine too high at first

I soldered a thin (20ga maybe) wire to the antenna. The wire ended up being about 7' long.

Put the cover back on and reinstall the module.

I ran the wire up the rear pillar, under the plastic and then under the ceiling panel across the rear window to the passenger side. I taped the end of the wire just to make sure it doesn't ground on the body, but I don't know if that was necessary at all.

Sponsored

 

[Greggoindenver]

There’s an easier solution.

This will sound weird, but it really and truly works: The antenna on your key fob is onmidirectional by design. Focus it by placing the top of the key fob under the center of jaw, open your mouth, point your mouth towards the truck, and then click the lock/unlock button.

Voila! You’ve just focused that omnidirectional signal into a slightly-more directional one with longer range. Works every time.

Seriously not kidding.

 

[Vidman]

Who comes up with shit like this. Has me doing the aflac thing

 

[Taco Ji]

There’s an easier solution.

This will sound weird, but it really and truly works: The antenna on your key fob is onmidirectional by design. Focus it by placing the top of the key fob under the center of jaw, open your mouth, point your mouth towards the truck, and then click the lock/unlock button.

Voila! You’ve just focused that omnidirectional signal into a slightly-more directional one with longer range. Works every time.

Seriously not kidding.

This actually works as I’ve been doing this for the past 20 years in my previous cars.

 

[BrokeYota]

There’s an easier solution.

This will sound weird, but it really and truly works: The antenna on your key fob is onmidirectional by design. Focus it by placing the top of the key fob under the center of jaw, open your mouth, point your mouth towards the truck, and then click the lock/unlock button.

Voila! You’ve just focused that omnidirectional signal into a slightly-more directional one with longer range. Works every time.

Seriously not kidding.

Yeah, I've tried that plenty of times. If that works for you, I'm happy for ya, but it definitely wasn't good enough for me.

 

[Taco Ji]

Yeah, I've tried that plenty of times. If that works for you, I'm happy for ya, but it definitely wasn't good enough for me.

What are you trying to achieve here OP? Just feel like unlocking and locking the door farther than what the stock fob allows is it? Don’t feel like walking the extra steps?

 

[BrokeYota]

What are you trying to achieve here OP? Just feel like unlocking and locking the door farther than what the stock fob allows is it? Don’t feel like walking the extra steps?

It's all about the remote start for me. Walking out into the snow/rain/heat/etc to utilize the remote start really diminishes the value, IMO.

Also, I'm not sure if y'all's remotes suck as much as mine, but mine was only working consistently within about 50', and that is outside, using the "hold it to your head" trick.

And before somebody (wisely) asks, yes, I changed the battery in the remote

 

[Billy K]

I will say these remotes do suck compared to the Ford truck I had a few years ago and the Chevy ZR2 I traded in for the Taco. My truck is parked about 120 feet from my house. The Ford and Chevy always worked easily at that distance. The Taco not even close.

And then also, you have to do a perfectly timed 3 press and hold or it don't work. I waste so much time trying sometimes that I just say F it and walk out to the truck to start it.

If that extra wire antenna works, I'll give it a try when I have spare time to rig it.

 

[dvrgz]

I got two or three times the range out of it,

I can work with that. I will be doing this

 

[co425]

The range does suck. But on the flip side those bastards with signal grabbing equipment would probably have a tough time with how terrible the range is.

However, I am tempted to add the wire as you have.

Nice write up.

 

[Slappy]

There’s an easier solution.

This will sound weird, but it really and truly works: The antenna on your key fob is onmidirectional by design. Focus it by placing the top of the key fob under the center of jaw, open your mouth, point your mouth towards the truck, and then click the lock/unlock button.

Voila! You’ve just focused that omnidirectional signal into a slightly-more directional one with longer range. Works every time.

Seriously not kidding.

i'm gonna need a picture of you doing this as i don't see the how

 

[Dansflhti]

There’s an easier solution.

This will sound weird, but it really and truly works: The antenna on your key fob is onmidirectional by design. Focus it by placing the top of the key fob under the center of jaw, open your mouth, point your mouth towards the truck, and then click the lock/unlock button.

Voila! You’ve just focused that omnidirectional signal into a slightly-more directional one with longer range. Works every time.

Seriously not kidding.

This should make more unidirectional..or pencil beam..maybe even cassagrain.

Sponsored