Why Upgrade to a Stubby Antenna on Your Ford Ranger?
The standard factory antenna on the Ford Ranger is long, upright, and vulnerable to damage in car washes, low-clearance garages, and off-road scrub. A stubby "bee sting" antenna is a popular upgrade for Ranger owners across Australia – it's shorter, tougher, and looks great on both the PX and Next Gen models.
In this guide, we'll help you find the right stubby antenna for your specific Ford Ranger variant and model year.
Will a Stubby Antenna Affect My Radio Reception?
This is the most common question we get. The short answer: for most Australian drivers, the difference is minimal. AM reception can be slightly reduced with a very short antenna, but FM and DAB+ digital radio performance is generally unaffected. If you primarily listen to FM or use Bluetooth/Apple CarPlay, you won't notice any difference.
Ford Ranger PX3 (2018–2022) – Stubby Antenna Options
The PX3 Ranger uses a standard screw-in antenna base. Our most popular option for this generation is:
Ford Ranger Next Gen PY (2022-Onwards) – Stubby Antenna Options
The Next Gen Ranger introduced a new antenna base design. Make sure you choose an antenna specifically designed for the PY platform. We stock variant-specific options:
- Stubby Bee Sting – Ford Ranger Raptor Next Gen 7.5cm Black
- Stubby Bee Sting – Ford Ranger Sport Next Gen 3.5cm Black
- Stubby Bee Sting – Ford Ranger XL Next Gen 3.5cm Silver
- Stubby Bee Sting – Ford Ranger Platinum Next Gen 3.5cm Silver
How to Install a Stubby Antenna on Your Ford Ranger
Replacing your Ranger's antenna is a simple DIY job that takes under 5 minutes:
- Locate the factory antenna on the rear of your Ranger's roof or cab.
- Unscrew the existing antenna counter-clockwise by hand (no tools needed in most cases).
- Thread the new stubby antenna clockwise until hand-tight.
- Do not over-tighten – hand-tight is sufficient to create a weatherproof seal.
Browse All Ford Ranger Accessories
While you're upgrading your antenna, check out our full range of Ford Ranger accessories including dash mats, seat covers, bonnet protectors, weather shields, and genuine Ford parts.