Low profile XM (shark fin) antenna swap

EDIT:

There are a few members who have gotten XM antennas that are true plug and play (compared to my write up where you have to swap the inside electronics). Since I have not tested these myself, it is your responsibility to verify the correct part numbers:

2010-2013
[MENTION=92800]mdogg[/MENTION]: 8696006030A1 working on Limited: Safety Connect not retained on Limited models: LINK
[MENTION=46530]4Funnr[/MENTION]: Trail Non-JBL/Nav: 86960-33010-B1 (color matched Mag Gray)LINK

2014-2015
[MENTION=28870]d_clark[/MENTION]: 2010 Corolla (direct fitment): LINK

2016+
[MENTION=136381]Brandon_Reed[/MENTION] reports that there are different connectors and attachments on the 2016+ antennas. Currently there are no known antennas for a direct swap. LINK

_________________________________________________________

I got a few requests on here asking about my low profile antenna option (@localguy [MENTION=77370]Gabex35[/MENTION] [MENTION=133985]"krax"[/MENTION] and others). This is helpful to those who want to replicate my K9 option or want to get more clearance between the antenna and cargo boxes/roof racks, use the Front Runner/Eezi Awn tables, or just who want to delete the antenna.

For 2014+ 5th gens, the shark fin antenna no longer contains the GPS chip or the diversity antenna- essentially the top 75% of the XM shark fin is wasted space. Please note that for 2010-2013 owners with Navigation, the XM contains a GPS chip which is not covered here.

Referencing some of [MENTION=122831]delloro[/MENTION] 's pictures when he opened up his antenna here:






Since I ordered the Eezi Awn rack with lower legs to get it closer to my roof, I needed to find a slimmer option. I noticed that the XM antenna hole on most Toyotas since around 2008 was very similar to the 5th gen 4Runner:



Cue eBay order of Toyota Corolla OEM Satellite Receiver, OEM Part Number #86960-02050:


Comparison between new low profile option and OEM 5th gen receiver:



It bolts up! So far I've gone through two huge rainstorms, with no leaks.


IMPORTANT NOTE:
The Corolla receiver uses a different XM antenna plug than the 2014+ 4Runners. I knew this going in, because Toyota changed XM antenna types around this time. You'll need to swap the internals from your OEM 5th gen antenna over to the new Corolla antenna, or splice in the connectors.

Alternatively, you can explore other options- in my research I found that most Siennas, early 2nd gen Tacomas, Camrys, and some other late model Toyotas share the same hole pattern as the 5th gen 4Runners.

The beauty of this swap is that it is a great OEM option, and since most Toyotas share the same color codes, you can likely find one that matches your color code, or just settle for the black one.

And a special shout out goes to [MENTION=129593]MTN4RNR[/MENTION] for helping me install my rack!

**PART II- Reserved for XM antenna relocation writeup**

I mainly did this swap just as a quick way to block off the roof hole. Since I'll be running a hardshell roof tent, XM reception will be pretty limited whenever the tent is mounted. Part 2 of the writeup will entail an XM satellite relocation to the hood, hatch, or anywhere on your vehicle where reception is unobstructed.

Xm radio antenna replacement

This is great! I read Dellero's post about removing the antenna altogether and thought that was pretty good. This is better in that someone (else) can still use the Xm radio service if you sell the vehicle later. And it plugs the two holes.
I'll be adding a BajaRack to my 4Runner soon. I special ordered the flat Utility Rack without the cut out loop at the back for the antenna because the rack will be stronger with a straight back edge and it will be easier to load lumber and other long loads without the cut out. I may be removing the antenna to fit the rack.
Thanks for posting this.

Awesome write up, and glad I could help! I will likely do this when my rack comes around!

Have any pics with the k9 and lower legs? I don't use XM so I might just do this

[MENTION=44305]weeeee[/MENTION] Is the antenna plug on the sharkfin the same as a standard XM/Sirius replacement antenna? If so, I have a stick-on antenna that came with my Sirius Sporster 5 radio that I could use to cover the hole in the roof.



My 4Runner is somewhere on the Pacific, so I can't look. What I'd like to do is replace the sharkfin with my silver dollar sized puck, and then use my Sporster radio instead of the OEM Sirius radio built into the 4Runner. The reason for that, is that several years ago, I bought a lifetime license for Sirius, and would rather not transfer that license to the 4Runner.

Once my truck arrives, I'll be digging into the dash to see if the other end of the Sirius antenna wire has enough slack that I can pull it from the OEM radio and plug it into my Sporster.

Thanks for any input,
Steve

Ohio_Steve said:

[MENTION=44305]weeeee[/MENTION] Is the antenna plug on the sharkfin the same as a standard XM/Sirius replacement antenna? If so, I have a stick-on antenna that came with my Sirius Sporster 5 radio that I could use to cover the hole in the roof.

My 4Runner is somewhere on the Pacific, so I can't look. What I'd like to do is replace the sharkfin with my silver dollar sized puck, and then use my Sporster radio instead of the OEM Sirius radio built into the 4Runner. The reason for that, is that several years ago, I bought a lifetime license for Sirius, and would rather not transfer that license to the 4Runner.

Once my truck arrives, I'll be digging into the dash to see if the other end of the Sirius antenna wire has enough slack that I can pull it from the OEM radio and plug it into my Sporster.

Thanks for any input,
Steve

Click to expand...

I got you covered in part 2 of my writeup sometime later this week. The Toyota plug is not the same as the standard XM/Sirius antenna plug and you will need to run a special adapter. I haven't dug through my dash yet to figure out if the adapter I bought is correct, but I will soon.

ST1FLER said:

Have any pics with the k9 and lower legs? I don't use XM so I might just do this

Click to expand...

I'll take some better photos later this week. This is with the 40mm legs vs. the standard 65mm.

weeeee said:

I haven't dug through my dash yet to figure out if the adapter I bought is correct, but I will soon.

Click to expand...

Thanks, and I'm subscribed to this thread to see what you find. My 4Runner won't be here until mid-April, so I've got plenty of (too much!) time.

This is great, I think I'm going to do this.

Can you describe how to swap the antennas? Do you have to pull down the headliner in the trunk or does the antenna just pop up off the roof?

Thanks for posting that, OP.

weeeee said:

I'll take some better photos later this week. This is with the 40mm legs vs. the standard 65mm.

Click to expand...

PERFECTION! thanks

vjack said:

This is great, I think I'm going to do this.

Can you describe how to swap the antennas? Do you have to pull down the headliner in the trunk or does the antenna just pop up off the roof?

Click to expand...

There's a 20-something mm nut under the antenna that holds it in place. If you have small hands/forearms, you can pull the rubber gasket and just slide your arms in to get to the bolt under the headliner. Don't pull or pry the headliner down or you could crease it, just take it slow, use a socket for the nut without a wrench (the nut wasn't on that tight on mine at least) and you shouldn't have a problem doing this with the headliner still attached.

Ohio_Steve said:

[MENTION=44305]weeeee[/MENTION] Is the antenna plug on the sharkfin the same as a standard XM/Sirius replacement antenna? If so, I have a stick-on antenna that came with my Sirius Sporster 5 radio that I could use to cover the hole in the roof.

My 4Runner is somewhere on the Pacific, so I can't look. What I'd like to do is replace the sharkfin with my silver dollar sized puck, and then use my Sporster radio instead of the OEM Sirius radio built into the 4Runner. The reason for that, is that several years ago, I bought a lifetime license for Sirius, and would rather not transfer that license to the 4Runner.

Once my truck arrives, I'll be digging into the dash to see if the other end of the Sirius antenna wire has enough slack that I can pull it from the OEM radio and plug it into my Sporster.

Thanks for any input,
Steve

Click to expand...

There is a bit of a curve to the rooftop surface. I don't know if that antenna will offer an adequate seal.

delloro said:

There is a bit of a curve to the rooftop surface. I don't know if that antenna will offer an adequate seal.

Click to expand...

Thanks, good point. Mine's actually the smaller round puck. I used that image, because it showed the plug better. But still, if it is curved too much, it might not seal. I'll just have to wait to see whenever my truck arrives.

I just completed this swap and I wanted to say thanks a lot to [MENTION=44305]weeeee[/MENTION] for the info. Great option for low profile K9 or Front Runner. Brand new antenna cost me about $34 with free shipping through eBay.

weeeee said:

**PART II- Reserved for XM antenna relocation writeup**

I mainly did this swap just as a quick way to block off the roof hole. Since I'll be running a hardshell roof tent, XM reception will be pretty limited whenever the tent is mounted. Part 2 of the writeup will entail an XM satellite relocation to the hood, hatch, or anywhere on your vehicle where reception is unobstructed.

Click to expand...

I'm interested to see this. We've used XM on our trips in the 5th Gen thus far, and enjoy it. We plan on getting a RTT and I was wondering how it affects the reception on the XM radio.

weeeee said:

**PART II- Reserved for XM antenna relocation writeup**

I mainly did this swap just as a quick way to block off the roof hole. Since I'll be running a hardshell roof tent, XM reception will be pretty limited whenever the tent is mounted. Part 2 of the writeup will entail an XM satellite relocation to the hood, hatch, or anywhere on your vehicle where reception is unobstructed.

Click to expand...

OP, how tall is the new antenna?

Gabex35 said:

I just completed this swap and I wanted to say thanks a lot to [MENTION=44305]weeeee[/MENTION] for the info. Great option for low profile K9 or Front Runner. Brand new antenna cost me about $34 with free shipping through eBay.

Click to expand...

That's about how much I got mine for. Glad to hear I was able to help!

Dark Lord said:

I'm interested to see this. We've used XM on our trips in the 5th Gen thus far, and enjoy it. We plan on getting a RTT and I was wondering how it affects the reception on the XM radio.

Click to expand...

For me, one of the K9 slats sits directly above where the shark fin is usually, coupled with the fact that I'll have the RTT mounted shortly so I won't get reception there at all.

Bad news is the adapter I ordered doesn't have the right pin out. I'll try to get another adapter to test out before I post results.

delloro said:

OP, how tall is the new antenna?

Click to expand...

I can grab you a measurement in the AM.

Price and source?

I searched eBay and didn't find the part. I found one on TRDshop.com It's OEM. A bit pricey. How do you find one for $34?
from TRD shop:
SATELLITE ANT - 2015 Corolla LE (8696002050)
List Price: $208.60
You Save: $47.98 (23% off)
Sale Price: $160.62
SATELLITE ANT - 2015 Corolla LE (86960-02050)