oljedi11950
New member
Believe that's correct ! Thought the 2 in the shark were for sirius/xm & Toy version of onstar ?
Low profile XM (shark fin) antenna swap
- Thread starter weeeee
- Start date
Believe that's correct ! Thought the 2 in the shark were for sirius/xm & Toy version of onstar ?
flyinhawaiian01
New member
There are several versions of the sharkfin antenna's guts actually. Mine had two "chip" style receivers, as well as a flat metal blade-type antenna that fit up inside the sharkfin part of the plastic housing. I've now seen two others that had no metal blade, and one only had a single chip for XM only.
Here's the guts from mine, note the flat blade antenna:
So, after a bit of research, IIRC, the pink colored chip is the Sirius/XM receiver's antenna, the grey is for GPS, and the flat blade is for FM Diversity which allows the stereo to cut to a smaller, ultra-low gain antenna when local stations are being overloaded from being to close to them. Interesting note, in Honolulu where I had my car audio shop decades ago, I used to install two antennas on customer vehicles when I carried a specific model of Clarion stereo. It had two antenna ports, one for "DX" one for "LOCAL", and it would automatically switch to the shorter antenna when one was in town. Worked okay for its time, but new stereos work much better than the old units like this!
Okay, FM 101 class is done, I'll shut the hell up now!!!
Here's the guts from mine, note the flat blade antenna:
So, after a bit of research, IIRC, the pink colored chip is the Sirius/XM receiver's antenna, the grey is for GPS, and the flat blade is for FM Diversity which allows the stereo to cut to a smaller, ultra-low gain antenna when local stations are being overloaded from being to close to them. Interesting note, in Honolulu where I had my car audio shop decades ago, I used to install two antennas on customer vehicles when I carried a specific model of Clarion stereo. It had two antenna ports, one for "DX" one for "LOCAL", and it would automatically switch to the shorter antenna when one was in town. Worked okay for its time, but new stereos work much better than the old units like this!
Okay, FM 101 class is done, I'll shut the hell up now!!!
Brandon_Reed
Member
Nobody has posted anything.
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Saw your pics. Looks like the circuit board takes up the entire base of the assembly. Could board be cut down without affecting the circuits?
Do you have a better shot of the connector? Surely it isn't specific to 2016 T4R?!
Like you, I'd prefer to have a solution in hand before I disassemble. Only want to tear into it once if possible.
Maybe cut it down and reseal is the best option to lower height.
Brandon_Reed
Member
I seriously considered cutting it down to fit into the smaller housing but didn't want to ruin it
I'll probably just use the smaller housing to block the hole since I don't intend to ever subscribe to xm
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
I'll probably just use the smaller housing to block the hole since I don't intend to ever subscribe to xm
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Last edited:
There are several versions of the sharkfin antenna's guts actually. Mine had two "chip" style receivers, as well as a flat metal blade-type antenna that fit up inside the sharkfin part of the plastic housing. I've now seen two others that had no metal blade, and one only had a single chip for XM only.
Here's the guts from mine, note the flat blade antenna:
So, after a bit of research, IIRC, the pink colored chip is the Sirius/XM receiver's antenna, the grey is for GPS, and the flat blade is for FM Diversity which allows the stereo to cut to a smaller, ultra-low gain antenna when local stations are being overloaded from being to close to them. Interesting note, in Honolulu where I had my car audio shop decades ago, I used to install two antennas on customer vehicles when I carried a specific model of Clarion stereo. It had two antenna ports, one for "DX" one for "LOCAL", and it would automatically switch to the shorter antenna when one was in town. Worked okay for its time, but new stereos work much better than the old units like this!
Okay, FM 101 class is done, I'll shut the hell up now!!!
I have the sharkfin with all three of these antennas inside. Is there a confirmed low profile version that is a direct replacement (3 pin connector)? I just ordered one of the Corrolla versions mentioned in this thread but it only had the single chip style antenna. And I don't think all three antennae from my sharkfin would fit in that housing. hoping to find a solution that allows me to retain functionality of all three.
4Funnr
New member
How you do people? How?
weeeee
New member
Take the three plastic trim pieces up at the top of the headliner, remove the side plastics and the hatch weather stripping. You should be able to get in there if you have small enough hands. Be careful not to crease it, if you feel it beginning to crease you might need to drop the headliner even further down the roofline.
oljedi11950
New member
Skinny does make it easier !
oljedi11950
New member
Just wondering if any who've done this & have the xm have noticed a better reception in signal dropping or lack of ? :fish2:
The Waco Kid
New member
No noticeable difference while driving. I still lose signal when a sparrow farts in a tree like I did before, but amazingly my reception got better in my parking garage at work. I'm not sure if that was the new antenna or the latest update to Entunes.
oljedi11950
New member
Thought I'd ask , tried to get xm for road trip & nada
reception , did refresh cpl times & nada ! Trying to see if new antenna might solve this ?
reception , did refresh cpl times & nada ! Trying to see if new antenna might solve this ?
The Waco Kid
New member
Sounds to me like a warranty issue to me. I'd take it too the dealer. Could be the radio, could be the antenna.
oljedi11950
New member
It's an 11' so warranty might be done ! However many have mentioned antenna as culprit , why I asked if switching to the low profile might solve it idk . Doesn't hurt to ask right plus my buddy is used car manager at that dealership ! Just have to make time
oljedi11950
New member
:crybaby: So I got pissed off about not having any reception with the sharkfin & proceeded to install the corolla model w/o even pulling it off roof & just plugging it in & instant reception all channels in my driveway underneath trees & blocked by house ! Happy as pig in it :bluejump: wish I had done this before left on trip (moron) :frusty: anyway for anyone doing this mod :ear: . But I would really like to know is there something defective with that yr of sharkfin that any on forum can confirm ? I've seen some have replaced their's , an upgraded sharkfin ? :sadwave:
The Waco Kid
New member
Glad it worked for you! That has to be satisfying, other than not doing it sooner.
There has to be some sort of defect for that model year because like you said, I've seen a few on here as well.
Cheers.
oljedi11950
New member
Yep has to be ! I almost pulled the guts out & just left xm module in to see but was still pissed , even with my skinny hands & arms that's a ***** getting that nut back on ! I'm wondering if maybe the tall fin type is it or just bad electronics ?
The Waco Kid
New member
Definitely bad electronics or a bad seal.
But yeah, it's a tough nut to crack back there. In hindsight I should have pulled some of the anchors further up the liner out to make it easier.
