Low profile XM (shark fin) antenna swap

[mynameistory]

Just make sure you get the correct version. Take your time and review some install videos. Snail trail 4x4 has one for the older version but same access and pretty easy to figure out the slight difference in wiring. You don't need to cut it as they show on the GF site. A little time and patience and do a cleaner remove and replace. Added a clear silicone bead around the edge for preference to make sure no leaking. If I recall correctly, it was a cover over a plastic fin. Odd but no real issues with reception and I have the GFC mounted.

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I see in the video that you're talking about that they pretty much break the sharkfin off. It seems a little crude. They confirmed that you won't need sealant though.

 

[rayofsi]

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I see in the video that you're talking about that they pretty much break the sharkfin off. It seems a little crude. They confirmed that you won't need sealant though.

lol, you can do it this way and make it irreversible. or drop your headliner a few inches and undo one bolt... and make it reversible.

Maybe they are so confident with their product that they just want everyone to destroy their oem parts.

ordered one for the heck of it.

 

[tls3601]

I just ordered the GFC shark fin delete, glad to hear it is not an antenna delete. Will need clearance for upcoming RTT that is a low/direct mount via Tiny Rig in Westminster

 

[mynameistory]

lol, you can do it this way and make it irreversible. or drop your headliner a few inches and undo one bolt... and make it reversible.

Maybe they are so confident with their product that they just want everyone to destroy their oem parts.

ordered one for the heck of it.

The 2016+ antennas look a bit different- unlike the Snail Trail 4x4 install, the bolts are threaded in from the top. I wonder if the shell has to be broken or GFC was just feeling lazy?

 

[rayofsi]

The 2016+ antennas look a bit different- unlike the Snail Trail 4x4 install, the bolts are threaded in from the top. I wonder if the shell has to be broken or GFC was just feeling lazy?

i have a 2017 antenna i can say is exactly the same. i've taken apart an antenna to try to cut down the cover, didn't look nice lol, so i haven't installed it yet. looks like GFC being lazy.

 

[mynameistory]

i have a 2017 antenna i can say is exactly the same. i've taken apart an antenna to try to cut down the cover, didn't look nice lol, so i haven't installed it yet. looks like GFC being lazy.

I have mine in hand but haven't had the chance to install yet, kids keep me busy. It's possible that the 2016+ are just easier to break apart when on the roof, because it stays still while bolted down? No idea. If you get a chance to remove yours and determine if there's a better way of swapping, let us know! Would be helpful before I tear into it. Would definitely prefer not to cut shit apart like a caveman haha.

 

[rayofsi]

I have mine in hand but haven't had the chance to install yet, kids keep me busy. It's possible that the 2016+ are just easier to break apart when on the roof, because it stays still while bolted down? No idea. If you get a chance to remove yours and determine if there's a better way of swapping, let us know! Would be helpful before I tear into it. Would definitely prefer not to cut shit apart like a caveman haha.

i actually bought a complete second antenna to play around with. the tabs that lock the painted fin down take some work when off the truck to remove properly. the inner white fin is screwed on.. there is also a rubber gasket that is between the white fin and the painted fin that seals around the entire base of the antenna. this looks to be removed. so now all you have is a foam piece around the bolt/wire that goes through the roof. removing it the way GFC did it might compromise the foam gasket.

when i remove my antenna to put this on, i would actually put a secondary gasket under the whole antenna to be safe.

 

[mynameistory]

i actually bought a complete second antenna to play around with. the tabs that lock the painted fin down take some work when off the truck to remove properly. the inner white fin is screwed on.. there is also a rubber gasket that is between the white fin and the painted fin that seals around the entire base of the antenna. this looks to be removed. so now all you have is a foam piece around the bolt/wire that goes through the roof. removing it the way GFC did it might compromise the foam gasket.

when i remove my antenna to put this on, i would actually put a secondary gasket under the whole antenna to be safe.

I think that's a good idea. If the gasket from the outer shell/white fin is removed, I'd consider putting some butyl rubber tape around the edge of the base as it goes back in.

 

[rayofsi]

A bit disappointed with how it covers the antenna. They could have atleast match the outline of the antenna.

 

[mynameistory]

A bit disappointed with how it covers the antenna. They could have atleast match the outline of the antenna.

Yeah it does seem a bit haphazard. Did it snap into place as advertised? And was it easy to remove the outer shell once you took it off of the roof?

 

[rayofsi]

Yeah it does seem a bit haphazard. Did it snap into place as advertised? And was it easy to remove the outer shell once you took it off of the roof?

i actually had a second antenna around that i was modifying the sharkfin. debating if i want to install this.. the sharkfin cover definitely cannot be removed with it still on the roof, so easy way is to cut it off..

 

[mynameistory]

i actually had a second antenna around that i was modifying the sharkfin. debating if i want to install this.. the sharkfin cover definitely cannot be removed with it still on the roof, so easy way is to cut it off..

Got it. I'll probably remove the antenna first, just in case I decide to go backwards too.

 

[rayofsi]

Got it. I'll probably remove the antenna first, just in case I decide to go backwards too.

good idea honestly. the shark fin delete is nice. but theres not much difference doing this and cutting the fin off and applying a blob of silicone...

 

[mynameistory]

I did it quickly this morning. Pulled the headliner down, used both a box end and socket 10mm to disconnect (not a lot of room for hands).

I see what you mean about the seals. I like that the new piece sandwiches the existing upper rubber seal to protect the PCB/antenna. It also retains the inner seal on the metal antenna body that goes around the hole in the roof. However, the white piece/outer shell that is removed takes away the outermost, secondary seal against the outside roof. I imagine that the inner seal is quite waterproof, but the outer seal probably works to keep the majority of dust and grime away from the inner joint. There's not much of an area to add butyl or silicone. Maybe I'll add a fillet/bead around the edge. I'm also concerned that the screws are now exposed to the elements, as they could be a passageway for leaks or corrosion to the PCB.

 

[rayofsi]

I did it quickly this morning. Pulled the headliner down, used both a box end and socket 10mm to disconnect (not a lot of room for hands).

I see what you mean about the seals. I like that the new piece sandwiches the existing upper rubber seal to protect the PCB/antenna. It also retains the inner seal on the metal antenna body that goes around the hole in the roof. However, the white piece/outer shell that is removed takes away the outermost, secondary seal against the outside roof. I imagine that the inner seal is quite waterproof, but the outer seal probably works to keep the majority of dust and grime away from the inner joint. There's not much of an area to add butyl or silicone. Maybe I'll add a fillet/bead around the edge. I'm also concerned that the screws are now exposed to the elements, as they could be a passageway for leaks or corrosion to the PCB.

I think that the screws were located outside of the sealing strip, so water intrusion should be next to impossible.

 

[JAXJeremy]

Don't ever plan on using the satellite radio so this is on my list..

 

[mynameistory]

I think that the screws were located outside of the sealing strip, so water intrusion should be next to impossible.

Yes true, shouldn't leak to the cabin (at least directly). But it might seep into the PCB via capillary action. I'm not too worried about it. I don't care much about satellite radio, as long as my headliner doesn't turn into a mold fest.

Don't ever plan on using the satellite radio so this is on my list..

This retains the satellite radio antenna so you're good to go either way!

 

[JAXJeremy]

will definitely make loading my kayak a lot easier..

 

[elsparkodiablo]

I wish I could find pictures for getting access to my 2015's headliner area

 

[mynameistory]

I wish I could find pictures for getting access to my 2015's headliner area

It's easy. There's 3 pop pins that hold it up in the back, they're plastic and the same color as the headliner. Use a trim tool (or carefully with a sharp flathead screwdriver) and pop them out. To get more space, I popped out the plastic trim around the D-pillars. Didn't remove them completely, just popped them out a little bit. This gives you all the access you need.