RKCRLR
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I have an older cabover truck camper but newer trucks have higher cabs. I raised my camper high enough to clear the top of my cab but I didn't want to raise it another 2" to clear the shark fin antenna so I decided to relocate the shark fin antenna. I listen to FM HD radio and I didn't want to just remove the antenna. I also didn't want to lose OTA updates (the antenna also incorporates the cell antenna). Additionally if you just disconnect the antenna you will get an UConnect error message every time you start the truck.
I decided to relocate my antenna to my dash passenger side, at least for the time being. I may mount it on my hood in the future or replace it with seperate cell and AM/FM antennas but since my truck is still under warranty I wanted to make it fully reversible for now.
You will need one Fakra B extension cable (you can also use a Fakra Z cable) and one dual Fakra Z extension cable with male connectors on one end and female connectors on the other end. I got mine two meters long so I could mount the antenna on my hood but you could go 1.5 meters long if you want to keep the antenna on the dash. I got these cables:
You will need a plug for the hole. The hole is square so you can't use any old plug. I used one of these:
I got the 32mm one because I thought it would work better with the curvature of the roof and higher seal loading due to it's smaller size.
You will need an "adapter block" to go between the antenna and the dash. I used some ~1" thick flexible foam I had laying around (not styrofoam) and wrapped the edges with electrical tape for cosmetics. It's a little ghetto but I didn't have a better idea short of having something 3D printed.
I used nano tape to attach the foam block to the antenna and dash. Something like this:
Electrical tape and zip ties.
To access the antenna you need to pull down the headliner and to do that you need to remove the A pillar trim. I used trim tools to carefully remove the covers for the grab handle screws:
Once the two screws that hold the handle on are removed the trim cover pops off and pulls up to disengage from the bottom area of the dash. After that you need to remove the sun visor bracket and sun visor clip at the other end. I left it hanging by the vanity light wire while I pulled down the headliner and disconnected the connector for the light wire. Once the headliner is pulled down you can disconnect the two connectors on the shark fin antenna (one white Fakra B connector and one magenta dual Fakra connector). Be careful around the airbag. I made sure not to have the ignition on while I was working around it.
Remove the bolt and the metal retaining clip from the antenna base:
Pull the plastic clip down and turn it sideways so it can go through the square hole while you are removing the antenna from the top:
Clean the paint around the hole and install the plug. making sure to center it for best fit. I did a water test with a hose to make sure it didn't leak.
Connect the extension cables to the harness in the headliner area and route them down the A pillar using zip ties to attach them to existing harnesses. Cut the foam block and wrap the edges with electrical tape (or whatever you decide to do) and use the nano tape to attach it to the antenna. I also used the original fastener/clip to secure it to the foam block. Connect the extension cables to the antenna and use nano tape to attach it to the dash. I stuffed the connectors and cable into the gap between the dash and windshield and stuffed the excess cable in the gat between the dash and A pillar that is covered by the A pillar trim.
Reinstall the headliner, visor, A pillar trim, and grab handle.
More details about the antenna, wiring, and connectors can be found here:
If anyone decides to do this and comes up with a better idea for the antenna please post in this thread.
I decided to relocate my antenna to my dash passenger side, at least for the time being. I may mount it on my hood in the future or replace it with seperate cell and AM/FM antennas but since my truck is still under warranty I wanted to make it fully reversible for now.
You will need one Fakra B extension cable (you can also use a Fakra Z cable) and one dual Fakra Z extension cable with male connectors on one end and female connectors on the other end. I got mine two meters long so I could mount the antenna on my hood but you could go 1.5 meters long if you want to keep the antenna on the dash. I got these cables:
You will need a plug for the hole. The hole is square so you can't use any old plug. I used one of these:
I got the 32mm one because I thought it would work better with the curvature of the roof and higher seal loading due to it's smaller size.
You will need an "adapter block" to go between the antenna and the dash. I used some ~1" thick flexible foam I had laying around (not styrofoam) and wrapped the edges with electrical tape for cosmetics. It's a little ghetto but I didn't have a better idea short of having something 3D printed.
I used nano tape to attach the foam block to the antenna and dash. Something like this:
Electrical tape and zip ties.
To access the antenna you need to pull down the headliner and to do that you need to remove the A pillar trim. I used trim tools to carefully remove the covers for the grab handle screws:
Once the two screws that hold the handle on are removed the trim cover pops off and pulls up to disengage from the bottom area of the dash. After that you need to remove the sun visor bracket and sun visor clip at the other end. I left it hanging by the vanity light wire while I pulled down the headliner and disconnected the connector for the light wire. Once the headliner is pulled down you can disconnect the two connectors on the shark fin antenna (one white Fakra B connector and one magenta dual Fakra connector). Be careful around the airbag. I made sure not to have the ignition on while I was working around it.
Remove the bolt and the metal retaining clip from the antenna base:
Pull the plastic clip down and turn it sideways so it can go through the square hole while you are removing the antenna from the top:
Clean the paint around the hole and install the plug. making sure to center it for best fit. I did a water test with a hose to make sure it didn't leak.
Connect the extension cables to the harness in the headliner area and route them down the A pillar using zip ties to attach them to existing harnesses. Cut the foam block and wrap the edges with electrical tape (or whatever you decide to do) and use the nano tape to attach it to the antenna. I also used the original fastener/clip to secure it to the foam block. Connect the extension cables to the antenna and use nano tape to attach it to the dash. I stuffed the connectors and cable into the gap between the dash and windshield and stuffed the excess cable in the gat between the dash and A pillar that is covered by the A pillar trim.
Reinstall the headliner, visor, A pillar trim, and grab handle.
More details about the antenna, wiring, and connectors can be found here:
If anyone decides to do this and comes up with a better idea for the antenna please post in this thread.
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