XM Shark Fin Antenna Access

Hey Guys! Could use some input here. Just this weekend I backed out the garage and broke off my shark fin antenna... because someone left the door about 10 inches down. I hear to get access to this antenna you have to remove the headliner which appears to be quite a task. My question is; has anyone accessed the XM antenna connector from the third brake light hole? I would just take my third brake light off to look but there is a waterproof seal that I would rather not ruin unless I know that I can get something done. Any input or advice would be much appreciated !!

 

You have to yank the head liner! You may be able to do the rear door trim and pull the headliner down to access the antenna without taking everything off.

If it were me, I'd pull the whole headliner to make sure the replacment antenna sealed up properly. Wouldn't want to deal with a leak later. But that's just me.


P.S. Be sure to disconnect the battery and have fun with the side curtain airbags!

 

Thanks! Looks like I will look into removing the headliner. Appreciate the info!

 

Did you ever figure this out? cuz I literally just did the same thing. Garage door didnt go all the way up and ripped the antenna off. Do you know how much it was to replace? and is it just for xm radio or is it the antenna for everything?

 

Well, I haven't fixed it yet cause I have been busy with finals and whatnot as a college student. Plus it's in the teens here with snow so I would rather not work on it right now but here are the two options I have currently:
1) take it to the dealer and have a new one installed since the coax on my antenna is not reusable (tore right out) and pay about $900. They charge a bunch cause they gotta take down the headliner to get at it (lengthy process).
2) buy a new OEM antenna for like $400? Not sure yet how much it costs and take down the headliner myself and do it.

Either way, lesson learned don't break off that antenna because it's not cheap to fix either way.

Btw so far, the antenna is for the satellite radio and GPS/ navigation system (if you have that).

 

I dont get any fm channels now that mine is gone. I managed to take the back coat hangers off the back of the head liner and get my hand and a 22mm socket in to unscrew the base of the fin. Just ordered one from the dealer for 176 plus tax. Im gonna have to google how to get the rest of the headliner down so I can disconnect it and replace with the new one. Im just gonna install myself cuz ive taken headliners down before and its not terrible. You just need to take the back and the passenger rear corner down.

Also mine is a 3rd gen sport DCSB so idk if there are any differences with yours

 

Let me know how this goes! I know you have a 3rd gen but I am still debating about doing it myself!

 

I actually had to install the XM antenna in my shark fin (long story). I did it by pulling down just the back end and really should pulled it all down. I ended up crimping the back center, just above the sliding rear window, down a bit. It's not very noticeable, but I know it's there.

 

I haven't been able to find what it looks like above the headliner, would you mind describing what's up there? Just a bolt holding down the antenna and a plugin for it? Thanks!

 

There are two bolts that straddle a hole for wires. They are mounted front to back. Between the headliner and roof is a plastic lattice that you need to move to one side or the other.

 

Whats the best way to get the C pillars off? Im gonna take the rest of it down because I kind of crimped the back center like you. I just need to get the rear handles off and the C pillars Im guessing but I dont know how to get those off yet

 

Not sure, never did take it all the way off.

 

Thanks for all the chat! I will appreciate the insight when I get around to fixing mine in a week or so.

 

Did anybody take pics??

 

How about a pic of the damage?

 

Headliner removal:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/removing-your-headliner-and-insulating-sound-deadening.394469/

For the record, it's not hard, just tedious.

 

Thanks, I've been looking for something with a better description to get the headliner down without breaking anything!

 

I've removed mine about three times now and have also done an access cab. It's easiest if you have somewhere to work where you can open all 4 doors at the same time to get around the truck from side to side.

 

Your thread is getting me inspired to dynomat the roof also while I'm up there... Noise reduction is always appreciated... great thread Ghost.

 

Feel free to post there. I figure if you're going to pull the headliner, you might as well do what you can while you're in there.