Antenna Swap

I've been looking around and can't seem to find a way to swap out the standard antenna on the passenger fender on my 2013 for a fin. Anybody try this yet? Is it even doable?

 

Well the standard antenna is likely to give you better reception for your radio stations

 

That's what I've been reading but I'm tired of the OEM getting beat up in car washes, trees branches, etc. I'm trying to avoid doing a complete reroute from the roof with a brand new fin. Not sure that's worth it to me so I'm trying to see what's best to replace what's there.

 

I run a cut down version of the stock antenna (13") around town etc and if I go to a car wash, I swap it out for a stubby antenna that I keep in my glove box. The stubby antenna doesn't work for shit, but I have never ran into a problem this way.

 

The fin is for satellite radio/GPS. In order to use a fin style antenna for regular radio would be very custom.

 

I hated that small whip so i replaced it with a stubby TRD antenna from Amazon. Works perfectly fine.

 

I only see fins on the 3rd gens though. There has to be a hybrid that does both since they don't have a standard antenna on them any more.

 

I replaced my stock mast with a flexible rubber one I found at AutoZone. It was about $8. The reception takes a little bit of a hit. In town it's acceptable but it won't break in car washes or on trails. I can't seem to find it on their website (it was in the store) but it appears the

$14 Metra 44-RM1R Rubber Replacement Mast for Antenna (Black)

Metra 44-RM1R is either it or at least similar.

 

Late 2nd gens have fins too. As far as antenna on 3rd gens, I didn't know that! Learn something new every day.

 

Since the 3rd gens only have fins I figured there was a way to make my '13 the same but really wasn't sure where to look to figure that out.

 

I'm sure there's a way, but the question becomes how much work will it be and is it worth the effort.

 

Which is why I'm here to see what the best option is. So far it looks like there is a 6-7" antenna that works well or cutting my OEM one down to 13".

 

If you really want to convert to the newer fin from a 16+ you might need to make sure the radios still have the same connector or that there exists an adapter to the old style antenna connector from the OEM antenna harness. The fin may not just be a simple antenna with a coax feed and the round radio connector but an active antenna that processes the received signal for the radio. So the signal to the radio is not RF like in our older trucks but perhaps digital or demodulated analog. It seems awfully small otherwise.

 

I use a stubby most of the time, its only good for about 25 miles on reception.