The Anatomy of a Sharkfin (2021)

So, I recently installed my roof rack, and now the sharkfin is about an inch taller than the top of the crossbars. I’d like to lower it, so that I can lay full sheets of plywood/drywall down up there. I found the GFC antenna delete:

I watched the video and determined this was perfect for my needs. Thank goodness I chose to retain the factory Sharkfin and not chop it to pieces like this guy, or I’d have been horrified when I pulled off the cover and found this:


So, apparently, there is now a giant antenna inside the sharkfin antenna (touché). I called a buddy with access to AllData, but all he could provide me with were the following diagrams.

Nothing specifically references the new antenna (as opposed to the module as a whole), so I’m not sure I want to hack into it until I know what it is. Is it just a cell phone antenna, that’s safe to trim down to fit the new antenna cover? Is it a new antenna for a new (2020+) safety feature that I’m going to seriously regret tampering with? Does anyone have any thoughts, or better yet, any actual insight into the workings of this updated antenna? Has anyone else gone through this operation yet? Thanks in advance.

Best,
Jared

 

It's the SAT/GPS antenna. You may be able to run the GPS wart from earlier (08ish-10ish) 2nd gen Tacomas but I don't know if the base is the same.

 

I believe that shark fin houses the XM, Cellular, and GPS antennas. @Old Red is a resident expert on this, he could explain the details if he’s online.

 

Ever thought of relocating the antenna to the rear window spoiler/ shroud? Wouldnt be too hard to extend the wiring (even if it has coax cables) and run it thru where the window/ wiper wiring runs thru. Sealing the other hole wouldnt be too hard either. Just a firewall plug and some RTV... Just a though since if you have stuff on the rack, your line of sight is blocked...

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I hadn’t thought of relocating the sharkfin, though that’s a possibility, I suppose.

Since the 4Runner in the GFC video didn’t have the extra antenna, I’m assuming it’s not XM-related. Sounds like the new antenna is either cellular or gps, and I don’t want to lose those. XM or line of sight, I’m not really worried about. Just don’t want to handicap any of the rest of the features. Or I would like to know what possible drawbacks there would be to trimming the antenna.

 

If you are just shortening the cover portion and not the physical antenna, I dont think you will have to worry about loosing cell/gps. Good luck.

 

Well, unfortunately, I think that’s going to be what gets me. In the videos, you’re just shortening the cover, but on mine, there is actually a metal antenna that protrudes up into the cover. I don’t know the practicality of cutting/shortening that new guy.

 

My shark fin doesn’t get in the way, but I could live without it.

I don’t utilize XM radio and I don’t have the factory GPS.

Just a plain ole SR5 with cloth seats and I love it.

 

Why not just lay some 1 x 2 wood strips under your sheets of plywood to allow it to clear the antenna?

 

I actually think I’m leaning towards this. The main use of the rack will be for hauling cargo and recovery gear, and not plywood. It wouldn’t be difficult to keep a couple block spacers on hand to clear the sharkfin in those rare instances. Might be time to stop overthinking it.

In related news, if anyone is interested in a GoFastCampers antenna delete for a 2016-(verify you don’t have a giant metal antenna inside yours) on the cheap, hit me up.

 

Did you ever figure out what this antenna was for or what was your solution? I’m looking to do the GFC delete kit myself and can’t without cutting this antenna. Want to be sure I don’t do something irreversible