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Easy Shark Fin antenna installation

35K views 22 replies 16 participants last post by  NAV 
#1 ·
Easy Shark Fin antenna installation
I know others have done this and some will find it easy and others will make a mess of it so I wanted to provide some simple step by step instructions. I am not an expert in automotive and I can just about change my own sparkplugs (once I find out where they keep moving them to) but electrical, electronics and antennas I know seeing as I design antennas and communication systems for the military. What you do not know about fractal antennas (what this antenna is) is that they are proven, work well and have been around for some time. You need to install them correctly and take care with them as to not damage the geometric design. One small tear or crack in the element can ruin the ability of the antenna. So take care when you install this antenna.

1. Start with the basics, the antenna, Isopropyl (Rubbing) alcohol, a cleaning cloth, screw driver (flat head), conductive electrical grease and painters tape. (Oh and a beer for the parts where you need to wait for things to dry).

2. Give the area a good clean with a little soap and water then clean the area down with a little rubbing alcohol to remove any wax, grime (like there would be any) and bugs.

3. Unscrew the old rod type antenna.

4. Using a q-tip, clean the antenna screw hole with some Isopropyl (Rubbing) alcohol. Give it a few minutes to dry out and make sure you did not leave any of the Q-Tip in the screw hole. (Drink Beer)

5. Now align the antenna where you want it to be. I would recommend placing it back a little so the cable and antenna connections do not rub under the shell.

6. Once you have the right and left aligned where you want them place some painters tape on the left and right sides of the antenna.

7. Place a small amount of conductive electrical grease (DO NOT USE DIELECTRIC GREASE) in the antenna screw hole. This will assist in keeping the connection dry and well-connected under the antenna cover.

8. Connect the antenna wire to the antenna screw hole. I used a small star washer between the screw and the antenna base to ensure a good connection. I also found that if you place the connector to the front of the antenna it would seat on the vehicle without any pressure needing to be applied to the antenna when taping it down.

9. Now place the antenna where you think it fits best and adjust front to back until you do not feel any upward pressure on the antenna and it sits flat without you having to push it down. You may need to bend down the connector a little bit to get this fit but in the long run it will be worth the tweak as you do not want anything rubbing under the shell which could wreck this type of antenna.

10. Once you have the place you want and it fits well take a bit of tape and mark the roof at the back of the antenna. I also took a bit of tape and made a point mark at the front just to make sure it was where I wanted it.

11. OK now lift up and antenna and try to place it in the same place a few times to make sure nothing in binding or rubbing and you can make it to the same spot. Once you are happy with this take the backing tape off of the antenna.

12. Using the marks that you have already place and had practice placing on, place the antenna. Lightly at first and once 100% happy press firm for about 60 seconds. (Drink Beer)

13. Now remove all of the painters tape and clean up any tape residue. Give the areas with tape a little wax. Do not wax the antenna for a day or two just to make sure it is fixed to the roof.

14. You’re done…. Simple, easy and should last for years even out here in the hot sunny desert.

15. Finish beer

(yes that is my CAI on the work bench that I will get to installing soon :rolleyes:)
 

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#5 ·
May I know where you can get this kind of antenna, what brand and model?
From Visual Garage. Great folks to deal with. Just send them the make, year and the color (color code would help) and you get it in a few days if the color is standard and a week if not.
http://www.visualgarage.com
 
#4 ·
Where did you get the CAI for the 2011 5.7?
 
#6 ·
Check in the "FOR SALE" section of this site.
There is usaualy someone selling one.

I still have not got around to installing it yet. Working to many hours the next few months.
 
#10 ·
My Shark fin Antenna, finally installed...
Perfect reception, easy install.
Great roof rack clearance! When my ski rack is up there, I wont have to look out for the antenna anymore. Sweet!
 

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#12 ·
Looks awesome and it functions! Before I get my heart set on doing this what's the cost involved with this mod?
 
#16 ·
Why doesn't it stick now?
I think you can contact Visual Garage to refit the adhesive....
 
#18 ·
I got the VG Shark Fin Antenna Mark II.
Works great!
 
#22 ·
Hello All,
I drive a 2012 Grand Cherokee limited and Id like to replace the antennae with a shark fin type. I've purchased a few on line that were cheap and useless.Could you please help me with where I could get one that fits . I've noticed a few members have had good success with doing the switch.Could you please give me Name of a supplier who I can purchase this from . Thank you and seasons greetings.
navin.r.maharaj@gmail.com
 
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