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Sharkfin Antenna Install with Pics

46K views 99 replies 52 participants last post by  imaz 
#1 ·
I installed my sharkfin antenna from visualgarage.com. Very easy install. If someone else already posted this I apologize but was not able to find many pics by a quick search. Instructions are included with the antenna but heres what I did and pics follow. In the before couple of before pics the jeep is kind of dirty so thats why the pics look kind of fuzzy, the after pics I kept it wet so the sharkfin would feel at home :lol:

The OEM antenna was 11 inches plus the 1 inch thick base for a 12 inch total antenna. The new one is about 3 inches! Looks much better and less stuff in the way with skis on top!

All you need is the larger of the two screws included in the sharkfin, (I suppose that may vary from model to model depending on what OEM antenna was installed), a flat screwdriver, hairdryer (depending on outside temp), rubbing alcohol, goo gone or other adhesive remover or dawn dish soap, masking tape, and of course the sharkfin.

The factory antenna screws right off by hand, make sure the surface is clean, I had to give it a quick wash because my jeep was pretty dirty. Use the adhesive remover and rubbing alcohol to remove any traces of dirt and especially wax from the paint where the antenna will sit. I tried the dawn dishwashing soap as suggested in the instructions but didnt cut through my wax I applied only a few weeks ago. I used Goo Gone adhesive removed and that worked well. The instructions recommend a 3M adhesive remover but I figured any adhesive remover would work.

Correctly position the sharkfin over the antenna base making sure it is not touching the base underneath. Use masking tape to mark the alignment. It was in the mid 30s here today and the instructions recommend a "room temp" surface to ensure it sticks well. I used a hairdryer a few inches away for a few minutes and it warmed up the surface nicely with no chance of heat damage to the paint like with a heat gun. The under side of the sharkfin has a coiled wire with a ring terminal connector. Use the included screw to attach it to the antenna base on the roof.

I gave the area one more wipe with rubbing alcohol to make sure it was clean and let the alcohol evaporate. Then remove the paper backing from the adhesive tape and carefully stick the antenna onto the roof using your tape outline as a guide. Be very careful as the tape is VERY sticky and there is NO moving or repositioning. Hold pressure on the sharkfin for a good minute per the instructions so the pressure sensitive tape sticks.

I tested and both satellite and AM/FM come in as good or better than before. The antenna is well designed, and the paint matches perfectly with all the sparkles and whatever just like the factory paint. When you order they will do custom paint to match. Below are some photos of the install and some other random pics.
 

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#49 · (Edited)
I have brilliant black and the brilliant black paint on the shark fin was a perfect paint job and a perfect match. I remember threads on here that someone with a mineral gray didn't get a match, and someone with stone white didn't get a match. That was only two I could remember that said theirs didn't match. If it didn't you could send it back and they would try again. Matte Dark gray almost black to match the plastic trim would probably work, but I think bright silver metallic would look very nice.
 
#50 ·
My brilliant black one is a perfect match too. Reception is great. No satellite here so can't comment in that but I hear its fine. Some have complained about a slight loss of AM, but that's radio for dinosaurs anyway.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#62 ·
Im trying to order one in a trim flat black ???? I dont wish to have a color that matches the Jeep ,, Does anyone have one :confused:
 
#67 ·
Went to the website and it says its under construction til July, can someone point me in the right direction for ordering one of these?
Sadly it's been like that for a while now. I sent an email to them with what I'm looking for and got a reply and a PayPal invoice fairly quick. Might be worth a shot.

sales@visualgarage.com

Hope that helps[/QUOTE]


I bought mine back in late July eventhough site was under contruction. I sent and email and they responded. I told them what I wanted and they sent me an invoice and he even honored to old price because I had initially contacted them long before site went down.

The sharkfin showed up a week after I paid for it.
 
#69 ·
2014 Sharkfin WILL NOT FIT a 2011-2013!

I know this for a fact I have a nice deep cherry red pearl 2014 Sharkfin paper weight in on my desk.

If anyone wants a color matched one in Deep Cherry Shoot me a PM with an offer.
 
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