Free Antenna relocation

[EXSlider400]

Past few generations this can be done.
 

Below steps are for 2019+
 

1. Unscrew antenna whip and then OPEN hood

2. Pull snap tabs on antenna/cowl cover from bottom first then the side. 
3. Unbolt antenna base 

4. Reattach antenna whip 

5. Route antenna down fender and secure with a few zip ties 

6. Get one of the round grommets from the bed 

7. Trim the bottom rubber part of antenna cover area where antenna hole is with a razor on the bottom so the grommet attaches securely

8. Place grommet in the hole and snap cover back in from side first then bottom

It does result in a very very small reception loss but not much and I don’t use AM/FM radio a lot anyway. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2019 by EXSlider400

[mafd2]

Nice.  Is reception still the same with antenna being enclosed under all the metal?

[EXSlider400]

9 minutes ago, mafd2 said:

Nice.  Is reception still the same with antenna being enclosed under all the metal?

90% the same but depends on where the local stations are in relation to you. Most did not change at all. 

[Smoothbassman]

Very nice!!!!  About to do this modification in the spring. 

[Mercracing]

Did this to my 2018 and love it! So much cleaner looking.


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[Mora84]

Thank you. I'll be doing this Saturday 

 

[metalsman]

Beware on a Chevy!! Attempted today, does not receive any AM Stations, only FM comes in good. I reverted back to old antenna and will get a stubby so it does not hit my garage door when I enter. Also pictures on fender attachment are not the same on my 2019 Chevy LT new style, the different fender does not allow easy tie wrap attachment and antenna is too long to fit correctly

[EXSlider400]

6 hours ago, metalsman said:

Beware on a Chevy!! Attempted today, does not receive any AM Stations, only FM comes in good. I reverted back to old antenna and will get a stubby so it does not hit my garage door when I enter. Also pictures on fender attachment are not the same on my 2019 Chevy LT new style, the different fender does not allow easy tie wrap attachment and antenna is too long to fit correctly

Thanks for the update on the differences. 

[KL Fopono]

I unscrewed mine and put it in the garage... Haven't used AM/FM since 2009 or so 

[Davidj98]

Great write on an easy mod, I listen to AM to find football gameS every once and while, may try it anyway to see what’s lost if any. 
 

Thanks!!

[curly]

You truck looks great... much cleaner!

 

I did this a few weeks ago but had to put the antenna back on (rural area and the one radio station that I normally listen to for a morning talk show would not work at all). I guess I'll have to go with a shorter antenna so I still have reception but don't have the overly tall antenna in place. Has anyone tried one of the HD antennas that appear to be shorter?

 

You would think that GM would not use an antenna of this style because these trucks look much better without it and they have proven with other GM vehicles that it is not needed (can be integrated into glass, etc).

[Codeman00]

1 hour ago, curly said:

You truck looks great... much cleaner!

 

I did this a few weeks ago but had to put the antenna back on (rural area and the one radio station that I normally listen to for a morning talk show would not work at all). I guess I'll have to go with a shorter antenna so I still have reception but don't have the overly tall antenna in place. Has anyone tried one of the HD antennas that appear to be shorter?

 

You would think that GM would not use an antenna of this style because these trucks look much better without it and they have proven with other GM vehicles that it is not needed (can be integrated into glass, etc).

I'm not sure why GM used such a tall antenna to begin with.  It seems like everyone that owns a 2019 has a problem with it violently hitting the garage door with entering. 

 

I bought the 22" model on amazon and it clears the garage door and I haven't been able to tell a difference in picking up stations.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SLMH18S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Ravenkeeper]

On 12/24/2019 at 11:41 AM, EXSlider400 said:

Past few generations this can be done.
 

Below steps are for 2019+
 

1. Unscrew antenna whip and then OPEN hood

2. Pull snap tabs on antenna/cowl cover from bottom first then the side. 
3. Unbolt antenna base 

4. Reattach antenna whip 

5. Route antenna down fender and secure with a few zip ties 

6. Get one of the round grommets from the bed 

7. Trim the bottom rubber part of antenna cover area where antenna hole is with a razor on the bottom so the grommet attaches securely

8. Place grommet in the hole and snap cover back in from side first then bottom

It does result in a very very small reception loss but not much and I don’t use AM/FM radio a lot anyway. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's another way to do it in the "less than $50" mod thread.  Took a 12" antenna coax, 2 eyelets, a nut, and a bolt to relocate the whip similarly, without moving the base portion of the antenna or up the A-Pillar (but will have to shorten the whip).  Reception is crap for FM.  On my 15, I relocated the antenna under the hood, along the right fender, and on my 18, removed the whip and capped the hole.  The round grommets are still in both beds, got a suitable sub to cover the hole from Lowe's.  I'm looking at a hidden antenna or two, to keep the "clean look," and connecting it/them under the dash cover next to the windshield. 

 

Lowes does sale these in black.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-2-Pack-0-75-in-White-Plastic-Hole-Plug/3013239

 

[nolte]

I did this the way the OP describes in my 2020 CTB.

I park in a really large parking deck that's low enough for the antenna to scrape the top of the deck in the factory configuration and its really really annoying. I wouldn't mind it if it were just my garage, but it did not scrape in and out of my garage.

 

I really can't say how it affects reception because I really don't use FM at all. I took the whip off completely until I saw this thread and then hooked it back up in the fender similarly to the OP.... just in case I ever want FM.

I did not have any problems with making it fit or finding places to ziptie it at all.

Edited January 12, 2020 by nolte

[Ravenkeeper]

On 1/12/2020 at 6:12 AM, nolte said:

I did this the way the OP describes in my 2020 CTB.

I park in a really large parking deck that's low enough for the antenna to scrape the top of the deck in the factory configuration and its really really annoying. I wouldn't mind it if it were just my garage, but it did not scrape in and out of my garage.

 

I really can't say how it affects reception because I really don't use FM at all. I took the whip off completely until I saw this thread and then hooked it back up in the fender similarly to the OP.... just in case I ever want FM.

I did not have any problems with making it fit or finding places to ziptie it at all.

That's why, for now, I'm sitting with an Antenna Delete, with mine.  I'm always listening to my MP3, IRadio, Pandora, or XM (when it's FREE).  But when/if I get my scanner installed, I'll need an antenna for it.