GPS / XM Antenna

[SouthernBoy]

Whats the deal with the GPS / XM antenna on top of the newer RAM trucks? They got it stuck up front on the drivers side, looks stupid right there. On my 2009 QC the antenna is on the back of the roof, centered near the cargo light and looks like someone actually put some thought into the placement. Honestly, do they really think that looks good to put that thing there? With these things costing 30-to-60 grand youd think they cant put it in the back and centered?

 

[SETEX 6.4]

I've wandered that myself! I'm over it now though! It looks fine from the drivers seat!

 

[1500ram12]

There are 2 different ones. The first one is for gps/satellite and the second is satellite only

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[VPRPWRD]

My guess would be less cost of material placing the antenna closer to the front of the truck. I agree that it looks goofy where it is.

 

[SouthernBoy]

There are 2 different ones. The first one is for gps/satellite and the second is satellite only

Thanks for clarifying. In either case, the placement sucks. Its like they were too lazy to climb in the bed to drill the hole for the antenna, so they are placing it where the factory worker can get it from the side.

 

[1500ram12]

I'm not crazy about the location either. Looks weird

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[SouthernBoy]

My guess would be less cost of material placing the antenna closer to the front of the truck. I agree that it looks goofy where it is.

If they are doing that based on saving 36" of a single tiny cable on a 50-60K pickup, thats straight up stupid. These corporate bean counters couldnt pour **** out of a boot if the instructions were written on the heel.

 

[1500ram12]

Could be a cost savings or a designer though it looked better their

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[VPRPWRD]

If they are doing that based on saving 36" of a single tiny cable on a 50-60K pickup, thats straight up stupid. These corporate bean counters couldnt pour **** out of a boot if the instructions were written on the heel.

36" of cable X # of trucks produced = A lot of money staying in their pocket.

 

[cptwing]

There are actually three different ones.

There is the flat puck style this will do XM. (This is used on the non both 2 door and four door trucks with the no-connect RA1, RA2 radios)

There is the forward mounted shark fin dual antenna which does XM and cellular for the embedded aircard inside the radio. (This is used on regular cab trucks with the RA3 and RA4 uconnect radios)

There is the aft mounted shark fin dual antenna which does XM and cellular for the embedded aircard inside the radio.

The navigation in these trucks does not use an external antenna though the radios have a port for one.

 

[1500ram12]

I couldn't remember if it was nav or not

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[SouthernBoy]

36" of cable X # of trucks produced = A lot of money staying in their pocket.

While they are saving *something*, its not much regardless how many units going thru there. I can get cable, rolls and rolls of cable, for next to nothing here:

http://www.cablewholesale.com

I can imagine with their size & purchasing power they can get bulk cable very cheap. IMHO the location of that thing just has to be due to ease of installation on the assembly line.

 

[SouthernBoy]

There are actually three different ones.

There is the flat puck style this will do XM. (This is used on the non both 2 door and four door trucks with the no-connect RA1, RA2 radios)

There is the forward mounted shark fin dual antenna which does XM and cellular for the embedded aircard inside the radio. (This is used on regular cab trucks with the RA3 and RA4 uconnect radios)

There is the aft mounted shark fin dual antenna which does XM and cellular for the embedded aircard inside the radio.

The navigation in these trucks does not use an external antenna though the radios have a port for one.

Good info, thanks for posting that. I bet a person could buy that XM puck cheap enough and install that personally.

 

[j cal]

That does look odd mounted in the front. Mine is mounted in the back

 

[SouthernBoy]

That does look odd mounted in the front. Mine is mounted in the back

Really? Now that IS unique. Is yours a Crew? Single cab?

 

[EagleChief]

I have a 2014 Big Horn Crew cab. My shark fin is located on the rear of the cab, more toward driver's side. It isn't centered. I have the 8.4A radio w/Bluetooth.

 

[NYCruiser]

Mine is in the back on the driver's side too. Is the front just for '15? Looks like it would interfere if you decided to get cab lights installed.

 

[cptwing]

No it is in between the cab lights mine came stock with cab lights. On regular cab.

I had the flat puck but have since changed it to the shark fin, I also had the new shark fin painted to match the truck.




Here is a 2015 longhorn, crewcab with the shark fin also located in the front inbetween the clearance lights.

 

[myoung84]

It's mounted up front on the HDs so not to interfere with campers, service bodies, racks, etc. The 1500s are still mounted at the rear.

 

[1500ram12]

It's mounted up front on the HDs so not to interfere with campers, service bodies, racks, etc. The 1500s are still mounted at the rear.

Never thought of that

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