Shark Fin Antenna Install?

[dillon731]

Hi all,
I have a 2016 Ram 2500 Laramie. Im in the process of getting my 2018 UAQ radio in and getting the swap completed. I'm just missing the antenna. My current truck didn't come with the puck or shark fin, and my current 8.4 has the 'gps' antenna installed behind the unit. I'm wanting to add the Shark Fin Antenna (OEM) to my truck. I have no issue obtaining one, but I can't seem to find an 'installation guide' its all about swapping from a puck or removing the shark fin. I saw it was a square hole with a notch. I'm wondering if anyone knows the size of hole i'd need to cut out. I can get a notch knockout easily, but I read you shouldn't use a knockout cause it can crease your roof. I've spent hours of research and can't find anything out. If anyone can tell me a diameter or what tool I CAN use for this i'd greatly appreciate it. And yes I know the issues and difference between the shark fin and puck, but i'd rather shark fin.

-TIA

 

[Atcer2018]

Hi all,
I have a 2016 Ram 2500 Laramie. Im in the process of getting my 2018 UAQ radio in and getting the swap completed. I'm just missing the antenna. My current truck didn't come with the puck or shark fin, and my current 8.4 has the 'gps' antenna installed behind the unit. I'm wanting to add the Shark Fin Antenna (OEM) to my truck. I have no issue obtaining one, but I can't seem to find an 'installation guide' its all about swapping from a puck or removing the shark fin. I saw it was a square hole with a notch. I'm wondering if anyone knows the size of hole i'd need to cut out. I can get a notch knockout easily, but I read you shouldn't use a knockout cause it can crease your roof. I've spent hours of research and can't find anything out. If anyone can tell me a diameter or what tool I CAN use for this i'd greatly appreciate it. And yes I know the issues and difference between the shark fin and puck, but i'd rather shark fin.

-TIA

I can confirm the shark fin is held down by one nut. Install is going to be easiest on the driver or passenger front of cab roof as you’ll need to get the headliner pulled down enough to attach wires and install the securing nut.

You’ll need to remove the molding containing an airbag along the front windshield to facilitate dropping the headliner. There is a special connector holding the windshield interior molding piece that can be broken when removing. The connector is one of those press in Christmas tree type plastic pieces with a securing tail that prevents the molding from becoming a projectile in airbag deployment. If you just yank the moulding out you risk breaking the tail piece off and the connector is like $20. Don’t ask how I know this lol. Just go slowly and pop out one section at a time till it’s released and you find the connector with the tail. There are YouTube vids that show removal procedures.

Possibly go to a dealer and measure the distance from the windshield to the shark fin and distance from door frame to shark fin on a newer truck on the lot. This will give you a ballpark estimate of mounting location.

I have no idea what size hole is needed nor remember the hole pattern from when I had mine shark fin off. Best advice I can give is purchase the shark fin and look on the bottom to determine the shape of the connection cut out you’ll need.

I’m assuming the mounting post on the shark fin will need a hole drilled out on the cab roof and a dremel tool to carefully cut the locking notch. A little marring of the cab surface should be expected and the shark fin base will cover the area. Be sure to paint any bare exposed metal because moisture will absolutely get under the shark fin seal against the cab metal.

 

[dillon731]

I can confirm the shark fin is held down by one nut. Install is going to be easiest on the driver or passenger front of cab roof as you’ll need to get the headliner pulled down enough to attach wires and install the securing nut.

You’ll need to remove the molding containing an airbag along the front windshield to facilitate dropping the headliner. There is a special connector holding the windshield interior molding piece that can be broken when removing. The connector is one of those press in Christmas tree type plastic pieces with a securing tail that prevents the molding from becoming a projectile in airbag deployment. If you just yank the moulding out you risk breaking the tail piece off and the connector is like $20. Don’t ask how I know this lol. Just go slowly and pop out one section at a time till it’s released and you find the connector with the tail. There are YouTube vids that show removal procedures.

Possibly go to a dealer and measure the distance from the windshield to the shark fin and distance from door frame to shark fin on a newer truck on the lot. This will give you a ballpark estimate of mounting location.

I have no idea what size hole is needed nor remember the hole pattern from when I had mine shark fin off. Best advice I can give is purchase the shark fin and look on the bottom to determine the shape of the connection cut out you’ll need.

I’m assuming the mounting post on the shark fin will need a hole drilled out on the cab roof and a dremel tool to carefully cut the locking notch. A little marring of the cab surface should be expected and the shark fin base will cover the area. Be sure to paint any bare exposed metal because moisture will absolutely get under the shark fin seal against the cab metal.

OK I appreciate it. Yes I’m going to have to measure one because I want to add clearance lights on my truck kinda dumbfounds me that this is my first 2500. I didn’t have them factory installed. I can get the placement off my brother’s truck since he has a shark fin hopefully the 2020 same location as a 2016. I want to see the nearest dodge dealership from me is about 40 minutes away. Worse comes to worse I can just put it around by my dash for the time being until I get the clearance light kit. I just had a sink money into all these parts for the radio upgrade, including alpha OBD all the wiring I paid someone to 3-D print the center consul clip for a fifth GENUSB hub. I had a buy an android tablet because I only have a full desktop and didn’t wanna run 80 feet of USB extension lol. I’m going to try to confirm today whether or not I need to buy all the jumpers and everything else for the shark fin since mine didn’t come with the puck just the backside antenna.

With that being said, did you previously have a shark fin or a puck when you did your install? I’m just deciding /Trying to figure out if I need to run the cab sell cable because from what I’m reading if your truck didn’t come factory with the Uconnect service it wouldn’t matter but I’m not 100% sure. The hotspot can come in clutch sometimes because it’s odd that my Company truck (2024 F150) will have five bars, 5G cell service while, AT&T and Verizon phone or struggle to keep one bar.

I’m assuming it’s just the antenna on the truck is probably a lot stronger and more in the air and all that so he just helps me out because I saw that sometimes they do keep their Wi-Fi or hotspot access.

So I’m just trying to figure out if I don’t have that so cable if I would be required to get it just for at least a hotspot I could care less for you connect/911 service.

Sorry for the lengthy reply, my brain has lots of thoughts and run on tangents especially when my 40millievilliegrams Of Adderall, XR kicks in. But yeah, I really do appreciate the information and everything.

 

[Atcer2018]

OK I appreciate it. Yes I’m going to have to measure one because I want to add clearance lights on my truck kinda dumbfounds me that this is my first 2500. I didn’t have them factory installed. I can get the placement off my brother’s truck since he has a shark fin hopefully the 2020 same location as a 2016. I want to see the nearest dodge dealership from me is about 40 minutes away. Worse comes to worse I can just put it around by my dash for the time being until I get the clearance light kit. I just had a sink money into all these parts for the radio upgrade, including alpha OBD all the wiring I paid someone to 3-D print the center consul clip for a fifth GENUSB hub. I had a buy an android tablet because I only have a full desktop and didn’t wanna run 80 feet of USB extension lol. I’m going to try to confirm today whether or not I need to buy all the jumpers and everything else for the shark fin since mine didn’t come with the puck just the backside antenna.

With that being said, did you previously have a shark fin or a puck when you did your install? I’m just deciding /Trying to figure out if I need to run the cab sell cable because from what I’m reading if your truck didn’t come factory with the Uconnect service it wouldn’t matter but I’m not 100% sure. The hotspot can come in clutch sometimes because it’s odd that my Company truck (2024 F150) will have five bars, 5G cell service while, AT&T and Verizon phone or struggle to keep one bar.

I’m assuming it’s just the antenna on the truck is probably a lot stronger and more in the air and all that so he just helps me out because I saw that sometimes they do keep their Wi-Fi or hotspot access.

So I’m just trying to figure out if I don’t have that so cable if I would be required to get it just for at least a hotspot I could care less for you connect/911 service.

Sorry for the lengthy reply, my brain has lots of thoughts and run on tangents especially when my 40millievilliegrams Of Adderall, XR kicks in. But yeah, I really do appreciate the information and everything.

No worries man. I didn’t install a shark fin. My truck came with one and it had a leaky seal after the warranty expired so I had to take it off and fix the seal.

If you have questions on the electronics of your truck reach out to MPGrimm a forum member and small business owner on this site. He’s the resident audio and electronics wiring expert here. He also sells custom made harnesses and parts at very affordable prices.

 

[dillon731]

I gotcha. Yeah I bought from him last week. Just don’t wanna bother him. He’s busy with real work stuff currently lol

 

[TOTALCHAOS69]

I saw a ford fusion the other day with 7 fins across the roof