How to: Relocate your AM/FM antenna under hood

[Zane]

By: Zane Merva & Matt Blouin

GM-Trucks.com Staff

Copyright 2015

 

Parts & Tools Needed

One (1) 11mm fine thread bolt with nut

One foot of 12-gauge wire

Two (2) crimpable eye fittings

Shrink wrap

Zip ties

Socket Set

Pliers

Wire stripper/Cutters

Estimated price: $12.00

Time to complete: 30 minutes

What is It?

The relocation of the antenna from stock placement to under the hood for a cleaner look.

Skill Level

Beginner

Warnings and Precautions

This relocation will reduce your ability to pick up AM/FM signals. We performed this modification for aesthetic purposes only. OnStar and SirusXM reception will not be affected.

Performed On

2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab SLT

Step One

The first step in any project is to prepare your work space. Gather the required tools and safety equipment. Park your vehicle in a place where you have adequate light and you won't have to move it for the duration of the project.

Step Two

Unscrew and remove the antenna with a small wrench or pliers. Use a rag or paper towel to protect the antenna and prevent scratching the paint in case you want to return it to stock in the future.

Step Three

Carefully remove plastic trim panel that covers antenna stud. You can pull this piece off with your hands but don’t use too much force or you risk breaking it.

Step Four

Cut a section of 12-gauge wire approximately one foot in length. Strip about a quarter of an inch off each end. Place two sections of shrink wrap on the wire then crimp the eye-terminal onto the ends of the wire. Heat the shrink wrap to ensure proper seal.

Step Five

Place the eye-terminal on the 11mm bolt and thread it into the open end of the antenna and tighten down with socket wrench and hold antenna in position with pliers, again being careful not to scratch paint off.

Step Six

Place antenna under hood in desired location. We chose to relocate under the fender pinch rail next to the battery and intake.

Step Seven

Route wire up to antenna post being careful to avoid areas where it may pinch. Place the eye-terminal over the post and tighten down with the 11mm bolt.

Step Eight

Secure antenna with zip ties making sure it is tight to mounting point so it will not move around under rough conditions.

Step Nine

Place plastic trim panel back over antenna area. Optionally, cover hole with rubber plug, cap, or tape. We've got various sized plugs on order and will update this article if we can find a good fit to cover the left over hole.

Conclusion

This is an easy and cheap modification to clean up the exterior look of your pickup. Our 2011 Sierra looks way more modern without the ugly mast poking out of the hood. The downside to relocating our antenna is greatly reduced reception. That said, we live in a rural area where reception wasn't great to begin with. Stronger signals in urban areas still work but range you can travel from the station will be limited. Since we rarely use the radio and almost always stream music, this isn't an issue for us.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

If you figure out a way to get your reception back please post. I would love to do this mod but would definitely have terrible reception after, it's not that great to begin with.

[[email protected]]

Too bad there isn't a Power Antenna option...

[caledoniadude]

Marine boat am/fm antana it is a wire that plugs in to stereo factory plug no cutting or funny business plug and play you hide the wire were you like looks and works good costs under 10.00 marine store sells or ebay

[Ravenkeeper]

http://www.amazon.com/LT-Sport-100000000515-502-Multiple-Vehicle/dp/B00N4EN9K2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1449492259&sr=8-4&keywords=power+am+fm+cb+radio+antenna

 

I may just buy one of these and paint the chrome, visible parts black.

I ran one of these in my 93 Grand Am, with a signal booster and control switches for both. Even with the antenna retracted and the booster on, I still had great reception.

Edited December 7, 2015 by Ravenkeeper

[signatureseries54com21]

I went to Lowes and in the hardware section you can get these Hillman 3/4" Nylon Hole Plugs - Black ($1.39 for 2-pack). They fit pretty well and look very factory and clean to me.

[Ravenkeeper]

Where can I go to get all of the parts needed for this, without running all over the earth?

[Beefy'sBronco]

WOW! This is nothing more than a hack!

I know i'm the new guy here, but there are better options...but you still end up with a hole in your cowl/fender.

 

How about unhooking your antenna from the radio, running a new coax to the rear window and cutting a very small wire (28 inches long) and securing it to the rear window after hooking it to the center conductor of the coax. Run it up from the bottom to the top and then turn right or left.

This is just one option.

 

It's your truck, but if you make a little effort, there is no need to go with-out.

 

Note: The antenna on your truck is 28 inches long and adding that wire to it detunes it, making it much less efficient. The same is true if you shorten it. At these frequencies, even an inch is a major change. Next your going to tuck it into an enclosed engine compartment, effectively creating a Faraday Cage. Not a very good Faraday Cage, but a Faraday Cage none the less.

Edited January 21, 2016 by Beefy'sBronco

[07Softail]

NOW.... NOW.... Beefy!

 

RT

[Joe_Dude02]

Why not just get the stubby antenna for $20

[Ravenkeeper]

I went to Lowes and in the hardware section you can get these Hillman 3/4" Nylon Hole Plugs - Black ($1.39 for 2-pack). They fit pretty well and look very factory and clean to me.

Went ahead an purchased a set for my truck the other day while I was at Lowe's shopping for fence posts and all. Took my antenna off and capped it (don't use my AM/FM radio anyways, I mostly listen to XM or MP3s). The rest is on the "back burner" for now.

[AnyNameWillDo]

IIRC, the Escalade version of these trucks don't have an external antenna. You could probably buy the plastic trim piece for an Escalade and swap it for the Sierra version if having the nylon plug is just too much for someone to handle.

 

I personally like the way the truck looks and think you did a great job with the mod. Thanks for sharing.

[Railhead_Ed]

Why would you place your antenna beneath a Faraday shield?

[JesseSPI]

On 12/13/2016 at 11:09 AM, AnyNameWillDo said:

IIRC, the Escalade version of these trucks don't have an external antenna. You could probably buy the plastic trim piece for an Escalade and swap it for the Sierra version if having the nylon plug is just too much for someone to handle.

 

I personally like the way the truck looks and think you did a great job with the mod. Thanks for sharing.

Where is the part number? This sounds like the way to go. 

[flyingfool]

anybody try making a longer radio antenna , double the length would be cool to see if reception improves..

 

if anything run a wire around the glass front or rear windshield for recption

Edited February 18, 2020 by flyingfool