Sirius Antenna Removal?

[Black_Stallion13]

I use the rear rollbar as a front crossbar for my kayaks when the roof is off but the raised bump due to the black Sirius antenna kind of gets in the way depending on how I have things strapped down. I don't and never will use Sirius radio - does anybody know the steps for cleanly removing the antenna from the rear rollbar section?

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[Ksjrb03]

Here you go.

 

[Dmorty217]

Following. I’m more concerned with what you will use to cover the large hole that will be left that is waterproof/sealed to prevent water getting inside of the roll bar.

 

[Black_Stallion13]

Following. I’m more concerned with what you will use to cover the large hole that will be left that is waterproof/sealed to prevent water getting inside of the roll bar.

Haha yep been thinking about possible solutions there. I mean the rollbar has like 50 holes drilled in it anyways that aren't waterproofed so not sure it really matters. From what it looks like, the hole that is left behind is actually pretty small and not the size of the antenna footprint.

 

[Black_Stallion13]

Follow up question before I tear into this - looks like the directions list the antenna as "sat radio/gps antenna" - any idea if removing this would also effect over the air updates or does Ford do that through the connection via your cell/phone app? I don't have built in GPS so I don't care about that part of it but deff want the vehicle to be able to communicate with my phone/update, etc.

 

[Dmorty217]

Follow up question before I tear into this - looks like the directions list the antenna as "sat radio/gps antenna" - any idea if removing this would also effect over the air updates or does Ford do that through the connection via your cell/phone app? I don't have built in GPS so I don't care about that part of it but deff want the vehicle to be able to communicate with my phone/update, etc.

Not sure I also wonder if it will effect you being able to track the location of the vehicle through the app? As far as updates, if the vehicle is connected via wifi when in your garage the updates should happen.

 

[Ksjrb03]

Follow up question before I tear into this - looks like the directions list the antenna as "sat radio/gps antenna" - any idea if removing this would also effect over the air updates or does Ford do that through the connection via your cell/phone app? I don't have built in GPS so I don't care about that part of it but deff want the vehicle to be able to communicate with my phone/update, etc.

Updates use the built in ATT 5G modem. All FordPass app traffic including location and updates uses that built in modem. Only issue i see possible is throwing a code that the gps, sat radio antenna is not located. You will need to be the Guinea pig on that one.

 

[Black_Stallion13]

Updates use the built in ATT 5G modem. All FordPass app traffic including location and updates uses that built in modem. Only issue i see possible is throwing a code that the gps, sat radio antenna is not located. You will need to be the Guinea pig on that one.

Yeah that's what I'm thinking too. I'm betting that is what the 2nd document above details - looks like it is having you remove some kind of chip or something where the antenna connects to the head unit.... Didn't really want to get into all that lol

 

[Black_Stallion13]

Update: so I followed the directions in the doc above and decided to just unbolt the antenna and then ziptie it off to the wiring that runs inside the rollbar (see below). This allows me to keep the antenna plugged in so there are no potential errors, etc. but now I have a completely smooth surface up top for strapping down kayaks etc. Works great.

 

[Grumpy]

Following. I’m more concerned with what you will use to cover the large hole that will be left that is waterproof/sealed to prevent water getting inside of the roll bar.

 

[Grumpy]

Update: so I followed the directions in the doc above and decided to just unbolt the antenna and then ziptie it off to the wiring that runs inside the rollbar (see below). This allows me to keep the antenna plugged in so there are no potential errors, etc. but now I have a completely smooth surface up top for strapping down kayaks etc. Works great.

Based on your kayak set-up, I don't see how the antenna was in your way.

 

[Dmorty217]

Lmao

 

[Black_Stallion13]

Based on your kayak set-up, I don't see how the antenna was in your way.

The antenna is mounted on top of the rollbar from the factory so there is a big bump right in the middle of where the front kayak/rack pad in the pic below goes which inhibits everything from sitting nice and flat.

 

[Sledge]

Here you go.

Have you considered Exposed Racks? I have a set and they work great. My only issue is that the rear rack goes across the Sirius antenna location which further diminishes your reception, but in your case it doesn’t matter. If you aren’t familiar with Exposed Racks, they’re cross-bar style roof racks that reside underneath your top, to be used when the top is off (or down, if you have a retracted soft top)

 

[Black_Stallion13]

Have you considered Exposed Racks? I have a set and they work great. My only issue is that the rear rack goes across the Sirius antenna location which further diminishes your reception, but in your case it doesn’t matter. If you aren’t familiar with Exposed Racks, they’re cross-bar style roof racks that reside underneath your top, to be used when the top is off (or down, if you have a retracted soft top)

I’ve checked those out but I don’t think they work underneath the hardtop. I actually have a Trektop now though and I don’t think they’d work with it either since the top doesn’t fold all the way back. Good solution for regular softtop tho.

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