Over on the CRZ forum someone swapped the 2012 Civic shark fin antenna replacing their HUGE CRZ shark fin.

sunroof installed & fin antenna swapped - Honda CRZ Forum: Honda CR-Z Hybrid Car Forums

My question is... can anyone who has done a shark fin antenna swap on the fit give me some insight into how to remove the fit antenna, how difficult it is, do you have have to drop the headliner or anything else I might need to know.

I was thinking about ordering the 2012 civic antenna. The OEM part (39150-TR0-A01ZD) can be had online color matched for $23.

I know it won't be plug'n play and there will be wire splicing involved, but before I order the part and get in over my head I wanted to see if anyone could give me any advice on this mod.

 

I mentioned that thread/mod over in concorde's progress thread. After more research I'm thinking one of the sharkfins from the Civic's (or different model Honda) might be a direct plug and play, but not sure which one, maybe even the one posted. There's another sharfin I think it was from a Civic also which was bigger.

Regardless, from what I've been reading (on crzforums), the headliner is going to have to come out. Now I've seen some members on here re-wrap their headliner just can't recall if their diy's included removal and reinstallation of the headliner, but it's possible to do.

That I would say would be the hardest part, after that from what I've read the oem antenna is held down with a bolt that you unscrew and remove (of course unclip the connector first). Then install the sharkfin (depending on connections you might have to splice). The rubber base acts like a gasket and seals the car so no water gets it.

I've never done this but from everything I've read it's possible, and doesn't sound too hard. If I don't get to it myself, I'll probably just have it installed when (and if) I get the sunroof, and also have them wrap the headliner with perforated leather.

 

Or get a Shark Fin antenna. All done from the outside.

Google them

Here is mine

 

That does look nice. Were you able to find one color matched or is it simply a "white", "Black", "Silver", etc.?

My vehicle is black, but I would like for it to be honda OEM color matched if possible.

 

Update: I ordered a color matched version from Visual Garage. It seems as though others on the forum have ordered from there with success. I like the design of the 2012 civic antenna, but I'm not interested in pulling the headliner.

 

RIght Visual Garage. that is where I got mine and they paint to match.

 

got mine off of ebay. was factory painted matched, and shipped from Japan.

 

Just a heads up I ordered my Visual Garage sharkfin on 12/19 and it is now 1/11 and still has not shipped. I emailed customer service on 1/4 and I was told i was at the top of the queue. By the top they must have meant bottom.

 

How do you remove the stock antenna? I hope the headliner doesn't need to be dropped.

 

The Visual Garage Shark Fin just requires you to unscrew and remove the antenna. It installs right over the existing base:

VG Shark Fin Antenna - Installation

 

Thanks for the link. I'm going to paint my roof black so I need to remove the base itself.

 

If your going to remove the base you will probably have to drop the headliner to get to the assembly (but I'm not 100% sure). If you do drop the headliner might as well go with OEM Honda for the price (imo). Please post pics if you do.

 

You dont have to drop the whole headliner. If you pull the rear seat belts (14mm bolts I do belive ) the c pillers... think im forgetting some but anyway you should be able to reach the bolt for the antenna.

 

Thanks for the tip, gonna look in to that when the weather gets a little warmer and I can resume my mods.

 

Why? Why not just mask it?

 

Does anyone know if the 2012 Civic antenna is AM/FM/XM or just XM?

Black3sr: because I want to get rid of that phallic antenna anyways

 

You can easily get to the bolt by freeing the rear edge of the headliner. Problem is the antenna lead is fixed to the base. To free that you need to remove the 1/4 panel trim on the passenger side rear.

I installed an XM antenna under a VG shark and fished the XM lead to the front along the headliner edge.

 

Just get the shark fin off the FIT EV.

 

I got the antenna in yesterday, I'll install it at work today and post pics later tonight. Working a double so it will after 9:30 pm

 

Nice! Looking forward to your thoughts.