WTB Esky cowl cover

[Rocket Man]

It's weird, after I read about this antenna mod, that's when I noticed my truck didn't seem to have an antenna and I'd never even noticed. Then I looked, saw the hole in the cowl, and investigated. I found mine had been cut off below the cowl. An extremely short antenna, and it works awesome. That's why I didn't realize it had been cut off, it worked like a regular one. I have one of those stick on ones in the fairing of my Harley because I eliminated the mast, and it works friggin' HORRIBLE! And it had the best reviews of them all.

 

[Rocket Man]

I just checked, and the one on the SS Silverado is listed the same as the Esky one, 15287178 which is the one with the hole in it, same as they're listing now for the Esky. Which means that the SS originally also used the 15287179 which is discontinued.

 

[adventurenali92]

@05Single , the 2001 and 2002 models had a little antenna that through the rear driver side third row window. It was kinda odd. On my 2006 I have the little on star shark fin above my drivers side roof. But no square xm antenna over the passenger side. But I have the mast in the cowel piece which I'd assume is the fm radio antenna. I wonder where the xm antenna went on the 2006 models. Anyways I wanna get rid of my mast antenna but I have no desire to swap out the cowl piece.

 

[Fosscore]

Thought I'd just add my .02 since @Bigbeardenali1992 touched on all the below subjects. No XM antenna on the passenger side here on my 06 either. Deleted the OnStar shark fin with a 2 plugs (yes proper shave would be better, but that's a lot of real estate to get painted up there). Installed the Esky cover while moving the antenna to under the passenger side hood frame lip. Reception is so-so, but don't really listen to FM. Can easily return it to OEM position at any time.

 

[adventurenali92]

@Fosscore , looks good! Looks clean. I actually,don't mind my little on star shark fin lol. Im gonna color match it. I'll have to run an extra xm antenna when I get the new module for my clarion unit. Haven't decided what to do with that Lol. How would I go about doing away with the tall fm antenna?

 

[Fosscore]

@Bigbeardenali1992

Sorry for the slightly fuzzy pics. Wouldn't focus properly. Forgot it was so long ago when I did this actually. The antenna is not connected. I tie wrapped it to the inner hood frame lip way back then so I wouldn't lose it and probably in hopes of connecting it somehow.

I tried to move the actual cable, but could not get the fitting down into the engine bay to connect it to the antenna without cutting the cable and I did not want to do that then. I may have another go, but it wasn't important at the time and I still rarely listen to FM in it. Either way, it looks better without that antenna.

 

[Rocket Man]

If you disconnect the base of the antenna from the vehicle you will lose the ground plane which is important for reception. I believe an extremely short cut off mast will work better than one laid along the inside of the fender like some have done, because you need to disconnect the base to do that. My shorty works like a stock one.

 

[Fosscore]

Thx Red. Makes sense. Not having the OEM antenna connected or a shorty isn't making that issue any better, but good point made with the grounding plane.

 

[05Single]

Well newer cars (mostly german) come with shark fins for radio reception. I was wanting to usee my shark fun as a permanent antenna or buy an aftermarket one. Because shaving wouldnt be worth it like @Fosscore said

 

[05Single]

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/252034265105

Not really priority on my list as I don't listen to the radio either.

 

[Tonyrodz]

If you disconnect the base of the antenna from the vehicle you will lose the ground plane which is important for reception. I believe an extremely short cut off mast will work better than one laid along the inside of the fender like some have done, because you need to disconnect the base to do that. My shorty works like a stock one.

Have a pic of your setup?

 

[05Single]

I layed mine down, so the base is not on the ground base. Radio is fine with no static.
Actually no noticeable difference in reception

 

[Rocket Man]

Have a pic of your setup?

Mine is just a stock mast, cut off so it fits under the Esky cowl. I think it's about 1" tall.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Pretty short. Do you get good reception on the highway? On long trips?

 

[Rocket Man]

Pretty short. Do you get good reception on the highway? On long trips?

Yep. I get reception further from the city than my daughters '15 Cruze.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Yep. I get reception further from the city than my daughters '15 Cruze.

Do you have an aftermarket radio or stock headunit? I've noticed after market units reception isn't as good as factory units.

 

[Fosscore]

Mine is just a stock mast, cut off so it fits under the Esky cowl. I think it's about 1" tall.

Might have to try this with a junkyard donor just to see how it receives and fits under the Esky cowl.

 

[Rocket Man]

Do you have an aftermarket radio or stock headunit? I've noticed after market units reception isn't as good as factory units.

I have a Sony DD.

 

[Tonyrodz]

The reception in my 03 isn't bad, I have a Pioneer dd, but reception is horrible in my 01 Express. I have a Boss dd in there. I've had a few vehicles that the stock hu's sounded great but after markets sounded crappy. I wonder why.

 

[Rocket Man]

The reception in my 03 isn't bad, I have a Pioneer dd, but reception is horrible in my 01 Express. I have a Boss dd in there. I've had a few vehicles that the stock hu's sounded great but after markets sounded crappy. I wonder why.

A lot of aftermarket stereos have terrible tuners. Nobody looks at ( or even understands) the specs on tuners when buying a HU.