Poll: Is The Fin On The New Silverado And Sierra All Wrong?
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When GM introduced the completely redesigned fourth-generation 2019 Silverado and 2019 Sierra, we liked the new styling direction. The fresh fascias did well to complement each brand’s respective styling language, and definitely helped differentiate the new trucks from the previous model years. However, there was one tiny detail that left us scratching our heads – the antennas.
We already expressed our beef with the presence of the large, old-school radio antenna on the passenger-side of the trucks. That’s not what we’re here to discuss today. Instead, we’re here to talk about the “fin” on the roof.
For some reason, GM decided to leave the “shark fin” antenna in the same spot as the previous model year, specifically right above the windshield on the driver’s side of the roof. While not a major design feature, the antenna’s placement makes for an oddly asymmetrical roofline, and with all those new design elements in the fascia, it makes the whole thing unnecessarily messy.
Asymmetrical roof fin on 2019 Sierra 1500
Granted, we understand the need for a fin-style antenna, what with GPS, satellite radio and all the other modern features expected of a modern light-duty pickup. In fact, we like the fin and its aesthetics in general. In other words, the fin is not the problem.
The problem is its placement: why not place it in the middle of the roof, in an equidistant fashion between the passenger and driver’s sides? Or how about in the back, closer to the end of the cab? It certainly wouldn’t interfere with any potential roof rack or roof rails, if that’s at all a concern.
2020 Silverado HD with the asymmetrical roof fin
The odd placement also extends to the new 2020 Silverado HD and 2020 Sierra HD. And based on spy shots, the asymmetrical placement will also extend to the all-new 2021 GM SUV lineup – the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, as well as the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV.
2021 Tahoe prototype has the same asymmetrical fin location as the new Silverado and Sierra
Our guess is it has something to do with the existing electrical architecture of both trucks. After all, GM has placed the Silverado/Sierra antenna on the driver’s side roof in practically the same spot since the 2007 model year of the trucks, so perhaps it remains there in the name of saving on costs associated with the wiring.
Maybe we’re just nitpicking – or maybe you agree. Regardless, let us know your opinion by taking the poll, and speak out in the comments section too. And don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more Silverado news, Sierra news, Chevrolet news, GMC news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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I’ve been wondering about this myself. Any actual explanation as to why the fun isn’t centered and toward the rear of the cab?
The most logical conclusion is cost cutting for wiring going into the OnStar stuff into the mirror.
Or maybe it’s easier to build them because the front position is the same for all cabs… but would be different mounting at the rear.
Good point on the front location with the cabs, I bet that is also taken in to consideration, ease of installation across all trucks as they just have to design one robot or person to put it in one spot as opposed to 3 depending on cab.
My guess is cost cutting was supported by the rationalization that the current cab forward location presents a lower risk of damage when loading campers or pipe, ladders, (etc…) on cargo racks. In the case of cab over campers the location also offers better reception.
It’s a cost cutting deal guys, plain and simple. The way it is now, they just smack it on every truck no matter the cab in the same location and use the same amount of wiring on every single truck. Moving it to the back and center would require different mounting hardware per cab and different / more amount of wiring. It had nothing to do with campers or trailers or sunroofs or whatever. This is an inch-long protrusion… it’s minimal.
It’s unfortunate that GM’s most profitable products are treated like bargain basement crapshoots.
A GM exec (Reuss?) used the phrase “the devil is in the details” when introducing the last-gen K2 trucks. Not sure how that can be said with a straight face when such blatant items as antennas are made to ease production instead of making a better product.
The fact that Ford and Toyota do this as well shouldn’t matter. GM should lead not follow.
The bean counters have been at work again. They never stop, always looking to save a fraction of a cent.
Just think how much money they save putting it in the same place.
It does work well but the most efficient place to put it would be the center of the roof.
This, exactly! It’s clearly a carefully thought out placement. I’m sure the designers would have preferred it to be symmetrical, too, but that would have been form over function.
I have no problem with the fin position. I currently own a 2018 Silverado. I have always purchased gm vehicle and will continue buying them my dad owned gm vehicles my wife has a Cadillac srx. This is nip picking and finally I have had great service and realibility owning gm vehicles.
It’s a truck, who really cares. My 2014 has the fin over the driver’s side windshield. As long as it works I’m good.
Maybe it’s easier to install by the line worker who can actually reach this location…
You guys aren’t satisfied unless your finding something to complain about. I’ll bet you don’t complain about the cameras on cell phones being off to one side instead of in the middle. This wasn’t even worth an article. Give me break.
Yet another indication bean counters are running GM. I simply could not buy anything made by this company or the greedy UAW Rats….
You have no idea and are just talking out of your rear. I am not a fan of the UAW but I highly doubt they had any input on this. Cost and vehicle height I bet are two of the big drivers as well as installation simplicity…
Why are you on a GM site then?
I clicked the link like everyone else.
I bet it had something to do with the height. The front near the windshield slopes down a good amount, keeping it that far forward reduces the overall height. I doubt it is lower than the roof (though the last picture of the camo SUV it looks lower than the actual roof, I am not talking about the roof rails) but it probably reduces the overall height by an inch or so which allows that much more clearance in a garage. Trucks aren’t cars where the back slopes down significantly. Plus as others have said it probably reduces the amount of wiring as well. Finally from an aesthetic view first choice would by rear center but I much prefer the offset than having it right in the middle and looking like a shark or whale fin, so in front I much prefer the offset like a nice offset badge.
I’m staring at a new Tundra with the antenna on the right side of the vehicle at the front and a quick google search shows F-150 is also placed asymmetrically on the right side as well. I would assume that since the middle of the roof is full of existing controls for sunroofs, Onstar, Home Link etc there likely isn’t enough room to jam in the extra wiring. And as already noted positioning at the front is easier for differing cab sizes.
Chances are this is an ergonomic issue at the assembly plants (which is why you see common placement across several manufacturers). It’s easier for someone standing line-side to install and make the electrical connection from outside the vehicle rather than having to climb in to make the connection.
The placement may be due to accessories i.e cab lights sunroof etc. Might be one of the only places that does not interfere.
To be honest, it looks better where they have it. In the middle at the front would just look odd. At the back would also seem out of place.
It would look much better at the back and centered. They’re just too cheap and lazy to do it.
All of these “problems” whether production line or whatever else have viable, simple solutions. Heck they are engineering a vehicle from scratch so there is no reason to not be able to do something this blatantly simple.
Let’s remember they make $20 billion a quarter with these truck products for crying out loud! Billion with a B! Think about that for a minute.
Ergo issue during assembly and will not interfere with the clearance lights on hd trucks
If the little fin bothers you. Paint it your body color like mine is. It all but dissapeares.
Quit complaining, you’ve got the best truck out there.
I hate hate hate the asymmetrical fin, should be back-centered like the Colorado. It has kept me from purchasing a Silverado.
Seriously, the placement of an antenna is that big a deal to you (or anyone else)? It makes me think you have to rearrange your priorties.
You have to be OCD, or is it CDO?
It has nothing to do with cost and or just GM. Most trucks have this offset.
The reasons are easy to see if you really take a look at the options.
#1 reason for this is the sun roof on most of these trucks. Note the Colorado has no sun roof option and the antenna is in the middle in the back. Note that my GTP had one in the back and with the sun roof open would pay havoc with the reception driving in some directions.
#2 They have to work around clearance lights and low doors. The area it is in gives more clearance for both.
The reason for the fender antenna is because it really works better and no clearance issues on the roof. My Canyon clears the door at home buy only a slight amount with the combo radio and satellite antenna. If it was full size it would never make it in. Stub antennas often have reception issues.
The bottom line is it is where it is out of the way the best it can be for various options that may come into play.
The bottom line is that this is not a GM issue as Ford, Ram and others have the same thing and the question comes up often on their forums.
Note most CUV models have them on the rear away from the sun roofs. They have no clearance light options or height issues.
Is this all GM Authority has to worry about instead of fixing their website so I’m not scrolling through a thousand thumbnail pictures to get to the comments when I’m on my phone?
You caught us! We are troglodytes who aim to deliver the worst experience possible! What ever will we do now?! 😉
Sarcasm aside, we “worry” about many things and are aware of the website usability issue you described. An upcoming update we have been working on will resolve this, along with various other improvements all around, in the not-too-distant future.
The first thing I thought of was the wiring , granted from it’s current location to the back of the roof is probably about 18inches or so. With that being said and metal prices all over the place ect, I couldn’t imaging how costly it would be to add those said 18 inches to so many vehicles.
I see the fix in running this same wires in the roof itself , similar to a HD TV antenna, or in the cowl some how. If our cell phones, laptop’s, ect are able to work with out added equipment, then with GM’s technology the shark fin should be moved with no problem .
Fin? What about that ugly front end and crappy looking black interior?
For sure. The fin is the least of the styling problems for the HD pictured.
The answer is so simple. It’s located where it is because it’s easier to service where it is. Reaching it on the center of the roof would present accessibility problems. The technician would have to be suspended over the cab to reach it.
As a life long GM tech I can tell you GM hasn’t cared about how hard or easy it is to service their vehicles for well over two decades, starting with F-body Camaros/Firebirds.
The fins would look a lot better positioned at the end of the cab in the center. It still would have enough room for a sunroof and even a bigger all-glass roof/sunroof or a dual pane sunroof.
Suspended over the cab to service the fin? What are you talking about? If I ever need to fix a fin that’s toward the end of the cab, I would just hop into the truck’s bed. But hey in my 30 years as a tech, I have never seen a fin serviced or replaced. Theyre pretty much bulletproof.
Actually you’d hop into the cab, they hold these f*ckers on with a nut on the bottom that goes through the roofs sheet metal. So that means the headliner has to come down to get them off. And then you have to hop into the bed. My biggest tick with these new 1500 trucks is the ac hook ups. One high and then one next to the compressor on the bottom of the motor. So you have to crawl into the damn engine bay for the evac and charge.
Much to do about absolutely nothing. That ridiculous overhang on the back of the cab is a real turnoff to me.
The current location makes total sense. The full-size truck architecture has five different roofs: regular cab, double cab, crew cab, Tahoe size and Suburban size. If the antenna was centered in the rear, they would have to mount it in five different locations, with five different wiring harnesses for the various lengths back to the OnStar buttons. Having it on the driver side front means the antenna goes on the same spot for every cab style with the same wiring to the OnStar buttons. So much more efficient when you have multiple body styles coming down the assembly line back-to-back. The other factor is slide-in campers. Centered at the rear of the cab would be completely obstructed from the sky and give you zero coverage.
So production efficiency… that’s your excuse.
Production efficiency is another term for penny pinching, cost cutting and bean counting. The body on frame models are GM’s most profitable products and they should be able to spring for five versions of the wiring harness for their bread winning products in the name of a cleaner, better look.
Slide in campers? How many people even have those? Probably 1% or less of those who buy these models.
There must be a better more elegant solution that serves all parties. The single-sided horn looks so old school and out of place…
They produce these vehicles by the millions. Any savings and efficiencies have a big impact on the bottom line.
I would venture that there are fewer people who mount snowplows on their trucks than haul campers, and yet they make design considerations for that market too.
i’m guessing it’s cheaper and easier to install on the assembly where it’s at than having it in the middle. On the assembly line a person could stand outside the vehicle and reach in and install it. If it was located in the middle, on a pickup that worker would have to get in the vehicle on the assembly line to reach it and ergonomically that wouldn’t be so nice and that extra time would cost a little more.
Related to light bars, etc., I was thinking construction rack that overhangs the cab. Possibly a greater chance of destroying the antenna if it’s in the middle, and the metal of the rack would surround every side of the antenna. This offset position keeps it out of the way but still up high where it can be effective.
Another factor is many full size trucks use racks, camper shells and other things that extend over the cab roof so putting anything in the back could be an issue. Mid size trucks seldom use racks.
Fleet sales often are out fitted with different fixtures for company use and this would need to be relocated.
They just put it in the place where it is not in the way for the many options. Cost was not a factor on this one. The cheap plastic door handle more than covered that one.
The real problem is that it’s a butt ugly truck, like thousands of other Chevy owners already have,it’s time to switch to Ram, a far better truck.