Poll: Is The Fin On The New Silverado And Sierra All Wrong?
86
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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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Back in the old days, the radio antenna was a metal pole usually on the driver’s side front fender.
Put the fin there please
Yes! Move it back by the roof brake light.
It’s in that spot so you use less wiring and because if it breaks, you don’t have to remove the entire headliner to fix it. So that means if you move it, then they will charge extra labor to take the headliner out as well as the antenna. I wish more cars had these like this so we wouldn’t have to take the damn ceiling out to fix your XM on your Accord.
*I work for a Honda dealer and life is cruel to a non-GM tech*
I would have to say that I completely agree that the asymmetry the antenna creates is frustrating, sloppy. It makes the truck look cockeyed or even snagle toothed. I feel like cars and trucks look best when completely symmetrical. Even exhaust outlets on one side bug me. Fuel filler doors I understand make no sense to have on both sides but at least they are flush with the body
Good hand hold where it’s at when waxing roof.
Not a issue
The so called fin is on the back of the equinox’s in the middle , And no antenna on the fender , my 16 Silverado has both , why ? My wife’s Acadia has the windshield washers in the hood , GM engineers could come up with a better place ? With the fin over the drivers door means one size fits all , standard cab or double cab or crew cab ,SMH
Who cares, really? Nothing better to worry about? It works what more can you ask for?
I would worry more about all the ones that leak! The spot is fine.
I like symmetry. I also like redundancy and effective antennae. Why not have two, one on the left and one on the right? If they worked together maybe they could have a bit lower profile that way.
I like where it is because it is less likely to be obstructed being near the center of the street instead of near the edge where trees or other objects are likely to be able to block satellite radio signal.
Holy unbelievableness…really? You wasted your time as a ‘writer’ (term used very loosely) to point out something this ridiculous? Ok, allow me to educate you, as you seem to have a lack of education…
First, the ‘fin’ would look goofy centered, and would follow everyone else’s cue and be just another sheep of a company to put it in the center.
Second, it’s for easier service stability. If it does need to be replaced or connections checked it is much easier in its current location then to put some kind of scaffolding over the vehicle in order to access it at the center point…or step on someone’s hood…
Your total lack of everything a pickup truck is commonly used for is stunning. Just because you went to school and have a degree in writing, if you want to call it that, is laughable. I could write circles around you but I will never get hired as a writer because I don’t have a fancy degree. I also have a brain, and I actually use it, so that in itself disqualifies me above all. You mentioned putting the antenna at the rear of the cab. I’m sure everyone who uses GPS and satellite radio and a truck camper would really appreciate the placement of the antenna at the rear of the cab where it would effectively be blocked from receiving any kind of a signal whatsoever. Do everyone a favor, if you are going to continue to write articles in the automotive sector, stick to a Prius or something that you might actually know something about and leave our pickup trucks alone. There’s enough idiots in the world without you adding to it.
Service the antenna??? What?? You know antennas don’t require an oil change every 3000 miles! Now if it gets damaged, you’ll have to drop the headliner down to replace it. But if it was in the center, then All you’d do is remove the upper console for access, and trust me, you won’t need a scaffold to reach it, I wash my trucks roof all the time and don’t have problem reaching the center. Besides how often do people break their antennas?
The worst idea they had is that they decided to mount the mirrors in the middle of the door. What’s wrong with where they have been for 30 years?
Shark fins are so 90’s, and it doesn’t look good off centered either . Why not make a low profile antenna and place it on back of the cab where you don’t see it, or better yet, hide it under that rear plastic spoiler that is above the rear glass.
To throw in another aspect, RF loss over any distance is high, even in a good coax, and the longer the distance between your RF source and the antenna, the more loss you incur pretty much exponentially. I’m sure an EE can provide the exact answer. So, from that perspective, this is probably a very good placement.
The suggestion of putting it on the tailgate is what woke me up to that aspect. There’s no way you’d get a signal worth anything with a cable run that long.
This is the hottest thread on GM Authority I’ve seen in a very long time. Very entertaining.
It is so when you have a ladder going over the roof of the cab the antenna doesn’t get broken off.
It needs to be off to the side to not interfere.
Its located there to make it easier to install.
In the middle of the roof makes the reach to far. It’s in the middle on the Equinox and requires a extension tool to hold the antenna while the operator fishes dangling wires through a small hole.
Nowadays ergonomics in manufacturing is taken seriously.
It must be a slow day in auto news to report on fin placement! Go find something else to complain about to justify your job. You thought it relevant enough to write an article about a fin? Even worse, someone approved the publishing of such an article.
Order one with a moonroof and you will understand why it was put there.
On mine, control panel and motor are located front center of moonroof, antenna is positioned in the only logical place. Looks fine.