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GM Authority

It’s Time For GM Trucks To Ditch The Whip Antenna: Opinion

Full-size GM trucks like the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra remain some of the company’s biggest profit generators. However, while both trucks offer modern designs and advanced technology, there is one area where they still feel outdated – the whip antenna. Despite evolving automotive trends, both GM trucks are equipped with a 30-inch whip-style antenna, which extends upwards from the fender and serves as the primary receiver for AM/FM radio signals. While a staple for decades, we feel as though the whip-style antenna design seems increasingly out of place in today’s market.

A whip-style radio antenna, which is standard on the full-size GM trucks like the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.

Many truck owners have expressed dissatisfaction with this rather outdated feature, as the long metal rod disrupts the otherwise sleek and modern look of the Silverado and Sierra. Beyond the aesthetics, the whip antenna also likely makes a small impact on aerodynamics, especially at highway speeds. Interestingly, even General Motors appears to dislike the whip-style design, as the official online configurators for both full-size GM trucks fail to include the antenna in the configurator imagery.

With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that many Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra owners opt to replace their factory whip antennas with some sort of aftermarket alternative. A few examples might include a three-inch black antenna with a carbon-fiber-like pattern, while others might go for a bullet-style antenna with smart-lock technology to prevent theft.

With truck owners are already spending money on aftermarket antennas, it seems like a missed opportunity for GM. In our opinion, General Motors should offer a shorter antenna from the factory as an optional upgrade over the standard whip-style antenna. We would give this hypothetical product a price tag of roughly $100. Not only would such a product generate additional revenue, it would also provide customers with an option that better aligns with modern expectations.

Of course, for this factory option to be successful, it would need to be thoughtfully designed, adding to the truck’s overall styling, while also likely incorporating an anti-theft locking mechanism to ensure that owners don’t have to worry about potential theft.

Do you agree? Are you a fan of the whip-style antenna, or do you feel it’s time for the full-size GM trucks to offer something a bit more modern? Let us know by posting your thoughts in the comments!

Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Why not integrate it into the rear window glass. Where GM’s cars had it for decades?

    Still, let’s not give them too many big ideas. Either they’ll manage to replace a simple antenna with a problematic $1500 module. Or the marketers will eliminate it altogether and force a subscription if you want any kind of radio.

    Reply
    1. Cause the signal sucks???? Granted I live in the boonies, but modern cars get like 2 FM stations and no AM stations. IMHO, they all need to go back to the whip antenna. Approximately 40% of Americans still live in smaller communities where streaming isn’t really an option in the car, so your gonna need a good antenna.

      Reply
      1. I live in the sticks. Swapped out my whip with a stubby and it works just as well as the whip. It’s all about (cheap) cost.

        Reply
        1. No it doesn’t, or you don’t live far enough from a transmitter. A whip antenna gets a far better signal than a stubby. Not sure why people like about this, it is science how it works and has been proven time and time again. Do people have stock in these companies they try and sell snake oil on or something? It is like guys who say BFG’s are the best tires out there and are quieter than a stock highway tread. We know they are lying out their tooth, so why say it?

          Reply
      2. You nailed it Steve.

        Reply
  2. The point of the whip antenna is to have the top above he roofline for better reception, especially on AM, but not on a solid structure that can get damaged if it hits something.

    Reply
  3. They actually have an option for a flush antenna. You can only get it as part of the $4000 Deluxe Appearance Package.

    Reply
  4. It ain’t broke so don’t fix it. Whip worked the best!

    Reply
    1. Of all things to worry about with a GM truck. Why not write an article about the engine issues or important stuff like that. Besides, whip antennas work, especially in bad reception areas, like up here in Ulster County. And lately with the brutalist styling of huge grilles, etc. , they are hardly “sleek” .

      Reply
  5. It’s good. It receives a lot better than integrated in the windshield

    Reply
    1. Who is talking about integrated? It’s about the shorty, replacing the whip.

      Just get one designer, one engineer and one a supplier partner to whip up a small stubby one that’s functional and good looking. It will take a week to develop. Offer it as a $100 option. Everyone wins.

      Also, “ if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” has to be one of the stupidest sayings. You’re literally foregoing progress with this line of thinking.

      Reply
      1. Are you a GM shareholder or something? Out here begging to pay an additional $100. There are billions of aftermarket antennas available on Amazon for a fraction of that cost. There is no need for an overpriced factory bullet antenna.

        Reply
  6. Why not add a second antenna on the top of the roof or at the side of the cab like on Middle East spec REGULAR CABS used for dune bashing in Qatar and Kuwait?

    Reply
    1. Aren’t those a different frequency? It’s been a while since I’ve been into HAM radio, but the length of your antenna and any underwear shielded wires needs to be no longer than 1/2 your smallest wavelength or you get a lot of noise.

      Reply
  7. Well I do not like the roof mounted whips. I think the traditional fender mounted whip is better, although a roof mounted sharkfin is the GOAT, imo.

    Reply
    1. The clearance above the roof of a truck is minimal while parking in ramp garages. A roof mounted whip antenna might prove to be problematic.
      I never had any problem with antennas that were integrated into the front windshield. You never had to worry about kids breaking them off.

      Reply
    2. The off center shark fins look terrible. It needs to be centered. Leave the whip.

      Reply
  8. Personally i was about to swap it out when i first got my truck, then i went to park under a short tree and the antenna started making noise and i realized it’s a pretty decent height indicator for parking situations, so I left it alone. To each their own.

    Reply
  9. GM should fix their horse$hit lifters before worrying about an antenna

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  10. The reason for the antenna is that works as a warning for overhead clearance. I have had mine hit those clearance bars that are located to the entrance for underground parking. I only have 2 or 3 inches above the can. When the antenna hits. Just stop and look above your cab to see how much clearance you have over your cab.

    Reply
  11. Shark fin. 👏🦈

    Reply
  12. The 30 inch whip antenna is and always will be the best possible antenna for AM and FM. If you don’t like it, belly up and pay for Sirius/XM. I took the fixed mast off my Sierra Denali years ago and put behind the seat. XM beats the hell out of local radio.

    Reply
  13. Personally I still prefer the wip antenna on the trucks and the shark fin for the other features.

    Reply
  14. Current location of The whipp antena is realy in The way when removing the Snow in Winters. I take it out for few months each winter.

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  15. ram does it best follow there design

    Reply
  16. The WHIP antenna serves a purpose – the wavelength of FM radio cannot be received optimally by a “shorter” antenna – its basic RF propagation of that band. I say let people choose what they want for their truck – no argument – but don’t make those of us that understand how it really works pay for a whip antenna, but that’s what GM will do anyway.

    Reply
  17. GM worries more about ( theft) design of an antenna , than try to design the theft prevention of the expensive exhaust catalytic converter ….

    Reply
  18. The 6.2 is grenade-ing and the worry is about antennae?

    Reply
  19. Dan,
    Yes, even if my motor is blown, I can at least sit in my driveway and listen to the radio.

    Reply
  20. Whatever happened to the power antenna luxury cars had in the 60s to the 80s? Push a button on the dashboard, and the antenna would go up or down. Some were even automatic that would raise and lower when you turned the radio on or off. I miss that in modern vehicles.

    Reply
  21. Went to Auto Zone purchased a small antenna as a replacement.
    No problem on 2020 Denali
    Nothing bothers it

    Reply
  22. They should incorporate the antena into the front glass. This was how my 1977 Pontiac Firebird Formula had its antena and it made my radio sound clear as a whistle.

    Reply
    1. my mothers 1970 Impala had antenna in front windshield. The Radio worked great. We are going backwards with something so simple. My 2002 and 2010 Civic has them in the rear glass. Really GM, this is NOT rocket science. Stop trying to reinvent the wheel with the easy stuff and concentrate more on your weak points, like your Engines with DFM and your Transmissions.

      Reply
  23. That’s just dumb. Leave it be the whip has proved it’s self for years to be good and it dosnt look stupid like the shark fins. What a foolish debate lol

    Reply
  24. My 2019 Silverado LTZ, Texas Edition, has had a bullet antenna since shortly after I bought the truck! I love it,but surprisely, not to many people notice it!

    Reply
  25. A great thing about the traditional, fully vertical whip antenna is, it is flexible in any direction. As has been said here, it is a useful canary, warning of danger from above without fear of damage. The roof mounted, inclined whips are OK then driving forward into low clearance situations, but in reverse, they cannot flex enough to prevent roof damage if the antenna catches something. And I will amend my earlier comment. The shark fin antenna is better than a roof mounted, slanted whip, but nothing beats the good ol’ cowl mounted whip. Yeeeha!

    Reply
  26. I had to remove the whip antenna on my 2021 Sierra regular cab and replace it with a short unit, as it would “fold up” on the overhead garage door (7 foot tall) when entering the garage. If I had left it alone, it would have eventually damaged the insulation.

    Reply
  27. Ditched that fishing pole on day one. No antenna needed for CarPlay

    Reply
  28. I really like the long antenna, adds to the feeling that you’re driving a big american pickup

    Reply
  29. If GM does get rid of the whip can we also get rid of the stupid RC antenna on the top of the roof for a the more sleek and streamlined shark fin. I have a 2025 GMC Canyon and it has a 7 inch RC car antenna on the roof

    Reply
  30. I like the whip antenna. It provides superior reception. I have a 2024 Silverado with the whip antenna which provides better reception compared to my 2016 Suburban with the window antenna. There is no wind noise with the whip antenna as claimed in the article.

    Reply

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