Remove the antenna???

[TN-Retiree]

I found this little nugget on page 261 of the owners manual:

• Remove any exterior accessories, for example antennas, before entering a car wash.

Do you actually have to remove that shark fin antenna from the roof before you go through a car wash????

I looked up how to remove it and all I found was directions that included removing headliner. No thank you!

If this has been discussed before, I apologize. I did skim through the 7 pages of posts and found nothing.

 

[Roert42]

They are probably talking about if you have a regular antenna. Even then probably just put that in there so if it gets bent you don't bother them about it.

If you removed the shark fin antenna there would be a hole in the roof that would fill with water.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They are probably talking about if you have a regular antenna. Even then probably just put that in there so if it gets bent you don't bother them about it.

If you removed the shark fin antenna there would be a hole in the roof that would fill with water.

+1

Regular antennas just unscrew from the base, so the base stays on the vehicle.

 

[Curious Hound]

Thats just a carryover from the days before shark fin antennas, back when all we had was a stiff wire fm radio antenna. The manual writers forgot to delete it or left it there as a hidden joke.

 

[TN-Retiree]

... or left it there as a hidden joke.

[Insert clever retort here]

OK, so can safely assume that there are other members with 2019/2020 Rangers who have successfully negotiated the neighborhood car wash?

 

[sgtsandman]

The rubber portion of the antenna does indeed unscrew. When I use a car wash, I do remove the antenna. I didn't at first and it seemed to have survived the ordeal ok but I figured less wear and tear would be better for it in the long run.

 

[Curious Hound]

The rubber portion of the antenna does indeed unscrew. When I use a car wash, I do remove the antenna. I didn't at first and it seemed to have survived the ordeal ok but I figured less wear and tear would be better for it in the long run.

So...
Take the rubber OFF before going in?

 

[Dirtman]

So...
Take the rubber OFF before going in?

Go stand in the corner and think about what you've done...

 

[TN-Retiree]

The rubber portion of the antenna does indeed unscrew.

Thank you! I just tried it and it does come out.

 

[cbxer55]

You can do like I have on my Lightning and Mustang. Cravenspeed Stubby antenna. Still get all my regular stations when I bother to turn the radio on. Haven't done the Ranger yet because for whatever reason, I can't seem to unscrew the stock antenna. Rusted in? Someone put red loctite on the thing? I didn't. May have to remove the entire antenna assembly from the fender to fix it. Never had a problem with it at car washes.

The Stubby Antenna

The best replacement for your old or unsightly antenna

www.cravenspeed.com

 

[Curious Hound]

Thank you! I just tried it and it does come out.


View attachment 50509

Well, dang it. This would have been easier if you had shown us a picture at the beginning. Didn't know your shark fin had a stinger.

 

[Dirtman]

Antennas is for listening

 

[Roert42]

Antennas is for listening

Sometimes they are for talking.

 

[TN-Retiree]

Didn't know your shark fin had a stinger.

Time to study up a bit. I heard a rumor that there's going to be a pop quiz for moderators sometime soon.

 

[Curious Hound]

Time to study up a bit. I heard a rumor that there's going to be a pop quiz for moderators sometime soon.

They haven't provided the study materials yet. I need to be given a sample of each model of Ranger, Bronco II and Explorer from beginning to current.

Care to donate yours for "research purposes"?