shark fin antenna cover swap

You can cut a hole in the headliner right by where the shark fin antenna cover is. After you cut a hole in the headliner, you can now remove the bolt or bolts that hold the shark fin to the roof of the car.

You will also need string and heat to cut the waterproof seal between the antenna and the body of the car above.

 

Isn't the shark fin antenna an integral piece of the whole back section of the roof on the Gen 5 Prius?

 

Very odd, as the picture is clearly a Gen 4 like mine.

EDIT, I have just taken a look at a photo I took of a Gen 5 and yes, the cover does look removable. I think maybe it's models with either/or the solar/glass roof which may be different.

Gen 5 Shark Fin - No Roof hosted at ImgBB — ImgBB

Gen 5 Shark Fin - Glass Roof hosted at ImgBB — ImgBB

 

Toyota diagrams often show the older model if not much has changed. I believe the shark fin is a reused design. And KISS is being used even in the diagram.

I have an aftermarket shark fin. You have to unbolt it from beneath after cutting* or removing* the headliner. The cover on the sharkfin above is glued to the roof of the Prius in order to create a water tight seal. In order to remove it you will need some string to cut that seal.

 

The glass roof and solar roof have shark fins molded into a larger piece of plastic that spans the width of the main roof. The fins themselves are not removable. The LE/SE and the XLE/XSE w/o the fixed glass roof have shark fins that are removable.

 

Easiest solution would be a wrap for the fin.

 

A swap appears to require cutting into or removing the head liner. Wrapping something that small seems a fairly straightforward DIY. There are a lot of tutorials on youtube.

 

The base of the antenna is bolted to the roof, but the cover just clicks onto the base. But it's not meant to be removed without being able to access the tabs from below. I don't know how much of a risk there'd be by forcing it from the top.

My first choice of advice would be to buy a spare cover. That way you could wrap it at your leisure and, if a few tabs broke off the old cover during removal, it wouldn't be a big deal. But it appears Toyota doesn't sell the cover separately. If you want an OEM one, you have to buy the cover and base as a unit(86300-47230 - $85.28 at Lewis).


BIG EDIT HERE: I'm not 100% positive, but I think you could just order a replacement cover in the proper color. I believe the correct one for Supersonic Red is 86077-12030-D2. $36.19 at Lewis Toyota*. Toyota's parts website claims the 86077-12030 antenna covers fit the 2023-24 Priuses, but I would probably try to confirm that before you order.

*as always, order some wiper inserts, oil, or filters to get the order to $75 for free shipping

Antenna Cover - Exterior Body Part

I'll attach the applicable repair manual instructions below.

 

If you didn't see the edit to my previous post, you might be able to buy an OEM cover in the color you want for about $40. That might also give you a bit of a safety margin if you accidentally break a couple clips on the old one as you pry it off.

 

Or just cut it off with a dremel, then install the new one.

 

I removed mine when the roof was wrapped, I did not drop the whole headliner just the rear and squeezed my hand into their to undo the mounting bolt with a racket. I feel like it was easier then removing the whole headliner. I never replaced the shark fin as i do not listen to the radio.