DIY - 2015 OEM Sharkfin antenna retrofit
 

DIY - 2015+ OEM Sharkfin Antenna Retrofit

I bought the FDA9 beatsonic antenna during a groupbuy, but didn't end up liking it too much. So, I opted to replace it with the 2015 oem part instead.
If you are an OEM+ guy, or a perfectionist that hates trying to perfectly center align aftermarket antennas, this DIY is for you.

You will need:

• flathead screwdriver
• 22mm socket wrench
• oem antenna

The part numbers for the OEM antenna are:

FR-S (USDM):
SU003-05514 - Ultramarine (E8H)
SU003-05515 - Asphalt (61K)
SU003-05516 - Hot Lava (H8R)
SU003-05517 - Firestorm (C7P)
SU003-05518 - Steel (G1U)
SU003-05519 - Raven (D4S)
SU003-05520 - Halo (K1X)

BRZ (global):
86321CA610W6 - Crystal White Pearl (K1X)
86321CA610V2 - Crystal Black Silica (D4S)
86321CA610B5 - Galaxy Blue Pearl (E8H)
86321CA610E4 - World Rally Blue Pearl (K7X)
86321CA610EN - Dark Gray Metallic (61K)
86321CA610RL - Lightning Red (C7P)
86321CA610TQ - Ice Silver Metallic (G1U)

86/GT86 (JDM):
SU003-05507 - Galaxy Blue Silica (E8H)
SU003-05508 - Dark Gray Metallic (61K)
SU003-05509 - Orange Metallic (H8R)
SU003-05510 - Lightning Red (C7P)
SU003-05511 - Ice Silver Metallic (G1U)
SU003-05512 - Crystal Black Silica (D4S)
SU003-05513 - Crystal White Pearl (K1X)

The OEM BRZ antenna has an additional pin for XM, so it is a complete plug-n-play. If you own a BRZ you should get the parts from Subaru, not Toyota. Thanks @Trap63 for verifying this.

My part, courtesy of @Carson Toyota:
http://i.imgur.com/UXbNnlul.jpg
Notice there is only one wiring pin. The connector for the BRZ version will have another pin for XM radio.
http://i.imgur.com/SbhyV1Ql.jpg

World Rally Blue is a different shade for 2015, but it might be close enough that you may be able to get away without a repaint. Unfortunately, Satin White Pearl and Sterling Silver are discontinued for 2015, so you will have three options:

1. Repaint your sharkfin antenna
2. Repaint your car
3. Look like an idiot with a mismatched antenna

I opted for option 1.

Before:
http://i.imgur.com/3PrVe7bl.jpg

After:
Perfectly paint matched by a local shop.
http://i.imgur.com/PpskjF3l.jpg

First, you need to remove the 3 push tabs holding the back of the roof liner. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry it off the black piece only, then use your hands to pull it off.
http://i.imgur.com/SP4m93fl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/bfhoqgll.jpg

Next, there is a trim piece on the rear column that you will have to pull off. Pull from the top middle of the piece, towards you carefully. There are two tabs on the trim that are tucked under the roof liner, be careful not to break those.
http://i.imgur.com/9Fvqd2El.jpg

Ideally you'd want to remove the B pillar trim in order to have the roof liner drop down more easily, but it seemed like too much work for me. I pulled the roof liner out of the pillar instead.
http://i.imgur.com/wKnAXh5l.jpg
Notice the liner is popped out of the pillar trim.
http://i.imgur.com/qHwvgYrl.jpg

The reason for doing this is so you can pull more of the roof liner down without creasing it. I have found the liner to be very forgiving, so don't be alarmed if you see big creases when you pull the liner down. It will pop back into shape once you fit it back in. However you still want to be very careful.

Here's what it looks like from underneath:
http://i.imgur.com/aiQACVal.jpg

The connector is taped down to a bracket. Remove the tape, and then disconnect the antenna. Take a 22mm socket wrench and loosen the bolt holding up the antenna, then you can use your hands to unscrew the rest.

Bolt removed:
http://i.imgur.com/j8soGrfl.jpg
To remove the antenna, push in the two black tabs on the sides, and push up. It should come out fairly easily.
http://i.imgur.com/ICVbS1Ml.jpg

Removed:
http://i.imgur.com/O0b2Cddl.jpg
Comparison:
http://i.imgur.com/6kYIvcVl.jpg

Now, prep the roof for the sharkin. Use some warm soapy water to clean the surface, and rinse with normal water.
http://i.imgur.com/gTFQ0STl.jpg

Now, just to be on the safe side, you may want to make sure that the phillips screws on the bottom of the sharkfin are secure before you mount it. Tighten, but don't overtighten.
http://i.imgur.com/GGiZFTMl.jpg

Drop the antenna in, you will feel the tabs click in place. From underneath, put the 22mm bolt back on, making sure the connector passes through the hole on top of the bolt. Important: Do not overtighten this bolt! It pushes against the roof, so just make it snug enough. The service manual calls for 4.5 Nm or 40 in-lb (not ft-lb) of torque. I didn't have a torque wrench that could measure that small so I winged it. If you overtighten there is a chance you could damage your roof, and you don't want that.

Reconnect the antenna, and tape it back to the bracket.
http://i.imgur.com/ahlyC87l.jpg

Finally, tuck the roof liner back into the trim, push the rear trim pieces back into place, making sure the two tabs go back underneath the liner, and push the 3 roof tabs back into place.

Finished:
http://i.imgur.com/joXtdkgl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/4uH0VGXl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5Ca0xXTl.jpg

The beatsonic antenna ended up on my wife's Impreza sport. I think it looks better on the Impreza than my FR-S.

http://i.imgur.com/pXkWMlKl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/YLDdTgpl.jpg

Thank you so much! Was waiting for someone to do this since I wanted oem rather than beatsonic

Perfect, I was hoping there wouldn't be wiring differences.

how much was the OEM sharkfin? Bought from dealership?

I bought it online from Carson Toyota, don't know if I'm allowed to post prices here but if you enter the part number on their website the price will come up. It was about 50 bucks more than the beatsonic antenna.

I also found the torque specs for the antenna bolt so I updated that section.

any tape needed? is the rubber boot built in enough to seal mother nature out?

No tape required. Look at the pic showing the underside of the sharkfin, there is a rubber ridge near the wiring harness that will keep the elements out. There should be no issues with sealing since this is an OEM piece.

Awesome Writeup..

However am I the only one that prefers the old antenna over these sharkfins? :iono:

IMO, old antennas make our cars look like toy RC cars... My wife even wants me to replace it with a shark fin even though she hates how much money I've sunk into it! lol. I have yet to get around to it, but this looks like a decent route. :thumbup:

Is 22mm correct? That seems huge........

Performance compared to original?

Thanks for the info, I'm definitely doing this.

Quick Google Search on part number(s) shows pricing just a tad north of $140.00 (US) depending on company...

What are the chances I can get one in silver ignition?

None. Paint match it at local paint shop

For the BRZ version, my local dealer quoted me 186 +tax. I've otherwise found it on some websites of questionable reliability for $140.

Has anyone purchased one, and at what price?

Edit: Just found the other thread, and Japan Parts has it @ ~154 + shipping, so a little cheaper. https://www.japanparts.com/parts/detail/42987

Just fyi before you buy, the japanparts antenna is not the same as the OEM 2015 antenna. It was an optional accessory that Subaru released for the 2013-2014 models. It has a different curve and is a little taller in height.

To each his own. I like the look of the Beat Sonic antenna on my FRS. The color is a perfect match, and so easy to install. Radio reception has not changed. Got it off ebay. Vendor accepted an offer for <$100. with free shipping: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beat-Sonic-S...4adc4c&vxp=mtr

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...8/sharkfin.jpg

I do also. With a short black cf stick, or a long white cb antenna. :confused0068:

(By the way, c.b. radios are now illegal in loony left Ontario Kanada !).

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps98aab12a.jpg

yOU kNOW wHO

Yep, my thoughts exactly. I do like the beatsonic antenna, just not on my FR-S, hence why I mounted it on my Impreza instead.

How much was the respray?

this is the WRB BRZ model, you see the plug with dual connection.
About colour....in comparison to 02C , the new one is closer similar than the new white. No need to re-paint.
$181.50 to Italy and $35 of custom fees in Italy. A good price.

Tempting...

Thanks, @Trap63.

-Z

So this is confirmed to be part number 86321CA610E4?

Seems like a great price at extremevwparts. Anybody dealt with them before?

-Z

I confirm you part no. for 2015 WRB and here enclosed you see detail. Grand Total excluding $28,50 of reimbursement for lower sending charge to Italy.
US price is $133.13 from http://stores.revolutionparts.com/subaruoeparts.com/

Is this painted or not painted?

is not sold unpainted, see post#1

$74 for shipping?

First quote for sending to Italy, overseas. Reimbursement of $28 later on paypal. So $46 to Italy.
Here in Europe SALE PRICE about [B]Eur 186/234, SENDING EXCLUDED.
https://partsale.eu/spare-parts/view...05515-76071271

Can anyone with the BRZ confirm the OEM fins work with XM/nav? I love the idea of a stock part for this but don't want to lose functionality.

BRZ fin has onboard dual system. see my post #22 , you will see XM connection and analogic radio.

@Trap63, do you confirm the new WRB color is not too far off the older one ? From your pictures it seems well matched, but can you tell in real life?

Guillame I send you if you wish a HRes pic to make a comparison. This morning I spoke in bodywork (I was there for a little detailing around my old shark fin hole) with man who manages paints. Tone is more darken than old WRB under led light. Thus this part has a non-linear shape upon a natural light, sun i.g. is very very difficult to see this darker tone as is a standalone part. Tone of new WRB is cold.
Paint is so nice that is better than a re-paint.

http://i58.tinypic.com/sb7vk4.jpg

Thanks for the feedback :) I'll try with the OEM paint and if I feel it's necessary I will have it resprayed then.

PS: is it a sweet 456 under that plastic cover? :wub:

that's right 456! but there is full of Ferrari, it is a NW Italy Ferrari & Maserati Official bodywork...., my preferred mate!

Thanks @Trap63 for the info, updated original post.

Thanks kbye!

I was looking for more info on the 2015 OEM shark fin. Looking to wrap my roof. Now i know it is bolt on not double sided taped.

Thanks for the post Kbye!! Exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks @kbye and @Trap63 for all the info!
@Trap63, love your rims too! :)

BTW, anyone tried grinding off those 2 prongs? Since they're just sitting on top of the roof panel, they ain't serving any purpose anyways.