I searched a lot of threads to try to figure out a good way to create a low profile option for the roof shark fin antenna cover for our 2017 GX460 luxury. I couldn't find an antenna delete thread that clearly showed it working for our GX without removal through the headliner or home brewing a cover. When we use the factory rack our XL Thule box could not be properly positioned because of the shark fin antenna cover height. And as we built up our GX we decided we wanted a strong modular roof rack design that could hold a table underneath as we overland with three kids and are always tight on space and value sit down family meals at a table. So after reading a bunch of threads across different Toyota and Lexus forums (many of them garage mishap threads) and searching parts lists we determined that the antenna cover base was the same as a 2016-2020 5th Gen 4Runner. This led us to the 3D Printed Go Fast Campers 4Runner Delete Cover. Our K-9 rack finally came last week after a four month wait so it was time to confirm the delete could work. All went smoothly without a hiccup and we finished in under 10 minutes.
I used a Dremel with a cutoff wheel to trim the top of the outer shark fin cover and then could access tabs allowing me to pop off the outer cover. Then the inner cover could be unscrewed and and replaced with the GFC Delete Cover. There was a metal fin antenna that stood straight up in the cover housing, hence the shark fin shape, and I trimmed the metal antenna plate down to 3/16" with the cutoff wheel so it would fit under the cover. The tolerances are spot on for the GFC cover and so tight that it snaps over the rubber gasket with a satisfying snap. I was going to prime it white but realized the plastic base that has to remain on the roof is black so just accepted that it is a black cover on the roof. After install the FM, AM, and satellite radio work just as they always have. We've travelled a hundred miles or so outside our region and the reception remains solid. And now our under-rack table fits. I thought this might be useful to other folks with recent GXs. There are a few other delete plates available for earlier vehicles from other vendors and by looking across part numbers it's possible the 2010-2014 GFC plate could work on earlier GXs but I haven't done the legwork on that. Hopefully this will help some of you who are interested in doing something similar.
I used a Dremel with a cutoff wheel to trim the top of the outer shark fin cover and then could access tabs allowing me to pop off the outer cover. Then the inner cover could be unscrewed and and replaced with the GFC Delete Cover. There was a metal fin antenna that stood straight up in the cover housing, hence the shark fin shape, and I trimmed the metal antenna plate down to 3/16" with the cutoff wheel so it would fit under the cover. The tolerances are spot on for the GFC cover and so tight that it snaps over the rubber gasket with a satisfying snap. I was going to prime it white but realized the plastic base that has to remain on the roof is black so just accepted that it is a black cover on the roof. After install the FM, AM, and satellite radio work just as they always have. We've travelled a hundred miles or so outside our region and the reception remains solid. And now our under-rack table fits. I thought this might be useful to other folks with recent GXs. There are a few other delete plates available for earlier vehicles from other vendors and by looking across part numbers it's possible the 2010-2014 GFC plate could work on earlier GXs but I haven't done the legwork on that. Hopefully this will help some of you who are interested in doing something similar.
