I have to remove the XM / Sirius antenna from the roof of my 4Runner to install a roof-top tent.

My google-fu is failing me and I can't seem to find rectangular and oval grommet plugs.

Here's an image I found of what is left when the antenna is taken off.



Does anyone have recommendations on a source or a better idea for capping these?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gear.Up,

Bondo.

Maybe here..https://www.rpmrubberparts.com...er-products/grommets

Take a look at this and see if it may work in your case.

http://www.bodenzord.com/archives/1449

You don't say what year your 4runner is but there is a rather long discussion on this very topic here -

https://www.toyota-4runner.org...in-antenna-swap.html

1. You don't want grommets, as a grommet is a ring or reinforcement through which to pass something. You want rubber, vinyl, etc. plugs.
2. You're probably going to want to add some sealant, as I would not depend on the water-tightness of such a thing on a roof.

I presume your vehicle doesn't have a built-in nav system or you don't care if you lose it?

Personally, I'd look for a Toyota or 4Runner forum to ask such a question.

Another idea might be to call the tent manufacturer and see if they have some tech support. They may have some suggestions as well.

If you want a flush finish, fix a plate inside the roof. A metal patch that overlaps the hole by an inch or more on each side can be pressed upward and secured with epoxy, flush rivets, or other means. Then from the top you can bring the repair flush with bondo, or epoxy filler glass, and refinish if needed.

Be aware that if there's going to be weight on the roof (flexing), any finish work like bondo is going to crack and eventually fail, as may an epoxied repair.

If the repair on the roof doesn't need to be perfectly flush, you can make a metal patch with sheet steel or sheet aluminum and bond or rivet it from the top, and apply sealant under or around the patch. Use a hand file to break the edges (round them), so they don't catch or cut. Seal any rivets you put in. Pop rivets (pulled rivets) work fine. This route depends on how visible you want the repair, but it's the simplest and the strongest.

Alternately, as others have suggested, rubber or metal plugs, if you can find one that fits the hole.

It will probably be cheaper (and most importantly easier) to get a low profile antenna mount, or mod the existing one.
I believe the Corolla's low profile XM antenna fits the same as the 4Runners. (If you still want to use the XM radio, check the wiring harness. One year it's round, next year it's square - ask me how I know LOL)

The 4Runner Forum is a great resource - especially when it comes to this particular issue.

Go to a machine shop and have them cut a 1/4" piece of aluminum or steel (that you can paint the same color) to fill the exact area the antennae did and bolts the same way the antennae did. They sell fake sharkfin antennae's on amazon for less than $10 that glue on the vehicle. They are probably plastic and you could probably have a machine shop cut it down so that it's thin and can just be glued over the old holes.

I think everyone is looking at this the wrong way. Is the tent you're trying to install made for the 4Runner? Generally, when accessories are designed the designers take into account such clearances and adjust the product design appropriately. I assume the tent is going on some sort of 'rack'. If you're set on this particular tent, I'd suggest contacting the manufacturer of the tent (rack) and ask for their input. If they are a reputable accessory manufacturer, they'll have an answer to this issue. If they don't, I'd strongly reconsider using that particular tent.

As a final course of action, maybe you could leave the antenna in place and add a set of spacers between the rack and tent to accommodate the height of the antenna. Bastardizing your vehicle should not be a requirement of installing accessories.

Duct Tape????

3M foil duct tape:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/3M-2-...-L-HVAC-Tape/4009889

Something seems off base about this installation.

To make this work at you saying that you have to give up your XM and nav to out this on? That's is just one of the oddest accessory requirements I've heard of especially if this tent is listed for your Toyota.

I'd rethink this proposed tent, be if I read your facts correctly. Who makes this tent?

quote:

Originally posted by Flashlightboy:
Who makes this tent?

My guess is Tepui since they are so popular nowadays. I see them everywhere, out here at least.

These tents are not vehicle specific by the way like many here seem to think.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

valkyrie1: Thanks for that. That's the kind of resource I am looking for. I found another one (heyco.com) like that and I'm reviewing.

arfmel: Wondered about that but I don't know how well that holds up long term. Primary concern is water intrusion.

Paten:

I don't use XM/Sirius and you don't lose GPS in my model year. They switched the GPS antenna to a different spot at some point. The only thing I use my head unit for is playing podcasts from my phone or music from the iPod. Navigation is done with the phone and Waze or Google Maps on the road and an iPad Mini and Gaia GPS in the back country.

I'm a member of T4R and that's where I pulled the image. This question has come up several times there over the years with no good answer other than switching to a low profile. I'm asking here, because this isn't really vehicle specific and we have a lot of members with design, building, machining, and engineering experience.

I don't want to add metal and bondo because I want it to be reversible, that's why I want to use a plug w/ some sealant around the edges.

About the tent:

• I bought this second-hand, picked it up Sunday afternoon and it's like new. Previous owner installed but never used.
• Manufacturer does include an antenna delete kit when you purchase one, but the previous owner kept that.
• The tent is made for my 4Runner and more specifically, the optional mounting system is designed to go directly above the roof (not on a rack but using the factory side rail bolt points) to achieve a very low-profile system.
• The manufacturer is Go Fast Campers, this is the product page.
• I sent an email to the mfr last week. Heard back yesterday afternoon and they are going to sell me their kit. Will buy that but still think I'd rather just plug the holes.

When they took the light bars off our police cars to sell them to some unsuspecting rube, the garage just filled the hole with silicone caulking. One guy who did it would put caulk and then a small rectangle of sheet metal he had already painted Ford white, he also used lacquer thinner to remove the adhesive from the stripes. He bought one of them at auction, when I asked him why, he told me he had just replaced the transmission and a bunch of other stuff and the car was basically like new under the old body.

quote:

Originally posted by Gear.Up:
• Manufacturer does include an antenna delete kit when you purchase one, but the previous owner kept that.
• The tent is made for my 4Runner and more specifically, the optional mounting system is designed to go directly above the roof (not on a rack but using the factory side rail bolt points) to achieve a very low-profile system.
• The manufacturer is Go Fast Campers, this is the product page.
• I sent an email to the mfr last week. Heard back yesterday afternoon and they are going to sell me their kit. Will buy that but still think I'd rather just plug the holes.

Mfg supplied option sounds like the ideal solution. Hope it didn't run you too much $$, but probably the best choice, apart from any Toyota available solution.

quote:

Originally posted by Gear.Up:

• The tent is made for my 4Runner and more specifically, the optional mounting system is designed to go directly above the roof (not on a rack but using the factory side rail bolt points) to achieve a very low-profile system.
• The manufacturer is Go Fast Campers, this is the product page.
• I sent an email to the mfr last week. Heard back yesterday afternoon and they are going to sell me their kit. Will buy that but still think I'd rather just plug the holes.

That's cool. I didn't know some were vehicle specific. Been interested in getting one for the Jeep, but I'd need to invest in a support rack system.

quote:

Originally posted by Gear.Up:
I sent an email to the mfr last week. Heard back yesterday afternoon and they are going to sell me their kit. Will buy that but still think I'd rather just plug the holes.

Best idea yet...