I have a problem that maybe someone on here can answer because the Ford salesmen seem to be elusive and uninformed about it and their parts department has not been particularly helpful either.
I am looking at a 2014 Ford Explorer, but due to the size of my garage door opening (Garage is on 1st floor of a split-level house) the roof mounted antenna sticks up too high to use my garage. I could get in okay perhaps, but because the antenna is angled backwards it will definitely catch and be snapped off backing out. I honestly don't know why ford put a roof mast antenna on a car with roof rails, as putting a sheet of plywood up there one the way home from the hardware store would damage the antenna.
I have seen other manufacturers sport utilities that use a low profile shark fin antenna on the roof. This would allow the vehicle to fit in my garage. I have a couple questions.
1. Is the roof antenna for AM/FM and XM/Sirius reception?
2. Can the mast be unscrewed and replaced with a plug and if so does it cause any reception problems for XM/Sirius or AM/FM and how much (Just slightly shorter range or nearly unusable)?
3. Does replacing the factory antenna create an out for ford on any corrosion or leak issue near it on the roof, or to try and evade any problems with the factory sound system or electrical system?
4. Can anyone recommend a shark fin replacement antenna for this model.
5. Has anyone had any success getting the dealer to warranty installing said antenna for the duration of the factory warranty if the dealer does the work?
I like the new Explorer, but I'm not going to spend $40,000+ for a Limited and not be able to garage it. Part of the reason I have a 1997 in great shape is because it is kept garaged when I am not driving it.
I appreciate anyone's input.