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What is this on my roof?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by floridarich, Sep 26, 2020.

  1. floridarich

    floridarich New Member

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    Hello everyone! I just bought my first Prius recently. It's a 2007 with 112,000 miles on it down here in FL. Seems to be running okay, but I have a question or two about some small pieces of equipment on the roof. The girl I bought it from didn't know what they were either. My guess is they are perhaps a GPS kind of thing? I'll include some pictures. Please let me know if I can get rid of these two bumps on my roof. I'm afraid to remove them for fear of then having a hole in my roof (I assume these two devices are receiving power from a cord through the roof somewhere?). I'd be so appreciative for any thoughts on whether or not I should try to remove these items! Thanks.
     

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  2. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    I'm going to guess those are mounts for electronic antennae (company car, short wave radio enthusiast, etc). Before looking at the pics, I was going to guess it was for satellite radio but those are much smaller and magnetic.

    If there is a hole, it can patched/repaired. The costs, quality and looks of said repair go hand in hand: DIY<Bodyshop.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    If I did nothing else, I think I would spread some more sealant around that funky white one.
     
  4. The Lizard King

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    Looks like both a hockey puck and a rock were mounted to your roof. Previous owner had a weird fetish.
     
  5. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Was the car used as a taxi? The white thingy could be covering up (or replacing) a light. Just a SWAG!
     
  6. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    being way too into amateur radio & other frequencies ... one is an older style telephone/satellite radio transreceiver antenna. Modern ones look more like this:
    [​IMG]

    these can be more easily located in the car now days - unaffected by the elements, and destruction of the integrity of your roof filled with holes ... for subsequent owners. The older / more nasty looking white one would be a receiving antenna ... but it's too messed up to tell what it is, at least positively. However - it looks like a gps receive antenna, w/out it's outer protective covering;
    [​IMG]
    found that one on ebay
    ;)

    yea ... some of the folks i used to hang out with didn't know when to stop cutting holes in their vehicle's roofs

    [​IMG]
    .
     
    #6 hill, Sep 27, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2020
  7. The Lizard King

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    One would think that you would've asked the seller as to the function of the hockey puck and rock affixed to your roof before you bought the car.
     
  8. floridarich

    floridarich New Member

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    Yeah, it's definitely loose and there's a tear or two in the sealant... Not good. I'm sure I'm getting moisture in under there. Argh.

    It was a fleet car according to Toyota's VIN info page.

    She didn't know either.
     
    #8 floridarich, Sep 27, 2020
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 28, 2020
  9. lexidium

    lexidium Active Member

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    I think you are being monitored by the CIA. Make sure you wear a hat with aluminium foil on the inside . . . . .
     
  10. floridarich

    floridarich New Member

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    What kind of sealant would you recommend? The white object has a rubbery texture to it.