XM Radio Install on 2006

Looks like you can get XM receivers real cheap now. My 2006 radio has an AM/SAT button. Does that mean there is a place for the XM radio to plug into the back of the radio w/o going the FM transmitter route? Radios at time say "has everything you need" then at times mention a car kit. Looking at Delphi Roady XT, Roady 2 and the larger SKYFi2. Any comments or advice? Thanks.

My '06 indash also is sat-ready, but I can't find anything that will plug in that will integrate with the factory system without using an FM modulator. I have contacted both Toyota and Pioneer and they don't have anything yet. My contact at the local electronics store is ordering an XM Direct from Terk that he says will work with the factory head unit. I will let you know if it works, but I don't know when it will be coming in.

Scott

So how come they make it so easy to plug in an IPod? I looked it up in the owner's manual. I don't have it in front of me but it said something vague about contacting the dealer about a Toyota satellite radio. Sounds like you did that to no avail.

For right now, you'll probably have to do the same thing we did on the pre-06s, and use a unit from a Solara or similar. I installed the Solara unit on my 05 NAV unit and it works just fine through the AM button. I did have to make a harness to keep my RSA but that was easy too. Toyota will be slow to list the XM unit but then again, they never listed one for the 05s and a lot of people on here have added it just fine.

Scott

Will the Solara unit (or other models) work with the '06 head unit? I asked Toyota customer service if the factory satellite units from earlier models will work on the '06 but they couldn't give me an answer!

I guess I'm just going to go the FM route and get the Delphi radio. The newer ones like the Roady and Roady XT seem like they'd be harder to read and have tinier controls than the SKYFi2. Of course, while they have several screen colors the SKYFi2 appears to have only blue unlike the earlier SKYFi which would have matched with it's orange screen, oh well...Any comments on the various radios available?

2006 XM

I just finished a discussion with my dealer's parts guy. The factory XM components refered to in the 06 Owners Manual were not in his list for 4Runners. He called Toyota and got the response that the components would be available in March 06.

Just went to local auto sound shop. They were hot on the Terk XM commander as I was not interested in portability. $299 installed. While there I picked up a copy of "XM Update" a publication aimed at dealers not the consumer. Inside they show all the newest XM radios. There is a feature article about the "XM RDS cable, the latest Smart Digital Adapter" by Terk. It says it is for RDS equipped cars which allow FM radios to display digital text.. It works with a remote to access XM functions and then the satellite radio data is displayed on the factory head unit. It says, " the following equipment is required:1. XM RDS Smart Digital Adapter MSRP $69.99 (connects the RDS radio to the XM Direct Tuner) 2. XM Direct Tuner MSRP $49.99 which enables the radio service. Then it lists all the cars manufacturers that are compatible and Toyota is listed. Then it says "The new Terk adapter for RDS capable car stereos will be available by the end of the year."
Perhaps, this is the way to go. Of course, I can barely see what's displayed on the dial now. I wonder how legible all the XM data is going to be?

This gets confusinger and confusinger. Just read something online that says if I have an RDS equipped radio (which I need to work with that Terk RDS cable mentioned above), I should be getting data about the song and artist when I am tuned to FM. That isn't happening. Then again, if the 2006 radios are not RDS equipped how can they have a SAT button on the head unit?

The radio station must be RDS before you see the data on your head unit.

I just got back from the dealership. I bought an 06 SE Sunday night and read about the SAT hookup for the Type II radio JBL stereo. I actually spoke with the GM/ owner of dealership. He said that I could take the rig into a local auto stereo install shop and get their price on a portable install that has the auto, home and boom box for 327.00 (installed). I stopped by CompUSA and picked up the Delphi XT + and home kit. I'm waiting for it to activate right now. The portable setup makes better sense to me instead of just being able to use it in the car. Radio & auto kit was 49.00 the home kit was another 49.00 and it comes with a remote control. You have multiple options to connect to either your home or auto. 1) FM transmitter, the XT comes with a built-in xmitter, I just selected a free channel on the stereo (88.7) and selected the same channel on the satrad in the house works perfect, no interference. 2) direct thru audio out on the cradle - comes with rca plug to hookup to one of the available inputs on the back of your home receiver. The car cradle also has audio out jack. Audio out would go directly to your minijack in the 06 it comes standard on all three trim lines SR5, SE, LTD. There's also the "neat" meaning no wire mess option of the FM Direct Adapter (SA10112) sold seperately. It hooks up to both the car radio and your car antenna (You also need a 12vdc source). 3) Cassette Adapter - I think they got rid of the cassettes in 06 so it won't help you in the 4runner, but it may be another option for a different rig or in your house. I thought about hooking up direct in the house, but so far, the FM xmitter is perfectly clear! To hookup direct in the 06 I might go to Radio Shack and buy a mini to mini 3 foot cord to go from the audio out on the cradle to the minijack input in the console - then just hit the AUX button on the JBL. But I'm confident the FM xmitter will work fine there also. That way it leaves the minijack available for an MP3 player. Hope this helps.

Re: 2006 XM

awright said:

I just finished a discussion with my dealer's parts guy. The factory XM components refered to in the 06 Owners Manual were not in his list for 4Runners. He called Toyota and got the response that the components would be available in March 06.

Click to expand...

When you say components, does that mean a dealer install will be available in a March 06 or they will come pre-installed from the factory in March 06???

FM Transmitter for XM

I was really jazzed at Christmas...got an XM MyFi unit. I activated it and we hit the road Christmas afternoon to Sedona, AZ from Southern California. Out on the open road the FM transmitter worked fine. It was very enjoyable. However, after returning to So. Cal, I put the MyFi in my company car, and was unable to get a clear signal because of the numerous radio stations in Los Angeles. There was "flutter" no matter where I tried setting the station. So a word to the wise, if you live in a major metro area---don't count on using the FM transmittter. I ended up selling the MyFi on ebay.

Here is what I *THINK* the scoop is on this.

If you go to www.terk.com you will see that Terk is coming out with a Toyota OEM XM Direct Box. My guess is that this is the part thats coming out in March that will allow you to add XM to "Sat" ready Toyota OEM radios.

The RDS one for the people without a sat button is probably coming out at the same time. I'm waiting for that one so I don't have to use my Myfi in the car anymore. Not a fan of wires and stuff hanging around.

KDCane, this appears o be what I referred to in my post above. The prices I quoted if accurate appear to be a lot cheaper than these $399 quotes that pop up here referring to built in. I'm still confused about the RDS business. I believe mine to be a non RDS and yet I have a "SAT" button on my radio-why?

XM Module

Just purchased a 2006 V6 4wd Limited. My dealer says the XM module is $485. Anyone know what's involved in the installation and if you can purchase this module from one of the discount acessory dealers found on the board?

I really miss my XM.

Thanks

Did you read the previous posts about the Terk unit? Built- in and a lot less than $485

Yes, I did some searching and found that post. I'm not clear on how the installation works or maybe haven't found the post of a Terk install yet. I'm not realy fond of the aftermarket adapters that some sell, have one in my BMW M5 that's not been all that great.

Google turned up this link.

http://satelliteradio.digitalinsurrection.com/xmradio/xm_equipment_decoders.php

Go about 2/3 down on the page.

XM Direct Toyota/Lexus Smart Digital Adapter

The XMDTLK smart adapter will add XM Satellite Radio to your "XM Ready" Toyota or Lexus factory radio. It requires the XM Direct universal tuner box, which mount out of sight for a clean, installed look. If your late model factory radio displays the XM Radio logo, it will be compatible with this adapter.

Features:


Allows XM service to be seamlessly installed into the interface of satellite radio ready car stereo
Works with Universal Tuner Box to control XM channels using your existing XM Ready factory car stereo control
Doesn't change your car's interior
Installs easily
MSRP: $299.99 USD Available through Toyota/Lexus Dealers

Does it work wityh all 4 runner radios or just RDS?