Unique, hidden XM/GPS antenna install.

great looking install. How is your signal strength? Blocked or lower at all from being under teh cover as opposed to out in the open?
thanks!
 
4runner_2006 said:
great looking install. How is your signal strength? Blocked or lower at all from being under teh cover as opposed to out in the open?
thanks!
Click to expand...

As A.Wilson said there is no compromise in signal strength. I did a test before installing and saw no change in reported signal strength from having the antennas just stuck on the roof.

That install was done 2.5 years ago and I still have had literally zero issues with anything related to this install; signal strength or otherwise.

Let me know if you have any other questions, I am happy to answer them.
 
phillyd2 said:
Any chance of getting the pics back? All I see is a Red X
Click to expand...


Use Mozilla if you are just getting x'es.

I tried this a couple months ago and didn't succeed. I popped the weatherstripping / trim off from the side of the windshield, and didn't have enough room to run the wires inside the track. The trim just wouldn't fit back in the channel after the cable was ran inside. So I scrubbed the mission... :(
 
Phenomenal thread! I have been looking for a way to hide the antennas. I have a silly question though.

How did you get the wire through the firewall grommet? Did you have to remove one end of each antenna? If so, which one did you remove?

Thanks
 
peroxide said:
Phenomenal thread! I have been looking for a way to hide the antennas. I have a silly question though.

How did you get the wire through the firewall grommet? Did you have to remove one end of each antenna? If so, which one did you remove?

Thanks
Click to expand...

For my headunit (Pionner Avic-Z1) I had to thread the wires through the grommets from the engine side towards the cabin side. The end of the cable that ultimately plugged in to the back of the headunit was small enough to get through the grommets without much trouble.
 
I actually removed the end of my XM antenna when I routed it through the passenger side grommet. I had trouble getting it through with the pink end on. It was very easy to disassemble, but if you mess it up it can't be repaired (easily).

Also, a great tool for running cables is a speedometer cable. Doesn't matter the application, just go to an auto parts store and get any speedo cable (just the inside portion). I've installed many car stereo/video/alarms, and it is an indispensable tool to have. They last forever too!
 
Great Mod!

Great job on the write up and all the pics. I know there's a few threads about finding Fins on Ebay so I hope this bump serves them well.
 
Rivalsock said:
About 2 years ago I bought the Pioneer Avic-Z1 unit for for 05 4Runner. At the time my landlord was pretty strict about working on your vehicle in the parking lot so I forced to have a shop install it.

The install was unimpressive (was told Illumination wire was not compatible, and that the VSS wire was impossible to get to in my vehicle --- needless to say I got a full refund when I showed them they were wrong on both accounts) and the XM and GPS antennas were installed on the top corners right above the windshield.

While it didn't look the best it did work so I didn't worry too much about it, until I noticed one of the wires was starting to crack and would eventually fail if left to deal with the weather and high wind it recieves right there so I decided to move the antennas to somewhere more protected - I wanted to move them UNDER the roof-rack end covers.

I had tested the antennas here for a few days to make sure there was no problem with signal reception. The GPS always saw its full complement of satellites and the XM signal remained 'Strong' or 'Very Strong'. The bonus is the antennas and wires are completely hidden from view so it is not obvious from the outside that there is anything extra installed in the truck.

Didn't dawn on me to take pictures until partway into the install so here is what I have:

GPS antenna wire comes out of the driver side through this grommet:
Click to expand...


HI,

The pictures for this thread are no longer available. Does anyone have the pictures and email to me, or just repost them?

Much Appreciated
 
Just had my satellite radio installed at Best Buy, showed the tech this thread and he did it with no problems. He was impressed as well...
Thanks for sharing
 
Rivalsock said:
XM antenna through grommet on the passenger side:
Click to expand...

So - resurrecting an old thread. Doing this antenna install, which is genius! However, where the heck does that grommet on the passenger side come out at on the inside of the cabin??? I've stuck a wire through a small hole from the engine bay side, and can't find the damn thing on the inside! I found a big bundle of wiring on the passenger side under/behind the. Prom of the glove compartment that I thought was it, but apparently not.
Can anyone point me in the right direction??

Thanks,
Dirk
----
And, of course, right after posting that, I thought I'd try one more time, and finally found it. I thought I was going to loose my arm up there though! If anyone else is looking, it's up behind the glove, behind all the electrical components and connectors. You can just reach it if you run your hand along the very right side and then bend back a bit towards the center of the car.
 
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