XM Radio

[Kwik8608]

Hey guys. So I just got back from a long haul from Cleveland to East Lansing (Michigan State); taking my brother back to school. I was planning on buying an XM Radio, but I think this trip has really helped out that decision to buy one.

I was wondering, for the guys that have an XM reciever, where you would put it. My mom has a bracket that kind of holds her reciever out to the right of the radio deck in her 04 Thunderbird. If I was to use the same bracket, and put it in the same spot, I would most likely cover up the passenger airvent.

I guess my question is what kinda mods have you guys done/seen w/ these XM radios. I know I was reading about that worthless compartment under the radio and one guy on here too that out and put the radio there, that sounds very intruiging.

So it would be greatly appreciated for some feedback


Edit: I have the '08 SR5 Btw

 

[thumper]

I have an XM Roady 2 in my 4Runner this is mounted on a mount by a company called Panavise. It's specifically made for the vehicle and does a great job of holding the XM receiver out of the way, but just close enough to easily change channels. It sounds like it's very similar to the mount in your mom's car.

I'll get a pic of it tomorrow.

Here's the link to the actual mount:
http://www.panaviseonline.com/product.php?id=1431

 

[zimm]

I had Toyota install the factory XM upgrade- works great.

 

[Kwik8608]

Factory XM Radio? Does that just work with you Radio Deck and isn't an extra unit? And if it is an extra unit what does it look like and how much was it?

 

[georgia_4Runner]

I removed the flip-down compartment in front of the cup holders/under the AC and the cavity it left was perfect for my specific XM tuner. The holes where the compartment fit into the trim allowed me to route the power, antenna and audio cables through it and into the area under the center console. I ran the audio cable into the center armrest storage box and then into the AUX input jack. I drilled a small hole into the side of the center storate box (below the trim of the center console so not visible) and ran the audio cable into it that way.

The tuner is out of the way even when the cup holders are both used and it is sturdy and secure. I use the tuner's remote to change channels mostly though. Getting the XM antenna out of the truck was by far the biggest PITA of the whole thing.

 

[zimm]

Factory XM Radio? Does that just work with you Radio Deck and isn't an extra unit? And if it is an extra unit what does it look like and how much was it?

A thread on it:
http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3187&highlight=radio

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/4runner/68301-factory-xm-satellite-radio/

2006 and up headunits have the "satellite" button and allow for the XM radio to be installed- no external display or controller- It's fully integrated, you hit "SAT" and you have XM with the songs displayed on the factory headunit.

What's up with the huge "300" signature?

Also fill in your profile so we know what year 4runner you have.

 

[georgia_4Runner]

Not all the head units are Sat ready. The basic head unit (with the single CD player vs changer) doesn't have the SAT button, so it's more $$ to use built-in options.

 

[Kwik8608]

Hmm, that mod isn't too bad. I would like to do it myself, but that antenna just sounds like a pain the the ass to figure out. I might just let Best Buy do it. That's the same unit I want too, is it the color display one? I forgot the actual name of it. It's the same one my mom has in her T-Bird, but Best Buy put the antenna right in the middle of the dashboard up against the glass, it's not a bad spot for it.

As for the sig, it's for the Michigan State Spartans. My brother is actually on the team even tho he doesn't play yet (freshmen). His roommate and sweetmates, however, are starters. His roommates Glenn Winston, kick returner, and his sweet mate is Charlie Gant, tight end (For those that follow MSU football, or would like to see Ohio State lose this weekend )


Edit: I have the base head unit w/ the single compact disc player, no SAT button

 

[georgia_4Runner]

My unit has the B&W screen not the color. The color screen was a little "busy" for me. This one is pretty legible, had the features I thought I would actually use, and was cheaper. The footprint/installation for either is the same though. The unit did NOT come with the screws you see attaching the base to the center console trim. It came with adhesive which I thought would not stick well. The base plate is pre-drilled with the holes for the screws, but I had to come up with the screws myself. I just used short ones with a pointed tip and did not over-tighten. It holds it very tightly as it is. Good luck!

 

[Kwik8608]

Ahh ty ty guys, helped me out mucho. On a side note... how 'bout them Browns!? Hells yea!

 

[majewski]

Yeah, how 'bout those BROWNS!?! That was the game we knew they could play...now if they could play like that for a whole season, us long-suffering fans could finally get our due!

About getting the antenna out, it's not that difficult. I mounted mine (sirius) dead center on the roof by the rear hatch. Ran the wire down to the little rubber booty where the hatch wiring runs into the body. Just a tiny slit in the boot will let you stretch it over the plug and pull the wire through without sacrificing the water resistance.

Then inside the headliner and over to the cavity where the jack is stored. The trickiest part was fishing it through that cavity to the driver side rear door area where you can then put it into the wiring run under the rear and front door frames. To make sure I had enough wire, I ran it under the driver seat carpet to the center console instead of taking it all the way to the front dash.

By the way, if your radio doesn't have an aux in, the best sound comes through one of the aux adapters. We used an FM modulator in my wife's car and it is OK, but not as good as the aux imput.
Good luck.

 

[Kwik8608]

Amazing game. My buddy called me on Sunday saying he had extra tickets. So guess who went to a Primetime Upset :biggrin2:


Haha, anyways, I don't think I like the idea of actually drilling into my center console armrest thing, but I'm thinking it might have to be done to plug the XM into the AUX jack and still let me unplug it and plug my iPod into it. We'll see, I might ask Best Buy what their recommendation is and go from there.

 

[Kwik8608]

This might belong in a completely different post, but I decided to put it here...

To go along w/ the XM Radio, I was thinking of maybe boosting the bass a little bit. I don't want to clutter up the trunk at all, so I was thinking maybe this... http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?showAll=Y&g=510&i=204BT6DVC&tp=112

It's not too big, and getting decent reviews. Just wanted to get some feedback, if anyone has ever dealt with it, or anything along those lines.