XM Satellite Radio questions.....

momo.75

momo.75

Registered User
I had orignially been wanting to get an ipod and have a jack wired to the stock deck, but since I have the 6disc in-dash, I can't have a jack wired to it. I don't want to use the FM modulator since it seems to have less than satisfying results, from what I have read. Since that seems to be a wash, I have been thinking about adding an XM Satellite system to my stock system and just wanted to get anybody's thoughts. From what I understand it is set up as an FM modulator, so I was wondering how clear the signal comes in. Thanks!
 
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I installed a Sirius system, using the FM modulator. While the results are not CD quality, they are acceptable. A direct hookup would have been preferred, but I have a Nav system and could not do it. I would not hesitate to do it again, even with the FM modulator.
 
I have the Delphi XM Roady and it's hooked up with the FM MOD.
The sound quality rocks!! I never listen to anything else.
 
i have a alpine deck and the xm sat reciever and the quality is just fantastic! i have also heard the fm modulator version and i was completely disgusted over the difference. i installed the pioneer fm modulator system in my friends yota and he even had way better speakers than mine but after listening to them both i would never buy the fm type...

hey if your interested my alpine system is for sale...
 
I appreciate the offer on the deck, but I am afraid to go down the stereo replacement road. I have done that so many times and always end up spending way more money than I orignally intend to. I always wanted to replace everything and add more speakers and such, so for now I just want to keep it simple.

I guess I just need to listen to somebody's on an FM before I make my decision.

Thanks for all the input.
 
I have the Delphi SkiFi hooked up to my Scion Headunit. I did the FM Modulator (wired), and IMO is sounds real good.
 
And you call yourself a mod :p

Mom Momo Momo, tisk tisk tisk. Mods should know to use the search button. I am so dissapointed in you my friend. It's a sad day in this forum.

Anyway....
Click this

and

this
 
When it comes to car audio, I am pretty stupid, but from what I understand is that if I have the factory 6-disc in-dash stereo, this thing will let me (or somebody that knows what's going on) to attach that to the back at which time I could have a jack that a ipod plug into? Do you have this set up?
 
momo.75 said:
... if I have the factory 6-disc in-dash stereo, this thing will let me (or somebody that knows what's going on) to attach that to the back at which time I could have a jack that a ipod plug into?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's right. I found that LogJam site through Ipodlounge - although no one there had that specific converter for a 4runner.

I don't have the in-dash changer. I currently use my Delphi with the cassette adaptor. I'm seriously thinking about getting this Blitzsafe converter but first I need to read up on the posts where they discuss on how to remove the center console panels so I can get to the back of the radio.
 
I have the 2004 with 10 speaker JBL with am/fm/cassette/in-dash 6 disk.

I NEED my XM!

I had a factory head unit with built-in XM in my 2003 Silverado -- it rocked! Quick access to all stations -- great sound quality.

I have a Pioneer FM modulated XM in my Sequoia -- It sucks. Sound is really not enjoyable.

Therefore, I went down to the local car audio and ordered the Alpine with the built-in XM (not one that goes through the AINet) -- it's really built right in. And, they ordered up the adapter to make my steering wheel controls work; they were absolutely certain this would all work (except we weren't sure about the ceiling-mounted rear seat IR transmitter). Anyway, they got the dash all torn apart and found out that the harness needed to connect the Alpine to the factory system had CHANGED in 2004 -- the supplier (Scosche) won't have the new one done for about 2 months -- so they had to put it all back together and do big fat nothing.

So, my current plan is this: I've got a Delphi Roady on order (cheap! -- $119) -- I'll just run that through the tape adapter for now, like I do my iPod. When the harness is ready, I'll get the Alpine installed -- it will rock because it has integrated XM, will interface with the steering wheel and the 10 speakers, and... Alpine's got that new iPod adapter coming out this summer that will allow you to tuck the iPod away and access it all from the head unit. Then, I'll just use the Roady indoors with the home kit (free right now) and/or take it for rental cars when travelling.

My opinion in regarding XM sound quality:

Built in to head unit -- sounds great.

Integrated into head unit through direct connection, like the AINEt -- I asssume this sounds good -- not sure about speed of operation.

Hooked in through an aux input like with the Blitzsafe -- I bet this would sound just fine.

Hooked in through the tape adapter -- ugly, and just barely acceptable sound quality.

Hooked in through an FM modulater that's plugged straight into the head unit's antenna -- sux!

Via an FM modulator that's not directly connected -- it's just gotta suck even harder...

My 2 cents.
 
I have the 2004 with 10 speaker JBL with am/fm/cassette/in-dash 6 disk.

I NEED my XM!

I had a factory head unit with built-in XM in my 2003 Silverado -- it rocked! Quick access to all stations -- great sound quality.

I have a Pioneer FM modulated XM in my Sequoia -- It sucks. Sound is really not enjoyable.

Therefore, I went down to the local car audio and ordered the Alpine with the built-in XM (not one that goes through the AINet) -- it's really built right in. And, they ordered up the adapter to make my steering wheel controls work; they were absolutely certain this would all work (except we weren't sure about the ceiling-mounted rear seat IR transmitter). Anyway, they got the dash all torn apart and found out that the harness needed to connect the Alpine to the factory system had CHANGED in 2004 -- the supplier (Scosche) won't have the new one done for about 2 months -- so they had to put it all back together and do big fat nothing.

So, my current plan is this: I've got a Delphi Roady on order (cheap! -- $119) -- I'll just run that through the tape adapter for now, like I do my iPod. When the harness is ready, I'll get the Alpine installed -- it will rock because it has integrated XM, will interface with the steering wheel and the 10 speakers, and... Alpine's got that new iPod adapter coming out this summer that will allow you to tuck the iPod away and access it all from the head unit. Then, I'll just use the Roady indoors with the home kit (free right now) and/or take it for rental cars when travelling.

My opinion in regarding XM sound quality:

Built in to head unit -- sounds great.

Integrated into head unit through direct connection, like the AINEt -- I asssume this sounds good -- not sure about speed of operation.

Hooked in through an aux input like with the Blitzsafe -- I bet this would sound just fine.

Hooked in through the tape adapter -- ugly, and just barely acceptable sound quality.

Hooked in through an FM modulater that's plugged straight into the head unit's antenna -- sux!

Via an FM modulator that's not directly connected -- it's just gotta suck even harder...

My 2 cents.
 
Rapidrunner,
Yeah, you're right, a lot of car stereo places don't seem to realize that the JBL headunit of an '03-'04 4runner is connected to the stock amp in the rear and not directly to the speakers.
The cassette adapter way sounds acceptable but you can hear the difference when you switch to your CD player.

I'm also planning on changing my headunit sometime in the future now that I know how everything is connected (thanks to this forum). Sounds like the Alpine is a good choice for XM and Ipods.
 
Hubbabubba -- you're up late/or early?!

You sound like an expert on the wiring scheme. Do you know of anyplace where it's well documented?
 
Actually, the most detailed documentation is in this forum. Someone on this forum posted the wiring scheme as a PDF file. I can't remember exactly which thread but I think it was the discussions on the NAV system. There is also a discussion on the removal of the center console/panels.

In the thread "sub hook up" you'll see a few pics of the stock amp and sub. One person in this forum posted a pic where he removed the sub & amp. On the stock amp there are two harnesses (from what I can see without removing the whole assembly), one large one with the speaker wires (I checked and they correspond to the 10 speakers in the JBL system) - the other smaller harness, I'm guessing, has the preamp outputs from the headunit along with power/ground. Maybe someone can verify/correct this.

All the info is here on this forum - more detailed than anything I've found before. It's just a matter of putting the different threads together.

BTW, here is my current setup - it's not the best but I just wanted to get the XM radio up along with some more bass with the sub. I'm still planning on a better system sometime in the future.
 
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