Anyone install an XM Antenna?

[jens blue taco]

I am about to install my new HU-Alpine 9820XM-with direct built-in XM tuner, all I need to do is plug in the antenna and some how install the antenna in my dbl cab Taco.
I purchased the XMicro2 by TERK. (It is a magnetic type with a 23' cable!)
Have looked throughout this and other forums and don't see anyone talking about installing an antenna. Crutchfield has a video where they actullay install it on a Toyota truck...made me laugh...stated that this was "worst case senario installation"!

I was just curious if anyone has installed this type or similiar? Don't want to have to pull apart panels if anyone knows a short cut.
Thank you in advance!

[jhodge83]

i put my gps antenna w/ the magnetic back and i pulled off the passenger side a pillar and put it in the middle of where the handle is and stuck it to the body. i trimmed out the inside of the backside of the handle, its just some extra plastic support, and i havent had any signal problems w/ it...unless i'm under a carport, etc. it shouldnt be a prob w/ the xm though

[tomcoma]

actually i had a problem trying to find a good spot for my sirius antena in my double cab. i ran the wire up in the inside roof of the cab then pulled down the back of the roof by twisiting the two shirt holder hooks (clockwise i believe) and got access to the rear brake light. the i took off the 3rd brake light cover (outside the truck) with a torq screw driver and pulled the anntena through, put it on the roof, screwed the cover back on and its finished.

[ZonKs]

I put my SIRIUS antenna on the dash. The cord is completely hidden and there is only a silver dollar sized antenna in the extreme corner of the drivers side dash. It works perfect.

Ted

[jens blue taco]

Thanks everyone!! For now, I have it on my dash in the middle and the wire is hidden- I went through the glove box and passenger side A pillar, then pushed the wire down where the dash meets the windshield - I left all the slack in the A pillar-did this incase I have to go up and out somewhere. So far the reception is great, but I may move it to in front of the driver as the dash in front of the driver is "raised" and it wouldn't be seen as much-at least by me- the driver. I got the micro antenna and it is smaller than a 50 cent piece, so really not an eye sore. Anyway hope this helps anyone in the future, and thanks for ya'lls input-it has helped! LOVE MY XM!

[EatTheGlass]

Originally Posted by jens blue taco

Thanks everyone!! For now, I have it on my dash in the middle and the wire is hidden- I went through the glove box and passenger side A pillar, then pushed the wire down where the dash meets the windshield - I left all the slack in the A pillar-did this incase I have to go up and out somewhere. So far the reception is great, but I may move it to in front of the driver as the dash in front of the driver is "raised" and it wouldn't be seen as much-at least by me- the driver. I got the micro antenna and it is smaller than a 50 cent piece, so really not an eye sore. Anyway hope this helps anyone in the future, and thanks for ya'lls input-it has helped! LOVE MY XM!

Hey there, I joined this forum for exactly the same question. Can you give a little more info regarding your install? For example, I don't know what A pillar means...

Also, where did you put the tuner?

[NolaPKP]

I have my sirius antenna right above the windshield right in the middle. you would think this would be ugly place for it but it actually doesnt look bad at all. not as noticable as you might think. anyways i ran the wire around the windshield channel and into the passenger door, then i tucked it under the door seal and ran it down and under the carpet. I have mine mounted low so this was the best option to hide the wire. I didnt think it would get great reception if the antenna was inside the truck.

[jens blue taco]

Hello EatTheGlass!
Well, I am not to thrifty with the computer, but I will try to post pics. Anyway, the passenger "A" pillar is just the verticle column of plastic that the passenger handle is bolted to on the frame of the windshield. (We call the handle, the "Oh, Sh!T" handle) To take off the A pillar...
Gently pry off the two square tabs on the handle to reveal the bolts...undo the bolts, then I grabbed near the top of the pillar and started to gently pull it towards the cab. Once you get the top started then go downward and keep "popping" it off. The a pillar is angled to curve under the dash so you you will see as you pull it out that you have to hold it at an angle for it to be pulled up and out from dash.
If you look on the back of the a pillar you'll see the grid look to the plastic, that gives it its rigidity. I cut out one plastic section between the bolt holes, and this is where I am keeping all the slack of my antenna wire. We were going to put the magnet antenna here and keep slack in the glove box, but I couldn't get a strong enough signal. (some people have put their antenna here and receive signal just fine, and the antenna is hidden! but i couldn't)
On my new head unit the xm tuner is built directly in! So I don't have that little black "box" tuner to deal with, however, this is very easily kept in the glove box.
In a nutshell...(once a pillar and old head unit are removed) I put the antenna in the middle of my dash (hopefully my pic. is up) and carefully shoved the wire down between the dash and windshield, to keep it hidden. Kept tucking under as I rounded towards the passenger side. Down through bottom of A pillar opening, threaded through the glove box, and came out stereo dash opening and plugged it in. Your steps will involve connecting antenna to the tuner in the glove box.
Geez, this was harder to explain than I thought it would be... please ask me anything else! Sorry if this is confusing...thank goodness we have this forum to find out stuff! Luckily, everyone here is very knowledgeable!
I will try to post my pics in this reply. Hope this helps.
(i will figure out how to post pics somehow-so keep checking back)

[jens blue taco]

Hopefully the pictures load!
One picture is the A pillar, the other shows the antenna in the middle of my dash- it is tiny.

[EatTheGlass]

Originally Posted by jens blue taco

Hopefully the pictures load!
One picture is the A pillar, the other shows the antenna in the middle of my dash- it is tiny.

Thanks Jen, this helps.

So regarding XM...I've noticed you purchased an older model stereo. The problem right now is that all the new receivers that are XM compatible require this new XM mini-tuner (CNP-2000UC) made by Terk. Oh, but guess what....yeah, it's not even available. Its hasn't been, and nobody has an ETA on it. The only solution I have found is to buy a Pioneer unit. This seems to be the only company that still makes their own XM tuner/antennae combined. Anyone else have any info on this?

[jens blue taco]

Yeah, I did buy an older (but new) head unit, but I insisted on the direct built-in tuner. When I was doing research I found that Crutchfield.com seem to be a little helpful. I almost decided to get a different Alpine unit and added to "my cart" and of course on the next page they try to sell you accessories and they had the xm tuner for several different head units.
I debating between Kenwood, Alpine and Pioneer, where Crutchfield seem to have the xm tuner for all of those...good luck.
Oh, btw, cannot believe how much better the stock speakers are with just the new head unit. Will wait til I blow these to put my Infinity 6x9's in.