$13 GPS/satellite antenna for factory navigation

I just finished installing a factory 2015 entune w/nav radio in my 2007 trd offroad. Multiple threads here already have the various adaptors and cables needed for a plug and play install. I found all the info I needed thanks to TW. The only thing I needed was a GPS antenna for the nav, weather, traffic and clock. I wasn't going to buy new for $250 or eBay for $175. There's a $30 -$40 Toyota adapter that lets you use a cheaper antenna but it still adds up to about $80. I'm cheap and I don't really need navigation but since it's there I want it to work. I did some research on GPS antennas and found a suitable replacement for $13 shipped on Amazon. It's not plug and play out of the box but it's a 1 minute mod to make it work. Everything works and it showed my location and the time as soon as I turned it on. It only took a 10 drive around my neighborhood to get the GPS to start following me real-time.

Antenna:

$16 Xtenzi Active GPS Antenna Auto Car Stereo indash radio Compatible with VW Audi Navigation Receiver – XT91835

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006AKVX2S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1



I didn't take a pic of the connector before I started modding it but once you have it in hand these will make sense.

Step 1: Take a small screwdriver or a knife and pry up the clip on the side of the connector. This will release the cable from the blue connector.


Step 2: You're done! Plug it into the coax connector on the back of the radio and locate the antenna under the dash. I put it right in the middle between the "y" in the air ducts. The top of my antenna was flat (didn't match Amazon picture) so I used automotive double sided tape to stick it to the underside of the dash all the way forward towards the windshield.






The coax is tight enough that it doesn't need a clip. The connection is as solid as the USB extension so I don't see it working itself off. I tried to be fancy and sand/file the blue connector to fit but I realized it didn't add anything to the connection so l left it off. I did add a couple inches of heat shrink to the coax connector and cable just to cover the exposed metal and add some strength to where the connector terminates on the cable. Here's my finished cable and some pics of the modified blue connector.







Hopefully this helps someone else save some cash. I'm not using Sirius XM but I imagine this should work the same way for that antenna.

 

hey do you still use this gps antenna? I was told for better accuracy you need to mount it to a metal plate?

 

How does this hold up today? Just curious, gonna try it myself this weekend before a trip out of town. Did you get all the features that require the antenna to function properly?

Also I have the non nav unit. Will this antenna work with mine?

 

I ended up doing it and its been working great for 7 months.

 

Do you have the non nav as well?

 

I have the premium unit that comes with nav. But it works with the entune plus so with the app nav system.

 

Awesome ! This is exactly what I was looking for I’ve been searching for the exact plug with no luck, the best I could do is figure is was a Fakra plug possibly but never identified the exact # if anyone has I’d be curious but I’m willing to try this and be content it would suit my needs thanks so much for sharing ! Spongejosh !

 

Update install was as noted 1 min to remove clip I plugged it up but so far only got a message it was downloading data didn’t actually move the truck let it sit for a bit in the garage with key/head unit on hope it comes on live with a drive only other issue is a ordered the aux to usb chord it work flawlessly for 2 hrs then nothing checked the connections and so I ordered a new one from Amazon fingers crossed

 

Update all issues resolved, Bluetooth mic attached after it stated no mic attached, attached Toyota harness and same message … stumped until I found a video on YouTube that showed me how to reboot HU and viola all things came together ! Mic, Bluetooth, usb, messages now gonna tackle the camera tomorrow fingers crossed if I had to do it again maybe do the aftermarket route where things may be more plug and play and less factory harness part # hunting or aftermarket Toyota harnesses, learned a lot and happy it all came together…
After the camera maybe the steering wheel controls next if anyone knows where to source a wheel with controls, Thx for this thread and the others that have made this possible

 

Would this work with a 2018 unit? Curious before I buy the needed wiring from Toyota for like 189 bucks.