Hi, I have read through all the XM threads on here, but was just wondering if anybody had any special tips on the install. I am getting the Pioneer GEX-FM903XM fm modular unit from Crutchfield with the glass mount antenna. It wil be going to the factory CD player. Thanks for any input.

Charlie

 

looks like i'm in the same boat as you charlie. i too am getting an xm tuner this week, although alpine instead of pioneer. any of you guys, out there with xm setups got any install tips to help us out? ie: xm tuner mounting locations, antenna wire running, etc. all your input is greatly appreciateddd. thanks in advance.

WOO HOO!! FINALLY, XM!!

-KRSC02

 

Fellas, don't worry about the install, it is really quite forward. Since you are using the glass mount, that takes most of the aggravation out of it. To get most of the parts like the side steps along the door and the radio trim piece, just pull up and off they will come. As for mounting the unit itself, I have seen many different locations, under the front seat, concealed in the dash etc, I ran mine under the back seat and put it flush with the tension bar that you can really only see clearly when you raise the flap when the seat is lowered in the cargo mode. Nothing fits there anyways and the size was perfect. I ran the wires for the antenna behind the molding and duct taped everything down to keep it from rattling, then covered it back with the trim. You can't see a thing and everything is in a safe location.

Make sure you have the radio removal tool... A must! Just slide them in the small holes in the HU on the L/R side until you hear a "click" and then spread them apart and gently pull. It may take a time or two, but after you get it, you'll know what it wants in the way of applied pressure.

Post up if you have any questions..

Later,

Chris

 

Chris, thanks for the tips! I will let yall know how it goes.

KRSCO2 good luck with your install as well.

Charlie

 

Thanks Chris, I'll let you know how it goes.

Good luck with your install too Charlie.

-Joe

 

I put a Delphi unit in a couple of weeks ago and now look forward to long drives. I drive an '02 SuperCrew XLT. In a nutshell, I put the stock magmount antanna at the back of the cab, ran the wire in through the high-mount brake light, around the drivers side and down the windshield pillar. I put the 'head' on a PanaVise mount on the hump right up against the black plastic, very neat and low profile. I slid out the Ford stereo and sure enough, there's enough room to fit the FM modulator, so that's where it ended up. All in all it's about as unobtrusive as it gets hasn't given me a lick of trouble. One tip and one question, though.

Tip: Don't use the chepo brass fuse taps like you get at NAPA. They go in awfully hard, and I suspect they can wreck the fuse sockets - I now have a sloppy fuse socket giving me headaches. Favor the more expensive fuse tap with a hot wire, the type that actually adds another fuse as well as the original. Tough to describe, but Pep Boys has 'em.

Question: My only gripe with this install is that the damn head shugs off when I re-start the truck. I go to the store, shut the truck off, and when I come out and re-start, the static pisses me off. I can't for the life of me find a circuit that stays hot during cranking. I know the powerpoint stays live, but I have't figured out how to tap into that circuit without ripping the dash apart. Anyone else know what I'm talking about - anyone figure out how to deal with it?

Good luck, you'll love the bird!

 

Hey Red, if you bring you SkyFi in the house, read this thread.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...023#post913023

 

The install is cake guys. Not a problem in the least.

I mounted my XM reciever behind the passenger side right foot kick panel and ran the wires behind the dash up to behind the head unit.

I, too, started with the modulated unit from Pioneer and ran the controls wire up to the center console as I didn't want to stick anything to my dash.

Ironically, the wired remote controller was the exact reason that I replaced my head unit. I found myself looking down to change channels and see what channel I was on and felt I was doomed to have a wreck. That's when I put a deck in that had a wireless remote and I could control my XM from there. I'm very glad I did.

The Pioneer setup is very nice but, be careful to pay attention to the road. If you're like me, you LOVE to push buttons and thus, not pay as close attention...

RP

 

Red, what are the fuse taps? Is that something else I need to go buy to be able to work install the unit. Anything else I need to get to complete the install? I will only have a short time to install it before I start my move back to Texas from Washington, so I want to be sure I have everything in place when it comes in.

Thanks for all the info guys.

Charlie

 

On my install, Oden, I got the 12 VDC off of the inside-cab fuse panel using a 'fuse tap' rather than splicing into a running wire. I've since read where they have plugs that go between the radio and the radio wiring, but I'm not too sure about that type of installation. I ended up using a 'add-a-circuit' fuse tap from LittleFuse. If I could, I'd take a couple of pictures and post them here, then it'd be clear what I'm talking about.

 

I do the same thing RP, thats why i got the new deck too, but alpine instead of pioneer. My friend was messing with his FM, not XM dial, trying to find a station that didnt have any friggin commercials on it, and ended up killing a mailbox..LOL. Well actually, you could say the mailbox killed his avalon--it destroyed his side mirror and had to dish out $225 bucks to buy a new one. With that, he could have gotten xm and been done with it..haha!!

XM is arriving thursday!! I cannot wait to install it!! I think i'm gonna put it behind the kick panel...it seems to be the easiest spot, like RP said. This is gonna be awesome!! For 265 days, 3 hours, 22 minutes, and 19 seconds I've been waiting for this!! FINALLY IT IS 48 hours away!! OH YA!!

JBL SPEAKERS ARRIVING FRIDAY!! WHAT A WEEK THIS IS GONNA BE!! too bad i have to take the damn SAT on saturday

-Joe

 

OH YA!! IT KICKS ***!! THE ALPINE CDA-9813 KICKED UP THE SOUND TREMENDOUSLY!! XM IS THE COOLEST THING ON THE PLANET! OH MAN!! I AM SO HAPPY!! XM INSTALL WENT WELL...HAD A SMALL SETBACK INSTALLING THE HEAD UNIT THOUGH...OHM METER WAS SET TO CONTINUITY INSTEAD OF VOLTS...LOL...AND I WANTED THE UNIT ON TOP AND THE POCKET ON THE BOTTOM...SO I HAD TO BREAK OUT THE DREMEL TOOL AND CUT OUT THIS DAMN PIECE OF PLASTIC BEHIND THE DASH THAT WAS BLOCKING ITS WAY. OTHER THAN THAT, SMOOTH INSTALL...SO FRIGGIN SWEEEEEEET!!!!!!!

ALPINE ROCKS!! XM ROCKS!!

I'M IN HEAVEN...I'M IN HEAVEN......i'll let sinatra sing the rest...
I WILL POST PICS ASAP!!

-Joe

 

Glad you got your XM installed Joe. I just finished putting in my unit. I just went with the bare bones install to get it up and running since I am moving this weekend, but when I get back to Texas I will clean the wiring. Time to activate it now so I can enjoy it, too!

Charlie

 

I'm glad Charlie...its always good when everything goes right

Thanks to everyone that gave us any insight into this project. I really appreciate it. Thanks again guys. Have a good one...

-Joe

 

Here is a pic of the Alpine CDA-9813 head unit:



And here is a pic of the Terk XM3 Low Profile Antenna:



I am overwhelmingly happy with this setup. I'm so happy in fact, that I am putting the same setup in my Expedition, and my E-250 work truck that is comin in 2 weeks. SWEEEEEEET!!

ALPINE ROCKS!! XM ROCKS!!

-Joe (WOO HOO!! )