Sirius Satellite Radio

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Took my 05 KR into the shop today to get my free oil change. Thye gave me a 06 Lariat to use while mine was being serviced. The Lariat had the Sirus radio installed and after using it for awhile I was hooked particularly the availability of sports stations.

One of the sales persons told me that my radio--premium sound package -- was Sirius ready but on the Sirius site they noted that only 06 models had it as an available option.

I have the AUX button on mine and when you press it, the message is no aux available. My question is do I really have the Sirius capability and only have to have the antenae installed. Is that accurate? How can I tell?

Supposedly he is checking with the owner to see what the antenae would cost to install. Maybe I'll find out something tomorrow.

 

If your radio is Sat ready, it will have a SAT button on the bottom left corner. Assuming it is, it still requires a satellitte box and harness, as well as antenna for install. I don't know hwere it goes in the F series truck, but on the aviator it goes in the left rear quarter next to the rear air unit. I have installed a few of these units, and they are rather expensive in comparison to aftermarket units and have less features. The only benefit to the factory unit is the clean install with no extra parts to see.

 

Your HU is not Sirius Ready. You can use the aux input with a PIE adapter (search here) and an aftermarket Plug and Play unit. Wait until a couple more days as I believe there will be a $50 rebate as soon as this this Sunday, 10/30. I highly recommend the Starmate Replay.

EDIT: $50 rebate effective on select models now @ Radioshack.

 

I want to install the Sirius and I like your recommendation. I'm totall confused about PIE adaptors, etd.

For my 05 F150 ( I have the AUX button) are their instructions somewhere to guide me through the entire process, accessing the radio, using the installed antenna or a "cut out" or whatever, optons for mounting the unit, in other words as Paul Harvey would say, "now you know the rest of the story."

Thanks.

 

Like i said, search here at F150online. I found many threads on the PIE adapter. This one looks like a great place to start. This is where you buy one.

I personally would (and do) use a wired FM modulator for $20 vs. $90, but I'm cheap.

You can get lots of ideas for where to mount thing the radio and antenna, but it coems down to preference and ability. I just placed the antenna on the dashboard inside the vehicle near the windshield base. Easy to move from vehicle to vehicle and no chance for leaks. The tuner could go many places, but the Starbase Replay comes with a suction cup for windshield mounting. There are also several brands of mounts from Pro-fit and other companies. Searching f150online for "sirius mount", "XM mount", or "antennea mount" (don't use the quotation marks) should get lots of people's pictures in their trucks.

 

Did you know that dealer cost on the PIE adapter 44.00 and wholesale is 54.50 and retail prices go up from there, lots of money to made on those things.

 

Ford now has an add on Sirius package that works with all 04-06 with "aux" button. It includes tuner, harness and antenna. It is plug and play! It runs about $375. Have your dealer check with an authorized ford aftermarket supplier for availability. It works with or without add-on DVD.

 

$375! That's a lot for a clean install compared to many more features of a PnP unit for $80 and $20 wired FM modulator.

 

Wholesale price probably a bit less. Also, nothing external except the antenna. All operation is from head unit. All station info displayed thru factory head unit.

 

Yeah, and the head unit displays text information sooooo well...

 

Did you guys install ithe 04-06 add-on yourselves, or have the dealer do it??

I just ordered an '06 reg cab and decided too late that I wanted Sirius. I am hoping the dealer or a competent aftermarket shop can install the Sirius option if I order the parts from the dealer.

And is there anyting visible other than the stock headunit?? I am assuming the tuner goes inside the dash somewherre. I am looking to do a totally stealth setup that looks factory.

 

I understand that the Sirius option is only available on a few modelsl. In other words, it comes factory ready for Sirius. Unfortunatley, I don't think the F-150 is one of the vehicles.

 

Does it look like a factory unit? got any pics?

 

Darkstonesc, do you have anymore information on this add-on? The wife was planning on getting me Sportster for Christmas, but if ford has an add-on I may just go with that.

Thanks
Don

 

I bought a Sirius factory unit off of ebay for my f150 pickup, the unit plugs right into the radio and uses the AUX button. I have another one here if anyone is intersted buying one.