[brett]

So what have you guys been doing for xm/sirius satellite antennas (other than the stick-on windshield OEM part)? I'm just trying to consider all options, front, rear, middle, etc... if you have some creative ideas, please post some pics. Thanks!

 

[kokopop]

middle rear.

I ran the wire under the seats and back platstic, up the pillar and along the rear hatch.

 

[danh1023]

Ran wires to back seat, then up and out the back hatch. I have an Alpine H/U and the separate XM tuner box.

 

[MachineHead]

Same as danh1023 except I placed it on top of the hatch.

I ran the wire along the driver side under the trim.

 

[usmc xterra]

Mine comes out under dash into engine, up along A pillar and along windshield rubber to the center of the top of the roof in front. You can see it in this Pic. It has to have a good look at the sky, and be easy to replace, this qualifies. Not blocked by roof cargo or anything. 10 Min Install.

 

[dpatton]

So what have you guys been doing for xm/sirius satellite antennas

I don't have satellite radio, but if I was considering it, I probably wouldn't bother buying anything currently, given that XM and Sirius are both losing money and are talking about a merger. That isn't possible with the current US FCC rules, but if it happens, the product offerings may change, and the costs may change.

 

[brett]

MC: I figure the front and center position, down the windshield trim is by far the easiest - and as you've mentioned, replacing would be a snap. I have the gentex temp sensor harness going thru the firewall, so I could easily slip that wire in the split harness. I've got three other vehicles in the family with XM already - my pickup I went out the third brake light hole, father-in-law's Prius rides over the hatch seal (not crazy about that one), and my wife's maxima has flat boot looking antenna (xm, from the factory). I was curious if someone had gotten really creative, used any of those GM type antennas that go thru the roof (drilling... ughh), or used any of those maxima style antenna's somehow. I just like hiding wires, making it look nice.

To go out the back hatch, are you using that washer fluid line grommet, or riding over the hatch seal? If you somehow use that grommet, do you take that line out, slit it, push the satellite wire thru then put the fluid line back? Just doesn't look big enough to me to do much.


Dpatton: I got a warm/fuzzy, personalized Form letter (email) from the CEO of XM yesterday. He assured me everything was gonna be OK - just wanted to calm everyone elses fears here on the forum. Oh well, this may make MC's install option the choice since I *may* be changing my XM antenna for an Sirius style anyway next year!!!! Or ripping it all out when they double the price!?!?!?

Thanks for the replies on this.

 

[usmc xterra]

Hey Brett! No too many people have that big of Balls to drill holes. But if you do, Go to How To's Cornicks Sticky how to's in an organized fashion, then click on power to the roof or lights on the roof and see my hole drill there.

Now, Simple for Sat Ant, Drill your hole where you wand it but from the top down, (watch where you drill of course) fish the wire through from the top down into interior. Run wire across headliner, down A pillar under dash and to your location of radio. A dab of good silicone will seal the deal, squish it down at center, and after it is secure run a thin coat around ant to seal from water. Wha la!

I think if you drill the hole like at the bottom center of Air Dam and kinda fill with silicone, install ant. and put a dab down again it will work and look fine. My install is for easy removal as the antennas take a crap every now and then. But will last a long time on a good install. MC

 

[brett]

MC: of course all the antenna install instructions mention being at least 6 inches from the window. Have you noticed any probs with your antenna being closer to the windshield? My guess is NO.

 

[usmc xterra]

I get a perfect signal. I run XM about 800 miles a day 5 days a week, (In big truck too) I change trucks all the time, Have no idea where they come up with that window BS Unless maybe they are afraid of an installer getting too close and cracking a window drilling? But the dag gone things work about anywhere. I use a Spring clamp with a magnetic mount in my Truck, Clipped to a stainless steel Mirror bar. That's not supposed to work, but it does.

But pretty easy test, turn on radio, plug ant in, Slap it up there, shut the door and drive in circles around town. There ya go. That's called testing the install location.

Yours would be further from the glass than mine.

MC

 

[burnout]

just as an oem experienced person, i installed the oem sirius kit in my xterra the first week i got it. including the oem sirius antenna which is almost invisible from outside and has no reception problems for me. This is my 4th car ive installed sirius in.

 

[brett]

Mine comes out under dash into engine, up along A pillar and along windshield rubber to the center of the top of the roof in front. You can see it in this Pic. It has to have a good look at the sky, and be easy to replace, this qualifies. Not blocked by roof cargo or anything. 10 Min Install.

MC: When you pushed the antenna lead along the windshield rubber.. seems to me like there's all kinds of room at the top, but coming down the side of the window on the A pillar, mine is REALLY tight. I have that same micro antenna that you appear to have. I'm afraid to really get rough with it (screwdriver), might have to put some liquid soap on it or something. Did you have to fight yours to get it in there?

 

[NOCM]

I ran my cable up the A pillar, down the drivers side in the headliner and then out the back center of the hatch.

I cut a small slit in the rubber seal for the hatch and when it warms up a bit, I will seal the slit with a dab of silicone.

 

[SKW]

MC: To go out the back hatch, are you using that washer fluid line grommet, or riding over the hatch seal? If you somehow use that grommet, do you take that line out, slit it, push the satellite wire thru then put the fluid line back? Just doesn't look big enough to me to do much.

I did it this way. If you take apart the washer fluid line, push the satellite antenna plug thru, there's enough room for just the wire when you put the washer fluid line back togteher.

 

[usmc xterra]

I kinda pealed the rubber back and stuffed it under the rubber. I worked from the Ant down to keep it tight and have no left over at the ant. It was a bit of a bear. And I did the dab of silicone also. MC

 

[brett]

I kinda pealed the rubber back and stuffed it under the rubber. I worked from the Ant down to keep it tight and have no left over at the ant. It was a bit of a bear. And I did the dab of silicone also. MC

I ended up using a couple of old Lowe's gift cards (or any old credit cards would work). Slipped the first one in behind the seal, used it to hold the seal back. Used the second one to gently push the small antenna into the void. I did apply a bit of dishwashing soap to the area and antenna lead (washed clean later), and it went right in with no problems. Not sure what was up originally, coming down from the top, made the turn at the A pillar, and about 4 inches out of the turn it was tight for a bit - got past that and it went right in. Went on down and added it into the split loom that my gentex mirror temp sensor passes thru the firewall. Pioneer tuner box sits under the drivers seat. Gets great reception at the top of the windshield - same place as MC's. Loving satellite radio again!

 

[willgr1]

i just installed mine today....antenna is on the rear driver side of the roof, ran wire into the hatch opening, into the grommet for all the tail light wires and into the car under the headliner, down the a-pillar and under the dash!....good thing they included a lot of extra wire, lol..

 

[usmc xterra]

Brett, nice touch with the dish soap, and good auxilary location willgr1 I avoided the rear because a Roof rack goes there and it would block it in the center, but....driver's side works, my brain housing group is stuck on center this center that. The funny thing is, I only use XM on trips, I use it every trip out for work and by time I get in the X local Radio is what I need to hear. MC

 

[X_Ego]

I have my sirius mounted right above the top center tray. When the tray was out I cut a small semicircle out of the back to run the wires down into the radio area. I have my sirius plugged directly into my aftermarket head unit. So no wires are visible - I have the Stereo cable, power, and antenna running down there. I vampire tapped an extra power socket into the TOP power socket (the bottom one is always on), and that's hidden behind the dash and the unit powers on and off when I turn the truck on and off. Ran the antenna wire down, under the steering wheel, up the A pillar, across the top all the way to the back. I just picked up the rubber seal at the top of the trunk, put a few pieces of electrical tape on the exposed metal surface to cushion it a little, pulled the antenna through and have it mounted on the rear hatch (I have snowboards up top in the winter and they would be blocking the antenna). I'll take pictures later today maybe if anyone asks for them. If I could do it again I'd mount the antenna on the side of the roof, because when I'm at the beach or camping and the rear hatch is open the signal gets real, real sketchy or drops out all together because it swivels into a weird position being on the hatch.

 

[Lonesome Crow]

I have my sirius mounted right above the top center tray. When the tray was out I cut a small semicircle out of the back to run the wires down into the radio area. I have my sirius plugged directly into my aftermarket head unit. So no wires are visible - I have the Stereo cable, power, and antenna running down there. I vampire tapped an extra power socket into the TOP power socket (the bottom one is always on), and that's hidden behind the dash and the unit powers on and off when I turn the truck on and off. Ran the antenna wire down, under the steering wheel, up the A pillar, across the top all the way to the back. I just picked up the rubber seal at the top of the trunk, put a few pieces of electrical tape on the exposed metal surface to cushion it a little, pulled the antenna through and have it mounted on the rear hatch (I have snowboards up top in the winter and they would be blocking the antenna). I'll take pictures later today maybe if anyone asks for them. If I could do it again I'd mount the antenna on the side of the roof, because when I'm at the beach or camping and the rear hatch is open the signal gets real, real sketchy or drops out all together because it swivels into a weird position being on the hatch.

Yes, pics please. :colors: