XM Radio antenna install

[nfranco]

Hi all.
I'm going to put a new stereo, with XM, in my 60 and am wondering what people have found is the best way to route the external antenna.
The manual talks about running the wire under the weather strip around the window but I'm a little leery of that.
Seems like that would create a water entry point.
Thank you.

 

[enfield]

I've seen people mount the antenna to the inside of the window with mixed success. You might try that?

 

[Output Shaft]

I'm kinda curious about XM too.
Let us know how you eventually rig it, what radio you installed.... and how it works.
Thanks

 

[ArizonaFJ]

Yep, run it past the weather stripping and you'll get a leak. I eventually ran it through the hole where the AC drain line goes through the firewall. I'll post some pictures in a bit.

 

[ArizonaFJ]

A few pictures of my install. I got an Onyx Plus but probably would have been happy with the basic Onyx. The extra features sounded good when I bought the radio but I never use then and couldn't even tell you what they are now. Subscriptions are entirely personal taste; I'm happy with Select.
I put the antenna on the passenger side near the base of the windshield. I ran the antenna wire into the engine bay via the space between the fender and cowl (valence?) panels and then into the cab via the AC drain hole. The AC drain hole is obscured by a charcoal canister line in the picture but it's next to the bracket that secures the rear heater lines to the firewall. I used the supplied stick-on mount to attach the radio to the dash below the rear defog switch. I was in a hurry and that spot worked. It still works well enough. I'd rather have a "built in" XM radio for the cleaner installation but I share this one with my dad when he's on his twice-yearly RV trips.
Reception is good. All the channels get repetitive so I find myself channel surfing often but there's plenty of channels to surf - that's the point. Note that I also listen to XM radio for an hour each way on my daily commute to/from work in the company car pool. If you didn't have that much car time it may not seem as repetitive. I doubt I'd have an XM radio if I lived most anywhere else but in northern Nevada it's four to six hours of nothing but sage brush and country or Christian radio in any direction.

 

[jjvbva]

Similar to ArizonaFJ install. Put antenna between the wipers in te middle and just ran the wire into the engine bay and routed across to insert where the regular antenna wire enters and then in and out to the install point.

 

[nfranco]

Great, thanks guys. I'll give this a go.

I'm kinda curious about XM too.
Let us know how you eventually rig it, what radio you installed.... and how it works.
Thanks

Will do, now for the fun of dash removal and the inevitable struggle of "while I'm in here..."

 

[IBFJ62]

For you double din guys, I picked up a used Jensen 9424 from a neighbor, it's got XM (haven't hooked that up), NAV, DVD, etc. and it's a perfect fit, like it was stock. Mounting holes lined up and everything. I also like that the USB plugs in from the rear of the unit, so I ran the remote USB into the glove box to plug my ipod into and lock it up. No external wires plugging into the face, for a super clean look. I've got the GPS antenna up on the dash right at the bottom corner of the window, so far so good on signal. Also utilized the back-up cam feature and ran a camera through the rear bumper, works great.

 

[Output Shaft]

the fun of dash removal

You may not have to remove the dash. I didn't with my last radio... But who knows how big the one will be that you'll install.

 

[nfranco]

That'd be nice, hope you're right. Looks about the same size as stock. I'm also putting in a CB and a Wagongear CB antenna mounts, dash cap if I have time.

 

[nfranco]

I went with the ArizonaFJ, jjvbva XM antenna placement, no reception issues so far.

Wagongear antenna mount.

Old wiring is fun.

Made some brackets for the CB/radio spitter.

XM interface

Dash cap

Radio is a JVC KD-X31MBS, interfaces with my iPhone well. XM is nice to have again
Tuning the 2' antenna for the CB took some fiddling, have to run it to fit into garage at work. I have a 3' for out in the world.
Thank you all for your advice.

 

[enfield]

Looks great!
What wire did you tap into for constant power?

 

[nfranco]

The inspection light outlet for now.
I'm going to move it to a hot line I ran from the battery for the CB.

 

[enfield]

You ran a new wire, straight from the battery? What are the benefits of that, vs where you are tied in now?

I'm about to replace my (incorrectly installed) aftermarket head unit, so trying to figure out the best method.

 

[nfranco]

I just figured it would be better to have a new dedicated wire for the CB and radio instead of pulling more power through 30 year old wire.

 

[enfield]

That makes sense.

 

[joebattle1]

I just figured it would be better to have a new dedicated wire for the CB and radio instead of pulling more power through 30 year old wire.

Are you running a fused wire here?

 

[nfranco]

Yes, can't remember offhand what size.
I can check if you 'd like.

 

[joebattle1]

Yes, can't remember offhand what size.
I can check if you 'd like.

All good... Was just curious. I just did the Wagon Gear antenna swap last weekend. I mounted my CB to the driver side of my Tuffy box, right next to the seatbelt receiver. With the stock seats and the Tuffy box it's like it was meant to go there.

I just found a screw and plastic piece to screw the cb/fm switch to in the dash. I like how you mounted yours that way. I really like what you did with the head unit. My dash is pretty thrashed and I had to make an MDF plug to hold my head unit in place. I did not remove the dash as you did. Do you have more picks of that? I want to Re-skin my dash but would like to see more pics of the dashes components out. I've always been a bit afraid to just jump into the dash removal.

I too run a similar head unit and SAT radio antenna. I choose to bring mine up the driver side and keep the antenna inside the truck on the dash between the windshield and the gauges area of the dash. Works perfect.

 

[nfranco]

I'll look for more pics.