XM RADIO ADD?

[DDWH]

I wanted to add XM Radio to my rig(03 H2). I have read though all the old posts about adding XM, but for the most part the threads are 2 years old. I found a product made by Terk that seems to be the nice clean factory way for an install with a realistic price. Product number is XMDGMK. Does anyone have experience with this?

thanks!

[DDWH]

I wanted to add XM Radio to my rig(03 H2). I have read though all the old posts about adding XM, but for the most part the threads are 2 years old. I found a product made by Terk that seems to be the nice clean factory way for an install with a realistic price. Product number is XMDGMK. Does anyone have experience with this?

thanks!

[Klaus]

I used the GM XM Radio kit.

http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/6706011751/m/9.../680106248#680106248 (http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/6706011751/m/930102357/r/680106248#680106248)

[DDWH]

Klaus, I looked at that one. The Terk seemed to do the same for half the price. The other thing that had me leary about the factory kit was drilling into the roof for the xm roof pod. Did you have to drill your roof or is there an alternative place or way to mount it?

[kodiakz]

Use the Terk kit. It works great and is easy to install. Does all that the oem kit does. DO NOT drill a hole in your roof--absolutely no need for that!

[Klaus]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DDWH:
Klaus, I looked at that one. The Terk seemed to do the same for half the price. The other thing that had me leary about the factory kit was drilling into the roof for the xm roof pod. Did you have to drill your roof or is there an alternative place or way to mount it? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You can mod the factory kit's tuner so that an aftermarket XM antenna can be used (an extra rib on the tuner's plastic antenna connector needs to be trimed).

I try to use factory GM parts, as they were designed to work together. The Terk kit may work fine, but I know that other aftermarket XM adapters had a lot of problems (battery draining, slow channel changes, 8 character displays, radio would lock up until the battery was disconnected).

[kodiakz]

Having installed many of both kits, I can say that the Terk kit works every bit as well as the oem and have never had to replace a Terk either.

[DDWH]

Klaus & kodiakz thanks for the info! One last question, is this a DIY project or should I take it to a shop to have it done?

[Klaus]

Depends on your ability. Do you have experience installing car stereos?

Also, keep in mind taking it to a shop is no guarantee that the job will be done correctly. Do you know of a shop that does good work?

[DDWH]

Yeah sort of...I did my toyota and bmer, but that was back in high school and college. On my more recent vehicles I either went to Auto Sound Lab or Circuit City.

Theres 2 shops here local that have been around for over 20 years I believe...They seem to do top notch work and I have never heard anyone bish about thier work.

[kodiakz]

Not overly difficult, but not a cake walk either.

[Dewi2005]

OK.. I ordered the Terk XMDGMK and it arrived today. Only problem I see is it appears I will also need an intreface cable to connect to my Stereo Head Unit.

Anyone have recommendations on where to get this cable and a part # if possible.

Another thing that I have not found doing a search is a good location to install the Terk box?? any ideas??

Thanks

[DDWH]

Do you have the stock radio? I was under the impression that the kit came with a factory style interface cable for plug in play install.

I haven't even started/ordered mine yet. Got busy with work and other crap going on around here. Hope to get to it next week!

[Dewi2005]

I went to the http://www.beachaudio.com website where I ordered mine from, and it does appear that the kit should contain everything needed to install into a Factory radio. So, Ill be contacting Beach Audio tomorrow to see what the deal is.. I think they may have shipped the incorrect item because on the box there is no designation of the XMDGMK part #. Ill update the post tomorrow.

[Dewi2005]

BTW.. This is the url for Beach Audio XMDGMK part#

http://www.beachaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=...GTKW=xmdgmk&ref=true (http://www.beachaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=65030&amp;GCID=C12585x003 &amp;GTKW=xmdgmk&amp;ref=true)

If I can get this mess straigtened out with them and get the correct components, Ill let you know so if you are interested in purchasing this for $159.00 from them you will know they stand behind it... that is if they resolve their mess up.

[DDWH]

Looks to be complete, maybe something got left out? Klaus and kodiakz are the radio experts, through a PM at them, I am sure they can help. Also call the place you purchased from and make sure the kits complete.

[DDWH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dewi2005:
BTW.. This is the url for Beach Audio XMDGMK part#

http://www.beachaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=...GTKW=xmdgmk&ref=true (http://www.beachaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=65030&amp;GCID=C12585x003 &amp;GTKW=xmdgmk&amp;ref=true)

If I can get this mess straigtened out with them and get the correct components, Ill let you know so if you are interested in purchasing this for $159.00 from them you will know they stand behind it... that is if they resolve their mess up. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Dewi, what did you find out on your kit?

[Dewi2005]

I contacted Beach Audio today and confirmed that the incorrect item was shipped to me. They are sending me a replacement (correct item hopefully) of the XDMGMK which includes everything needed to install XM using the stock GM Radio. This is the part # I originally ordered, but somehow they sent me the XDM1000 which is a universal XM adapter that does require additional components.

Long story short they sent me the wrong item and will replace with the correct item.. I should have this by early next week and will try to get the install done shortly after that.

Thanks!

[DDWH]

Cool deal, sounded like they had messed up something. Are you going to do the install yourself or have it done?

[Dewi2005]

I am planning on doing myself.. If I get real ambitious Ill take pictures and post them so that others can see the location etc for the install... This may already be documented in the install instructions, but regardless the pictures are always a help in my opinion..

You gonna order your soon or wait to see how this turns out for me? If you are waiting, Ill make sure I get some sort of documented steps & tips posted

[DDWH]

I am waiting for you now http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Pics would be cool! I was thinking there should be room behind the radio and or glove box for the xm box and interface box. Not sure how long the cables are. Another option depending on length of cables is to mount the xm reciever under the center console. I could be wrong but i think I saw a picture and it seemd to have room. Both kodiakz and Klaus have done the install so they would have good ideas on mounting locations.

[Dewi2005]

That would be real cool if Kodiakz and/or Klaus would be willing to post some suggestions on this subject.. Sure would speed my project up significantly.. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[kodiakz]

Plenty of room behind the glove box and next to the radio to mount the tuner and interface. The tuner is pretty small and the interface is even smaller. Mount the antenna on the roof and run the cable behind the glove box, plug everything in and you are done.

[Dewi2005]

Thanks Kodiakz!!! Like I said before, this info will definitely speed up my install... Ill make sure to post pictures for others.

[DDWH]

Dewi, how is your install coming along?

[Dewi2005]

Just received the replacement XM unit yesterday. Ill be installing it in the next couple of days providing the weather warms up a bit.. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Ill take photos and post.

[DDWH]

Sweet deal...can't wait to see and hear how it turns out! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Dewi2005]

OK... Got warm enough to finish this thing.. I did take the dash etc apart more than needed, but I wanted to make sure I could see everything possible. If you do this install you will only need to swing the glove box door open. This is accomplished by depressing the stop on the righ side of the glove box and allow it to fall down.

Steps taken to complete install.

<LI>Follow instructions for removing center console found here (http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/6706011751/m/4116071424/r/4116071424)
<LI>Remove two allen head bolts near the top of the center stack facia. This will allow you to give the center stack facia a good tug and expose the radio mounting bolts etc.
<LI>Remove the radio and install the wire harness provided with the Terk XMDGMK kit.
<LI>Route the extra piece on the new harness around the rear of the radio cavity under the right vent tube. Then pull this harness down by reaching up inside the left opening of the glove box cavity.
<LI>Re-install the radio by re-connecting the wire harness to the rear of the stereo and gently pushing the stereo back into position checking to ensure no wires are being pinched. Bolt radio into place.
<LI>Using double sided tape, install the XM universal tuner box up inside the glove box cavity on the plastic frame next to the right side of the radio. Make sure all the connection points are accessable for later attachment of antenna etc.
<LI>Install antenna in a location best suited for your vehicle/radio. I used a piece of sheet metal glued to the underside of the top center of the center stack so the antenna could stick magnetically to the sheet metal through the plastic, and sit in the window instead of outside.
<LI>Route antenna wire back to the XM Universal tuner box and ensure proper connection.
<LI>Install the left and right (red and white) RCA cables into the XM universal tuner box.
<LI>Install the data control cable into the XM Universal tuner box.. allow the wires to hang down out of the glove box opening.
<LI>Using double sided tape install the GM interface box onto the XM universal tuner box. Make sure the RCA and Data connections are pointing down, and that the wire harness from the stereo is plugged into the interface box prior to sticking the interface box to the universal tuner.
<LI>Plug the RCA and Data cables into the GM interface box.
<LI>Tie all excess cable together below the universal tuner box and GM interface to make a clean install and avoid any rattles etc down the road.
<LI>Re-install the center stack facia
<LI>Re-install the center console

Now it is time to call XM and have them enable your radio. The control of the XM is now done through the radio and the steering wheel controls.. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Dewi2005]

Final picture set of install

[DDWH]

Looks great Dewi and thanks for all the info and pics! How is the reception with where you mounted your antena?

[Dewi2005]

The antenna in the window is not exactly optimum, but it does work pretty good. Since I have a roof rack thre is not a real good location on the roof without running the cable all over the place to get to a good spot, so I opted for the windshield.. In the mountains it seems to have some issues, but in the city and out on the flats it works great. Good luck on yours.

[DDWH]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking about chasing it up the a pillar and pop it out with the blondestar antena side or the radio antena side. Not sure if I want to deal with all that. I will most likely end up doing what you did.

[Dewi2005]

I originally had a portable XM radio in my H2 and had the antenna chased up the a-pillar and stuck to the drivers side luggage rack track just behind the front corner marker light. This worked pretty good and I think possibly better than the window mount, but only time will tell. Have fun with the install!

[Dewi2005]

Just wanted to add an update...

I have run this now for a little while and have noticed that the antenna inside is quite a bit less effecient than when mounted outside.

Next project will be to install the CB and move the XM antenna outside to the roof rack rail.

[DDWH]

Okay, I will wait then for the rest of your project details and pictures! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif