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!

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!

I used the GM XM Radio kit.

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

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?

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!

<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).

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.

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?

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?

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.

Not overly difficult, but not a cake walk either.

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

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!

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.

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

http://www.beachaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=...GTKW=xmdgmk&ref=tr ue

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.

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.

<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=tr ue

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?

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!

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

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