New to the SSR scene, and thought I'd share the install of XM in my SSR.
The kit from GM was about $275.00 (with tax) and was a BREEZE to install. You have to remove the dash strips, relieve the lower half of the dash (not remove) and remove the top half of the dash. Not as difficult as it may seem.
Once removed, you follow the kit directions to a fault, with only one exception. The addition of the plug on the right side of the rear panel of the radio will inhibit getting it back in. You must modify the radio cradle to accept this plug by cutting away a clearing for it. I used a simple file and some patience, then vacuumed the filings out.
As for the Translator box, I mounted it on the top of the main air vent behind the radio with velcro. The tuner was mounted on top of the ashtray assembly, also with velcro. There is a surprising amount of space here even with the assembly in the closed position. The antenna wire was routed under the dash and the under the dash trim along the bottom of the windshield, and finally mounted centered up on the dash about two inches from the winshield.
Reception is great, and the only indication of the installation is the antenna, and it looks great. The factory Bose system I have performs all display functions of the XM information output, and comes through crystal clear.
Just thought I'd share this with anyone on the fence with the XM choice. This is easy and relatively inexpensive. NO WIRING NEEDED is the best selling point. If you have any mechanical ability and a little patience, this is something you can do yourself in a matter of less than 2 hours.
If you have any questions, let me know. I'd be glad to clear any of this up or assist if needed.
The kit from GM was about $275.00 (with tax) and was a BREEZE to install. You have to remove the dash strips, relieve the lower half of the dash (not remove) and remove the top half of the dash. Not as difficult as it may seem.
So you had no problem unfastening the pass. air bag?
I have some pics of the completed install that I will post ASAP.
I will also get the part number off the package tonight for you.
The removal of the dash around the passenger airbag cover was tedious, but not difficult. I did not have to remove the airbag or its cover. It had enough "give" to allow me to remove the upper dash cover, and enough memory to lay back in its original position when I put the cover back over it. Imagine installing a "rubber boot" or something similar. Each end has enough give to be manipulated out of and back into the cover.
Called my local dealer and they said it can't be done. And that no XM kit was available. I know better. They are going to have to do something about the radio anyway as it only picks up 9 stations on scan and my Avalnche gets 19 as well as my wifes vehicle gets 19.
While they have things apart, I want the XM module and antenna installed.
Before you go through the radio change, check the antenna to see if it is damaged. I had the same problem. The front window had to be changed. Now I can scan all the stations in the local area.
Terk XMDGM100 is the part number. GM does not make it Terk does. My brother in-law just bought a new GMC Sierra and it has the same radio in it as the SSR. He has XM already on it factory. The install is about 75 bucks
My SSR: '05 Concept Truck, powered by Heavy Duty rubberbands, and a really BIG WINDUP KEY!
Rumor has it. (got it from my sales man) that by the fall of 2005, GM is coming out with a wiring harness for all of us who got the car without "XM-Radio" so we can convert ours, without all the extra fuss.
Kenbob gave me great directions to install sirius onto the stock radio. Gbrian gave me the push I needed to do it myself! You do NOT need to remove the airbag to remove the dash panel, it will stay intact.
I used the SIR-KEN1 with a gm adapter and not only does it work great, it says SIRIUS instead of XM...I didn't expect that.
Total job took longer than anticipated, but went easier than I thought it would.
You can and should do this if you have a factory radio, you will not regret it!
Thanks to all who posted their experiences with the XMGDM100 XM radio kit. We ordered it from the myradiostore.com and installed it ourselves. I've helped install in-dash radios in my friends' cars when I was in high school but other than that, I have no real car audio experience.
Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind when taking on this task:
Make sure all the parts are in your kit before doing anything. I was missing a cable and made the mistake of not checking before removing the dash.
Take great care when removing the silver strips. I used a flat wood chisel that has a wide knife-like edge with a cloth to carefully pry the strips. Also, make sure you pull off the circle surrounds from the air-control knobs before prying at the larger strip.
Thought it was interesting that the screws hold the dash in were metric.
After you remove all of the screws holding the upper dash and loosen the ones under the lower dash, you can slowly start removing the upper dash. The airbag cover was, by far, the most frustrating part of the dash removal. Being reluctant and unsure complicated matters but, the cover bends enough to allow it to push through the dash panel and allow it to be removed. Remember how you did this because you have to get it back through when you re-install the dash panel.
Now, you can remove the screws that hold the radio. Make sure you remove all of your CDs before starting the install. They tend to eject at times when you least expect it.
I was not able to remove the antenna wire. Don't know why but it would not budge from behind the radio. This complicated matters but did not prevent my installation from continuing.
I used a triangle file to file down the plastic piece that is located behind the radio. You MUST do this or the radio will not fits properly do to the new plug on the wiring harness. Use a hand-vac to vacuum up the shavings. You will have to eye-it up to determine how much of the plastic to remove due to the new plug on the rear right side of the radio.
I decided to mount the antenna in the center of the dash near the windshield. Routing the cable is easy by securing the antenna "wafer" in place with some Velcro or sticky putty and then pushing the wire under the trim around the right and then, back into the dash. Use a zip-tie to wrap-up the unneeded length wire.
I hooked everything up as per the kit instructions and gave it a test run before continuing. Pressing the BAND button now has two new displays - XM1 and XM2! And, I can tune to channel 1 and hear the XM preview channel! We are very happy at this point.
Now, it is time to locate your two new XM boxes and re-install the radio. I chose to sticky back Velcro the XM direct box to the underside of the dash and the GM box to the top of the main air duct. Thinking back now, gravity may work against me with mounting the XM direct box to the under side of the dash. But, it is pretty light and the dash is pretty strong. It is your choice.
Once the radio is mounted back in the dash, I tested the installation again before continuing the dash re-installation.
Now comes the worst part of the installation.....the air bag cover. I think if I had the right tool, I could have pried the air bag cover correctly without a hitch. I am thinking a little pry bar called a Gorilla bar would have been just the thing. Instead, I used a large metal spoon.
Key to re-installation of the dash panel is to take notes. I would suggest having someone work with you on this also.
I also had some problems with the vent ducts lining up properly with the vents. They tend to move around pretty easily. But, with a little patience, all work fine. Be careful that if you use a screw driver to lineup the duct with the vent to not pop out the little vent clips. I did this and had to take the dash apart again.
Once all is back in place, tune to channel 0 on the radio and get your radio id. Call up or go online to get your radio activated. Pull your SSR out of the garage though so the activation signal can get to it. Even though you can hear station 1 in the garage, the signal did not get to mine properly. I had to do this a couple of times working with the XM people.
Now, you can sit back and listen to XM radio. I relished in the knowledge that I saved lots of $$$ by installing this myself. Our dealership gave us a cost of $230-$400 to install it because they had never done one before. I figured if these guys, who should know all of the tricks and have all of the tools to remove and re-install the dash, would have had no problems with the install but I was not going to pay that much. Anyway, my wife and I are very very happy now that we can hear our favorites channels, 8 (80's), 83(Chrome), and 13(Hank's Place) again! I probably made some mistakes and could have done things easier, but I forgot all about that now.
I was going to go a different direction but was board tonite and installed the adpter.
It took about 1hour.
I'm not sure why everyone is removing the air bag?? The upper dash will slip around it.
It might make it even easier if you wet it with armour all.
All and all it was quite easy. I was expecting a lot worse.
My SSR: '05 Concept Truck, powered by Heavy Duty rubberbands, and a really BIG WINDUP KEY!
Quote:
Originally Posted by packerbkd
Thanks to all who posted their experiences with the XMGDM100 XM radio kit. We ordered it from the myradiostore.com and installed it ourselves. I've helped install in-dash radios in my friends' cars when I was in high school but other than that, I have no real car audio experience.
Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind when taking on this task:
I decided to mount the antenna in the center of the dash near the windshield. Routing the cable is easy by securing the antenna "wafer" in place with some Velcro or sticky putty and then pushing the wire under the trim around the right and then, back into the dash. Use a zip-tie to wrap-up the unneeded length wire.
Now, you can sit back and listen to XM radio. I relished in the knowledge that I saved lots of $$$ by installing this myself. Our dealership gave us a cost of $230-$400 to install it because they had never done one before. I figured if these guys, who should know all of the tricks and have all of the tools to remove and re-install the dash, would have had no problems with the install but I was not going to pay that much. Anyway, my wife and I are very very happy now that we can hear our favorites channels, 8 (80's), 83(Chrome), and 13(Hank's Place) again! I probably made some mistakes and could have done things easier, but I forgot all about that now.
Doesn't mounting the antenna on the dash below the window interfere with the signal? I was told it would be difficult to get a good solid signal all the time if you had to get it thru the windshield.
After reading all these posts I am going to get the kit this weekend. I love the factory radio w/6-cd and would not want an after market.
Doesn't mounting the antenna on the dash below the window interfere with the signal? I was told it would be difficult to get a good solid signal all the time if you had to get it thru the windshield.
After reading all these posts I am going to get the kit this weekend. I love the factory radio w/6-cd and would not want an after market.
I had XM installed in two other cars with the antenna mounted outside the car. I have not seen any difference in signal with the antenna mounted on the front dash by the windshield.
My SSR: '05 Concept Truck, powered by Heavy Duty rubberbands, and a really BIG WINDUP KEY!
Quote:
Originally Posted by packerbkd
I had XM installed in two other cars with the antenna mounted outside the car. I have not seen any difference in signal with the antenna mounted on the front dash by the windshield.
Once you have subscribed to xm, you can get it for your home computer for free. Just go to there web site, and enter your code from your car install, and then you have it for free. Enjoy.
Last edited by froberts : 08-12-2005 at 09:22 AM.
Reason: spelling correction
Sorry, I did not take pics, but it is a very simple install.
The directions above should get you through it in no time. Signal is just fine. I have not even mounted the antenna to the dash yet amd even sliding around all over the place it works fine.
03 SSR 2190, 05 Tahoe, 08 HHR SS, 94 C4
Installed the XMGDM100 Kit this past weekend
