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TundraGeneral discussion forum for the 2007 and later Toyota Tundra.
This is a discussion thread titled "DIY: Sirius Satellite Installation", within the Tundra forum, part of the Truck Forums category.
Thanks very much for your post.. I will have to check out the YouTube video's on my home computer tonight- since my work blocks YouTube...
A local shop told me they would install this for $229 plus tax. Considering that this unit is $129, was it worth saving $100 to install it yourself? Again- sorry I can't view the video's yet. My only concern is getting to the back of the radio... I hope your video's are going to show me how easy it is when I get home tonight...
Thanks again for your helpful post, AND the link to the good deal on the Tuner.
__________________
Silver 2008 5.7 4x4 SR5 Double Cab with Gray Leather and JBL picked up on 5/31/08
I installed the Truxxx 3/1 leveling kit the day after I got it. PAIN IN THE A!! Get a shop to do it!!
Excalibur AL-2000 2-way pager alarm with remote start and dark as legally possible tint installed the very next day
305/55/20 Toyo A/T tires and black with machined lip ATX Vice wheels installed the day after that!
Aries 4" Deluxe Oval tube steps.
Sirius Satelite Radio installed using wleeb's awesome DIY.
Thanks very much for your post.. I will have to check out the YouTube video's on my home computer tonight- since my work blocks YouTube...
A local shop told me they would install this for $229 plus tax. Considering that this unit is $129, was it worth saving $100 to install it yourself? Again- sorry I can't view the video's yet. My only concern is getting to the back of the radio... I hope your video's are going to show me how easy it is when I get home tonight...
Thanks again for your helpful post, AND the link to the good deal on the Tuner.
Yep, it is very easy once you know how. I show in detail how to remove the head unit and partial dis-assembly of the center console. I hope it helps...
Super details on this clean install. One question, how is your reception with the antenna located in that area (by the speaker) vs. on the roof or outside in the cowl area (between the windshield wipers)?
Super details on this clean install. One question, how is your reception with the antenna located in that area (by the speaker) vs. on the roof or outside in the cowl area (between the windshield wipers)?
I finished the installation late last night and have not had a chance to really test it thoroughly. During my research on potential antenna locations I asked the same question to other users that have antennas installed in the center grill area and without exception all reported good reception.
As for the roof or in the cowl area, the roof is undoubtedly the best location with no possibility of some part of the truck obscuring the line of sight to the satellite. This however comes at the expense of both looks and increased installation difficulty.
Good reception also has a lot to do with your location in reference to the satellites. Interestingly, Sirius uses a Tundra Orbit (no relation), check this out. Each satellite averages around 16 hours a day over the continental United States with at least one over the continent at any time.
Landscape, buildings and even parts of the vehicle can interfer with reception. Sirius reduces this risk 3 ways, (1) high elevation angles, (2) satellite diversity, and (3) time diversity.
If you are really interested and/or having trouble sleeping read this.
I have a factory installed XM radio and have very bad reception because the antenna is installed on the left windsheild under the state inspection sticker.
I like where you installed the Sirus radio antenna in the front speaker. Do you receive good reception?
Please let me know. I might have the dealer move the antenna to the front speaker location.
I have a factory installed XM radio and have very bad reception because the antenna is installed on the left windsheild under the state inspection sticker.
I like where you installed the Sirus radio antenna in the front speaker. Do you receive good reception?
Please let me know. I might have the dealer move the antenna to the front speaker location.
Thanks
Ok first and foremost I am not a satellite radio expert so with that disclaimer in place, I will share what little I do know.
This is only the second day after the install and the reception so far is great, but I have not been on a long trip yet so this may change?
Keep in mind that XM and Sirius reception quality given antenna location will be uniquely different and is highly dependant on where you are located in relation to the respective satellites. Each company uses a much different strategy to signal transmission. XM uses geostationary satellites located at the equator versus Sirius satellites that are in geosynchronous orbit, see the picture below.
Both XM and Sirius use a network of antennas/repeaters on buildings and towers that receive satellite signals then retransmits them in areas where the possibility of signal loss is the greatest. The difference is Sirius does not need as many repeaters given their geosynchronous approach.
With that being said, my gut feeling is moving the antenna from the corner of the dash to the center will not result in a significant improvement in signal reception and will probably make it worse. More of the roof that can obscure line of sight with the satellite will be in play. The reason I choose this location over others is the ease of installation and the fact that the antenna is hidden from view.
If your current reception is unsatisfactory you may entertain putting it on your roof. From a reception point of view this is the best location, up there no part of the vehicle can obscure line of sight with the satellite. Check out pedro66's most excellent thread regarding a Permanent Sirius Antenna Installation .
Hi wleeb,
Well, I finally got a chance to watch your video's last night... GREAT STUFF!! I had no idea it was that easy to tear apart the dash and center console and remove the radio! Thanks for the great post.
I, too have concerns about the center SPEAKER GRILL itself blocking the antenna's reception. Not so much the position on the dash, but the actual grill material partially blocking the signal. Can you please keep us posted on how your reception is working out there- under the speaker grill?
MY main question is that you mention the $129 Sirius Tuner in your post, but then in your video's, you have (2) separate modules...
a) How much does this extra module cost?
b) How do I know if I need that one or not? I have the JBL Sound System in my truck. The radio face place does have a button for SAT. Will I still need that 2nd module, and if so, can you please elaborate via text here what each unit does/ is needed for? I know you mentioned it in your video's but I still didn't catch what is needed for what..
Thanks again for such a "professional" post.
__________________
Silver 2008 5.7 4x4 SR5 Double Cab with Gray Leather and JBL picked up on 5/31/08
I installed the Truxxx 3/1 leveling kit the day after I got it. PAIN IN THE A!! Get a shop to do it!!
Excalibur AL-2000 2-way pager alarm with remote start and dark as legally possible tint installed the very next day
305/55/20 Toyo A/T tires and black with machined lip ATX Vice wheels installed the day after that!
Aries 4" Deluxe Oval tube steps.
Sirius Satelite Radio installed using wleeb's awesome DIY.
b) How do I know if I need that one or not? I have the JBL Sound System in my truck. The radio face place does have a button for SAT. Will I still need that 2nd module, and if so, can you please elaborate via text here what each unit does/ is needed for? I know you mentioned it in your video's but I still didn't catch what is needed for what..
Thanks again for such a "professional" post.
I believe the price he posted was for both modules off ebay. The SCC1 is the Sirius universal tuner needed to pick up the satellite signal. The TOYSC1 is needed to allow the universal tuner to interface with the Toyota head unit. Yes you will need both. Works for all 2007+ Tundra head units.
That was one of the best DIY's I ever seen. I usually always have someone do the work for me - so I don't screw things up- but I'm really tempted to tackle this one myself. Thanks again!
Hi wleeb,
Well, I finally got a chance to watch your video's last night... GREAT STUFF!! I had no idea it was that easy to tear apart the dash and center console and remove the radio! Thanks for the great post.
I, too have concerns about the center SPEAKER GRILL itself blocking the antenna's reception. Not so much the position on the dash, but the actual grill material partially blocking the signal. Can you please keep us posted on how your reception is working out there- under the speaker grill?
MY main question is that you mention the $129 Sirius Tuner in your post, but then in your video's, you have (2) separate modules...
a) How much does this extra module cost?
b) How do I know if I need that one or not? I have the JBL Sound System in my truck. The radio face place does have a button for SAT. Will I still need that 2nd module, and if so, can you please elaborate via text here what each unit does/ is needed for? I know you mentioned it in your video's but I still didn't catch what is needed for what..
Thanks again for such a "professional" post.
Thanks for the feedback chix, I'm glad I could help!
The $129 kit comes complete with both modules e.g. both boxes.
This kit will work with your JBL SAT ready radio and you will need both of the modules in the kit.
The Directed Electronics TOY-SC1 interface module sits between the factory radio and the Sirius tuner module (SCC1). Since our Tundras come "XM" ready this module will effectively emulate an XM tuner.
The Sirius tuner module (SCC1) would normally sit between the radio and the satellite antenna but for our installation it will connect to the Directed Electronics TOY-SC1 module instead of the radio.
All you need is the $129 Sirius Tuner kit, plumbers tape, 4mm or 8-32 by 1 inch machined screws with nuts and washers and a Sirius subscription. If you are prepared this project shouldn't take any more than 1-2 hours to complete.
I apologize for the lack of detail in the video, I was running out of time and quite frankly energy. My goal was to shoot this video in 1 day and keep it under 10 minutes long (YouTube limit for one video). I really failed on both goals, To get done in a day I rushed the end of the shoot and failed to capture the detail I wanted too. If I get some time I will take some additional detailed shoots and re-post.
Thanks again for your feedback,
06/11/08: I edited the orginal post to include these details.
That was one of the best DIY's I ever seen. I usually always have someone do the work for me - so I don't screw things up- but I'm really tempted to tackle this one myself. Thanks again!
Thanks frag!
It is really very simple and should not take anymore than a couple of hours to complete.
I say go for it, your not going to hurt anything plus it feels pretty good to know that you did it yourself.
No hijack intended but I just wanted to show how I did my Sirius install. I used a 'Dock and Play' (Starmate 4) radio so that i can use it in my house or with the universal car unit that it came with in a different vehicle. The 'converter' (TOY-SC1) is under the dash per Spark's instructions. The dock and play radio is on the Sirius Connect dock (SCVDOC1) in the upper glove box. The antenna is under the center speaker grill mounted with hot-melt glue. Reception is pretty good and all the controls are through the stock head unit and steering wheel controls. I particularly like that the radio is out of sight and there are no bright and distracting lights like with a universal dock.
You are the man, wleeb... Thanks for the clarification..
One more way you really helped me out: I used your ebay link that you included in your original post, and checked out the kit. From there, I opted to "watch this item" in ebay (not ready to buy it at the time).. When I went back to it the next day, it had somehow changed to a different combination of parts, and the price had changed to $249!!! I guess the original auction timed out, so ebay just re-routed me to the next available similar "product".. I thought I missed out!!
But then, in your reply that you just sent again (re-attaching the ebay link), I clicked on THAT link and it took me to the same kit that you had originally posted- with the much better price of $129.. I ordered it right there on the spot! Thanks again for being so helpful. I will be installing my Sirius kit probly next weekend. Too busy already this weekend!
__________________
Silver 2008 5.7 4x4 SR5 Double Cab with Gray Leather and JBL picked up on 5/31/08
I installed the Truxxx 3/1 leveling kit the day after I got it. PAIN IN THE A!! Get a shop to do it!!
Excalibur AL-2000 2-way pager alarm with remote start and dark as legally possible tint installed the very next day
305/55/20 Toyo A/T tires and black with machined lip ATX Vice wheels installed the day after that!
Aries 4" Deluxe Oval tube steps.
Sirius Satelite Radio installed using wleeb's awesome DIY.
2008 Tundra CM Limited 4x4 5.7
Linear Mode
