"Special Limited Time Offer" - Buy a Toyota XM tuner for $289.00 from Sparks Scion and receive Free Activation and 1 Year Free XM service with the purchase.

Mention scionlife in the 'special instructions' section and get an extra $10.00 off.

This is a limited time offer and will expire when supplies run out.

http://www.trdsparks.com/displayparts.php?Mdl_dtl=450&Part_cat=23&parts_id=328

Ken
www.trdsparks.com :D

Sounds like a good deal. How difficult to install this?

thats a really good deal.
you're saving $120 right there just for the service.
anyone lookin for xm for the factory radio jump on this

and oh yeah, BUMP

Jim

So... Has anyone done an XM radio install with this kit?

Yeah, I just installed one. It came complete with adhesives, cable ties, bolts, brackets, antenna, tuner, harness, and grounding wire. I ran the antenna from the right rear corner under the hatch door seal, along the headliner, down the rear passenger door seal, under the door sill, and under the passenger seat where I mounted the tuner. It costs the same as trying to get the 910XM with adapter and antenna, and you still can't see the text, but you'd treat it like a cd changer. I can post pics if interested.

Yeah, I just installed one. It came complete with adhesives, cable ties, bolts, brackets, antenna, tuner, harness, and grounding wire. I ran the antenna from the right rear corner under the hatch door seal, along the headliner, down the rear passenger door seal, under the door sill, and under the passenger seat where I mounted the tuner. It costs the same as trying to get the 910XM with adapter and antenna, and you still can't see the text, but you'd treat it like a cd changer. I can post pics if interested.

So the stock head unit does not show the text when using the scion XM radio? Any pics would be appreciated.
Thanks

NO, the factory scion xm kit shows the text...it gets cut off b/c you only get 10-12 characters though. I was looking at using the Toy/PIO03 Adapter on the OEM HU with the Pioneer 910XM aftermarket tuner and learned that it wouldn't show text (artist, channel, song) info at all but just the channel. I'll take pics tomorrow...later on today.

Here is where I placed the xm antenna. The kit includes a cut out so its spaced correctly.

http://www.bernardjohnson.org/mount.JPG

I ran the cable under the hatch seal. If you use the antenna included in the kit, you may have to seal around it b/c its wire/cable is thicker. I used an aftermarket TERK antenna that has thinner wires. I would've used the kit ant. w/ the gasket around the cable, but I didn't see any plugged holes in the chassis to run and plug with the kit cable.

http://www.bernardjohnson.org/mountseal.JPG

I then proceeeded to run the cable along the headliner edge and down the door seal.

http://www.bernardjohnson.org/antennaroute.JPG

I then ran the antenna wire along the door sill and under the front passenger seat to the tuner. If you have big arms, you may have to remove the seat or use a wire hanger to run the cables.

http://www.bernardjohnson.org/tuner.JPG

From left to right, you'll see the grounding cable, the tuner/HU harness, and the xm antenna.

This is what you'll see when you press the AM/SAT button twice. This was channel 67.

http://www.bernardjohnson.org/display.jPG

There are no directions included, so you'll need some rough knowledge of radio installs to sail through, but I did it at night in 1.5 hours. When my neighbor came out to hand me a flashlight, she almost got shot. :no:

Many thanks for the excellent pics and for your time. I'm sure you helped out a few of us who are wanting information on this kit.
Thanks again!

Hey Sparks Scion TRD Parts,
Since I DID explain the install and post pics, but I didn't order the part from you all. How about a xm subscription gift card for my troubles??? I promise to order any future scion parts from you. :bow:

Too bad it's not that easy. I have to pry them out of the Parts Managers hands. Sorry. Oh, the install instructions are on our site now for those that are still thinking about it.

Ken
www.trdsparks.com

Well, I guess its the thought that counts.
Here is the linky for the directions... http://www.trdsparks.com/install/PT546-52040xBinst.pdf This was too much to do, but I would've paid $50 for Toyota to do it. :silly:

Is there any swag at all I can get for my troubles because there was no info on here about the antenna placement. I risked my life and right arm...it was this arm that went in between carpet and car to run the antenna. :relief:

That's too funny, but it probably wasn't at the time. Remind my of your heroic exploits on our behalf when you place an order and I'll see what I can do. No promises.

Ken

my first post.

I'm 99% sure I'm going to buy an xb, and I want XM. I'm wondering how easy this installation is. I take it the user that posted previously didn't follow the directions (remove 2 seats and half the backend of the car? wtf?). I have an extra antenna from the purchase of a MyFi and it has a really skinny wire and is magnetized. Looks like all one has to do mount the XM unit, thread the antenna wire and tuning cable, and attach ground.

Does anyone think the front passenger seat needs to be removed for this? saintjohnson, how do you have the XM thing mounted under the seat?

Thanks

Here's the link to our site and the install instructions are in the upper right hand corner of the page. You might want to take a good look at that.

http://www.trdsparks.com/displayparts.php?Mdl_dtl=450&Part_cat=23&parts_id=328

Ken
www.trdsparks.com

I saw that. It looked like a lot of work to route wires. Dealing with the front seat shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for the help.

Well, it was 11pm Thursday night when I installed it, but I removed the door sills on the right side and the plastic interior cover over the front passenger seat belt. This gave me enough slack to get under the carpet under the seat while the seat was still bolted. There are some plastic clips that the carpet loops over. I didn't notice it until I was done, but there is a plastic cover/bolt on the floor board where your right foot would touch while sitting in the passenger seat that you will need to remove.
I also marked the carpet and cut holes to slide the mounting brackets under the carpet and through the carpet. There's some foam down there too, so don't be surprised by the 1.5 inch bolt on the bracket. But like I said, if you don't have small, long arms(i.e., I'm 6'4", 160lbs), you'll need a wire hanger to pull all three cables...ground wire, antenna, and harness. Pluss you'll need to be creative to slide the brackets under the carpet, or you could velcro it to the floor. I thought about it, but my kids might spill something, so that inch under the tuner is for my kids' safety :flame: .

I bought the xm tuner from trdsparks, and was thinking of somewhere else to put the tuner. Any ideas?
Also, I was going to put the antenna in the headliner, by using double sided tape to paste it upside down on the metal of the roof. Does anyone know if this would diminish the reception?
I don't like the idea of having the antenna outside of the car with all the little punks running around.

I've heard that this location for the ant would work, but i know that these antennas need a line of sight for the signal. Unless you're in LA, NYC, or ATL, you'll have problems with it inside the car.

I live in the LA area, about 15 minutes away from downtown, but travel up to Edwards, which is just south of Mojave. Just north of Lancaster/Palmdale. Does anyone that live around this area know about the reception there?

When I called to activate my tuner, I told them that I was a new scion owner. Toyota has a promotional code like alot of car companies that include sat radio. Act dumb when you call in and you might get more than three months. Dodge has a deal with Sirius where you would get a year free.

I just finished my install today of the tuner from Sparks Toyota as well. I did it exactly as outlined in the online manual. BTW, the bottom of the rear seat does not have to come out as you can lift the end up enough to get a wrench/socket on the one bolt needing removal.
It's a sweet unit, sounds great! I may never listen to AM or FM again!!!

Walt

:wink:

:!:

I installed the antenna last night and the rest of it this morning. Running straight through it would take 3 hours, maybe a little more if you run into some problems. Very nice.

"Special Limited Time Offer" - Buy a Toyota XM tuner for $289.00 from Sparks Scion and receive Free Activation and 1 Year Free XM service with the purchase.

Mention scionlife in the 'special instructions' section and get an extra $10.00 off.

This is a limited time offer and will expire when supplies run out.

http://www.trdsparks.com/displayparts.php?Mdl_dtl=450&Part_cat=23&parts_id=328

Ken
www.trdsparks.com :D

We should have enough activation cards to make it through April.

So tempting.. heheheh!!

We have 60 FREE Activation cards left and Toyota is out of them. We have lowered the price $10.00 to $279.00 and the extra $10.00 discount still applies for scionlife members. You just have to mention the extra $10 off in the'special instructions' section and I'll make the change on your order.

Ken
www.trdsparks.com

We have 60 FREE Activation cards left and Toyota is out of them. We have lowered the price $10.00 to $279.00 and the extra $10.00 discount still applies for scionlife members. You just have to mention the extra $10 off in the'special instructions' section and I'll make the change on your order.

Ken
www.trdsparks.com

Hey ken since I order mine this week and had to wait on you to get more turners in can I get that extra 10.00 off since I paid the 289.00 :pray: :pray: speaking of that did you get them in yet? or sent mine out yet.

Ken,

If I purchase the XM through Sparks, will my local Scion dealer here in Texas install it? If so, any idea what they might charge. I'm not comfortable with the amount of disassembly of the vehicle required to do it myself. Thanks!

Yeh, for most of us, it's a bit of a job. I don't know any reason your local Dealer wouldn't want the work. As far as the price goes, they have a menu from Scion that has a labor amount on it and most of the dealers I know of, follow that menu.

Ken

I was intimidated myself (remove the back seat? Front seat? WTF?), but it really isn't that bad. Allocate 2-3 hours. If you don't, take an hour or 90 minutes to install the antenna and the rest of the time to do the other. If you have any problems or want some tips, PM me.

Thanks for the info, guys!

Well, my two concerns of dealing with the dealer to install it is: 1. more cost and 2. how much time do they take?

Ken, I ordered the XM today. I'm looking forward to receiving it. Thanks for your help!

Yes I have the same concerns. If the dealer were to install it they may not go step by step as in these instructions. They may cut some corners (literally) to save time and do a poor job. I've seen this happen a lot down at the local Circuit City. The installers do things like run power to a device by wrapping a wire around a fuse. :nails: Even though the job seems long and involved, at least when you do it yourself, you know what happened every step of the way.

Just installed XM I ordered from Ken in my tC a few minutes ago... SO Pumped!

This was the largest scale install I've ever done before, and I gotta tell you it sure is frighening once you're in the middle to step back and see your bumper, seats, taillight, and pretty much the rest of the interior sprawled out across the garage... But after about 4 hours from start to finish, everything looks as it did before (aside from the little black box next to the hatch), and I have XM!

So moral of the story, If you take your time, it really isn't all too bad, and totally worth it.

BTW, be gentle with the panel clips...
BTW #2, First Post!

Melvis,
What did you use to pry off the panels? Did you have a special tool at all like in the instructions? Thanks

Just ordered it, the install doesn't look bad.
I have XM in my truck, have not listened to anything else in 2 years.
This is a great deal!

WW 8)

You don't need a pry tool. Just start pulling at panels and they'll come off. PM if you have any questions and I'll see if I remember the directions...

We have 60 FREE Activation cards left and Toyota is out of them. We have lowered the price $10.00 to $279.00 and the extra $10.00 discount still applies for scionlife members. You just have to mention the extra $10 off in the'special instructions' section and I'll make the change on your order.

Ken
www.trdsparks.com

Still have more available?

I'm thinking about adding this.

Hey McFly,

Like Texodore said, if you just start pulling, they'll come off without much of a problem. However, what I ended up doing for most of them was using my Leatherman Micra (the little one with the scissors instead of pliers) as my improvised panel pry tool... Kinda stupid to use scissors on plastic parts, I know, but it let me get equal pressure on 3 sides of the snaps so i didn't risk bending or breaking them.

For the most part though, as long as you don't just rip the panels right off, the snaps will pop off with moderate pulling on the panels every time. if you get some leftovers (stuck in the metal, not on the panel) you can use a trick similar to mine to get them off then snap them on to the panel again.

In the end, I broke 1 snap and my buddy helping me broke 1. Not sure how the heck he broke one, I broke mine because I stepped on it :(

I just finished installing XM in my car and I can say, although I broke a sweat and was wondering whether I was going to break anything, it was well worth it. I still cannot believe that I took apart my new car!

We have 60 FREE Activation cards left and Toyota is out of them. We have lowered the price $10.00 to $279.00 and the extra $10.00 discount still applies for scionlife members. You just have to mention the extra $10 off in the'special instructions' section and I'll make the change on your order.

Ken
www.trdsparks.com

Still have more available?

I'm thinking about adding this.

Yes we do. We have enough cards to make it through May and the xB Tuners are due to come off back order before the 10th.

Ken
www.trdsparks.com

Can I use my $50 gift card from Toyota Financial Services?

Received my unit today.
I hope to install over the weekend if the box is back (he's in getting a sunroof installed). :D
I'll do the install per directions on Sparks website and post pics...

WW 8)