I want XM but...

96BLACKZ71 · April 4, 2003

I have a 96 Silverado. How hard is the dash to take apart

to install the XM stuff? What connections do you have to make? Any splicing or is it plug n play? One reason I would like to get it is there is no Nascar broadcasts here in the foreign country of New Joisey so I figured it might be worth it for that.I was planning to get the Pioneer unit as there is a $100 rebate on it. Does anybody have the Pioneer unit? Sorry for all the questions but don't want to lay out all that $$$ and be disapointed.Can anybody give me some help?

Thanks Mike

lrymal · April 4, 2003

Keep your current radio, go with the Pioneer receiver with the RF modulator. Mount the receiver any place you can find room---under the seat, against the back wall, etc. The wiring is very long.

The XM receiver controller is about the size of a cigarette lighter and comes with a 15' cable. You can mount that thing anywhere.

No dash being torn apart. None at all.

You'll have to buy an antenna and its antenna cable is very thin and sneaks easily around your window rubber seal, or through the third brake lamp housing.

This is really easy stuff to do.

Worktruck · April 4, 2003

lrymal is right on. I recommend the roof mount antenna instead of the glass mount. I got XM fo rthe same reason, NASCAR. Can't remember the last time I listanad to local radio. The music variety is awsome too. Good Luck.

Z71Tahoe02 · April 6, 2003

Only problem with the RF Xm unit. You will not be in digital. All you're basicly doing is broadcasting from inside your truck to your unit. It's the same thing for the RF CD changers. I mean it will sound pretty decent but wont be the exact same as if you had it directly to your new head unit in "digital". Yes it will cost you more. You will have to change your factory headunit with an XM ready one.

Dihappy · April 6, 2003

Only problem with the RF Xm unit. You will not be in digital. All you're basicly doing is broadcasting from inside your truck to your unit. It's the same thing for the RF CD changers. I mean it will sound pretty decent but wont be the exact same as if you had it directly to your new head unit in "digital". Yes it will cost you more. You will have to change your factory headunit with an XM ready one.

Word! If moneys tight, then the RF unitis the way to go though.

My pioneer is XM ready and i bought the receiver and antenna and plugged it right up, sweeeeet!

PS-no i dont listen to NASCAR

96BLACKZ71 · April 6, 2003

Thanks for all the replies and advice. I just bought the Pioneer

XM FM modulator on sale for $100 at Beast Buy. The thing is

that they were out of antennas!!! So which one does everybody like-roof or glass mount??? I have time yet-no hurry to put it in the truck.I could have used the XM to listen to Nascar today-no stations around here.

Mike

96BLACKZ71 · April 14, 2003

Got the XM in today.Nice sound and will be fun to play withy.Like the Bluesville cannel and listened to part of the Nascar race today. :thumb: I wussed out and let Best Buy install it.They did a great job. Very clean install with the

remote cable visible exiting the dash.I told them to leave the contoller unmounted as I like to look at it to see what's on(eyes gettin' old). Now I have to make excuses to go somewhere...

Thanks for all your input.

Mike in Joisey

lrymal · April 14, 2003

Got the XM in today.

Awesome! You definitely will try to find excuses to go riding around. And if you want a real treat, pile a bunch of little kids in the truck and put it on classic radio channel when the spy shows, sci-fi thriller shows, The Shadow, etc., comes on. Amazing just how quiet they all will get. :hail:

Regarding the RF converter message a while back. For the most part, the comment is right-on. Most RF converters are horrible and produce audio-artifacting and some audio impurities.

This Pioneer RF unit really doesn't do that. It has a relay that disconnects the truck's antenna and has the channel all to itself, rather than overpowering a station. Also, it does a very clean conversion. And, no, these things aren't "broadcasting" inside the truck. It is feeding its signal through the coax.

Personally, I would love to have the direct feed, but I'm not prepared to scrap my OEM radio for a while.

timbercutter · April 22, 2003

I have the Pioneer xm system, It seems to be broadcasting not breaking a signal. I hear static from other stations as I travel around the midwest and have to re-select what my input freq. will be to get it quiet. Also have some interference from the wiper-washer motor. Anybody else have noise? Pionees says my unit (6months old) is out of warranty and I might as well buy a new one. So I swapped with my sons truck and same noise! Thought it might be the injector conection. But it looks perfect.

Any Ideas??

T-Cutter

96BLACKZ71 · April 23, 2003

THe only help I could offer is to give you this website.It is XMfan.com Go to one of the forums and post your problem there. They have MANY knowledgeable people who may be able to offer you some suggestions. THis is also a great site for info on the XM satelite radios/service. I would highly recommend it!

Truck on

Mike in Joisey

lrymal · April 23, 2003

I hear static from other stations as I travel around the midwest and have to re-select what my input freq. will be to get it quiet.

I'll betcha that your rf converter is installed backwards in relation to the antenna cables and GM adaptors. Very easy to do. Ummm, I know. The converter actually tries to work, but the signal is very weak.

Get your fold-out sheet with the instructions and I have a feeling that you'll see the problem.

For what it is worth, I installed the Pioneer unit in my Silverado a while back. The RF converter that is used is probably the best I have ever used. No artifacting, no static, no pops or squeals. When the converter gets voltage, it disconnects the car's antenna. Very clean...

lrymal · May 23, 2003

Does anyone know if there is a METRA radio install kit for the 2003 Silverados or 2003 GMC trucks? As far as I can tell, the '03 opening in the dash is double-din. Am I right????

The various kits I'm seeing are mainly 1 1/2 DIN.

Crutchfield shows a kit, but from the photo, it appears to be 1 1/2 DIN.

INFO at the various intall and vendor sites is really conflicting.

01Burb · May 23, 2003

A couple of things:

96 Black, if you bought your 903 from Best Buys you are not eligible for the rebate. Should have gone to Sears. Read the rebate form. Best Buys, Circuit City, Crutchfield and Wal mart purchases are not eligible. Rebate Form

I put the 903 in last night ($99 from Sears) and used a magnetic Terk antenna. The wiring goes out through the third brake light wiring hole. Be sure to caulk it back up. I put my tuner under the 2nd row drivers side seat - I have quad captains chairs. It's the one that doesn't slide.

This unit does come with an FM modulator so you will need two cables since the GM antenna plug is smaller than normal - one is small female to large male and the other is large female to small male.

BUT...There is a way to get the 903 to talk to the Delphi head unit IF you have the Aux button. Two companies Blitzsafe and PIA (I think) make devices that fool the head unit into seeing the 903 as the CD changer or other auxiliary device. You plug it all together, throw away the FM modulator and you have true XM. The wiring set up is about $100 but it is an option. Go to www.xmguy.com and hunt around.

I put my little display in the hole where the cassette deck was - I took it out. It fits quite well and I am going to fabricate a small rubber spacer to fill in the gap.