OEM XM Antenna Install ?

Traveling Fox · December 12, 2004

Some more questions relative to installing the GM OEM XM antenna on the roof of my 2003 Chev LT 2500HD CC.

Can anyone please describe what is involved in connecting the roof mounted antenna with the XM module?

I have been told that some coax is in the truck with a connector about 12" from where the hole should be drilled. Is this correct?

Do I need to remove the passenger side plastic windshield pillar cover? Any removal tips or steps?

Any tips or steps that can help me drop the headliner enough to get at the antenna connection?

Have ordered the GM XM player kt for 2003-2004 trucks and am studying how to do the install, inasmuch as the dealers do not seem to have a clue regarding the recently available kit. Radio head removal appears easy enough. Not sure about droping the glove box to get at the rear of that area, but probably not a big deal. It's mainly the headliner drop and potential A-pillar that is of some concern now. Replies greatly appreciated!!

lrymal · December 12, 2004

The kit comes with everything that you need: antenna, receiver, harness, coax to the antenna. The instructions that come with the kit are very clear. Just sit back and read them a while. The A-pillar plastic pops off rather easily. Also, the instructions explain how to remove the visor and passenger hold-on entry roof handle so that the liner can be dropped at that corner. Secondly, a single phillips screw and clip hold the center roof console (the short one) on. Removing this makes it even easier.

The instructions will list the size of the drill bits you need, and the size of the socket for tightening the attachment nut to the antenna. The antenna kit comes with a paper template that you attach to your roof so you can locate the hole locations that you drill into your roof.. However, you might want to go to the dealer parking lot and make your own measurements, just to be sure.

For the most part, I don't respond to private messages on this board and others because private messages don't allow others to participate or learn. We all learn from each other here, collectively. So, my apologies for not responding to your private e-mail.

bigdogs · December 12, 2004

lrymal, thanks for the explantion as I plan to add XM to mine sometime as well and also had wondered what was involved with the hookup. On a slightly different topic, what is the channel count up to on XM? I saw an XM tuner for home systems that advertises 200 channels.