Installing Satellite Plug And Play

[SiriusFan]

I ordered a 2008 Sierra Crew Cab.

 

All the outlets in it are hot (which is the way that I want it) but I wanted to clean up the dash and hard wire some accessories. My questions are where do I get power from. Is there an auxillary fuse block that is relatively easy to use, like a spare fuse location, etc. The Hummer H1's have a fuse block like this but I havn't seen another vehicle with that option. I would rather not use a fuse jumper (or what ever they are called) unless of course they are perfectly normal and safe. And is there an easy grounding location under the center console or behind the dash.

 

I did not order the truck with XM because $200 for an antenna (which is all I was going to use anyway) was higher than I wanted to pay. How much is the XM antenna if I were to buy it from the dealer and what does the plug on the end of the wire look like.

 

Also does the back of the radio have RCA input jacks? I can use the Auxillary input on the front but then the dash is not clean.

 

Also how much load can the power outlets take?

 

My complete install will include a Sirius Radio, Computer (Motion Computing Tablet) and maybe a GPS unless I buy a new one for the computer.

 

Thank you, sorry for the long post.

[dsmazz]

I ordered a 2008 Sierra Crew Cab.

 

All the outlets in it are hot (which is the way that I want it) but I wanted to clean up the dash and hard wire some accessories. My questions are where do I get power from. Is there an auxillary fuse block that is relatively easy to use, like a spare fuse location, etc. The Hummer H1's have a fuse block like this but I havn't seen another vehicle with that option. I would rather not use a fuse jumper (or what ever they are called) unless of course they are perfectly normal and safe. And is there an easy grounding location under the center console or behind the dash.

 

I did not order the truck with XM because $200 for an antenna (which is all I was going to use anyway) was higher than I wanted to pay. How much is the XM antenna if I were to buy it from the dealer and what does the plug on the end of the wire look like.

 

Also does the back of the radio have RCA input jacks? I can use the Auxillary input on the front but then the dash is not clean.

 

Also how much load can the power outlets take?

 

My complete install will include a Sirius Radio, Computer (Motion Computing Tablet) and maybe a GPS unless I buy a new one for the computer.

 

Thank you, sorry for the long post.

Boy, you have a lot going on. I can't help on everything, but maybe a few items. The XM antenna from GM on the new trucks, also serves as the Onstar antenna. For cost, you'd have to contact a dealer. When I installed XM in my truck I bought the kit. At that time, the only way to get the individual items was in kit form. Perhaps that has changed.

 

On the driver's side, open the door, there's a panel on the end of the dash. Pull it off. There's a fuse bank there. Check to see if there's an opening for what you need.

 

If you have a digital multi-meter, you should be able to locate both constant and switched power. I used one to locate switched power and ground lines in the overhead to hardwire my radar detector. But you need to be careful, since the radio and some of the wiring is connected to the communication bus for the BCM. Connect the wrong device to the wrong wire and you may end up damaging things. Just be sure you know what you are connecting, how much impact it will have on the circuit, and what could be affected.

 

No RCA inputs or outputs on the back of the radio. The one on front (?) not sure what that is. Never needed it, so I don't use it.

 

That's about all I can offer.

[SS1304]

I ordered a 2008 Sierra Crew Cab.

 

All the outlets in it are hot (which is the way that I want it) but I wanted to clean up the dash and hard wire some accessories. My questions are where do I get power from. Is there an auxillary fuse block that is relatively easy to use, like a spare fuse location, etc. The Hummer H1's have a fuse block like this but I havn't seen another vehicle with that option. I would rather not use a fuse jumper (or what ever they are called) unless of course they are perfectly normal and safe. And is there an easy grounding location under the center console or behind the dash.

 

I did not order the truck with XM because $200 for an antenna (which is all I was going to use anyway) was higher than I wanted to pay. How much is the XM antenna if I were to buy it from the dealer and what does the plug on the end of the wire look like.

 

Also does the back of the radio have RCA input jacks? I can use the Auxillary input on the front but then the dash is not clean.

 

Also how much load can the power outlets take?

 

My complete install will include a Sirius Radio, Computer (Motion Computing Tablet) and maybe a GPS unless I buy a new one for the computer.

 

Thank you, sorry for the long post.

Boy, you have a lot going on. I can't help on everything, but maybe a few items. The XM antenna from GM on the new trucks, also serves as the Onstar antenna. For cost, you'd have to contact a dealer. When I installed XM in my truck I bought the kit. At that time, the only way to get the individual items was in kit form. Perhaps that has changed.

 

On the driver's side, open the door, there's a panel on the end of the dash. Pull it off. There's a fuse bank there. Check to see if there's an opening for what you need.

 

If you have a digital multi-meter, you should be able to locate both constant and switched power. I used one to locate switched power and ground lines in the overhead to hardwire my radar detector. But you need to be careful, since the radio and some of the wiring is connected to the communication bus for the BCM. Connect the wrong device to the wrong wire and you may end up damaging things. Just be sure you know what you are connecting, how much impact it will have on the circuit, and what could be affected.

 

No RCA inputs or outputs on the back of the radio. The one on front (?) not sure what that is. Never needed it, so I don't use it.

 

That's about all I can offer.

 

 

 

 

I know that the factory XM antenna lead is behind the glove box what color is it? The blue one or the brown one? I'm thinking its the blue one. You think it would be possible to hook the factory antenna up to an aftemarket xm tuner?

[dsmazz]

I know that the factory XM antenna lead is behind the glove box what color is it? The blue one or the brown one? I'm thinking its the blue one. You think it would be possible to hook the factory antenna up to an aftemarket xm tuner?

 

The antenna lead on my truck is brown. Why would you want to hook up the factory XM antenna lead to an aftermarket XM tuner? Oh never mind, I don't need to know. Is it possible? Depends if the connector at the end of the antenna lead will fit the aftermarket tuner.

[SiriusFan]

www.tss-radio.com has a wire that converts an OEM XM Antenna so that it can be used with a Sirius tuner. I do not see why you couldn't. You can probably get the wire made for less than $50 if one is not available already.

[SS1304]

I know that the factory XM antenna lead is behind the glove box what color is it? The blue one or the brown one? I'm thinking its the blue one. You think it would be possible to hook the factory antenna up to an aftemarket xm tuner?

 

The antenna lead on my truck is brown. Why would you want to hook up the factory XM antenna lead to an aftermarket XM tuner? Oh never mind, I don't need to know. Is it possible? Depends if the connector at the end of the antenna lead will fit the aftermarket tuner.

 

 

I just dont want 3 antenans on top of my truck it just looks weird.