[SamCarroll]

I finally bought my receiver and fit kit from Toyota. I just went over the 21 page installation guide and WOW. Lots of **** to remove to do it. It seems like they utilize existing stuff and make it easy for you but has anyone else done this so i can get some insiders advice?

They run the antenna to the back on top of the car. I REALLLLLY dont want to. I dont want the antenna visible. The top of the car is chest high, itll bother the crap out of me. How bad will my signal be if i just hook it on top of the dash in the windshield? or even run it around the shield and drop it where the rear view is and stick it to the shield?

 

[ManInTheBox]

I installed a SNS-200 in my 09 and I bought the XM reciever for mine. I bypassed the Toyota instructions and installed mine in the glovebox. I put my antenna just behind the factory antenna. My dealer had various piece parts to do the conversion so it didn't cost me very much. I didn't get the traffic with it.

 

[SamCarroll]

i think i've decided to install it behind my rear view for the antenna.

Where did you attach/put the receiver behind the glove box?

 

[amped performance]

the antenna has to be facing up. when you take the radio out, put is somewhere back there, as close to the firewall as possible, unobstructed my metal. it can have plastic over it, like the dash, but no metal to block the signal. i put GPS (same technology) in like that all the time and work fine.

 

[SamCarroll]

right on. I installed it tonight and went to go activate it. Apparently the previous owner had it and removed it at some point because this ID was registered to someone else's account still.

Although i got angry with the customer service guy because i couldnt understand anything he said and then i kept asking what he YELLED at me. i hung up out of anger and i guess they close at 8:00pm PST haha. i couldnt get back in they were "closed"

 

[amped performance]

where did you end up installing the ant?

 

[ManInTheBox]

i think i've decided to install it behind my rear view for the antenna.

Where did you attach/put the receiver behind the glove box?

Right now it is just sitting in there with a single screw holding it. I dont really use my Gbox except for storing extra HID bulbs.

Let me know how the antenna works out for you. I havent had much luck with reception anywhere but outside of the car.

 

[SamCarroll]

well it activated and as i was changing channels it kept loading then flashing no signal. Im hoping its just because it was still loading/processing. My antenna is attached to the inside of the windshield not abstructed. I hope its really not a signal issue.

 

[ManInTheBox]

Was it a signal issue or not?

 

[SamCarroll]

Was it a signal issue or not?

my lunch break isnt for another 40 min

 

[SamCarroll]

definite signal issue. I moved it to the front corner by a-pillar. ill see how that works.

 

[ManInTheBox]

If you put it just behind the factory antenna it is hardly noticeable. The wire fits perfectly into the rear hatch weather stripping plug. I get great reception. Inside the car has never worked for me. I would always have to be traveling a certain direction to get a signal with XM.

 

[SamCarroll]

on the dash so far worked for me. Ill see over the weekend how it reacts. I have the sharkfin so i really dont want a black piece up there but i will if needed.

 

[amped performance]

Ya, when u put it on the windshield, if u put it with the backing out, like u can see the back of the antenaa through glass, then its pretty much upside down, jthe top of the antenna has to. Have an unobstructed view of the sky. As long as your a-pillar doesn't block it, u should be fine. If it does then just move it forward a couple inches. If I put them on the dash its normally in the center, so it gets the best reception. Where it is now you should be fine tho, glad you solved the issue!

 

[SamCarroll]

some trees yesterday blocked it. I might just put it to the center and see how that works. I dont like that certain trees or whatever will kill the signal.

 

[SamCarroll]

Pulled it to the center of the dash and still having signal interuption. Probably will cave and put it on the roof, quite angry its not been working 100%

 

[SamCarroll]

driving home today it stopped and said "check antenna" so basically my antenna is shot. Im beyond fed up.

 

[amped performance]

Make sure that the wire is good, it may not be bad. There are sometimes during the day where the signal is lost due to the satellite being blocked. Depending on where u are it can be more frequent. If its all the way against the glass tho u shouldn't be getting much signal interruption. Although the xb glass isn't sloped much so the roof may block it at some points. I've put it under the cowl before too, like under the wipers. Completely hidden as well, still got great reception. Takes a little work tho.

 

[SamCarroll]

i moved it around and resent activation trying to reset it and it still says check antenna.

 

[SamCarroll]

Just to update, got a warranty exchange on the bad antenna. Going to route it under the cowl this time through the firewall and hopefully this will finally settle my issue.