Anybody Installed XM Radio Antenna on their Supra?

Shytheed Dumas

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Mar 6, 2006
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Louisville, KY
Didn't see anything in a search, and I'm ready to put my antenna in and start using my XM2Go in the car again. I think hiding wires under carpet/trim, out the top of the hatch and then mounting the magnetic antenna 1/2 way between the hatch and targa would get me the best signal, but I'd like to hear what others have done.
 

born2drv

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Nov 1, 2005
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Burbank, CA
I'm actually having my intenna moved sometime this week. Had it installed about a month ago on the dashboard tucked all the way in the corner of the dash/glass and I don't get a very good signal around tall buildings. I was hoping it would work well there because I didn't want to put it on the roof, but I guess I have no choice. Figured I would try it there first since the car audio shop said it works for some people... but I guess not. Pioneer recommends installing it on the roof, and on metal.
 

Shytheed Dumas

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Mar 6, 2006
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Louisville, KY
Yeah, I was hoping to stay away from putting it on my freshly painted roof, too, but it's not much good to pay for every month if you can't pick up a signal. I might try the dash approach first and see how goes, since I don't make it downtown very often.
 

born2drv

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Nov 1, 2005
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maybe if you put a metal plate on your dash and stick it on top of that it might work better? when i say "tall buildings" i mean around my neighborhood from 3-story condos :) ... and sometimes when i'm cruising on the highway driving in a specific direction (i forget which) i get a weak signal and it occasionally breaks up... so i wouldn't recommend it.
 

supra90turbo

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Mar 30, 2005
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Just get a piece of Vinyl, about 1.5"x1.5" and apply it to the paint where you want the antenna to go. Then, stick the antenna over the "decal".
No paint scratches, no worries. :bigthumb:
 

Shytheed Dumas

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Mar 6, 2006
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Louisville, KY
I think I just found another "no scratch solution". I have a rubbery mesh that goes between the frame and mattress of my futon to prevent slipping when it's in the couch position. I cut a small square out and placed the magnetic antenna on that. It grips much better than the little rubber feet that came on the magnet, and there is no way it will scratch.

What have you guys done as far as going through the hatch? For now I'm just running it past the hatch seal, and unless there is an absolute torrential downpour, I don't think it should be a problem. I've been wrong about these things before, though. My other thought was to actually cut a slit in the seal, pass the wire through and then reseal with silicone. I'm not sure that's such a great idea, either.
 

born2drv

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Nov 1, 2005
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i'll let the car audio shop figure it out :) i'll be going there on thursday or friday if you want i'll let you know. they're gonna hook up my ipod adapter too, woo hoo! :)
 

supra90turbo

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Mar 30, 2005
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No cutting of the weatherstrip...
Just pass it through the grommet that's meant for the hatch wiring. There's plenty of room in that
 

JesseH

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Nov 12, 2005
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I installed XM on mine, I actually pulled out the back seats, the center console, all the back hatch stuff, and pulled up the carpet. I Know it sounds like a lot of work but I did all of my audio work at the same time. And I put the little magnetic intenna on the hatch's black trim at the top.
 

Shytheed Dumas

For Sale
Mar 6, 2006
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Louisville, KY
supra90turbo said:
No cutting of the weatherstrip...
Just pass it through the grommet that's meant for the hatch wiring. There's plenty of room in that

The only problem I saw in going through the grommet is that it puts you over the headliner. How do you snake it over to the side and back out of the headliner without tearing it up?