Satellite radio install on 2005 Prius

[barefootmatt]

I have a 2005 Prius with the premium JBL stereo system (but being a 2005, no aux-in). I just got a Sirius satellite radio. I'm not looking to integrate it with the MFD or anything fancy like that, but I'd like to accomplish the following two things:

- get the receiver plugged into the stereo directly to avoid the loss in quality that comes from using the FM transmitter or a tape deck adapter, and

- tidy up the mess of wires currently strewn about my car.

So, how feasible is it to wire an external audio source into the stereo? Is there a plug for it back there? Is it a pain to get the dash apart enough to get to it?

For anyone who has installed a satellite radio in a Prius, what's the easiest, most direct route to get the antenna wire through the car to the back hatch (aside from having it dangling in the middle of the car, like it is now)?

Finally, is it possible to wire the radio's power adapter directly into the car's 12V power system somehow, in order to free up the outlet under the glove box for other accessories?

[Bill Merchant]

I am unqualified to answer your question, since I don't have satellite radio, but I have a couple of observations you may find useful, since I have a 2005 too.

The back of the radio has a vacant socket where a satellite radio can plug in. This is where the DICE unit plugs in. Research the DICE unit installation and you'll find out about pulling the dash apart. There's no analog audio in to the radio, you might have to get the DICE unit for its AUX IN jack.

You could tie into the power for the dash outlet behind the plastic if you want to leave the outlet open, or plug into the outlet in the center console.

I have no ideas about antenna placement or lead routing, but I've seen lots of discussions here.

[JimboK]

I can't answer most of your questions since my setup is not, and has not been, what you're looking to do, but I will comment on the antenna.

I previously was using an XM Roady XT with FM modulation and "cigarette lighter" plug power, mounted on the front of the factory radio using adhesive. I placed the magnetic-mount antenna at the rear edge of the roof behind the factory antenna. I too was looking for the easiest way (not necessarily the "cleanest") to run the antenna wire. My hope had been from the beginning to eventually get an integrated unit, and then run the wire in a more permanent and professional looking way. Meanwhile, here is the route I used:

• Around the outside edge of the hatch to the right, outside the weather seal.
• Over the weather seal near the bottom (no problems with water leakage)
• Under the floor mat in the cargo area
• Through the space between the rear seat back and bottom at the right edge of the seat
• Around the right and front bottom edges of the rear seat buttom, tucked beneath it as best I could, until it reached the floor hump
• Over the rear floor hump (might not work if you have routinely have kids in the back kicking or pulling on it)
• Tucked under the right edge of the center console as best I could
• Over the front floor hump (practically invisible because I keep a velcro-bottom litter bag there)
• Tucked under the middle "kick panel", including any extra wire
• Up to the radio

I recently replaced the Roady with an integrated unit. I had seen others suggest placing the antenna on the dash, so I figured I'd give it a trial run with the Roady antenna before installing the integrated unit. A one-week trial revealed no reception problems. To hide the wire I removed, and ran it behind, the glove box and two passenger side dash panels with the AC vents. At the top of the far right panel, I pried up the dash cover slightly to tuck the wire beneath it, popped the plastic trim off below the "triangular" window to route it beneath that, and then gently (to avoid damaging the insulation) pushed it with a screwdriver between the topmost part of the dash cover and the "A" pillar to hide it.

With the good reception results I decided to do the same with the antenna for the integrated unit. The only difference is that it's on the driver's side (it worked a little better for the install process I used). With the dash pulled apart anyway for the radio install, placing it on the dash was a lot simpler than routing it through the car. And I like not having it on the roof: it looks a tad better, and I don't have to worry about long-term effects on the paint.

[Skwyre7]

I am currently using the Wired FM Modulator Relay (which Sirius has updated and charges $10 more) to run my Sirius StarMate directly into the factory radio. It works great. I also have a nearly invisible installation - only the 12v plug is visible. It is possible to add a second 12v outlet and keep it hidden (which I might do in the future), or do a direct tap into the 12v power. For the antenna, it can be placed directly behind the factory radio antenna on the roof (like I did), or onto the dash (like JimboK).

Links:
Sirius FM Direct Audio Relay
Sirius StarMate Installation (& wire routing)
Additional 12v outlet

I hope this helps.

[aaf709]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Barefoot Matt @ Jan 2 2007, 12:43 PM) [snapback]369697[/snapback]</div>

For anyone who has installed a satellite radio in a Prius, what's the easiest, most direct route to get the antenna wire through the car to the back hatch (aside from having it dangling in the middle of the car, like it is now)?
[/b]

I also have a 2005 with JBL, but I have a portable XM radio (which is connected to the AUX input of the DICE). I used the XM radio installation guide from Metro Toyota to route the antenna wire to the back.

Finally, is it possible to wire the radio's power adapter directly into the car's 12V power system somehow, in order to free up the outlet under the glove box for other accessories?
[/b]

As Skwyre7 mentioned, Darell added another Power Outlet in the front, but you could connect the radio's power adapter there. I have my XM radio mounted on the hump, so the power adapter is connected to the power outlet in the center console.

[barefootmatt]

Thanks for the advice, folks. I've done the install, for now. Here's what I did.

I didn't connect the receiver directly to the stereo. That part has yet to be addressed. I'm thinking of going with the Sirius wired FM relay that Skwyre7 mentioned, as it seems to be the cheapest and easiest way to get a direct connection. The wireless FM transmitter is quite unimpressive... the signal is clear enough, but the sound level is way too low. I may continue using a tape adapter until I figure out something more permanent.

I did, however, do the rest of the wire routing. My antenna sits on the roof near the factory antenna. The wire comes around the edge of the hatch to about halfway down the side, where it jumps over the weather stripping. It's taped down the plastic moulding around the rearmost triangular window, then straight down to the floor at the seam between the removable and non-removable portions of the floor. It goes along the edge of the floor, tucked in as much as I could manage, then through the hole in the carpet flap that's velcroed to the right rear seat. The wire goes under the moulding by the door until it gets near floor level, and then jumps down to run under the right rear floor mat. It comes out to the right of the centre console, then follows the console forward and slips under the kick panel. It goes under the dash the rest of the way, coming out just above the vent to the left of the MFD, where the receiver is mounted. I also ran the power cable through the dash there, and it comes out right next to the outlet below the glove box (no splicing of wires yet, I'm afraid).

Phew! All in all, it took about 3 hours, including the time spent figuring out how I was going to do it.

It seems to me that the best way to get the antenna wire into the car would be through the tail light assembly, but I couldn't figure out how to get it off. Can anyone help? If I could put it through there, it would come into the car under the carpet, avoiding the unsightly tape.

[pownalltl]

How hard is it to install the Wired FM Modulator Relay???

Thanks, Terry

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Skwyre7 @ Jan 3 2007, 10:14 AM) [snapback]370064[/snapback]</div>

I am currently using the Wired FM Modulator Relay (which Sirius has updated and charges $10 more) to run my Sirius StarMate directly into the factory radio. It works great. I also have a nearly invisible installation - only the 12v plug is visible. It is possible to add a second 12v outlet and keep it hidden (which I might do in the future), or do a direct tap into the 12v power. For the antenna, it can be placed directly behind the factory radio antenna on the roof (like I did), or onto the dash (like JimboK).

Links:
Sirius FM Direct Audio Relay
Sirius StarMate Installation (& wire routing)
Additional 12v outlet

I hope this helps.
[/b]

[Skwyre7]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TerryP @ Jan 15 2007, 08:18 AM) [snapback]375783[/snapback]</div>

How hard is it to install the Wired FM Modulator Relay???

Thanks, Terry
[/b]

If you take apart the dash, it's very very easy. The hardest part is taking apart the dash, and that's not that difficult. If your hands are small enough, you could possibly do it by removing the vent to the right of the stereo and squeeze your hand back there, but you won't be able to see anything. I think it's easier to take apart the dash, pull out the head unit, hook everything up, secure everything so it doesn't rattle, put the dash back together, and enjoy.

Directions for disassembling the dash

It took me about an hour to disassemble and reassemble the dash when I installed my relay. That doesn't include the time I spent drilling holes to run the wires through to the storage tray. Total time (including a beverage break) was about 2 hours. I could probably do it in an hour, having done it before.

You're not terribly far away. If you're intimidated we might be able to work something out.

[BethlehemPrius]

[attachmentid=6260][attachmentid=6261][attachmentid=6262][attachmentid=6263]I don't know if anyone mentioned this method before on here or not, but here I go.

You can pretty easily run the wire for any external satellite antenna but doing just a little modifications of the rear seal area. I saw this on a auto show some time ago and have done it on over 4 cars so far with no issues with water or anything.

- Mount the atenna on the roof rear center.
- Run the wire down into the space between the hatch and roof.
- Tuck the wire underneather the outside portion of the rubber weather stripping that runs around the hatch.
- Run it all the way to the bottom, you pick the side.
- On the bottom you should be able to gently pull of a section of the weather stripping(i have not tried this yet on my prius), and you can see the metal edge that it is sitting on.
- Using a dremel or like tool, grind out a small nick in the metal, you will use this slot to run the wire through from out side the car to inside it.
- Then just push the rubber weather stripping back into place, this should keep any water out and create a nice neat finish.

One word of caution, be carefull once you have that nick made, make sure you have any sharp points ground down so you don't damage the wire casing of the antenna.

I have attached pics of my 4runner which I did this way..... should be doing my prius this way hopefully in a week once the dealer gets me a new antenna for external use :-)