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Installing XM Questions - 2007 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Jonathan St. Vincent, Jul 20, 2018.

  1. Jonathan St. Vincent

    Jonathan St. Vincent Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2018
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    Location:
    Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I have just purchased an '07 Prius from my aunt (w/ only 70k miles woohoo!) and would like to install an XM radio kit. I'm not sure what trim the vehicle is, but it does have Bluetooth reverse camera, and the AM/SAT button.

    Where I'm getting lost is in deciphering the kits/parts needed to enable XM on the vehicle. I've determined two main "systems" to do so - being the iSimple Gateway PAXMG and the Vais SL3sat. Beyond this, I'm stumped on several issues before I gather a final shopping list and make my purchases:

    1. Since both systems require the removal of the factory harness to install the harness to the XM system, I am worried that doing so will disable AM/FM radio in the vehicle. Is this true? I really enjoy listening to several local stations, so I wouldn't want to lose those. Does installing XM affect the built-in Bluetooth system?
    2. Is the (newer) Sirius SXV300 compatible with the PAXMG and SL3sat systems? Or am I capped at the SXV200 module? I imagine the technology hasn't changed much (at its core), but just want to be sure.
    3. Between the PAXMG and SL3sat, I noticed that the PAXMG doesn't say anything about seeing the text info from the XM on the screen, whereas the SL3sat specifies that it will show the text. Will both systems show the text? If so, it would be nice to go with the "cheaper" PAXMG.
    4. I can't seem to find ANY images or diagrams of the rear of the radio, to see what connectors are back there. I would love to see what's going on there, so I can better understand how all the parts fit together. Does anyone know where I can find those pictures?
    5. For the life of me, I can't find the model/part number for the factory (Toyota/Lexus) XM kit pieces. I've seen around on the forum that you can purchase the OEM kit from the dealer or online and install yourself, so I wanted to locate that part number to see if that is a less-expensive option. (If you know the PAXMG or SL3sat to be much better/easier to install, please tell me!)
    I know many, many owners opted for a DIY XM install rather than paying $500 at the dealership, so there must be plenty of people who have gone through this process and worked out all the kinks. I would appreciate any bits of wisdom you could bestow upon me before I start ordering parts and disassembling the car! Thanks for the help!
     
  2. bl817

    bl817 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2015
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    Location:
    Ft. Worth
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    IMHO, get a good stereo with Bluetooth. then get the xm app for your phone and run it that way. if you want the actual xm radio in your car, your going to need an fm modulator to cancel out the station you decide to use to broadcast the xm radio to the fm radio in the car. unless your in the middle of Kansas and have no cell signal, you shouldn't need an actual xm radio (Delphi. Onyx ez or other). that said. I did enjoy having a hard wired xm radio in my car when I drove from tx to neb and could listen to any station I wanted at any time.
     
  3. Jonathan St. Vincent

    Jonathan St. Vincent Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2018
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    Location:
    Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I would love to use that system, as my Prius has Bluetooth but my phone plan (family plan) is a shared 3GB per month - using data all the time to get XM radio is just not a feasible solution for me. At this point, I might be purchasing an Onyx/etc. and doing a really clean install (hidden wires, etc.) with the control module mounted in the center console. I appreciate the idea though!
     
  4. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
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    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Both of the kits you're looking at emulate the factory XM system. That is, they plug in to the back of the radio and are accessed via the "SAT" button. If you push any other button on the radio, you get all the existing radio functions. I would avoid using the factory system simply because tuner technology has improved in the last 10 years.

    I downloaded the installation instructions from the VAIS website. You should too, and see if it's something with which you feel comfortable.

    We've privately discussed your goals. You want a factory-like experience, and I can respect that choice. You can buy all the gear you need from Crutchfield for $250 (for the interface) and $70 for the actual tuner (but it has a $70 rebate). Crutchfield also includes fine instructions for dismantling the dash to get at the back of the factory radio.
     
    Lucifer likes this.
  5. Joe007

    Joe007 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2018
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    Location:
    Tampa
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    I bought my 2008 touring a month ago and added the XM radio to it. I bought a used tuner from a Lexus (same part number) on eBay, and bought the Fit Kit (essentially the cable and XM antenna) from a Toyota dealer online. Total for both was about $120 shipped. Now the bad part...
    There are LOTS of posts about how horrible the reception is from the fit kit since they have you mount the antenna to the windshield. I experienced the signal going in and out as I turned corners---unacceptable. But now my signal is PERFECT, and I don't even skip under some trees over the road near my house like my wife's Honda does. What I did was buy a cheap shark fin AM/FM radio antenna off eBay and I removed the Prius AM/FM antenna, hooked it up to that, and the housing had enough room for the XM antenna as well. I re-routed the XM antenna from the tuner up the sill and through the headliner to the antenna hole. The XM antenna is magnetic, so it snapped right onto the roof, and I sealed the whole thing up with some black silicone. Looks better, and it sounds MUCh better! Total investment in that: $16. Credit to the guy who replaced his AM/FM antenna, as he had the details I needed to get in there and do the rest. I wanted to share the link to his post, but my account is too new and the system will not let me. Message me if you want it.
     

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    SFO likes this.
  6. bl817

    bl817 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2015
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    Location:
    Ft. Worth
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    OP, if your wanting the Onyx ez kit, dm me, I have 2 complete kits and 2 FM modulators. I also have an older Delphi roady as well, can work something out super cheap. I can also give you some tips to installing.
     
    SFO likes this.
  7. Jonathan St. Vincent

    Jonathan St. Vincent Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2018
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    Location:
    Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Thanks for the offer! The car is currently in NV and will be driven back to me in TN around August 10th. I'll be able to give you an answer once I have the car and figure out exactly how I'm going to hook stuff up.
     
  8. Mike 06 Gen II

    Mike 06 Gen II New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2019
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    Location:
    Boise
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hi. Dp you still have any of this? I just got an 06 that has antenna already wired in, but I need an inexpensive used receiver and mounting gear. Thank you- please feel free to DM.!
     
  9. bl817

    bl817 Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
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    II
    Sorry Mike, I no longer have any of the radios/hardware.
     
  10. Jonathan D Klein

    Jonathan D Klein New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2019
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    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hi Jonathan,
    What did you finally do for your XM? I would also like to install Sirius XM with the factory radio (call my nuts, but I like it; I have had my car since 2007 when it was new!). I think that does indeed mean the SXV300, but can it be connected directly to the factory system with a harness and adapter, or do I need to get the iSimple Gateway Media Interface, or the other thing you described?

    You're right, the internet has a dearth of functional pictures of the factory radio (the JBL 51825 with the AM-Sat button), and I failed after lots and lots of attempts to find a manual for it. The weak pictures out there have three harness contacts on the left side (l to r, the first and third seem to be used and the second seems empty) and there's two round connectors on the right side, the bottom one seemingly the antenna. So, Is the SXV300 connected directly to the round connection spot on the top right? Or via an adapter and a harness on the 2nd spot on the left?

    So confusing! Any help welcome..I just know I don't want to spend the $450 at the shop here in LA.

    Thanks,
    Jonathan (Klein)
     
  11. priusenvy

    priusenvy Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    On the off-chance that you still need this information - I just installed an SL3sat-T and SXV300 tuner to my 2005 Prius, after the OEM Sirius tuner died after 14 years. The Vais SL3sat-T is needed to connect the SXV300 to your factory stereo. The SL3sat-T plugs into the back of the factory stereo using the same connector as the OEM Sirius tuner, which is no longer available.
     
    Jonathan D Klein likes this.
  12. Jonathan D Klein

    Jonathan D Klein New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    So this means go to the vaistech site
    I put in my 2007 Toyota Prius and it gives two options:
    The kit with the SXV300 tuner for $309.99 or without the tuner for $249.99:

    This also might be purchasable at Amazon, though I saw it listed as the older SXV200, but for the same price

    Meanwhile, there might also be a rebate on the SXV300 at the sxmrebates site, but it isn't clear what the rules are.

    Thanks!
    Jonathan