Installing XM Questions - 2007 Prius

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.!

 

Sorry Mike, I no longer have any of the radios/hardware.

 

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)

 

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.

 

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