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Installation of XM in NoCal

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by danmiller3, Apr 6, 2004.

  1. danmiller3

    danmiller3 Junior Member

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    I just spoke to a couple local dealers who say they won't install the XM Radio unit that I got from Coastal Dave. While I am not inept at these type of things I am reluctant to crack open my brand new Prius's dashboard.

    Any suggestions on who in Northern California might be experienced in doing this type of thing?

    Thanks,
    --Dan
     
    #1 danmiller3, Apr 6, 2004
  2. mboileau

    mboileau New Member

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    Dan, where are you located? I'm in the East Bay and did the install myself. It's really not that traumatic. I can offer advice and/or assistance. The biggest concern is obviously removing those dash vents which are held in by clips. The clips are reasonably sturdy, and the trim pieces can be removed and put back multiple times if you always push and pull straight out from the dash.

    For me, the easiest piece to remove (you may just want to try this to get an idea of whether or not you feel comfortable doing the whole job) was the passenger side vent closest to the passenger door. With the glove boxes both open, you can get a pretty good grip on the underside edge to help pull it forward and off. The little square trim piece directly below it pops out easily to give you a better grip on the bottom half. Once I did that one (which was not the first one in the instructions), I could see where the clips attached and could gage just how much pressure was needed.
     
    #2 mboileau, Apr 6, 2004
  3. Coastal Dave

    Coastal Dave New Member

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    Hello Dan :)
    The tuner that you have is a Toyota part. There is no reason why they should not install it. Most dealers simply don't know that it will work in the Prius. :idea: I have had several dealers call and ask because they weren't sure if the kit they sold would work and then once they learned it would work in the Prius -went ahead and installed it. What was their reason? Feel free to have them call us. Also, you do not have to take out the entire dash to install it. Please review the instructions, you only take out one panel. We have many of these kits installed in Prius all over the country. We are known for superior instructions and making difficult installs easy :clap:
    Certainly, you can call us with any questions you may have and/or during installation. 800.507.2234.
    Please let me know if I may assist you further :)
    Kelley
    www.coastalEtech.com
    [email protected]
     
    #3 Coastal Dave, Apr 6, 2004
  4. bobjdavis

    bobjdavis Junior Member

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    Just installed Coastal's XM kit. Directions were extremely satisfactory. I completed the job in less than 2 hours. I appreciated the jelly beans, and could have used a band-aid. I got a nasty cut on something behind the radio.

    Bob[font=Arial:a426e78d70] [/font:a426e78d70] </span><span style=\'color:darkblue\'>
     
    #4 bobjdavis, Aug 31, 2004
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I see the options like this:
    1) Do it yourself. I loaded the CD with pictures and tips onto my laptop, plugged the laptop into an outlet next to the car readily accessible. I had the printed instructions handy to grab as I worked. I worked mostly in very dim light of a garage at night. Still took a total 2.5 hours as you can read about in This thread

    It's not that hard, it's satisfying to accomplish this yourself and there's really very little you can damage though caution around the computer is warranted.

    2) Take it to a local stereo installation place that has a decent reputation. They'll do it, probably for only around $50.

    3) Keep working with the dealer service dept. and follow Dave's advice

    4) use the great resource above provided by PriusChat so you have some experienced assistance to still allow you to do this yourself.

    Finally, Did you see the Half Off XM Radio Service Deal that I posted??? Get your radio installed soon so you can take advantage!!
     
    #5 efusco, Aug 31, 2004
  6. Bossman

    Bossman Junior Member

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    Three
    XM tuner

    Coastal Dave,

    I just came from our local Best Buy. There is a new product that just came out. It is for Pioneer systems and there is one for Sony systems as well. It is a black box that plugs into existing head units (like the one in my 2004 Prius). It comes with the tuner and an antenna.

    The cost is $49.99 :eek:

    [size=] [/size]Why is this so much less than the unit you are selling?

    Alan
     
    #6 Bossman, Sep 2, 2004
  7. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Re: XM tuner



    Dave's probably evacuating from a Hurricane at the moment, but let me address this seemingly pointed question (a hint of hostility?)

    1)You haven't named the product or the model number for anyone else here to look up. I did a quick search on the BB site and couldn't find anything fitting the description of the product you describe. If you could supply that, or a link to the product itself we could check it out.

    2)Dave's XM is a genuine Toyota part that he's selling basically at cost....go to your Toyota parts dept. and ask what it costs to order the integrated XM system for the Solara (which is exactly what Dave's reselling) I can guarantee it'll be more than Daven's charging.

    3)This system is specifically designed for the specfic system in the Prius and Solara. It perfectly integrates with the touch screen and voice activation systems. I'm not at all convinced yet that what you have for $50 will do that at all.

    4)I don't think Dave, or anyone else here, would be at all opposed to a less expensive integrated solution. There are plenty of nice aftermarket units that are FM modulated out there in the $100 range. If the solution you've discovered works like the OEM part all the better. We'll be singing your praises for finding it. And Dave's feelings won't be hurt a bit (I bet), he's always looking for better, easier, cheaper solutions to problems that will help folks in the Prius community.
     
    #7 efusco, Sep 2, 2004
  8. skew

    skew Junior Member

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    The tuner he is talking about is called xmdirect. Its a new universal tuner with a open source bus connection to it. So it can be controlled by OEM and aftermarket radios. But we will have to wait until blitzsafe,pie, or pac to make a adaptor to interface into the prius to the xmdirect the way its scared pioneer and alpine into not making and shipping their tuners they must feel like its going to be the best thing since Peanut butter & Jelly.

    Bill
     
    #8 skew, Sep 2, 2004
  9. Bossman

    Bossman Junior Member

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    No Hostility meant

    Sorry if I came across sounding hostile, certainly not my intent.
    I also tried to find the product on their web site when I got home. It is not listed. I tried calling the store and was put on hold for a very long time. I finally gave up.

    I will post all of the information when I go back down to purchase.
    As far as if it will integrate with our units I believe it will. The box gave every indication that it is designed for this very purpose.
    Unfortunately, the sales clerk was a stoner and was of no help at all.

    I'll buy it and try it. Nothing to lose.

    The hostility you may have sensed was probably my initial outrage of someone charging 10 times for an identical product. BTW the product is a genuine XM product.

    Alan
     
    #9 Bossman, Sep 2, 2004
  10. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    A little information on XMDirect is Here

    and the manufacturer

    Terk's Site with full info.

    BTW, Terk produces a lot of stuff for XM---they made the XM Commander I initially had installed.

    I have to say that this looks like a FANTASTIC deal...assuming it works as advertised....so far I can see no reason it won't. Bossman, keep us abreast.
     
    #10 efusco, Sep 2, 2004
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