Sirius in '01 F-150?

fbodyfan · #1 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 04:30 PM

Hey all, I have a '01 F-150 SCAB with the 6 CD changer (cartridge in console) option. Do any of you know what I need to hook up Sirius? On their websites they sell a universal tuner, but from what it sounds like, it only works with "Sirius-ready" head units. I'm hoping to keep my stock head unit (I like the 6 CD changer). Most of their units come with "complete vehicle kits", so is that all I need? Or do I need some extra electronics since my HU is not "Sirius Ready"

bgalaxy67 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-15-2008, 09:47 PM

The universal kits will tap into the Anttenna and transmit through the FM stations

mitch150 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fbodyfan

Hey all, I have a '01 F-150 SCAB with the 6 CD changer (cartridge in console) option. Do any of you know what I need to hook up Sirius? On their websites they sell a universal tuner, but from what it sounds like, it only works with "Sirius-ready" head units. I'm hoping to keep my stock head unit (I like the 6 CD changer). Most of their units come with "complete vehicle kits", so is that all I need? Or do I need some extra electronics since my HU is not "Sirius Ready"

Don't know if you've found a solution for your situation yet but if not, go to SIRIUS Radios, SIRIUS antennas, SIRIUS accessories | TSS-Radio and look for the plug n play units like a sirius sportster. They come with a car kit, I think for around $50. Good luck

slappysdump · #4 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 07:40 AM

I was using my Sirius radio by broadcasting it thru a FM radio station, sound quality was poor--and I got sick of having to change the FM station. I picked up a cassette adapter(this will only work if you have a cassette deck) at Radio Shack for like $20 and now the sound is awsome, the volume is much improved as well. I like this setup better than hooking it up thru the antenna because I can move the unit from one truck to another in about 5 min.

Lavern · #5 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 10:41 AM

you can get a hook up to run directly to the back of your radio too so theres no tape or fm transmitter.

bigdaddyII · #6 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 12:07 PM

The complete vehicle kit is all you need to get started. If your head unit dosent have an AUX function and you dont have a tape deck you can buy an FM direct adapter to get better sound through FM stations. It is a switch that shuts off you truck antennas reception to the radio when the Sirius unit is on effectively eliminating any station signals breaking through. I ended up using the FM direct adapter on my truck and car and it works well, just as it did when I had XM. If you choose to use the FM direct you have to take the stock radio out in order to plug you antenna into the adapter. I took that opportunity to add a cigarette lighter behind that dash and connect it to the hot line on my radio that was the Sirius unit powers on and off with the radio, and hide the wires behind the dash as well for a cleaner install.

Lavern · #7 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdaddyII

The complete vehicle kit is all you need to get started. If your head unit dosent have an AUX function and you dont have a tape deck you can buy an FM direct adapter to get better sound through FM stations. It is a switch that shuts off you truck antennas reception to the radio when the Sirius unit is on effectively eliminating any station signals breaking through. I ended up using the FM direct adapter on my truck and car and it works well, just as it did when I had XM. If you choose to use the FM direct you have to take the stock radio out in order to plug you antenna into the adapter. I took that opportunity to add a cigarette lighter behind that dash and connect it to the hot line on my radio that was the Sirius unit powers on and off with the radio, and hide the wires behind the dash as well for a cleaner install.

when you added the cig lighter did you just splice it to the stock cig lighter?

bigdaddyII · #8 (**permalink**) 06-01-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lavern

when you added the cig lighter did you just splice it to the stock cig lighter?

No, the stock lighter stays hot all the time. I wanted the satellite receiver to power on and off with the radio so I tapped the lighter into the radios power. I did this in my 97 F-150 with my XM radio. In my 2005 with my Sirius unit I added an "add a circuit" to the acc. delay fuse in the fuse box to connect the extra lighter so now the Sirius unit powers off with the radio and even stays on when you turn off the ignition, just like the radio does, until you open one of the doors. The reason I choose to wire in an extra cigarette lighter is so that I dont have to spend any more money buying a hardwire kit for the sat. unit, you cant just cut the lighter plug off and feed the unit 12 volts, they are run on 5 volts and the resistor is in the lighter plug.

Lavern · #9 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 06:18 PM

Would it be possible to connect the Sat. Radio's power with the Radios power?

Beerstalker · #10 (**permalink**) 06-02-2008, 06:41 PM

Like he said, you can tap the cigarette lighter into the Radio's power, but you can't power the Sat radio directly because most of them run off of 5V instead of 12V that the truck wiring uses. The cigarette plug has a transformer in it to step the voltage down. You could tear the cigarette lighter adapter apart and wire the transformer inline, but then you need to protect it somehow, so you might as well leave it in the cigarette plug.

cory58 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 09:53 AM

Have any of you that installed the FM direct adapter had trouble getting the stock radio (6 CD changer) out of the dash? I have the radio removal tools, but cannot get the radio out of my 2005 Excursion. On the Excursion forum, I was told that the radio should come out without any trim removal. I have pushed and pulled on the removal tools in every direction, but the radio won't budge. Am I missing something?

Also, for those of you considering using Sirius through the FM radio, the reception from the basic car kit is so bad that it is unusable. You will need the FM direct adapter.

Thanks, Cory

Lavern · #12 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cory58

Have any of you that installed the FM direct adapter had trouble getting the stock radio (6 CD changer) out of the dash? I have the radio removal tools, but cannot get the radio out of my 2005 Excursion. On the Excursion forum, I was told that the radio should come out without any trim removal. I have pushed and pulled on the removal tools in every direction, but the radio won't budge. Am I missing something?

Also, for those of you considering using Sirius through the FM radio, the reception from the basic car kit is so bad that it is unusable. You will need the FM direct adapter.

Thanks, Cory

When I took my radio out I had to either pull the tools away from each other or push them together I just forget now. My reception with my sat. radio isnt bad at all.

Beerstalker · #13 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 05:16 PM

Make sure you don't have the tools pushed in too far. If they are in too far they won't work right. Stop pushing them in right when you feel a slight click. Then you have to pull the two wires away from each other as you pull the radio out. If you still can't get it just take the dash panel off and release the radio from behind. Somethimes the little latches get screwed up, and the removal tool won't work right.

cory58 · #14 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beerstalker

Make sure you don't have the tools pushed in too far. If they are in too far they won't work right. Stop pushing them in right when you feel a slight click.

Yep - that's the trick! I had a Ford tech tell me the same thing and the radio popped right out. Thanks for the reply.

Also, once the radio was out, I was able to install the Sirius FM Direct adapter and it works great. No more searching for a usable FM channel every 10 minutes on cross country trips.

Cory