My new 09 was not purchased with the Sirius Satellite option and has the single Cd player. However, the radio control panel has a Sirius selection button. Does anybody know how to go about getting a Sirius signal (I know that I must purchase a subscription from Sirius!) through this radio or is it even possible? I have asked Ford this question and they cannot explain why the Sirius selection button is there!

 

I would say the button is there just to save production costs. It's probably cheaper just to produce all the radios with a Sirius button as opposed to producing some with and some without, but I have been wrong before.

To make your radio Sirius capable you would have to buy the antenna, and I would think the reciever would either need some additional equipment. More likely, it would need be replaced with one that is setup for Sirius.

Your cheapest bet would probably be to just buy a good Alpine, Kenwood, _____________(insert brand you prefer) stereo that is setup for Sirius. I know I 've heard the dealer say before that it is usually much simpler to go aftermarket than to retrofit for satellite radio, and you usually get more bang for your buck that way.

I've had satellite radio for 6 years, and now I can't stand it when I have to drive a vehicle that doesn't have it. Too many commercials on regular radio, and the sound quality is so much better.

 

Do not quote me but I do not think you need an aftermarket head unit(radio). The sirius button tells me the radio is equipped with the correct auxilary input to add sirius or basicly anything else. If you do get an aftermarket head unit it would be the same with the same button and you would still need to get the same extra stuff as you would with your stock head unit. But there might be a aftermarket head unit out there with the sirius receiver built into it but i am not sure.

you do need to get a Sirius receiver and an antenna. They usually come together. The sirius button on your radio now is basicly for the aux input you would plug your sirius receiver into. ford or best buy or any car radio place should be able to get you the sirius receiver that hides under your dash and hooks to your stock radio.

 

Sirius makes receivers that plug into your radio, but I am not sure if your radio is set up for it or not. I would think it probably is so you might give Sirius a call and see.

 

You need the Ford factory SIRIUS tuner kit. It comes with antenna, signal splitter, wiring, tuner, etc. Call your dealer parts dept. and get the tuner kit part number and then look on craigslist, ebay, etc. or get one from the dealer.

 

I'm hoping that Ranger Lance is correct on this but I called my local Ford Service Dept. and they stated that Ford is working on this but no kit is available now. I have a Starmate 4 Satellite radio but was trying to aviod all the wiring it requires to function on its own. I especially don't like having to use up the lighter plug because of the 5 volt power requirement. thanks for all the responses - you all have been very helpful.

 

I found the tuners on oem-factory-accessory.com. You will need the exact part # from Ford for your radio. It looks like the ones wity sync capability take a different tuner # than the ones without sync. An online search is turning into a real bear.

This should work: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1174091944200 Along with the siriusconnect interface adapter.

Swing by Best Buy and check with the radio install guys; they should know.

 

I get the Sirius, was told Sirius was free for the first 6 months, then after that you pay for it

 

Thanks Ranger Lance. I spoke with a different Ford dealer parts guy and he said the factory "hideaway" box would cost $300.00 plus installation. Went by Best Buy today and they installed a refurbished portable Sirius tuner for me. $50.00 for tuner and $90.00 for the install. They did an excellent job with the mount and made it look almost like it belonged there! Plugs into the Sync Aux jack and plays through truck radio. They also hardwired the power adaptor so it doesn't take up one of my 12V outlets. One thing I didn't know about Best Buy is that when they do an installation like that, they will remove it for free if I get rid of the vehicle. Thanks again for all your suggestions.

 

Thephys, where did they mount the antenna?

greg

 

On the front center of the cab roof. Cable routed under rubber seal and then behind dash.

 

Alright, so I figured I would revive this thread cause i thought maybe by now someone who bought their 09 without sirius has, essentially made their "sirius button" on the dash functional?

if so how much did it cost? howd you do it?

thanks

 

FYI - That same exact tuner is only about $50 straight from Sirius.

 

is that $50 tuner one thatll work with the Ford factory radio? so that the sirius button works?

thatd sure be a much cheaper option than going through ford

 

has anyone done this yet? I checked at the ford dealer and they gave me a name of a guy who they recommended. They wouldn't even do it. I called the guy and he said he could get my satellite radio going for $400.00 Needless to say that isn't going to happen. I can do it, I just need to know what I need to do it, and ford couldn't tell me.