06-30-10

I have a 2007 Ford F-150 FX4 Scab purchased Summer 09, been using a SkyFi cradle with wireless mod and power extension so it laid over on right end of dash near radio ant as a temp solution. I mounted the cradle on a block sitting in the tray and velcroed the XM antenna up at base of windshield.

Hey .... it works but I get interfearence in cities with strong FM stations, Ford reciever is good.

I ordered a ProFit VSM G3 mount system, a 10 foot extension for XM / Sirius antennas, and a pair of adaptors to adapt the '07 Ford's antenna plugs to Motorola plugs so I can use a wired in Delphi modulator.

As soon as it all get's here, I'll redo my install using the Sirius antenna that's already on the truck, simply unplug it and connect to the extension and that should more than reach my cradle. I'll mount my modulator behind the dash under the radio, and run the wires one of two routes .... either across to right end of dash under the carpet black DashCover molded cover, or in a split loom straight down from the cradle down past the console on the right and up under the dash. I'll tie the split loom to the mount to take stress off the wires themselves.

07-05-10

The ProFit VSM G3 mount system came July 1st direct from ProFit who list this particular one for $49.95 but I only paid the vendor (Sirius XM Radio Receivers, Home Kits and Car Kits, Speaker Docks, Antennas, and more at MyRadioStore) $39.95. I was skepticle of quality, but I must say .... while there isn't but three pieces, they are top notch quality! Base mount is stiff stainless steel with hard molded ball on it, and the J Arm and the A Plate base for mounting the cradle have sockets lined with molded silicone like rubber, very tight fit to hold adjustment.

(note, it loosened up it's grip on the ball in late Fall 2010 so I contacted ProFit, they sent a revised mount plate with a ring that tightens up thus locking the mounts grip on ball, it's tight now in Dec 2012)

They make their own antenna ext cables and ship that direct from MRS and it hasn't arrived yet due to holiday weekend I guess. Between the two, I just did pass the "free shipping" standard of $50 order total.

The Motorola to new Ford and back from new Ford to Motorola antenna adapters also arrived July 1st, got the pair for $18 with shipping from one vendor. Metra is the brand, they are the same as 2002 up Chrysler.

Will take pics and post whole deal when I get that remaining 10' ext for the truck's Sirius antenna cable to my cradle.

07-07-10

This was the old set up, housed in home made box painted black, used wireless modulator laying in far right corner of the dash with power to it.



I forgot to hoto the removal of the radio surround bezel, but you'll find articles easy enough on how to unsnap it I think.

So I got it off and this is the opening with the loose plugs. The locking tab or "press here" point was factory marked with white dab of paint. Two had what I call "lever locks" on them.



That's the factory installed Sirius radio above the hole, se that cross brace with a couple holes in it.



I made a mount of 1/8 aluminum, attached my wired in Delphi modulator to it with two rivets along with the black ground wire, and bolted it to one of those oblong holes like so.



Here are the three items I was waiting for and detailed in the prior posting.



After pulling the radio out a ways, I unplugged the factory am/fm antenna and installed the two adaptors you see labelled for 2002 up Chrysler, they work on many new Fords too including my 2007 F-150. I replaced radio, leading the two Motorola style plugs in view now.



Next I unplug the Sirius antenna from the Sirius radio recvr and compare it to the new 10 foot XM ant ext cable.



Looks good, but I removed the red clip and slid the yellow sheath off the Sirius cable and stuck it back on the Sirius radio for safe keeping.

And then I install ball mount under right side radio screws. The socket of the A-Plate and j-arm are both lined with a molded silicone feeling type rubber and some spit helps when attaching in a "twisting" motion. thjey are tight fits.



For power, I spliced into the Blue with White Tracer wire of the cigarette lighter which was right there so handy. I did use a light to make sure I had the right lead, but the other one was black so I figured I was on the right track. Of course, I wrapped the soldered joint with tape.



Now, I just ran wires out under the dash over into the pass floor area for now, and snapped the radio surround in place, and snapped my mount together. I attached the A plate to a cradle, and in the dark night, powered it up on the 50s on 5 with my am'fm set to the right frequency.

Three bars with XM radio on a Sirius antenna with ten extra feet of cable. Better to make use of that lump on the roof this way and not have an extra XM antenna to contend with.



And then the next day, after I got my cioffe in, I played with it. Ran the wires up through split loom covering for now, wire tied the split loom to the mount itself. Only three wires, two from the Delphi Modulator and the one Antenna ext.





Took her for a test drive, reception is extremely steady, no drop outs. Even works better than universal mag mount antenna under some trees wher I've noted problems.

On the mount, the Delphi SkyFi is heavy in it'scradle, heavier than new stuff. On just the mount ball and A plate, it doesn't "shake" with the bumps. but it's more restruicted where you can put it. Using the J arm, you can easily swing it out of the way of loading a CD for example, but bumps cause minor shaking.

I have the J arm in place here raising the SkyFi up higher fornow but you could swing the arm 360 degrees, or not even use it.

I don't see any viable alternative to the wires in the split loom unless I cut an access hole in the bezel surrounding the radio and stuff. I may see how much a new one cost and once I have one in hand, may do thgat and bring the wires out of the dash near the cradle through jst such a hole.

As for me, I'm OK as is ..... after 31 years of driving work cars with graet pride which had radio and radar cables everywhere. You get used to them if they are kept tidy.

EDIT 07-08-10

Today after it cooled off outside, I pulled the cradle off the ball, ubdid the split loom, removed the radio surround bezel again and studied it. I then removed two screws at top above radio and popped the small package tray up and unhooked the line in plug by pulling out two tabs as I pulled down. The tray has a rubber molded insert.

I rerouted the two wires from my modulator, line out and power ... and antenna cable .... up past radio and over the top under the area where this tray sat. I drilled two 1/2" holes, one in the near front right corner and one just behind it in the tray itself. I cut the area out between thus leaving a 1" long 1/2" wide oval. I can replace the tray very easily as every Ford from 2004 up has one or it'll be cheap new. Besides, remove the wires and drop the rubber insert in place no one could see the hole.

I pulled the three new wires and connectors through, replaced the line in jack, put tray back in place and inserted the screws. I replaced the radio surround bezel piece, and popped the J-arm with cradle back in place. I stuck the rubber insert back in the tray, it pushes the three wires over to edge. The wires are independent and lay flat under the carpeted dash cover and come out behind the cradle. You have to look for them to see.

No more split loom in view, otherwise it's as above.