need ideas
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New User
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need ideas
Hey y'all, I have a 2002 expedition and im replacing the head unit with one that has SiriusXM so im trying to figure out a good location for the antenna. I would like to put it up by my sunroof but I dont want wires hanging on the interior or exterior, I would like it to look as professional as possible. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get it up there or any other good mounting locations? It looks like the antenna has atleast a 20ft cord on it if not more so I am open to options. appreciate the help
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2014
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Remove one of the A-pillar trim covers, remove the sun visors and pull down your overhead console, this will allow you to lower the head liner enough to cable tie and route the wire together with the OEM harness going up there and make it look like a professional install with concealed wires.
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New User
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Remove one of the A-pillar trim covers, remove the sun visors and pull down your overhead console, this will allow you to lower the head liner enough to cable tie and route the wire together with the OEM harness going up there and make it look like a professional install with concealed wires.
Posting Guru
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Oh, I didn't catch the part where you had to bring the wire to the outside of the truck.. 
Bringing a wire out through the roof anywhere would be a bad idea, it WILL cause leaks no matter how you seal it, and it WILL cause issues with corrosion. Does the antenna have to be on the outside? There's no way to get a signal from inside the car?
If no, I'd look at the possibility to take it out through the firewall in the front, there's many rubber grommets there you can use. Another possibility would be in the rear where the rear washer hose goes out, or the rubber boot for the electrical things in the liftgate.
Another thing would be to find a window-antenna if that's compatible. Cell phone kits often uses a adhesive antenna on the windshield where you stick the antenna on the outside and then a pad on the inside and the signal will be able to pass through the glass without making a hole.
Something like this:
Bringing a wire out through the roof anywhere would be a bad idea, it WILL cause leaks no matter how you seal it, and it WILL cause issues with corrosion. Does the antenna have to be on the outside? There's no way to get a signal from inside the car?
If no, I'd look at the possibility to take it out through the firewall in the front, there's many rubber grommets there you can use. Another possibility would be in the rear where the rear washer hose goes out, or the rubber boot for the electrical things in the liftgate.
Another thing would be to find a window-antenna if that's compatible. Cell phone kits often uses a adhesive antenna on the windshield where you stick the antenna on the outside and then a pad on the inside and the signal will be able to pass through the glass without making a hole.
Something like this:
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
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What type of mount does the antenna you are planning to use require? If it requires a thru hole then find a place you can get to the under side of the roof either through where a dome light or the center roof console mounts the other options are an on glass mount or through the fire wall and a mount on either the hood or the cowl. You should also make sure the antenna will not interfere with the sunroof operation.
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its a magnetic mount, my thoughts were either take it out the sunroof under the weather seal somehow or run it out the firewall then all they way back to the tail then up above the 3rd taillight, but im not sure if 20ft is enough for that. I also thought about running it out the firewall and then putting it on the cowl panel as it would match color wise but the cowl is plastic.....
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its a magnetic mount, my thoughts were either take it out the sunroof under the weather seal somehow or run it out the firewall then all they way back to the tail then up above the 3rd taillight, but Im not sure if 20ft is enough for that. I also thought about running it out the firewall and then putting it on the cowl panel as it would match color wise but the cowl is plastic.....
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Posting Guru
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I would suggest that you forget about running the wire through the sunroof in any way, that will cause headaches down the road. I see more or less 2 viable options:
1. Run it through the firewall and install it under the cowl, or run the wire up the side of the windshield and mount it on the roof
2. Run the wire through the hole for the 3rd brake light and mount it somewhere near that, making sure it doesn't conflict with the liftgate when you open it.
Those two options doesn't do permanent changes (damages) to the truck and is 100% reversible, something I like to ensure any modification I do to my vehicles is. There's always a time to sell it or even change out the head unit again, and then you're left with a hole with potential for rusting
1. Run it through the firewall and install it under the cowl, or run the wire up the side of the windshield and mount it on the roof
2. Run the wire through the hole for the 3rd brake light and mount it somewhere near that, making sure it doesn't conflict with the liftgate when you open it.
Those two options doesn't do permanent changes (damages) to the truck and is 100% reversible, something I like to ensure any modification I do to my vehicles is. There's always a time to sell it or even change out the head unit again, and then you're left with a hole with potential for rusting
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New User
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I like the idea for under the cowl installation but Im pretty sure the antenna needs L.O.S. so putting it under the cowl wouldn't work. Im tempted to make a hole in the cowl for it, anything sensitive under the cowl? its got 150k miles so im planning to drive her till she dies anyway plus I still have 2 years of payments....
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The cowl only covers the wiper mechanism and hold the washer nozzles with hoses, nothing sensitive in there. Perhaps cable tie it or glue it on top of the cowl and feed the wire in under the cowl and then route it through the firewall?
I guess it's the same as GPS antennas, ideally they need L.O.S., but they work fine even mounted inside the dash as it's only plastic and a windshield between it and the sky.. I haven't had any experience with satellite radio antennas though, so trial and error will tell you what works..
I guess it's the same as GPS antennas, ideally they need L.O.S., but they work fine even mounted inside the dash as it's only plastic and a windshield between it and the sky..
I haven't had any experience with satellite radio antennas though, so trial and error will tell you what works..
Freshman User
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Hey y'all, I have a 2002 expedition and im replacing the head unit with one that has SiriusXM so im trying to figure out a good location for the antenna. I would like to put it up by my sunroof but I dont want wires hanging on the interior or exterior, I would like it to look as professional as possible. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get it up there or any other good mounting locations? It looks like the antenna has atleast a 20ft cord on it if not more so I am open to options. appreciate the help
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Sarasota, fl
i ran my wires under the dash and up behind the weather strip and as you get close to the roof linethere is a small notch in the sheet metal behind the weatherstrip that I tucked the wire in so i could get it to the outside and so it doesn't get pinched when the door is shut. And on the outside of 03 expedition I put the Xm antanna in the center of the vehicle just above the windshield and tucked the wire behind the rubber seal of the windshield.
Good one!
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