Anyone installed an XM Roady in a Matrix? ...

[fendertweed]

I'm surprised I came up empty on a search for this ... so ...

Has anyone installed an XM Roady receiver in a Matrix? How'd you do it?

There's no cassette player (I know, still so 70s but it is a great way to get good XM signal strength to the radio). I can try to get in via their link to the antenna but that's going to require some hairy (to me) work getting under the headliner near the antenna, I think.

Has anyone done this? Thanks for any info,
Jon

[brmacdon]

I installed Siruis in my 2007 Matrix (stock radio) using USA SPEC's PA12-TOY. Works great. Easy to install. If the Roadie has a line out then this solution will work.

[Qslim]

If you're going to use the antenna module to hear xm, then you'll do it at the back of the radio where the cars antenna wire plugs in. You shouldn't have to go under the headliner at all.

[fendertweed]

Originally Posted by brmacdon

I installed Siruis in my 2007 Matrix (stock radio) using USA SPEC's PA12-TOY. Works great. Easy to install. If the Roadie has a line out then this solution will work.

Thanks.... the Roadie does have a line out, can you explain to me how you routed it into your Matrix radio? I'm not sure whether or not it'll work in our '05, it has the JBL upgrade 6-disc/AM/FM, but I do want to get at it if I can.

Thanks for any info you can provide,
Jon

[fendertweed]

Originally Posted by Qslim

If you're going to use the antenna module to hear xm, then you'll do it at the back of the radio where the cars antenna wire plugs in. You shouldn't have to go under the headliner at all.

Thanks Qslim,

Yeah, I will have to use antenna mode on the Matrix. ... I haven't used that before so my memory of how it connects is weak/nonexistent... I know they have one that goes onto the antenna itself and then wires back to the radio.

Are there instructions anywhere on TN for removing the radio to get at the antenna connection, or can you describe how to get to it? I did a search on "radio remove" or "removal" and got no hits.

Thanks,
Jon

[fendertweed]

Originally Posted by brmacdon

I installed Siruis in my 2007 Matrix (stock radio) using USA SPEC's PA12-TOY. Works great. Easy to install. If the Roadie has a line out then this solution will work.

I just looked at the PA12-TOY... how hard was it/ what was involved in installing that? Do they have instructions to clarify where the various wiring loom connectors go? Any splicing, cutting, etc., necessary?

I'm not afraid to do it, just want to know what I'm getting into, LOL.

[Qslim]

Originally Posted by fendertweed

Thanks Qslim,

Yeah, I will have to use antenna mode on the Matrix. ... I haven't used that before so my memory of how it connects is weak/nonexistent... I know they have one that goes onto the antenna itself and then wires back to the radio.

Are there instructions anywhere on TN for removing the radio to get at the antenna connection, or can you describe how to get to it? I did a search on "radio remove" or "removal" and got no hits.

Thanks,
Jon

Here's a diagram, it's real easy. Pop off the plastic trim and you'll see the bolts that hold the radio in.

[brmacdon]

The installation is pretty straight forward. USA Spec also makes a model without the IPOD interface that has two sets of RCA jacks. You have to pull out the radio as described above. Very easy. The plugs that instrument cluster can be a bit tricky to detach so be patient.

Essentially you the USA Spec unit comes with a wiring harness that plugs directly into the back of your radio. No soldering, wire cutting, no mess. I had the JBL system in my Tundra and the unit worked fine. The unit adds and auxillary input that becomes accessible by pressing the CD key on your radio. You can switch between your CD changer and satellite radio. With the IPOD unit you can still play CDs but you should not have your IPOD hooked connected when you play CDs. This seems to cause sporadic issues. Your mileage may vary.

I have also used an FM Modulator as you are describing. Very very simple install. Again you need to pull the radio. Then all you do is plug your antenna into the modulator and plug the modulator into the antenna plug on your radio. Works well and its cheaper than the USA spec unit.

The most time consuming part of the satellite radio install is the antenna install. I installed mine on the rear of my roof (passenger side). I ran the wire out through the brake light assembly. No drilling required. I then ran the wire up the passenger side using under the rear storage area, door jams and carpet.

[fendertweed]

I'm going w/ the Schosche (sp) FM modulator from Crutchfield. Looks very easy.

I have run the antenna on the 2 cars I've set up so far (73 Porsche, 01 Audi A6 wagon) from the car mount for the Roady XT under the dash, in the trim gaps and up to the dashboard top. I mount it with about a 1/2" square piece of DualLok and it gets reception fine thru the windshield, no need for the long runs back and out of the car.

We'll see how it works on the Tacoma & the Matrix.

thx,
jc