FYI... new mini XM antenna at Crutchfield and some install tips

[Tim Sloper]

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-aZlFIUR...50&I=003XM2SAA

I installed this antenna two days ago up through the third brake light. I followed essentially the same routing path called for in the Titan XM instructions. With the crew cab there was about two feet of wire left to spare when I was done with the install. One tip I would offer if you go through the brake light is to put a dab of RTV underneath the wire where the brake light foam gasket will rest. It didn't look like it would leak but why take the chance?

I do not have the RF system but I did install the XM module in the factory location. All you need are the same brackets the RF guys would order along with their XM module. Installing in the factory location is very easy and not nearly as difficult as the instructions or people would have you to believe.

- drop the panel under the steering wheel (2 screws then carefully pull it out)
- drop the steel knee plate (4 screws)
- pull the connects from the BCM module (3 connectors)
- remove the 2 bolts holding the BCM to the bracket (the BCM will come right out)
- remove the 3 nuts holding the accelerator assembly to the firewall and let the assembly rest on the floor (you don't need to remove anything else)
- install the brackets to the XM module... the narrower side will mount to the vehicle bracket (same bracket BCM mounts to). I mounted the brackets so that when the module was put in place on the vehicle the antenna connectors would at the front of the vehicle facing the driver door.
- ** you will find that when you mount the brackets to the module they are slotted so the width between the brackets can vary. I left the screws a bit loose so that when I slide the module/bracket assembly up in I could adjust the bracket width and line up the holes. Once those brackets were bolted down (4 bolts) I tighted up the small screws holding the brackets to the XM module. If you have the amplifier you shouldn't need to do this as the amplifier will dictate the bracket placement from the start.
- The module will slide up behind the BCM bracket very easily. Once it is bolted down all you need to do is plug in the factory XM cable and antenna connectors. After that just tighten down the accellerator assembly and plug the BCM back in.

One more thing... don't forget to order a splitter if you are using a new single wire antenna.

Tim