dustinh

I got one of the earlier releases where Lexus thought it was sexy to put a black box on the inside of the windsheld for the XM.

Two Questions.

1. How many others have this same problems (in the later 2006 models they introduced the shart fin)

2. Has anyone removed the front one and replaced it with the shart fin?

Any techincal docs or info would be great.

TWong350

iTrader: (8)

Wow, I've never seen one with it mounted up front. I usually see them on the trunk.

FYI, the shark fin is on the 2007+ models. No 2006 models have it.

Welcome to Club Lexus, btw.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yeah most of the ones i have seen, they are routed to the trunk lid (even the factory kit it's routed to inside the trunk)

did you see how they run the wire? i hope it's not inside the molding then maybe it's easier for you to pull it out and relocated it to the rear part of the car

twylie

iTrader: (3)

I added XM via VAIStech adapter and located the antenna on the rear deck inside the car, next to the 3rd brake light. Reception is on par with my other vehicles w/ Sat radio including ones that have external antenna. I get occasional drop outs in my neighborhood (heavily wooded and hilly) and under long overpasses, but 99+% of the time, it's great.

dustinh

Here is a picture, its the triangle type box to the right of the mirror.

Wiring wise it runs into the headliner, I just hate to go exploring to see if I can even move it.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

that looks aftermarket, i believe the lexus oem one is square type

but maybe you can just try to pull out the wire and see where it goes to, it has to go to a tuner somewhere, my guess is probably around the kick panels or around the bottom of center console. usually this wire is pretty long and you should be able to relocate it to the back of the car.

i have done the xm on sienna (big car) and ls430 (pretty big too) and even when running the whole thing from head unit all the way to the trunk and tailgate, i still had slack on the wire

dustinh

I know for sure that it was factory installed, I got mine in Aug 05 so it literally just came out.

I guess it is time for me to just rip the dang thing out.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

aug 05, it's probably dealer installed (for that year, all xm are dealer installed i believe). cars are xm ready, but i still don't think it's factory installed. and per factory instruction, the tuner and antenna should be in the trunk area

either way, you can probably try not to remove the unit, and just pull out the wire first and see what's going on. that way if anything, you can just push the wire back into the liners

rld14

I don't know that you want a shark fin... I have integrated OEM XM in my 07 GS350 and an aftermarket XM Commander in my XJ8 with the antenna on the right front corner of the dashboard up by the windshield and A pillar.

Guess which car gets MUCH better reception? Hint: It's not the Lexus...

dustinh

Thanks for all the input, I will have to look at my sales sheet to see if it was dealer or factory installed.

Regardless, I am not sold on the shark fin. The real object is the to get the cinder block off my window.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

lol i can imagine how annoying that thing is. where are you located, brea?

dustinh

Yup, I need to start meeting up with some of the CL members.

Any upcoming events?

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

yours is aftermarket, at least the antenna is. I had the trunk mounted antenna and took it off my car it was so ugly. I also printed the PDF on how to install for 06 and mine is a factory accessory. I believe its a dealer installed accessory also.

I have a shark fin for sale if your interested in it PM me.