Swapping radio from XM-Ready to XM

[auditude]

I have some questions that I haven't seen the answers to yet. I have an XM-ready radio in my '06 RTL (non-MR). If I can find a (used) factory radio that is XM rather than XM-ready, for example from a truck that has gone aftermarket, what other parts would I need to equip/convert my truck over to XM? I understand that I would need the antenna, but is the receiver under the seat on the trucks that have an XM system from the factory (not "XM-ready")?

The idea is that this would be an alternative to getting the add-on tuner for my existing XM-ready radio, which may be more expensive if I can find a cheap used factory XM radio. Is this type of a conversion possible? I want to know if I need to make sure to get the tuner too, if it is separate on those other systems.

Also, if I had the XM capable (not XM-ready) radio, am I still able to connect an iPod to it like I can with my XM-ready radio? I think I would be able to, but since I'm posting I may as well confirm that.

Thanks,

[djdj]

The factory stereo that comes with XM does not have an XM tuner in the head unit itself. The tuner is behind the back seat. (See the link to the A/V system installation in my signature for a picture of it.)

To add the factory XM capability to a Ridgeline you would need:

* Head unit with XM capability (your present one might already have this)
* XM tuner unit
* XM antenna
* Connecting wiring harnesses

In addition, you would need to run the wiring harnesses and cut the hole in the roof for the antenna. Installing the wiring harnesses would require removal of much of the interior of the truck (most of which would be so you could remove the headliner for access to the roof, for antenna installation.

If I were in your shoes and wanted to add factory XM capability I would consider the Honda XM dealer-installed option. I would guess that the XM tuner unit would be similar, if not identical (though I do not know this for sure). The big difference would be the location of the antenna. The major reason for installing the antenna on the front windshield is to avoid having to remove most of the interior to install an antenna on the roof.

All-in-all, it is much easier to add an aftermarket XM radio.

[auditude]

Thanks, Doug. I probably won't bother with getting the other factory XM capable radio then. I saw a couple on Ebay, but if the tuner is a separate piece, then it doesn't really gain anything. XM isn't important to me, but if those radios that go for under $80 shipped would add the capability, I considered at least getting the head unit.

I checked out your Ridgeline A/V pages. Very cool! Way to think outside the box on the rearview camera monitor location.

The next thing I want to do in that department on my truck is replace the door speakers with some aftermarket coaxials. Possibly some components up front. I liked the ones I saw here somewhere that had the aluminum sides on the surface mounts. If I get those I may just surface mount them because they match the silver/aluminum trim of the interior so well.