Sirius FM direct adapter

[BamSHO]

Trying to install my Sirius radio into my new SHO. I got the FM direct adapter, but just found out it wont work with the rear mounted radio. The antenna to radio is a female end and the FM adapter is a male end. Trying to figure out how to install this, FORD sure doesnt make this easy. I had the Sirius FM antenna wire mounted to the rear window in my old silver one, didnt like the look. Plus had to keep changing channels cause sometimes would get overpowered by radio stations.


Brian Michael
98 black Gen3

 

[LJRuddy]

I am curious as to how you solve this issue. I've had XM for 3 years +/- and I've always used the built in FM transmitter as my tape deck only works when its 80+ out. I am sick of constantly having static in the background and was about to purchase this... Good thing I didnt yet.

 

[Liquid_force]

Do you have something against the aux in mod?
http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/Instructions for adding an auxiliary line input to the Ford Taurus.htm

That's the first thing I did once I got mine running.

 

[BamSHO]

Went to crutchfield and this is what I came up so far. Need to swap out the factory antenna cable and replace it with two adapter cables. Both from motorola. One will go from the antenna to fm direct adapter, the other from the fm direct adapter to the radio in the trunk. Will be ordering ASAP and will report back on the progress. Both cables will cost $20.

Brian Michael
98 black Gen3

 

[kevinspann]

What are you using?

http://www.amazon.com/FRDR-AUX-Auxiliary-Select-Lincoln-Mercury/dp/B0015CY1WA

 

[BamSHO]

I bought sirius FM direct adapter, goes inline on the antenna cable. It overrides the incoming signal, and sends its FM signal in the radio. Friend has it for his Camry and works great. The AUX input box, I dont think will work.

Brian Michael
98 black Gen3

 

[SHO U UP]

I had Sirius in my '97 with no ill effects at all. I removed it before I sold the car though (sorry Kevin). I used everything that Sirius had for the install, tapped into the cig lighter and had a removable plug in under the console. Attached the inside antenna to the rear window, driver side I think, and I can't recall ever having static issues and the clarity was as good as having a CD in it.

 

[LJRuddy]

The problem I have in KC is that nearly every FM frequency is used and its difficult to get a clear signal. I use 96.9 which works well on the kansas side but as soon as I drive into Missouri, I get constant static and some areas are so bad that the XM signal is completely 'snuffed' out. I can only use the tape deck converter during the summer months as when ambient temps are below 50-60 degrees, my tape player wont read and it just spits the tape out while giving an error code.

 

[BamSHO]

Yeah, had some trouble in my wife's Sable when we went to Cedar Point last year. The FM signal from the Sirius got lost for some reason, plus getting tired of changing channels. So hopefully I got this figured out.


Brian Michael
98 black Gen3

 

[Mr Anonymous]

The FCC required Sirius to reduce the FM transmitter output power of their units about 4 or 5 years ago, so unless you have an older receiver with the higher output it's almost impossible to get reliable clear reception using the built-in FM modulators and stick-on antennas.

When I installed the Sirius (Starmate 4) in my '99, I used the Sirius FM direct adapter and the two Ford adapter cables to interface it between the antenna and RCU (there's enough wire to run from the RCU area all the way up to the dash or in my case at the top of the windshield). I got them at Best Buy, but I see now you can buy a kit with everything you need on eBay (item # 360264656249). Since you already have the FM direct adapter, you just need the two Ford adapter cables to make it work.

In the ~4 years since I installed it, I've only had a couple of occasions that I had to change the FM station due to a strong local signal overpowering the FM interface; once in Chicago, and once in Detroit.

 

[RonPorter]

The FCC required Sirius to reduce the FM transmitter output power of their units about 4 or 5 years ago, so unless you have an older receiver with the higher output it's almost impossible to get reliable clear reception using the built-in FM modulators and stick-on antennas.

When I installed the Sirius (Starmate 4) in my '99, I used the Sirius FM direct adapter and the two Ford adapter cables to interface it between the antenna and RCU (there's enough wire to run from the RCU area all the way up to the dash or in my case at the top of the windshield). I got them at Best Buy, but I see now you can buy a kit with everything you need on eBay (item # 360264656249). Since you already have the FM direct adapter, you just need the two Ford adapter cables to make it work.

In the ~4 years since I installed it, I've only had a couple of occasions that I had to change the FM station due to a strong local signal overpowering the FM interface; once in Chicago, and once in Detroit.

Yep.

I was using old Audiovox PNP units (still have one in the boombox) that were big and only had four channel choices. BUT, they would power over just about any local channel in that range.

Got a Stratus 6 last year for the vehicles. It can pick any FM frequency, but it ain't worth a shit. Even when I remove the antenna in the SHO or the truck, I will still get interference in some areas.

I have Detroit figured out, but my biggest problem is around Cincinnati. Looking at getting an adaptor, since my truck antenna decided to crack and leave all the threads down in the hole.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Yeah the FM direct adapter works 1000x better. Even those couple of times that I did get static/noise, it was very slight and most people probably wouldn't have bothered trying to find a clearer station to use. Whatever the last clear station was that I found during the Dearborn convention (93.3 IIRC) is the same one I stayed tuned to until I yanked the Sirius out of the car back in October, worked great everywhere else I went!

 

[BamSHO]

Got my cables from Crutchfield and got the Sirius up and working. Works nice, even when I put the local station on the FM presest for the Sirius and overrides them. Just need to get couple extension cables for the antenna wires, just isnt long enough for me to hide most of the wire going to the headunit.


Brian Michael
98 black Gen3

 

[RonPorter]

OK, I finally started looking into this. Crutchfield & Sirius have the Sirius FM Direct Adaptor for $19.99 (FMDA25). The ebay guy that Chris referenced on Item # 360264656249 has this kit, with adaptor cables, for $45.

Now:

(1) exactly what are the adaptor cables used for? Doesn't the antenna plug into the back of tha adaptor, which plugs into the radio?

(2) If adaptor cable or cables might be required, are they worth $25 from this ebay guy? What needs adapting?

 

[LJRuddy]

I just did this last weekend.

Went to Best Buy and picked up the FM direct connect kit for 35ish bucks. I then got the antenna converter cables for a 96-99 Taurus (2 of them) for 13 bucks each. Then I got the antenna extension cable to run from the trunk up to my receiver on the dash. Total was $101.xx and it went in in under 5 minutes.

If you are confused on what you need, tell the guy doing audio installs you are putting the FM direct connect kit into a 96-99 Taurus. They knew exactly what i needed.

 

[RonPorter]

I just did this last weekend.

Went to Best Buy and picked up the FM direct connect kit for 35ish bucks. I then got the antenna converter cables for a 96-99 Taurus (2 of them) for 13 bucks each. Then I got the antenna extension cable to run from the trunk up to my receiver on the dash. Total was $101.xx and it went in in under 5 minutes.

If you are confused on what you need, tell the guy doing audio installs you are putting the FM direct connect kit into a 96-99 Taurus. They knew exactly what i needed.

It's for my '00 F-250, but I'm considering it for the '89 SHO somewhere down the line.

I assume you needed the antenna extension cable for the Sirius antenna? Already have mine wired in up to the dash. I use the vent mounts in both vehicles now.

Converter cables are antenna to adaptor? Or adaptor to head unit?

Sorry, I haven't had a SHO (or Ford, for that matter) head unit out in, oh, 20 years!!

I assume it's this adaptor?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_607FMDA25/FM-Direct-Adapter.html?search=adaptor+for+sirius+radio

Crutchfield & Sirius both sell, with free shipping, for $19.99.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Ron the '89 you shouldn't need the antenna adapter because that uses the old Motorola antenna plug.

 

[RonPorter]

OK, got-r-done at Best Buy.

For anybody who cares, the Ford truck setups don't need an adaptor. Installer said Ford trucks (like my '00 F-250) use the old setup until 2006 or so.

Adaptor is $31.99+tax at BB. Available for $19.95+free shipping online, but I am impatient.

Direct cost was $33.91 + $19.95 installation for $53.86.

REAL cost was $347.86. See below!!

Antenna broke off in the unit of the truck, so on my monthly COSTCO visit last week ($550, typical), I picked up a new antenna and an easy-out with 5/64" drill bit for $15 or so. Expected cost.

On Monday, the lame drill bit wouldn't make a dent in the broken stud. Decided to drive to Best Buy (per Liberty's recommendation) and get the parts. Long story, but the adaptor said I needed two pieces, BB dweeb talking to the installer through the glass on the phone says no, I don't need adaptor cables. Decided to f-it, and pull the unit to check for sure. Stop again at COSTCO (next door to BB) for some TWO things I forgot. $139 later (!!), I go to Home Depot for two GOOD carbide 5/64 drill bits ($6) plus a t-handle for a small easy-out ($10)

Total for Monday: $139 (COSTCO) + $6 (drill bits) + $10 (T-handle) + (10mpg x 20-mile round trip) $7.00 for gas = $162

Tuesday, try to drill the broken stud with new drill. Works great!! THEN drill bit breaks off!! Tried the 2nd one, which also broke. Found a new 3/16" carbide in my box. Drilled out the whole mess, found a 3/16" OD adaptor for the antenna, pounded it in the hole, screwed on new antenna. All is good!! Looked around the house for two thick metal coat hangers. Found two, cut them off, and attempted to remove the factory stereo. After about an hour of !@#$%^& when the left side wouldn't release, it was **** IT!! Drove back to BB, bought the FM adaptor, and set up an appointment for Wednesday for them to install it. Stopped at COSTCO on the way home to check to see if they had ONE item. Left after spending $118, which included BEER and VODKA!!

Total for Tuesday: $7.00 (gas) + FM adaptor $33.91 + COSTCO $118 = $158.91

Wednesday, drive to BB, get the adaptor installed. Do NOT stop at COSTCO!!

Total for Wednesday: $7.00 (gas) + $19.95 (adaptor installation) = $26.95

I swear, if I walk in COSTCO or Harbor Freight looking for a $10 item, I never walk out with spending less than $100!!

 

[RonPorter]

BTW, the adaptor works GREAT!

I took another route home to purposely drive through an area where my usual FM-modulation station has some trouble. Worked just fine.