SiriusXM radio in the FR-S

[TemeCal]

Originally Posted by KevinR

Wouldn't the fit kit be the same for the 2012 tc? I think it has the same pioneer head unit (without bespoke). I'm not sure what comes with the fit kit. Does it come with the wiring harness and antenna?

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Not sure. I don't quite understand what a "fit kit" is, but it looks like another $100. Isn't it just the XM tuner that needs to be mounted some where? I've installed Pioneer's XM tuner in my other vehicles, and I just found a hidden place to mount it. Why is a fit kit needed?

So, if the tuner is close to $200 and the fit kit is another $100...I'd be at $300 to get XM working! At that price, I'll probably end up replacing the entire stock unit instead.

[KevinR]

Originally Posted by TemeCal

Not sure. I don't quite understand what a "fit kit" is, but it looks like another $100. Isn't it just the XM tuner that needs to be mounted some where? I've installed Pioneer's XM tuner in my other vehicles, and I just found a hidden place to mount it. Why is a fit kit needed?

So, if the tuner is close to $200 and the fit kit is another $100...I'd be at $300 to get XM working! At that price, I'll probably end up replacing the entire stock unit instead.

Am I the only one who actually really likes the stock base head unit? It's simple to use, looks good, and has good sound quality, Imo. I don't want to have to replace it with something ill-fitting, ugly, with a laggy interface just to be able to spend only $100 extra for the XM kit required for a sat ready hu and get imperceptibly better SQ.

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[TemeCal]

Originally Posted by KevinR

Am I the only one who actually really likes the stock base head unit? It's simple to use, looks good, and has good sound quality, Imo. I don't want to have to replace it with something ill-fitting, ugly, with a laggy interface just to be able to spend only $100 extra for the XM kit required for a sat ready hu and get imperceptibly better SQ.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

I'm not really an audiophile. With that said, I agree with you about the stock head unit. However, I have Pioneer Avics in my other vehicles, and have absolutely loved them. I don't think it's just $100 to add XM. It's $200 for the tuner PLUS $100 for the fit kit. So, it's $300 just to add XM to a stock radio.

I'm not sure I understand your comment about an "ill-fitting, ugly, laggy interface HU". My Avics are very fast, very intuitive, fit perfectly and are MUCH MUCH MUCH more feature rich. For $300-400 more, I could have much more over a stock unit (including NAV).

I realize some don't want this, and I respect it. But to me, the stock radio isn't really that pretty...nor feature rich If I can get XM going for less than $150, I'd gladly keep the stock unit. Otherwise, I won't shed any tears removing it.

[KevinR]

Originally Posted by TemeCal

I'm not really an audiophile. With that said, I agree with you about the stock head unit. However, I have Pioneer Avics in my other vehicles, and have absolutely loved them. I don't think it's just $100 to add XM. It's $200 for the tuner PLUS $100 for the fit kit. So, it's $300 just to add XM to a stock radio.

I'm not sure I understand your comment about an "ill-fitting, ugly, laggy interface HU". My Avics are very fast, very intuitive, fit perfectly and are MUCH MUCH MUCH more feature rich. For $300-400 more, I could have much more over a stock unit (including NAV).

I realize some don't want this, and I respect it. But to me, the stock radio isn't really that pretty...nor feature rich If I can get XM going for less than $150, I'd gladly keep the stock unit. Otherwise, I won't shed any tears removing it.

After buying a new HU you will still need to spend more money to get XM since most HU are XM ready. You need to buy the antenna kit I think. So you pay $400 to replace the HU then you still have to pay $100 for the antenna kit to use XM on the new HU. I could be wrong though...

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[JoeBoxer]

Any updates here on what we need to order?

[TemeCal]

Originally Posted by JoeBoxer

Any updates here on what we need to order?

I sure wished I had an answer for you. I couldn't find out any more information. I think Specialized-Performance needs to fill us in. He/She seems to hold the key to our answer(s).

I'll try PMing him today, to see if he can look at this thread again and provide input.

[TemeCal]

PM sent to Specialized-Performance. Hopefully we can get these part numbers nailed down.

[TemeCal]

Thought I'd provide an update. I contacted Specialized-Performance, and they sell the entire XM kit (receiver, antenna, fit kit, etc...) for $336.

I also spoke to the dealer I purchased my car from. The dealer said the same thing. Expect to pay over $300 for the setup.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any part numbers...but the kits are OEM and those are the prices. Far too much money than I wanted to spend, just to get XM working!

[injuryexpert]

You can play Spotify (and I'm assuming any similar program) through Bluetooth. You just have to start it from the phone. From that point on, it controls like normal. The buttons go forward and back, pause pauses, etc.

[TemeCal]

Originally Posted by injuryexpert

You can play Spotify (and I'm assuming any similar program) through Bluetooth. You just have to start it from the phone. From that point on, it controls like normal. The buttons go forward and back, pause pauses, etc.

You are correct. I'm also able to use my SiriusXM app to stream. However, it eats up a LOT of data. With 2 kids, my wife and I all on cell plans with data...it gets expensive very quickly. I do stream occasionally. But, there is no comparison to just having it built in...without having to stream via your phone.

[Katana]

Originally Posted by JoeBoxer

Any updates here on what we need to order?

Here is exactly what I used to get my wife's FR-s running XM on the BeSpoke head unit:

XM Receiver - 86180-0W032 - +/- $180.00
Scion tC/iQ fit kit - PT546-21110 - +/- $90.00

That is exactly ALL you need - the antenna comes included with the fit kit. In my case, the fit kit and tuner module were shipped in the same "Toyota Genuine Parts" box - ymmv

Do NOT overpay for these parts - you can search websites like Sparks Toyota out of Myrtle Beach SC (trdsparks.com), or Olathe Toyota out of Olathe KS. Both of those places will get you out the door / shipped for around $280. Who knows - you might even find a less expensive place if you look hard enough - I got sick of looking, and just went ahead and ordered from Sparks. Some people will try to rip you off and charge $350 to $400 just because they can, and because only they know the "magic" part numbers - but hey! If you're reading this, then you know what they know, and can save yourself a chunk of change.

Anyway, I will submit pics later when I can get some in good daylight. This is NOT a HOW-TO - it is a WHAT-I-DID - proceed at your own risk if you want to do this mod - I bear no responsibility for your particular outcome!!! The best part is these are Toyota OEM parts, and will NOT affect your warranty. How they are installed, however, might. So if you are at all wary or reluctant to take this on yourself, please spend a little extra money and have a local car stereo shop do it. They can do it in as little as an hour if they know what they are doing. I was quoted $75 from one near me. Again, ymmv.

The install goes something like this:
>>edit: for correlating pics, go here: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=70

- Carefully pop off the trim piece around the head unit - held in place by 5 of those infamous Toyota yellow plastic clips - use a nylon prying tool or equivalent

- Take the 4 bolts out that hold the head unit in place, and pull it out far enough to get a hand behind it

- Snake the communication cable included in the fit kit under the dash and up and out through the hole the head unit is installed in

- Plug the dash end of the cable into the head unit, and reinstall the head unit with the 4 bolts

- Replace dash trim

- Remove the kick panel on the passenger side in front of the door

- Carefully pry the door sill trim up - the clips are all plastic, and are really tight here, so don't break anything

- Remove the floor liner in the trunk that covers the spare (notice the amplifier tucked in there on the left, close to the back seat)

- This is the most tedious and tricky part of the whole install: Remove the antenna from the fit kit, and DO NOT lose the gray plastic piece that goes on the antenna wire LATER. Trust me - you don't want to put it on the wire until later

- Place the antenna on the roof behind the FM antenna, and using a nylon wedge, begin wedging the antenna wire into the slot between the rubber "seal" and the metal roof, not the glass itself, and run it all the way to the right and down until the antenna wire is tucked in the entire trough, and comes out at the right-hand side of the trunk, near to the trunk hinge

- Using some denatured alcohol, carefully clean the inner surface (under the trunk when it is closed) that goes between the end of the trough, and behind the hinge, all the way to the trunk gasket seal

- Pull the gasket seal up in the top right corner, put some electrical tape or equivalent on the sharp metal edge, and pull the antenna wire between the gasket and the metal lip

- Using the provided dark-gray semi-transparent adhesive squares, adhere the antenna wire to the inner surface you cleaned with alcohol (I used some shiny black vinyl tape instead because it matched my wife's Raven Black paint)

- Make a loop in the antenna wire, place it over the metal edge you applied tape to, and firmly press the gasket back down into place

- Route the antenna wire behind the trunk liner, and under the right-rear seat hinge, making sure the wire is completely hidden - this takes some patience and time

- Replace anything you had to remove in the trunk, and put the floor liner back in as well

- Pull the antenna wire through the trough in the door sill where you removed the trim pieces, and route it under the carpet, under the passenger seat, and out through the slot already in the carpet, right beneath the seat-adjustment bar. You'll notice your FR-S VIN number etched in large print on a metal plate down there too!

- Pull the data cable from under the dash, behind the kick plate, and through the door sill trough, and out through the same hole in the carpet you pulled the antenna wire through

- Attach the black grounding wire included in the fit kit to the chassis of the tuner with the eyelet connector

- Here is another challenge - loosen the rear bolt on the the right-hand seat track of the passenger seat - no need to remove it, just loosen it enough to slide the forked connector of the grounding wire under it. It is very very tight. MAKE SURE TO USE A 6 POINT SOCKET FOR THIS BOLT. I believe it is a 9mm? Could be a 10mm - I don't recall. Note the nice slot they left to the inside of the track next to the bolt, perfect for sliding the grounding wire fork connector through

- Slide the connector around the bolt and re-tighten the bolt - I don't know the Toyota torque spec - I just made it good and tight

- Now is the time to snap on the gray connector I said not to lose onto the end of the antenna wire - use a small flat screwdriver to pry up the white retainer, slip in the connector, and snap the white retainer back down, locking the gray connector onto the antenna wire. This connector is square/rectangular, which sucks, because if you damage the antenna wire, you have to buy another fit kit from Toyota - the $30 ones you get at Best Buy are round, and won't fit the module - Toyota does not sell the antenna alone

- Plug the antenna wire into the tuner

- Plug the data cable into the only connector it will fit into on the tuner

- >>EDIT: Use double-sided carpet tape or equivalent to attach tuner to carpet centered under passenger seat - this allows tuner to run cooler - originally I said "Tuck the tuner module underneath the carpet through the slot the wires were pulled out of". I thought better of it - tuner might not like the heat - as you can see in the pictures I linked to above

- Lay all excess wire / cable into the door sill, or just stuff it under the carpet - I know, lazy, but you can do whatever suits your taste here

- Carefully replace all trim pieces in reverse order that you removed them, making sure not to pinch any wires / cables

- Make sure everything is tight /snapped in completely

- Turn on the ignition, turn on the radio, press "Source" on the top right of the touch screen, press the "Next" arrow on the bottom right of the touch screen, and if everything went well, you will now have a "Sat" button to press. Go ahead and press it

- With the car out in the open, not under a carport or in a garage, you should get audio on channel 001

- Tune to channel 000, write down your unique radio ID

- Tune back to channel 001

- Call SiriusXM at 800-967-2346 to activate your radio - they will want your name, address, etc, and will need your radio ID# - they will walk you through the process if you are a new subscriber, transferring from another radio, or adding a radio

- Sit and wait about 5 minutes with the radio on, set to SAT, and on channel 001 while the authentication signal is sent to your radio

- Surf the channels and enjoy your new XM setup in your awesome FR-s!

Let me know if this "How I Did It" helped you with your car, and let me know if you have any questions, or if I left out an important detail. I believe in sharing knowledge, not keeping it and trying to rip people off. Power to the people!

[TemeCal]

Originally Posted by Katana

Here is exactly what I used to get my wife's FR-s running XM on the BeSpoke head unit:

XM Receiver - 86180-0W032 - +/- $180.00
Scion tC/iQ fit kit - PT546-21110 - +/- $90.00

Wonderful information - thank you VERY much!!!! Although $270 is cheaper, I still can't understand why it's so expensive.

Do you know if the receiver number you posted above, would work on the base FR-S radio?

Thanks again for this information - it'll come in handy soon!

:happy0180:

[Katana]

Originally Posted by kc4mne

the head unit seems to have XM built in because there is a second antenna connector in the back, but once you connect a sat antenna how do you get the feature to work? Secret menu or grounding a pin at rear of unit?

Here is a link to how I did it:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...9&postcount=39

[Katana]

Originally Posted by TemeCal

Wonderful information - thank you VERY much!!!! Although $270 is cheaper, I still can't understand why it's so expensive.

Do you know if the receiver number you posted above, would work on the base FR-S radio?

Thanks again for this information - it'll come in handy soon!

:happy0180:

Not sure - but I THINK all of the Scion head units are XM-ready, including the FR-s - something to ask your dealer, or Scion, even though Scion won't admit you can add XM to ANY FR-s - not sure why, but they won't. I chatted with someone at Scion, and it went like this (actual transcript):

Status: Connected
Darun (Listening)
Darun: Hi, my name is Darun. How may I help you?
Darun: Thank you for contacting Scion.
Darun: How can I assist you?
Katana: Hi Darun, I have a '13 FR-s and it has the Pioneer BeSpoke
head unit in it. In the manual, it says that in order to use XM radio
with it, I need "additional hardware". Can you please tell me exactly
what hardware, and where to get it?
Katana: No-one @ dealer has any clue.
Darun: The additional hardware is an antenna and receiver.
Unfortunately, the antenna and receiver for the FR-S is not available.
Katana: OK... what is the manual talking about then?
Darun: The Pioneer Bespoke head unit is available for all 2013 Scion
models.
Katana: Is it coming out later?
Darun: It is referring to the other Scion models.
Darun: Scion has yet to announce plans to release the additional
hardware for the FR-S.
Katana: OK - how about the tC - there is an XM tuner and fit kit for
the tC? That would make it work with my FR-s I'm sure, if indeed it is
the same exact head unit.
Darun: There is one for the 2013 tC but it's not compatible with the
FR-S.
Katana: OK - but the BeSpoke head unit is the exact same model number
/ part number across the Scion line?
Darun: It is and the fit kit is that same across all models except the
FR-S.
Darun: *the
Katana: OK - so it sounds like bracketry and wire length to me.
Electrically it will work, it will just be up to my installer to
physically mount the tuner.
Darun: Is there anything else I can assist you with?
Katana: FR-s is smaller than the tC, so extra wire can be bundled up
and tucked away.
Katana: Nope - you have answered all my questions!
Darun: Glad to hear that Katana.
Darun: Thanks for chatting with Scion!
Katana: np
Darun: Have a great rest of your day.