After lurking on the forums for a while, I decided to upgrade the stereo even before I bought the truck. Once I got the truck this weekend, I'm glad that I ordered new speakers, amp, sub, etc because the factory stereo is in fact quite poor (as you all well know). I had planned on keeping the H/U and adding a line output but I am fearful of losing sound quality and the ability to turn the volume on the sub up and down.

I want to put a new H/U in, but according to Crutchfield, any of the H/Us will make me lose my Sirius radio....I don't want to go to a bunch of trouble to replace the H/U and keep the factory Sirius antenna, etc. I've searched on this some, but I cannot tell if there are any H/Us that will work without replacing various parts of the Sirius system

Any recommendations of what H/Us I could use that would accept the factory Sirius antenna, fit in my standard dash opening, and would not break the bank? What other connectors are neccessary?

Thanks,

 

I believe (about 50% on this) the actual antenna and wire will be the same, but the receiver box will need to be replaced if you go with a aftermarket H/U.

 

You need to take out the factory Sirius FM modulator and install a new Sirius FM modulator that is compatible with the new head unit. Sony, Pioneer, Kenwood, Clarion, etc all make their own FM mods to plug into their head units. The extra cost is $100.

 

You will also need 2 antenna adapters because everyone is going withthe new Euro design. If you have a free Sirius subscription that came with the truck, you will lose that.

 

Hello all. 1st post here. I had xm for several years and when I got my '06 Ram I took advantage of the free year and they offered me a second year for 20 bucks. I jumped on it. I replaced the stock HU with an Alpine and the widget that connects to the antennae. Sirius swapped numbers for me no problem. Then I realized I liked XM better and bought the XM widgets and sold my Sirius with the remainder of the 2 years. The coolest part about it all is myfactory roof antennae works just fine with my XM reciever. The clip is different and you have to remove the plastic keeper, but it has been working for a year now.

 

Thanks for the answers...I was afraid that the box would have to be replaced as well or some additional wiring changed....man what a pain in the *** to get some RCAs.

I will call Siruis about the $20 deal.

Doug

 

crappy thing bout the factory radio with the siriuis is that it doesnt tell you what station your on just ch 60 for example, my 07150 told you what channel you was on

 

The basic radio doesn't give more info, but the upgraded versions do (6 disk and nav).

 

Let's hear more about these 'widgets' to get an aftermarket HU work with the factory antenna and/or tuner. I want a new deck, and even have a real Sirius Starmate radio from an old vehicle, but I don't want 2 antennas on the roof.

 

I'm getting a Pioneer Premier HU installed as I type. They said the Pioneer will hook up to the stock Sirius antenna. I am ditching the FM modulator and going with a direct connect for better sound. The Pioneer also will take XM and has an iPod adapter that charges the pod as well.