I've tried posting on the electronics forum but I haven't gotten a lot of help. I'm hoping there are some local folks willing to help. I ordered the OEM XM tuner kit. The OEM antenna that comes with it is pretty big and is supposed to be mounted on the center of the trunk. I'd prefer to not mount it there for cosmetic reasons and so I don't have to drill any holes. I've searched here and other places to find other options. It appears that many have tried mounting the aftermarket mini XM antennas in the secret compartment or the middle of the dashboard by the window. Problem is I can't find any details on how to accomplish either with the OEM tuner. The problem is the connections on the tuner and the adapter for using a mini antenna are different.

Here are the ends of the OEM antenna. Notice the holes are rectangular and slightly off-center.



Here are the ends of the Terk adapter. Centered circular holes.



Lastly here is where the antenna plugs into the OEM XM tuner. Off-center rectangular male bits.



There are posts here hinting that these can all be used together but with no details. I can't figure it out.

 

Why did you go with the factory set up? I would have ripped out the head unit and replaced it with something good (Alpine or Pioneer)and a built in XM tuner that you can use any type of XM antenna mounted anywhere. Looks like you will need to splice the cables to save the ends, but that is almost inpossible to do correctly. Does it look like the connectors can be removed from the cable?

 

I just prefer to keep the OEM look. It does not look like the connectors can be removed from the cable unfortunately.

 

I would go to radio shack and see if the cable can be spliced. They might even have those connectors since they have almost everything.

 

I can help out this weekend if you'd like. I did the Sirius (XM) installation myself, and used a small, substitute antenna that I mounted on the driver side dashboard just behind the windshield. We'll need to go to BestBuy and get an adapter.

Let me know.

 

I have my antenna in the right corner of the dash - just behind the windshield.

 

Joe / SanMarinoCpe helped me out via PM. I decided to go ahead and use the OEM antenna and install it in the shallow part of the secret compartment. It ended up being very easy. Drill small hole in the bottom of the shallow compartment near the right side. Remove panel behind drivers side seat. Fish the antenna wires from the hole to the area where the panel was. Then just pull the wires into the trunk. No need to disassemble the center stack / glove box area. I ran out of time so I didn't get to test it but according to all reports that area works fine for reception.