XM radio question- 2003 tahoe

[drab]

I have a 2003 tahoe with the factory installed six-disk CD changer with
am/fm, no cassette.
How can i tell if the radio is XM compatible? I heard that I need to pull
the radio out of the dash and
look on the back of the unit to see if this unit can receive XM radio
service. Is this true or do i need to have the
dealer order a XM compatible radio from the factory. What would this cost
me? I would like to use my current
radio system if possible................ Thanks

[JBDragon]

You can find some Info on this at www.xmfan.com .
I will say though that you can't get Factory XM added to your Car after you
BUY IT! Period. It's not something the Dealer does. It's the
Manufacture. You can't buy most of the require Parts you would need. Plus
the Radio would need to be Reprogrammed to know XM is there. Plugging in a
XM Module won't make the Radio know it's there. Getting the Dealer to do
that is about almost impossible.

What you CAN do though is there is a new Interface by Soundgate, you can
Plug into the Radio, and using a Pioneer XM Unit, you can get XM though the
Factory Radio with all the Radio Controls and Display thought it. So it's
Almost as good as a Factory setup. Plus you have a Large choice in what
Antenna you want to use as those Stock Factory ones are Ugly, not to mention
you get a couple Holes in your roof for the Antenna that you'll never be
able to remove again without expensive Body Repair work.

Go to the Web page I listed and do a Search on the Topic and you should be
able to find your Answers.

Post by drab
I have a 2003 tahoe with the factory installed six-disk CD changer with
am/fm, no cassette.
How can i tell if the radio is XM compatible? I heard that I need to pull
the radio out of the dash and
look on the back of the unit to see if this unit can receive XM radio
service. Is this true or do i need to have the
dealer order a XM compatible radio from the factory. What would this cost
me? I would like to use my current
radio system if possible................ Thanks

[Baboo]

The radio will recognize XM without any other software added; it is already
there.

[d***@axcesswave.com]

That's correct. If it came with XM compatibility, it would have the XM
antenna on top. You could also step through the "band" and you would see
AM, FM1, FM2, XM1 and XM2.

Don

Post by Baboo
The radio will recognize XM without any other software added; it is already
there.

[Baboo]

The radio contains the software; as is. However, to get XM you must have the
module, antenna, and wiring.

[JBDragon]

If you bough your Vehicle with XM already installed and it's disabled
because your not paying the subscription, then that's a simple make to
correct. If you bought a Vehicle that XM was NOT already installed your
screwed! Period. Yes you would need the XM Module that plugs in the Back
of the Radio, the Wiring, and the Antenna that goes on the Roof. Even if
you could get this stuff, it would NOT WORK! It has been tried. Plugging
the XM Module in the Radio will still not allow the Radio to know it's
there, it would have to be Programmed by a Dealers Computer. The problem
there is finding one to do that! Secondly you can't buy the required Parts
from the Dealer except for the Antenna.

You can try getting the required parts from a Totaled Truck, The Radio is
Keyed to the Trucks VIN#, so it's not going to work in yours. Trying to get
it Reprogrammed to work in yours is going to be a problem. Dealer is not
likely to do it. Of course Plugging the XM Module you got used also into
your own Radio is also NOT going to work, because the Radio needs to be
Programmed for it. This is GM. They make it quite hard. Not even the
Dealers can Install a system for you. They can Repair them, but they have
to send back the old parts.

All I can say is go to your Dealer and ASK! Ask them what parts you need to
Add XM to your Factory Radio. Can they Get them for you, and if there's
anything that needs to be done to get it working after it's all hooked up.
This has been discussed on www.xmfan.com. Do a search and read up on it.

There is now a Aftermarket way to add a Pioneer XM Module to the Factory
Radio that tricks the Radio and Reports so far seem pretty good. Works and
displays like a Factory XM setup. Or you can add a Separate XM Unit like
the Roady or Skyfi, or Replace the Factory Radio with a Aftermarket Radio.

Post by Baboo
The radio contains the software; as is. However, to get XM you must have the
module, antenna, and wiring.

[Baboo]

I will repeat this for those that have comprehension issues.

All 2003+ GM truck radios have integrated software (RPOs UB0 UB1 UC6) for XM
radio. This software does not require any setting, only that the necessary XM
hardware be present.

Now this is not really a concern to anyone; for reasons previously stated, by
other posters.

[Pookeymofo]

Just call xm and give then the ID # from the radio? And it will work