2004 silverado factory xm radio

I want to change my factory radio by adding factory xm module and antenna does anyone know how big a job this is? don't want aftermarket.

I want to change my factory radio by adding factory xm module and antenna does anyone know how big a job this is? don't want aftermarket.

Greetings Sugar Bear,

I wouldn't think the interior switch would be too tough - as the XM radio sizes to the other no sweat. And your steering wheel radio controls should work no sweat also. However - my factory XM radio (I DO NOT have Onstar) is a small stub on the truck roof. Height must be about 3/4 inch and 1 inch square. I'm guessing this would be a bit more difficult to install - and I'M GUESSING - probably desire an alternate antenna location.

I would like to mention - that the advantage of a factory install versus an aftermarket - is that the signal coming to the speakers/amplifier is DIGITAL where as if you use the radio station tune-in or cassette insert - then you are producing an analog signal. I did considerable checking on this before making my decision on factory XM.

What does it mean? Its the difference between listening to a CD versus listing to the FM stereo. FM Stereo sounds good - but CD sound is noticeably superior. Listing to the CD gives you a digital quality sound - listening to the FM stereo gives you an analog signal. Factory installed XM radio is very good quality sound - however - the disadvantage is you can't take it in the house or office - its in the truck and that's it. Pro and con for factory install :-)

White Lightening

white lightening, i opted to add sirius satellite radio to my denali with my already installed alpine iva-d300 indash tv, all i had to do was install the sirius expansion box and antenna (its magnetic and sleek and mounts on the roof above the rear cargo area) and my alpine automatically detects it being there as it is an option in my "sources" menu. my question is however is that i noticed the signal being pretty weak at times, mostly when i come across a hip hop song with good low end frequency or "bass" that was pretty weak (keep in mind i have 2 12's, so i can tell a lack of bass pretty easily), would this be because it isnt factory installed?

i probably didnt make any sense to you with that so let me know if you understand what im asking.

Depending on what type of antenna connectors the factory unit uses, instead of drilling through the cab to install a factory antenna, you might could use an aftermarket one. That is ONLY if it will hook up to the factory XM tuner.

I don't know for sure if the XM tuner is bulit into the head unit, or is a seperate box. Be sure to check this also.

white lightening, i opted to add sirius satellite radio to my denali with my already installed alpine iva-d300 indash tv, all i had to do was install the sirius expansion box and antenna (its magnetic and sleek and mounts on the roof above the rear cargo area) and my alpine automatically detects it being there as it is an option in my "sources" menu. my question is however is that i noticed the signal being pretty weak at times, mostly when i come across a hip hop song with good low end frequency or "bass" that was pretty weak (keep in mind i have 2 12's, so i can tell a lack of bass pretty easily), would this be because it isnt factory installed?

i probably didnt make any sense to you with that so let me know if you understand what im asking.

Greetings Nali02,

The answer I'd believe depends on how the sirius unit gets the signal to your Alpine unit. What I've been told - if you are communicating to the Alpine via a radio frequency channel via your Alpine radio tuner - then you are working in analog mode and that will not give you the highs and lows and clarity that you might be used to from CD etc.. Also - because you're using 2 12s - the strength of signal becomes quite important. Low end signal loss prior to your amplifier is magnified in a bigger speaker. Usually people try to compensate by turning the volume up - if you have a weaker amplifier then "volume" appears to boost low end because it pushes more gross signal and the 12's get enough power to activate properly. But I'm guessing from your writing - that you've likely got plenty of amplifier. What you're describing used to be common when pre-amplifiers were needed - they served to boost the signal between source (like your Sirius tuner) and the Alpine. Personally - I'd check to see if there is a more direct connection possible between the Sirius and the Alpine (wire in connection or alternative input that offers some pre-amplifier potential).

Don't want the answer to get too long - but there is a definite clarity and purity difference between a digital signal and an analog signal. I've heard some of the portable satellite units installed in a similar truck to mine - with similar speaker situations - I noted considerable difference in sound quality for the same station and same volume levels between the two (one sounded like "radio" while mine sounded like a CD for depth, clarity, and seperation). Keep in mind - my stereo/speakers in my truck are Chevy standard (not the BOSE system). I wasn't expecting built-in XM in my truck to sound too great - I was pleasantly surprised upon purchase.

White Lightening

Alpine makes an aftermarket unit that has XM already installed. You don't need the extra XM reciever as you do on all the others. It is a plug and play. They also make cool little XM atennas that are magnetic, there inconspicuos. As for sound quality, it all depends on many factors. Speakers,subs, amps and equalizer all come into effect.

WL, that sheds a lot of light on my problem. I honestly listen to mostly rock so it isnt really that big of a deal but i would rather have it sound good no matter what genre of music i am listening to. The amp i have running the subs (JL Audio 1000/1) has plenty of power.