Is it true?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Davison Michigan
Is it true?
I have checked out some threads on good location to mount my XM antena. One good location looked like behind the rear tail light. I checked out my service manual to see how to get the tail light out. The manual says I have to remove the rear facia to access the tail light. I am sure not going to go through all that to mount my antena. But holly crap, if one of my tail lights burn out is rear facia removal realy nescessary?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by garkahn90
I have checked out some threads on good location to mount my XM antena. One good location looked like behind the rear tail light. I checked out my service manual to see how to get the tail light out. The manual says I have to remove the rear facia to access the tail light. I am sure not going to go through all that to mount my antena. But holly crap, if one of my tail lights burn out is rear facia removal realy nescessary?
I'm also looking for a good Sirius antenna location, but didn't see an easy way into the rear bumper.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,721
Likes: 1
From: Beautiful Down Town "SWINDLEHURST" Long Island NY
As I understand is you can get to the lights by way of the gas hatch, with realy small hands.( yet another reason I went to a "91" tail) and my replacement bulbs will be LEDs. 
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 644
Likes: 15
From: Clarksville Tennessee
I had to change the bulbs in the tail lights on my 85. I removed my license plate to do so. The other route was form under neath the car. It wasn't an easy job, but I was able to do it without taking any major item apart.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 13
From: Wallingford Vermont
I'll be looking at the same thing in a few months. Right now I'm still "testing" the sirius unit on my truck. I'm really not impressed with the antenna assembly; the whole radio hook-up could best be described as Ho-Key (I HATE wires dangling everywhere). I've heard that some have put the antenna under a steeply raked windshield without too much drop-out.
Ya know we (corvettes) don't have a ground plane (sheet metal surface), right?
Ya know we (corvettes) don't have a ground plane (sheet metal surface), right?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: 1984 crossfire, Alhaurin de la Torre Malaga, Spain
Originally Posted by DanZ51
I'll be looking at the same thing in a few months. Right now I'm still "testing" the sirius unit on my truck. I'm really not impressed with the antenna assembly; the whole radio hook-up could best be described as Ho-Key (I HATE wires dangling everywhere). I've heard that some have put the antenna under a steeply raked windshield without too much drop-out.
Ya know we (corvettes) don't have a ground plane (sheet metal surface), right?
Ya know we (corvettes) don't have a ground plane (sheet metal surface), right?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: fl
Originally Posted by Z-07 freak
Just put it on the dash.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Davison Michigan
I really have not considered placing the antena on the dash. The installation instruction sugest the antenna works best when mounted on a steel surface. One place I found that I am going to try is on the bottom side of the fuel door. Its steel and my car, at one time, had a CB antenna mount on the top of the fuel door so I can use the old cable to pull the new XM wire through to the inside.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by garkahn90
I have checked out some threads on good location to mount my XM antena. One good location looked like behind the rear tail light. I checked out my service manual to see how to get the tail light out. The manual says I have to remove the rear facia to access the tail light. I am sure not going to go through all that to mount my antena. But holly crap, if one of my tail lights burn out is rear facia removal realy nescessary?
Would think the further away from the engine the better. Remember all the plug wire shielding on the earlier models? Not as much on C4.
Thats what I did!
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
Likes: 4
From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
Originally Posted by Z-07 freak
Just put it on the dash.
Worthless if you have a ZR-1 or a B2K car with the laminated windshield.
You should be able to mount it underneath the rear bumper and still get a signal. Check the audio section.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Marietta GA
I have my XM antenna mounted on the roof of my truck and under the fiberglass fairing of my Harley Davidson Ultra. I can tell no difference in the reception between the two.
I haven't taken the time yet to put it on my vette, but my experience so far has been that placement is less critical than it seems. I have an indoor antenna (not much larger than the ones on the bike and truck) that receives a signal almost anywhere in the house. Just be creative and experiment with placement with your car in your driveway. You might be surprised where you can hide it...... and then let me know what you discover.
Rat
I haven't taken the time yet to put it on my vette, but my experience so far has been that placement is less critical than it seems. I have an indoor antenna (not much larger than the ones on the bike and truck) that receives a signal almost anywhere in the house. Just be creative and experiment with placement with your car in your driveway. You might be surprised where you can hide it...... and then let me know what you discover.
Rat
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 13
From: Wallingford Vermont
Driving the Vette is entertaining enough for me.
But the FM reception in my Vette blows, especially in my neck-of-the-woods. (insert dueling banjos icon here)
'86 Z51 suspension doesn't take much to skip a CD (wait 'til I upgrade to 17"/ 18" rims
)I hate chasing CD's around the passenger's seat
SO, satellite radio may hold some promise here.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by DanZ51
I can readily agree with you on this (I drove various s-boxes over the years with NO radio)
But the FM reception in my Vette blows, especially in my neck-of-the-woods. (insert dueling banjos icon here)
'86 Z51 suspension doesn't take much to skip a CD (wait 'til I upgrade to 17"/ 18" rims )
I hate chasing CD's around the passenger's seat
SO, satellite radio may hold some promise here.
But the FM reception in my Vette blows, especially in my neck-of-the-woods. (insert dueling banjos icon here)
'86 Z51 suspension doesn't take much to skip a CD (wait 'til I upgrade to 17"/ 18" rims
)I hate chasing CD's around the passenger's seat
SO, satellite radio may hold some promise here.
