XM Radio Install
03-06-2003, 06:13 PM
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XM Radio Install
Well, since it's been snowing since last November, and I've gotten a bit stir-crazy, I decided to try out XM radio. The impetus for this was a post last week about an XM install, combined with a Crutchfield catalog advertising the Pioneer XM tuner/controller for $99.
So - I decided to try it out - and tried to do the install in a way that would be very easy to undo, and left no telltale marks...
Step 1 - source the parts...
a. Pioneer GEX-FM903XM Tuner/controller - $99 (Crutchfield)
b. Terk XM3 Antenna - $49.99 (Best Buy)
c. Blitzsafe Adapter $68 (Direct from Blitzsafe)
Step 2 - Install the tuner. Because I chose to use the Blitzsafe adapter, rather than go the RF route, everything I'd need was located in the CD changer bay in the trunk. The blitzsafe made it very easy, since it also carried the power, in addition to the signal. The bad news - I had to unplug the CD changer. I may look to resolve this at a later date, so I left it in the mount. I attached the XM tuner to the bottom of the CD changer bracket (remove the CD bracket assembly to do this). Plug the Blitzsafe adapter into the XM tuner, and into the plug for the CD changer. Poof - done. Time spent - 45 minutes. (Most of this was spent trying to rescue a bolt that fell off as I removed the CD changer bracket...)
When done, it looks like this:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3729/xm_changer_compartment.jpg">
Step 3 - Install the antenna. I chose the Terk XM3 unit because it was low profile, and could be installed on the back hat deck, rather than on the outside of the vehicle. They recommend it be installed outside, but it works fine inside. I attached the antenna to the rear deck, between the 3rd brake light "bump" and the middle safety seaat latch cover, using double-sided foam adhesive tape. The antenna itself is magnetic mount, but the tape is needed to keep it in place. I routed the thin cable into the opening of the child-seat latch cover, and was able to snap the cover back down (no holes drilled). It was then trivial to route the wire under the hat deck and into the CD changer compartment where the tuner lives. From the outside, the antenna is hard to spot...Total time on this - 10 minutes.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3729/xm_rear_antenna.jpg">
Step 4 - the Head unit. I spent a lot of time trying to decide where to put the head unit. I looked at the ashtray, the cupholder, the spot under the headlight switch, the armrest, etc... After driving for a day with the head unit sitting in the passenger seat, I realized that despite my desire to hide it, I'd be using the control quite a bit, so I might as well put it where I could see it. I chose to mount it on the outside of the "coin tray" in the dash. I had previously replaced the coin tray with a 2nd cupholder, but was finally able to find the old part. This way, if I want to pull it out, I just need to pull out the coin tray again, and pop the cupholder back in.
I had to drill 2 small holes in the front of the coin tray (for the mounting bracket), and 1 large one in the middle (for the cable). I then attached the head unit, and routed the cable out the back of the coin tray into the radio bay. I was lucky and able to fish the cable out by the footwell fairly easily. Total time: 75 minutes. This is what it looks like at the console...
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3729/xm_dash.jpg">
Bottom line - I'm pretty happy with the install - and the sound is fantastic! I'll update y'all after my 4 hour road trip tommorrow...
Dave
So - I decided to try it out - and tried to do the install in a way that would be very easy to undo, and left no telltale marks...
Step 1 - source the parts...
a. Pioneer GEX-FM903XM Tuner/controller - $99 (Crutchfield)
b. Terk XM3 Antenna - $49.99 (Best Buy)
c. Blitzsafe Adapter $68 (Direct from Blitzsafe)
Step 2 - Install the tuner. Because I chose to use the Blitzsafe adapter, rather than go the RF route, everything I'd need was located in the CD changer bay in the trunk. The blitzsafe made it very easy, since it also carried the power, in addition to the signal. The bad news - I had to unplug the CD changer. I may look to resolve this at a later date, so I left it in the mount. I attached the XM tuner to the bottom of the CD changer bracket (remove the CD bracket assembly to do this). Plug the Blitzsafe adapter into the XM tuner, and into the plug for the CD changer. Poof - done. Time spent - 45 minutes. (Most of this was spent trying to rescue a bolt that fell off as I removed the CD changer bracket...)
When done, it looks like this:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3729/xm_changer_compartment.jpg">
Step 3 - Install the antenna. I chose the Terk XM3 unit because it was low profile, and could be installed on the back hat deck, rather than on the outside of the vehicle. They recommend it be installed outside, but it works fine inside. I attached the antenna to the rear deck, between the 3rd brake light "bump" and the middle safety seaat latch cover, using double-sided foam adhesive tape. The antenna itself is magnetic mount, but the tape is needed to keep it in place. I routed the thin cable into the opening of the child-seat latch cover, and was able to snap the cover back down (no holes drilled). It was then trivial to route the wire under the hat deck and into the CD changer compartment where the tuner lives. From the outside, the antenna is hard to spot...Total time on this - 10 minutes.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3729/xm_rear_antenna.jpg">
Step 4 - the Head unit. I spent a lot of time trying to decide where to put the head unit. I looked at the ashtray, the cupholder, the spot under the headlight switch, the armrest, etc... After driving for a day with the head unit sitting in the passenger seat, I realized that despite my desire to hide it, I'd be using the control quite a bit, so I might as well put it where I could see it. I chose to mount it on the outside of the "coin tray" in the dash. I had previously replaced the coin tray with a 2nd cupholder, but was finally able to find the old part. This way, if I want to pull it out, I just need to pull out the coin tray again, and pop the cupholder back in.
I had to drill 2 small holes in the front of the coin tray (for the mounting bracket), and 1 large one in the middle (for the cable). I then attached the head unit, and routed the cable out the back of the coin tray into the radio bay. I was lucky and able to fish the cable out by the footwell fairly easily. Total time: 75 minutes. This is what it looks like at the console...
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/3729/xm_dash.jpg">
Bottom line - I'm pretty happy with the install - and the sound is fantastic! I'll update y'all after my 4 hour road trip tommorrow...
Dave
03-06-2003, 06:59 PM
#2
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Re: XM Radio Install
I am looking forward to hearing how well it works for you! I have heard good things about XM - especially for road warriers! (I could have used it yesterday en route to Burlington, VT!)
p.s. nice PJ's
;-)
p.s. nice PJ's
;-)
03-06-2003, 07:12 PM
#3
Cool install
I'm still figuring out what I want to do with the A8. I think I'm going to go RF for XM, and then maybe a phatbox for MP3's, which means I disable the CD.
I like your antenna setup. There's another guy on the A8 boards who's managed to jam the head unit into the ashtray.
Nice pant / slipper pattern combo there in that 3rd pic, BTW. ;-)
I like your antenna setup. There's another guy on the A8 boards who's managed to jam the head unit into the ashtray.
Nice pant / slipper pattern combo there in that 3rd pic, BTW. ;-)
03-06-2003, 08:55 PM
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Re: XM Radio Install
Nice job. I have had mine for about a year I guess and mounted the display unit on the top of the steering shaft with velcro so it is in front and slightly below the main instrument panel. If you drive allot check out the audio book channel.
