XM Radio Install.....Tell Me What You Think!!!

[BrittonTurner]

Ok,



Tell me what you think... .



I just installed my XM Radio in my dash and I think it turned out pretty good. I went to auto zone and bought (of all things) a battery box and cut out the side of it. Just enough to cover the cubbyhole underneath the air cond. controllers. I took the back of the cubbyhole off and sandwiched it in between the front of the dash cut out and the cubbyhole pocket. Then cut the middle of the cover covering the cubbyhole and installed the XM Controller.



If you notice the Ipod with the FM transmitter is in the top 12V accessory.





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[JohnCooper]

Nice

 

[DarkRAM]

very clean, but isn't that a pain to see what channel your on or what title/artist is playing, mine is right in front of my tach and its hard enough to surf with out turning my head to see what's playing.

 

[BrittonTurner]

very clean, but isn't that a pain to see what channel your on or what title/artist is playing, mine is right in front of my tach and its hard enough to surf with out turning my head to see what's playing.

isn't too bad so far. just a quick glance down and i can see it just fine. i had the delphi unit and it was terrible in the daytime. couldn't see much on the screen. didn't matter what contrast i had it set at. i like this unit much better.



britt

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

nice job! i have the same unit, it was pretty nifty that they included that mounting plate to sink it in dash or whatever cubby you could find to stick it in. i outta post my xm install pics... .

 

[CAgnoli]

I agree that your installation looks very good. My question would be to those of you who have XM:



How well does the reception work in forested areas? I spend a fair amount of time driving through the Allegany National Forest, and would hate to spend good money upgrading the factory sound system, only to find out that it works like my old Primestar satellite, ie, no sound in the rain or heavy snow, or when near wet leaves???



Thanks!



BTW, I'm looking at the Alpine headunit that has the XM Reciever built in, just replacing the factory head unit all together.

 

[willyslover]

what brand head unit is that one ??

 

[BrittonTurner]

How well does the reception work in forested areas? I spend a fair amount of time driving through the Allegany National Forest, and would hate to spend good money upgrading the factory sound system, only to find out that it works like my old Primestar satellite, ie, no sound in the rain or heavy snow, or when near wet leaves???

so far mine has worked very well. the only time it has cut out is under a bridge or in a tunnel. my old xm unit would cut out under trees pretty bad but this one has a different antenna and hasn't yet.



hope this helps some.



britt

 

[BrittonTurner]

what brand head unit is that one ??

XM Commander. bought it a circuit city for $169. you can get it cheaper off or the internet but i can't stand to wait.



britt





by the way... . the flames look great on your truck!!!

 

[willyslover]

thanks for the info. . I'm in the research mode soon. .



also thanks for the compliment

 

[AGrubbs]

Looks somewhat like mine! In the 4x4 cubby, just a little trimming on the lip of the rubber tray holds the control head nicely. I made a little lexan thing to

keep the head unit at the front of the hole, and velcro'ed the unit to the lexan.



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I ran the cable thru the drivers side door under the rubber seal, then

thru the seal up to the top. No Leaks!



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[tURBOdIEZEl]

I agree that your installation looks very good. My question would be to those of you who have XM:



How well does the reception work in forested areas? I spend a fair amount of time driving through the Allegany National Forest, and would hate to spend good money upgrading the factory sound system, only to find out that it works like my old Primestar satellite, ie, no sound in the rain or heavy snow, or when near wet leaves???



QUOTE]



i have had zero problems since ive put it in my truck about a month and a half ago. the only problems i get are when i go thru the local blue mountian tunnels on the PA turnpike. other than that, no problems in forrested areas. hope that helps.

 

[CAgnoli]

Alpine headunit

what brand head unit is that one ??

In the crutchfield catalog, they have an Alpine head unit that just needs an XM antenna plugged into it, it has the reciever built in, doesn't require a seperate tuner or module to make the XM portion work.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Caveat: imho



When I first installed my XM roady I put it in the same place. Shortly, I realized my time on earth was going to be foreshortened if I left it there. I found myself taking my eyes off the road too long when changing channels.



Since I wasn't in favor of departing terra firma sooner than necessary, I mounted the swivel base in line and on the drivers side of the three air control knobs. I had to carve out the right hand side of the base with a drill rasp bit. This way the roady was cocked to be easily readable. In addition, I am going to put a dab of florescent paint on number 5. It seems that as I get more mature :-laf those that look out the windows are getting dimmer. For me, this works much better and, baring unforeseen events, my wife should have me around to enjoy the pleasure of my good company for much longer.