Request for advice on interior mounting of Plug & Play XM Satellite Radio

[DAP]

I am going to call upon the experience of the genvibe elite to help me with a thorny little problem.I got (myself) an XM RoadyXT satellite radio for Christmas, and I am hanged if I can figure out how/where to install it to best advantage in the base model MT Vibe.I would like to mount the antenna at the base of the vehicle antenna on the roof, but where then to run the XM antenna wire to best hide it and get it to the front of the car without making a mess of the car interior trim.What is the best way to mount the radio itself? And where to mount it that you have good access to the radio but don't block the view of instruments, or spoil the nice lines of the dash?How to wire it in? That honking 12v power adapter makes a WONDERFUL obstacle to bang your knuckles into when you are shifting in and out of first gear with the manual stick.Gotta admit, I am a bit worried about this. I know that without a good bit of advice from the folks who have already faced and overcome these issues, I am going to make a hack job of this and regret it big time!So, any suggestions? All ideas are welcome, and if you have some pics to show the process, I (and others no doubt) am forever in your debt!Any professional installers out there care to educate the unwashed masses (Well, me at least?!?)Thanks for any and all help.DAP

[tnpartsguy]

The VSM is the best way to mount it.[IMG][/IMG]I got mine at myradiostore.comI'm going to look into a universal FM modulator, with a 1.5 mm input jack, so I can use it for either iPod or XM. I have a couple of the XM/FM modulators, but they make it where the FM reception sucks. As far as getting rid of the adapter plug, I'm planning to add another 12v outlet dow low on the side of the shifter housing (Passenger Side).P.S. that's NOT my picture, I don't want to take credit for it, I think it's RagingFish's, if I'm wrong let me know. Mine does look almost exactly like that though.

[rebbierae]

Who ever it is has awesome taste--Sarah McLachlan "Afterglow" cd in there.

[satur9]

i have the same mount .pro-fit mines is called. you can pop off the a pillar and pull down the headliner in the rear by pulling the weather stripping and removing the push pins and light.you dont have to remove the headliner just pull down the corner bout a 1/4 inch then you can use a fish tape to fish the wire to the a pillar. as for the plug. i bought a 12 volt power outlet from autozone and wired it up behind the glovebox. then you can run the wire thru the gap next to or under or thru the glovebox. i actually just put a 1/2 hole in my dash next to the glovebox. and ran my wires thru that.

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by rebbierae »Who ever it is has awesome taste--Sarah McLachlan "Afterglow" cd in there. yo straight trippin' boo!(read: damn right!)

[wv-vibe]

I am not a pro installer, but here's what I did:Mount the antenna at the base of the factory antenna.Run the wire stright down into the rubber moulding - you can pull it off and it goes right back on again. Keep going along the molding until you can tuck it into the plastic molding. From there, you can run it along the door molding easily. As for the power, I found it easy to feed the cigarette lighter power to the center console outlet from underneath - you only need to tear a small hole in the paper, but the felt covers it. As for mounting the unit, I've ordered mounting hardware from GBX Direct http://www.gbxdirect.com - they have suction mounts, pro mounts, etc. They have reasonable prices and ship quickly.

[tnpartsguy]

Thats a great way of routeing the antenna, but I would route it down farther to the bottom, and leave a small loop exposed and hanging down. Why? This give any water that runs down the antenna wire a drip point that NOT inside your car.

[mlspina]

Dont have XM (it's evil! As a stockholder, I must say that Sirius is better But I imagine setups are same. I put my antenna alongside roofrack rail and ran wire inside along header gaps to A-pillar and have wire coming out where A-pillar meets dash. used the suction mount bracket in my kit and attached to windshield. Not too bad; only see a little of the wire, but no blockage of view or air vents or leg room, and controls right at fingers-reach.

[DAP]

I like the idea of "hiding" the antenna with the roof-rack rail. As for the wire routing, well,... uh,... In the interests of greater safety, you know, I,.. uh,... went with the side impact airbags mounted in those pillars....And the same (sheepish) cowardice that made me order those airbags keeps me from messing with 'em by running wires into them!So I will have to route the wires along the lower door frames and in under the dash.So... Any ideas as to whether driver's side or passenger's side is best?DAP

[DAP]

Very nice response!Thanks for the advice, and the photos are really the finest way to show off your thought and excellent work!The wire routing is really the only "elegant" way of doing the job and I am going to try to follow your ideas on this.I think your power solution is the tops... only.....In the latest Vibe, GM has moved that really nice placement of the 12v power point onto the dash! I have NO plug outlet in my center console (RATS!) and with the sheer size of the RoadyXT power adapter plug sticking out from the dash 12v power outlet, and the stick shift's throw into first gear, I run the risk of banging into things when I get a little overzealous in the shifting!Now, I could splice in a second 12v power point under the dash or something, but, well... My little Vibe is new. As is NEW "new"... as in hasn't even seen its first scheduled inspection/service visit yet. A veritable virgin, in truth. I am not really keen on doing a lot of re-wiring if you know what I mean.I need something a whole lot more "creative" than anything I have been able to dream up!That's where you veteran Vibe owners come in!DAP

[DAP]

Thanks for the idea!I looked at the VSM units and didn't care for the thought of using a Dremel to grind away part of that faux-chrome trim to mount the bracket.But while I was at the website, I noticed the Pro.Fit UltiMount, which I did take a liking to, found one on eBAY that saved me a few bucks, and am awaiting its delivery (My first ever eBAY purchase, so wish me luck!).So, it is the wire routing and the power supply that is really got me hung up.DAP

[eeyankee]

Don't know if this helps but here is what i did on my 2005 vibe:I mounted my plug-n-play Sirius to the tray in the console. I cut a piece of plexiglass to fit and used velcro to hold to the tray. This gave me the ability to use the suction cup mount and move it around till i found a correct position for me while i am driving. I installed a gm12-aux moduel which gave me rca inputs so i can plug the unit in and that gave me great sound without static. I powered the module from the 24 pin radio connector. The application said it would not work for my setup but i have the band button and cd/aux button. I installed it and it works great. I can give your more help if you need. The install takes some time but it is worth it.For the antenna, i mounted mine directly behind the roof antenna and routed the wire along the rubber and tucked in under the mouldings throughout the car. I never had to remove a piece; just lift a little and push it in. Good luck and let me know if you need more info.