New Head Unit and XM installation.

[pwarren4]

I Just wanted to share with ya'll pics of my new head unit and XM install.Head Unit: Kenwood KDC-MPV6022 Read more about it here.The XM Tuner is the Delphi SkiFi that's been out a while now.I hooked up the head unit by wiring some RCA jacks to the Metra Wiring harness so it doesn't over power the M&T amp. I used the mounting kit from American International - see here.I'm using the power outlet in the center console for the XM unit (ran the wire under the console, out of sight). It's mounted on a stand sold by Bose intended to be used to mount a surround speaker to a wall for a home theater. Just a little ingenuity and Viola! an excellent XM mount.Word of warning: The correct Metra wiring harness is 70-2003 which is very much different than 70-2003T. A many argument with the "dude" at a car audio shop will probably ensue over this. You do not need to relocate the stock radio elsewhere in the car and you will not lose your door chime. I had 5 different idiots tell me this and 2 refuse to sell me what I asked for and another sell me the wrong thing before I learned that there was a difference. As always, a big THANK YOU to all of you here at GenVibe, MatrixVibe, and MatrixOwners. The information shared here is invaluable. So, check out the pics and enjoy!Please review - opinions, suggestions welcome.

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[pwarren4]

Another overall view -

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[pwarren4]

Head unit up close -

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[pwarren4]

XM Antenna mount -

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[pwarren4]

Flying the colors! -

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[msmyer]

Nice.... You do any speaker replacement?

[Jahntassa]

Yeah, there's a lot of confusion about the Vibe. Most 2003 GMs need the GMRC01 or the 2003T to relocate the radio.. The Vibe is different since it's all Toyota, minus the actual plug itself.At CC, our guide tells us the 70-2003...so they should've told you right...unless they were idiots..

[pwarren4]

Correct, 70-2003 is what's listed in the Metra book. The idiots at the local CC and BB and three different Electronic Expresses (a 12 location store here in TN) thought the 70-2003T was the right or same thing. I find it very frustating to go to a home/car audio shop (or any kind of retailer) and know more about the product being sold than the salesman does, and the salesman be arrogant about it.Don't get me wrong, I can ignore stupidity, I can be patient with ignorance, but when they pile arrogance on top it is unbearable.

[pwarren4]

Quote, originally posted by msmyer »Nice.... You do any speaker replacement?Nyet, amp, sub, and speaks in the plan - when the budget allows

[NSimkins]

Nice install pwarren - thanks for the pics too, glad to see the install went in very clean!

[cdFxer]

What path did you run the XM radio antenna lead through? Great pics BTW!I have a Kenwood head unit that is almost the same in looks.

[ArcsVibe]

Looks very good!

[johnsoax]

Quote, originally posted by pwarren4 »I hooked up the head unit by wiring some RCA jacks to the Metra Wiring harness so it doesn't over power the M&T amp. I used the mounting kit from American International - see here.It looks good.I'm contiplating throwing in a JVC KD-SX750 that I have just laying in the closet (I have an Aux in on it (with an adapter)so that I can listen to my Archos Jukebox MP3 Player). So I have been looking around for install parts. That dash kit looks great, but Audiooutfitters wants almost as much for shipping as they do for the unit!!When you say that you wired some RCA jacks, did you just (in essence) cut a cord in half and solder the wire ends to the speaker lines on the kit so that the plug ends just plugged into the radio? (Boy does that sound confusing after I said it)

[ragingfish]

Looks great man!How did you mount the SkyFi? Can you get closer up pics of that? Very intrigued...I have the ProFit mount on the side of the climate controls, would like to relocate it, is interfering with them...Also, how'd you run that antenna? Very intrigued by that!

[johnsoax]

Some info about the JVC Small Review and some info JVC's info about it

[pwarren4]

Quote, originally posted by johnsoax »When you say that you wired some RCA jacks, did you just (in essence) cut a cord in half and solder the wire ends to the speaker lines on the kit so that the plug ends just plugged into the radio? (Boy does that sound confusing after I said it)I used these. They just wire directly to the wiring harness - negative outside ring / positive center. I used the smallest ring type crimp connector for the center and just used the built in clamp for the negative. Don't worry, it all fit inside the red or black protective cover.Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »How did you mount the SkyFi?I used one of these.Works very well. I just mounted to the bottom of the tray at the front of the center console, drill a hole thru the bottom for the wires to come thru, and use the taller post that comes with it. You have to get a nut to fit the bolt that comes with it and use a washer to clamp the SkiFi cradle, you also have to drill a small hole in the cradle mount for the "anti-rotation" peg on the mount bracket.Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »Also, how'd you run that antenna?I did this and it worked, but I almost wish that I hadn't. I ran the wire under the roof rack mount turned and went under the "gutter" insert. then drilled a hole through under the insert to get inside the car (caulking around the antenna wire to stop water inflow of course). I think how you've got yours is probably the better way to go. Did you really have enough wire or did you use an extension?Quote, originally posted by ArcsVibe »Looks very good! Thanks!TTFN

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by pwarren4 »I think how you've got yours is probably the better way to go. Did you really have enough wire or did you use an extension?Yeah, I definitely had enough wire, actually had too much and had to coil up some in the A pillar.

[Jahntassa]

With the XM antennas, you'll definitely have enough wire to run it through the weatherstripping in the hatch and run it along the headliner to the front. I came down behind the back passenger door, unlike ragingfish who went all the way to the front along the headliner. Granted, that probably would've been smarter, I have enough wire running through the runner on the front passenger side to be almost an inch thick..Good lookin' install! Definitely a brainstorm with that speaker mount

[mavherzog]

Just wondering how you secured the speaker mount to the center console. Did you use self-tapping screws and just rely on the screws providing sufficient hold into the plastic or did you nut and bolt the base?

[mavherzog]

I ended up using small nuts and bolts (with washers) to secure the base of the speaker wall mount. Everything worked out GREAT!