XM Commander in a 9-3

[Viscouse]

So I'm like a giddy schoolboy, having put my Aux-in to good use by introducing it to an XM Commander. I thought yall'd like to see how I installed it. In light of the road trips planned this year, it seemed like a good deal, after finding out my FM only gets maybe 4 stations, none of which classical or NPR, and no possibility for improvement.

The XM is hardwired into a couple of wires in the cable going to the ignition switch.

I needed 3 wires: Ground, Battery & Accesory.
Ground: The nice thick black wire
Battery: a small red wire that is always hot.
Accesory: a blue/red striped wire from the cigarette lighter in the ashtray, only on when engine is on or key is in "On" position (with engine off). I could have used a wire in the same bundle which powers the armrest powerpoint, but I have an Inverter running off that, so I didn't want to overload it, and I wasn't using the ashtray lighter for anything anymore).

I installed the display unit in the ashtray. I made quite a bit of modification to it, but I believe I can still put it together & no one will be the wiser. And yes, the ashtray closes, so it's completely hidden from view.

The antenna is sitting under the rear parcel shelf trim on the metal (thanks tbully!). Works like a charm except going under bridges, but doesn't bother me enough to strap it to the outside. I routed that simply to the RH C-pillar, down the rear seat to the sills, and to the rubber padding that collars the steering column, to the center console.

I routed the RCA->phono cord right through a hole I made in the coin holder.

I got the commander because I didn't want a brick in the vehicle, and since the display fit in the ashtray, it seemed like a logical idea.

Happy happy happy! 8)







The best part was when I picked up the unit @ Best Buy & he told me I needed an FM Modulator adapter. "Nope, got it covered" I said smugly walking away, him standing there aghast.

[TheKomoman]

Very nice job, looks great! And welcome to the XM Nation.

The antenna for my SkyFi goes under the parcel shelf tomorrow. Looking forward to having that hidden. My SkyFi is a little more than a year old, so I have the bigger nub antenna with the two wire lead. I'm hoping that it pulls in a strong enough signal under the shelf, I understand it's not quite as good as the newer, single-wire antenna.

[finklejag]

Looks like you did a great install. I will overlook the finger prints on the ashtray though.

[Viscouse]

Originally Posted by finklejag

Looks like you did a great install. I will overlook the finger prints on the ashtray though.

Good, that means you didn't notice the hideous amount of dust & bits of nature all over.

[Jet 9-3]

Nice install. I may be doing the same thing if Howard gets booted off the FM dial like he suspects...

[USNA '00]

Great job, Vis. You definitely have found one of the least obtrusive install methods going thus far.

[Saba]

Great job Vis. Nice and stealthy.

[TheKomoman]

I'm happy to report that the parcel shelf thing works great on the older nub antennas as well. I put mine sideways right next to the center child-restraint clamp. Get max sat signal.

Remove the parcel shelf is a complete piece of cake. The trim clips can be removed by pressing down on the center with your thumb and then just pulling back on the shelf. Then the whole thing just slides straight back.

[CallipNCSUsaab]

that looks like an awesome install... how does the sound on the commander rate man?

[Viscouse]

Originally Posted by CallipNCSUsaab

that looks like an awesome install... how does the sound on the commander rate man?

Thanks all. I'm really happy with it. Not having or seeing other installs, I have only the CD & FM to compare to. It's better than FM, and the sound is pretty comparable to CD, IHMO. Sometimes it seems that some songs are louder than others, but all in all, really cool.

[TheKomoman]

I posted this in a thread when I got it installed. I have since spruced it up by using the trim from the ashtray (that I removed completely) to cover the unfinished foam that's exposed by removing it.

I can't speak for the Commander, but the SkyFi does NOT produce CD-quality sound. It sounds like average MP3's.

[Saline]

Am I seeing this correctly - 34.9 mpg as shown in the one picture????

[Viscouse]

TheKomoman: how bout updated pix?

Saline: yep! I had an hour commute the other day, and I reset it when I got up to speed on the freeway, and it stayed there. I was trying to break 40. Never got past 35 though.

[TheKomoman]

Originally Posted by Viscouse

TheKomoman: how bout updated pix?

Don't have the pics here with me in the office, I'll post when I get home.

The upload restriction makes getting a good look kind of tough. I remember seeing on the terms where you're not supposed to embed pics hosted from an outside source? :-?? Is that right? Cause I could post a higher res pic on my web server.

[Viscouse]

Go for it! The T&C's just talk about ads. You can post pics of your car as long as they're not terribly large (folks can ask you for big ones if they want) out of respect for those on dial-up.

[TheKomoman]

Ah... well in that case!



The trim from the ashtray has been stuck to the bottom of the cd changer with some double-sided foam tape.

[ncgnito]

Originally Posted by TheKomoman

I'm happy to report that the parcel shelf thing works great on the older nub antennas as well. I put mine sideways right next to the center child-restraint clamp. Get max sat signal.

Remove the parcel shelf is a complete piece of cake. The trim clips can be removed by pressing down on the center with your thumb and then just pulling back on the shelf. Then the whole thing just slides straight back.

Which trim clips are you referring to? I tried to do this and was afraid I was going to break the pieces. I've got my antennae partially showing through the holes in the parcel shelf vents. I slid the antennae underneath from the trunk through the vent holds underneath the shelf. It sounds like you have a more stable location though that can be reached by pulling out the shelf. Thanks for the help.

[TheKomoman]

Originally Posted by ncgnito

Which trim clips are you referring to? I tried to do this and was afraid I was going to break the pieces. I've got my antennae partially showing through the holes in the parcel shelf vents. I slid the antennae underneath from the trunk through the vent holds underneath the shelf. It sounds like you have a more stable location though that can be reached by pulling out the shelf. Thanks for the help.

When you fold the seats down there are 3 round "buttons." Press down firmly on the center of them while pulling at the same time around the outside edges of them. They will come out completely. Then just pull the whole shelf straight back towards you. After you see the shelf it will be obviously how it needs to be re-installed.

[Aus93Aero]

sorry to bring up an old thread, but on all your pictures, what are the buttons next to the butterfly cup holder? (they certainly arn't on Australian cars)

[TheKomoman]

Originally Posted by Aus93Aero

sorry to bring up an old thread, but on all your pictures, what are the buttons next to the butterfly cup holder? (they certainly arn't on Australian cars)

Here in the states we get Onstar forced on us instead of a hands-free telephone option, and that's what those buttons are. Onstar is a service that acts as a hands-free phone (but only their service, of course) and also acts as an emergency help service. If your airbag deploys it sends a signal and they contact you, if the don't get a response the dispatch the police, etc.

I know a few guys around here have noodled out the way to setup Tel1 with a bluetooth option as well.