XM and HU ??? possibilities

[MattStarr]

Ok. What do you think about taking a aftermarket HU (1 din) and the opening that is left above it, mounting my XM commander? Do you think it would fit in that slot? Do they make something to close the pocket up so i could make it look good....

Does this even seem possible or is the XM too big?

I think this would look the best if I could pull it off....

Any questions/comments?

 

[CQ7String]

I haven't seen the commander in person, so I can't really tell you if it'll fit.

But anything is possible. As far as closing the pocket, what I've done in the past to fill gaps is to use cardboard wrapped in black stretchable vinyl. It sounds silly, but if you take your time with it you can get it looking almost like it was meant to be there.

I love the commander's antenna, too. The ones that come with Alpine's XM unit are hideously ugly.

 

[MattStarr]

That cardboard is a good idea... I would rather use some sort of ABS plastic for rigidity if I'm going to be mounting on it. They dont make the dash kits WITHOUT the pocket though?

Got any pics CQ?

 

[CQ7String]

Yeah, I was saying the cardboard/vinyl "tactic" if you're just filling in side gaps, you certainly wouldn't want to mount to it.

I don't really have a pic, but as a sort of reference:

This was my last car's install, I used CB/vinyl under the deck there to fill that whole DIN slot, and to be honest it looked better than that pocket did.

Edit: What are the dimensions of the commander?

 

[MattStarr]

Dimensions (WxDxH) 4.5 in x 0.8 in x 1.2 in

I think it "might" fit... what do you think?

 

[CQ7String]

Yep, should fit no problem, depending on how you mounted your deck.

Standard DIN (Deutsche Industrial Norm) is approximately 7 inches wide by 2 inches high.

You could probably do something really cool with mirrored plexiglass in this case. Pick up a 1' square (around $20-25 at most hardware stores), fit it in under your deck, leave it a bit wide for mounting purposes, then recess the commander into it. There'd be room around it on all edges, and if you took your time with it, it'd probably look pretty pimptastic.

 

[MattStarr]

Hmm.. that could look cool...

Ok, So i have the HU with the pocket in the bottom.... how do I get a piece of plastic mounted over the pocket to mount the XM on? Like, how do you get the new plastic to stick in place, or just glue it over the pocket? I have never done any plastic fabbing before

Thanks

 

[CQ7String]

Going from memory here, since I'm at work but..

I'm not sure if the panel on the 97 is the same as the one on my 98, but if so - there's plenty of room back there. Cut your plexi a bit wider than the opening, say 3/4 inch or so on both sides. That way you could rig up a method of mounting the plexi to your deck (since the deck is mounted to the panel).

Ideally your macGyverisms will be hidden behind the dash trim. Once your plexi is mounted and happy, drop in the XM unit, and just secure it with a strip behind it holding it in.

I hope that makes sense. It's Friday and I haven't had much coffee.