XM Commander Install in my 97 XLT (5 pics)

[MattStarr]

Hi guys, I finally installed my XM Commander in my center console. I used ABS plastic and made a custom enclosure to hold the XM. Dont worry, its not crooked, its that the pocket outline is not a perfect rectangle But its perfectly level with the radio and its level all around. I think it looks pretty good for my first attempt at custom audio installing and fabrication You can even see the green button above the XM which is where I mounted the switch for my Hella 500's. Any comments, questions, concerns are welcome Thanks Aldive and Alec for help with some little questions I had throughout the process. Enjoy the pics! --MATT--



Welcome to the world of XM!!!

 

[Alec]

Nice

 

[aldive]

Congratulations, a very nice install.

 

[XplorerKid]

Very nice install... is it crooked, or is the center console hole not level??

PEACE

 

[MattStarr]

Thanks you two for the great tips

 

[MattStarr]

X~ center console hole isnt straight.....

I said that in the 1st paragraph....

Notice how it is level with the bottom of the pocket? The hole isnt straight... Thanks ford engineers!!

 

[alphabets13]

real nice job

 

[Hartman]

Hmmmmm you're making me want XM more and more!

 

[Flounder]

That is a great, clean install. And I want to commend you on the AWESOME blue interior. My old '96 had willow green in and out... we eccentric interior fellows are truly a level above the rest.

 

[MattStarr]

Adam~ Thanks man!! I like the blue... its unique.... its makes you stand out from the other 3 million explorers on the road!!

 

[NOTAJP]

Is that crooked? haha j/k

Looks like is was meant to be there.

 

[MattStarr]

Heres more pics

 

[wired_af]

ummm very nice install....gives me some ideas.

I was about to get the xm roady, now im gonna have to check out the commander

 

[Sport 4x4]

My install looks very similar except my bezel isn't as large and I have the Alpine unit. Slick...XM rules...

 

[Hartman]

You know what makes me mad, even with an XM ready Alpine HU, you still need the seperate unit for XM radio because they don't make the tuner box anymore. You can get them for eBay but they go for like $180. Seems like a rip off to me.

 

[draft]

Uh dude, all XM ready units need XM tuners, nothing new. All companies stopped making the XM brains (tuners) since they had to pay licenses on each one made. This was beginning to be costly for them, so in a few months (roughly), XM themselves are going to start selling standard XM brains, and the major companies (Alpine, Pioneer, etc) are going to be making their own harnesses that can connect to it, and from there on, you just need an XM antenna.

Derek, I thought you were getting an Alpine with the tuner already inside in the HU? If so, you don't need the brain, just the antenna. I saw it at the store the other day, nothing special if you ask me.

I just wonder how much standard XM brains are going to run for, they expect the harnesses to go for about $30-40 a piece.

I ordered my Pioneer GEX-P910XM along with the Terk XM3 antenna yesterday, one of the tuners Pioneer made and like you said, all out of production. Costed me $195 for both antenna & the brain, it will most likely be the same with the new XM standard tuners, harnesses and antennas now anyways.

 

[Hartman]

I'm planning on getting an Alpine CDA-9835 which is only "XM Ready" to my knowledge. I wish I didn't have to mess with the stupid tuner box.

 

[draft]

You could always wait a little longer till Alpine full releases their '05 line of products which feature the tuners built-in to the unit itself. Like I said, I saw one at the store the other day (Alpine), told me it costed $360, but online it's most likely cheaper. If you really don't want to deal with the tuner box, just might want to wait, up to you though.

 

[Hartman]

I don't mind the box but they are so expensive on eBay because everybody wants one and you can't buy them anywhere.