[sorny98se]

Just wondering if anyone has any good ideas on mounting an XM Radio receiver? I got the Delphi SkyFi2 over the weekend and right now its clipped to the vent above the radio, but it moves around way too much for my liking. Having to hold the unit still while pushing buttons isn't fun. I had thought about mounting it way up where the footman's loop is on the windshield. The wiring isn't a problem, I'll just extend it. The antenna was the easiest thing to do, I thought I'd have problems with it. I also think that little tray past the shifter (mine's a tray anyways) would be great but it looks like the shifter may interfer with it.

I found some place that makes brackets for like $30 or more but I'm already out $185 for the box (plus tax), the first months fees ($20), the adapter I got for my Pioneer headunit to get RCA inputs thru the CD changer port ($35) and a cigarette lighter extention (to cut off one end and hardwire it to the fuse box).


Also, I tried searching, but its somewhat hard to search for XM when you can't enter a search with so few letters.

[nnixon42]

I have the same unit. When I installed it last week, I set it down in the tray by the coin slot in front of the shifter. The shifter didn't hit but I realized that was a little dangerous as I really had to look down to see the screen. Lots of eye time off the road. I've got it on the vents right now too. Thinking about doing something on the dash tray like this...

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f20/my-xm-radio-install-pics-127814/

Nick

[erickpl]

I don't have the Delphi, but I'll let you know what I've got - hopefully it will help some.

I have the Alpine CDA-9827 unit that is XM ready. I used the universal XM tuner going thru the back of the ALpine unit (their AINet interface). It is installed under the airbag box in the glove box using Velcro. All XM functions are in the Alpine head unit. I ran the antenna down the passenger side, along the door under the carpet, then up the cage under the padding and actually have my antenna tucked in my soundbar, under the fabric. With that and my soft top, I still get excellent reception.

If you want a place to mount the tuner unit, top of the center console comes to mind. You may also want to check out RAM Mounts. They make stuff for GPS's and may have mounts for roady's etc.

[sorny98se]

Well, it bugged me so bad I went home at lunch and redone it DOne it like this guy: http://www.kennedykids.net/XM%20Install/index.html -- Mounted it where the footman loop was. Although he has the plastic piece up there, that would have looked nice too, but if you took the footman loop off and prep the surface nicely using the alchohol pads and all that the sticky piece will NOT come off unless you try to rip it off. I like it better than the dash mounts really. Its out of the way so unless you climbed in the vehicle you wouldn't know it was there and I can glance up at it and read it easier. The SkyFi2 has a remote, so once I get used to using that I'll probably never be reaching up to change stations and stuff.

This looks a lot cleaner. Of course I did have to do some custom cabling. I hardwired the cigarette lighter adapter (can't just cut it off and wire it because its a 12v->6v converter too!) then I ran the wires for it and the antenna in the rubber gasket stuff for the windhsield to frame seal. Just pulled it back a little and tucked it in. You can see about 6" of wire total. 2" from the power wire before it is hidden in the gasket and then about 4" from where it all comes out to the XM's base. That sticky stuff is stronger than you think. It's pretty solid now, I was afraid it'd get loose and be flimsy, but it feels as solid as screwing it down. Another good thing is, if the sticky pad gets loose I can just drill a hole or two in the plastic base and put some short screws into the windshield frame to make it really stable.

[beachtaco]

I got the SkyFi2 and just used the dash mount kit. Just used the double side tape and stuck it to the right of the temperature controls. It works get for me and my gf. I would love to mount it up to the footman loop but my cage is in the way. Once I get my dash bar installed, I plan on modifying the current brackets and zip tie to the dash bar. Another alternative, is using the current setup and double side tape it to the windshield.

[sorny98se]

I thought about the Windshield thing and almost done it but if I ever changed my mind it'd be a ***** to get off there Also, the SkyFi2 + car cradle is pretty freakin' huge so it'd annoy me. I'm perfectly content with the footman loop thing.. Looks like it was meant to be there. Nothing aroudn it, not gobs of wires going to it.

[nnixon42]

Originally Posted by beachtaco

I got the SkyFi2 and just used the dash mount kit. Just used the double side tape and stuck it to the right of the temperature controls.

I had thought about doing that also but don't want to advertise the radio by leaving the base or even just the bracket mounted. I have half doors so it's pretty easy for someone to see the base and come in for a look around. Have you had any problems? I had also thought about mounting up at the loop but have the same issue of leaving the base. Taking it down and up from the vent mount is growing into a pita though so I'm looking for options.

[sorny98se]

Well, I can't run my Jeep topless for days at a time. I think it's pretty unusual to go overnight. Just too much of a chance of rain where I'm at (Mountains of TN) or heavy dew's in the morning. So I don't have to worry about people seeing it that way. I also live way out in the country, no garage parking or parking on streets or anything. I might consider taking the unit itself down if I'm in the city (Knoxville) but i doubt it unless the Jeep is topless. The vent mounts really really do suck. But if you have the top on the jeep (I also have half doors) then you shouldn't really be able to see it unless they're eyeballing your Jeep to begin with. I don't ride around thumping 3 12's or anything either to show off and definately not daring enough to get one of the big 12"x12" "XM RADIO" stickers to put on my windows! :-p You can take the base too if it's mounted on the loop, but if its like mine it doesn't seperate from the other section (the part with the sticky stuff) as easy as the XM receiver itself comes out. You'd probably end up ripping the glue off over time if you removed it all. I'll try to get some pics of the setup soon, although its nothing special.

[absentiabanish]

I dont have XM but do have the JVC Sirius unit. I currently have it mounted using the suction cup mount on the windshield that came with the unit. It is fine for right now but I'm looking at purchasing the mount at www.proclipusa.com for the Wrangler. It mounts just like the other ones beside the AC controls but does not require drilling or the removal of the dash. Hope this helps.

[H8PAVMT]

I know you already mounted your unit, but maybe this will help someone who searches this topic in the future...
I had the same problem when trying to mount my SkyFi in my new Wrangler! Where to put the thing that allows removal, stays visible when driving, and provides a clean looking install? I looked and looked and finally decided to buy a Roady2.

I looked at putting the Skyfi up at the header and after much thought decided that if I was to use a SkyFi, that would be the smartest location. However, it does leave it visible for theft and makes it a difficult task to remove the unit from the cradle if necessary (against a hardtop).
I tried to mount the Skyfi in front of the shifter, but couldn't get enough room for a clean looking install.
Using a bracket that mounted behind the dash and held the skyfi out near the radio was another option, but I had a dash mount on my pickup and the thing vibrated alot and irritated me.
I tried to develop a hinged mount that would let the Skyfi be closed up in the center console and flipped out when needed, but there just wasn't enough room for it to work.
I thought about mounting the Skyfi in the left corner of the dash/windshield like the performance imports mount their tachometers, but the theft and exposure issues when using a soft top ruled that one out.
I even thought about mounting the unit in the glovebox and using the remote to operate it - problem was the remote didn't work and I really like to be able to see the display.

So in the end, I bought the Roady and mounted it in front of the shifter in the tray. The display is easily visible, the wiring is easily hidden, and I can simply unplug and take the unit with me when the hardtop is off. An added benefit is that the display colors can be changed to match the Jeep dash lights color. This could not be done on the first SkyFi.

[opiv]

Mine is mounted to the left side of the glove box. It works well there as long as you don't have tall passangers with long legs that can bump into the reciever. My girlfriend is short so it works perfectly. If I start dating a tall supermodel I may relocate the XM reciever.