Here is what I came up with and am interested in doing. Please let me know if it is possible, what problems I may encounter, and any threads that include pictures of stuff that might help. I have seen a few threads with pictures, but have not seen any that tell me what I need to know.

My idea:

I have the factory MP3 player installed. What I would like to do is place the XM Commander in the lower portion of the stereo deck since I will not be getting the MD or Tape player. I am going to order a replacement of the black cover piece and custom cut the hole to fit the XM Commander in it, but am not sure how much space or what is in the way behind that cover.

Questions:

Is there enough room behind the lower black panel to fint the XM Commander in that spot?

If so, will the FM modulator fit in this same spot or have to be in a different area?

If there an audio IN on the MP3 Player or stock radio to pipe the input to, or am I stuck with the FM modulation method?

Does anyone know of the availability for the XM Commander to be removable so that I can just buy doubles of the antenna and FM Modulator so that I cn transfer it to my wifes truck when we take it on long trips?

Any help would be appreciated. I can't wait to give this a try. I have it in my head what it will look like and am very excited. Thank you.

One guy mounted that same receiver down in the ashtray area of the console. He posted pix; look around. It's a way cool install. He put red plastic over the display so it matches the '8 night lighting.

The copmmanders main box will fit in the empty space, but not with enough extra space for the cables to plug in. So you can either move it to another spot, or do some little cutting to get it all to fit.The control panel fits in the ashtray quite easy if ya dont mind the lid not closing, or if your willing to cut, can be made to fit inside with the lid closing. The antenna passthrough fits behind the stereo just fine.

Originally posted by Spacejunky

Is there enough room behind the lower black panel to fint the XM Commander in that spot?

I doubt there is enough room -- but I don't have an XM Commander, so I don't know for sure. (I have a Roady instead).


If so, will the FM modulator fit in this same spot or have to be in a different area?

I'm even more sure that both the FM modulator and the XM Commander will not fit in that space. Here are the dimensions (from Crutchfield.com):


Controller: W=4.532", H=1.764", D-1.0"
Receiver/FM Modulator box: W=4.464", H=1.273", D=4.35" (5.115" including mounting tabs)



If there an audio IN on the MP3 Player or stock radio to pipe the input to, or am I stuck with the FM modulation method?

There is currently no aux in available on the factory stereo in the RX-8. There is a guy developing one (search in this forum) that will plug in where the cassette/MD player would go, but who knows when that will be available. So for now you're stuck with FM modulation.


Does anyone know of the availability for the XM Commander to be removable so that I can just buy doubles of the antenna and FM Modulator so that I cn transfer it to my wifes truck when we take it on long trips?

The XM Commander is designed to be "permanently" installed in a vehicle -- it wouldn't be very easy to move. If you want portability from vehicle to vehicle, look at the Delphi SkyFi or Roady.