I finally installed XM radio in my 8 today. I've really missed having XM in my vehicle since I removed the receiver from my truck two months ago to sell it.

I went with the new Delphi Roady unit for its small size. I used the Delphi FM Modulator.

I'll post a series of pictures I snapped during different stages of the install. Some of them are blurry, my digicam doesn't focus very well close-up.

I'll skip the pics of taking the center console apart and removing the radio; that's already been covered in another thread.

The first pic shows where I tapped in (using a crimped-on "vampire clip") to the 12V ignition power line on the wiring harness from the back of the head unit. I can verify that Yukhi's information about which wires are ignition power and backup power (see <A HREF="http://www.rx8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8483&perpage=15&pagenum ber=3">this thread</A> for details). Green/Orange is ignition power (which was all I needed for my install) -- I verified this myself with a multimeter.

 

This is the radio antenna "pass-thru" connection from the Delphi FM modulator and the 12V power wire (in a protective loom) running behind the head unit mount.

 

In this blurry picture are the 12V power wire, with its inline fuse, and the radio antenna wires running down to where I ended up mounting the FM modulator (behind the side "knee panel" on the driver's side).

 

Here's the FM modulator (about the size of a pack of cigarettes) in its new home, behind the side "knee plate" on the driver's side. This was the ONLY spot I could find to mount it, but it's perfect!

 

A nice solid grounding connection is very important with car audio. I drilled a pilot hole in this steel frame and attached the ground wire from the FM modulator with a self-tapping screw.

 

A little messy, but I didn't want the extra wiring hanging around back there, getting into trouble.

 

Here's the extra wire from the line input and 6V power supply (to the Roady from the FM modulator), tucked neatly in behind where the ashtray goes.

 

Here's the ashtray compartment back in place. That convenient hole in the bottom where I fed the power, line-in, and antenna wires up appeared when I removed the metal spring clip that holds the ashtray liner in place (I don't smoke, so I don't need the ashtray!)

 

Here's everything put back together with the Roady in place. I decided to go with the red faceplate since it was such a good match with my 8's red/black interior. :p

 

And here's a pic of the Roady in operation.

 

Other installation comments:

I do plan to get an iPod soon, and I'll use the FM modulator for that as well. I may try to rig up some kind of switch for the line input, so I don't have to keep plugging and unplugging it. Anyone have any ides?

I haven't decided for sure where to mount the antenna, though it seems to work well where it is -- velcroed at the base of the rear window (inside) in the center on the rear deck. I don't really want an antenna on my roof or trunk lid, so I'll probably just leave it where it is.

 

wow
great pics and instuctions

 

I didn't post a pic of the antenna yesterday, because I hadn't decided where I was going to mount it. Well, it's been working fine where I have it, so I'll probably keep it there. I haven't yet hidden the wire, I'll do that later, but here's a shot (from the outside) of where it's mounted. I just used sticky-back velcro to hold it in place.

Edit: Yes, my window is dirty. My baby needs a bath!

 

Finally, here's a gratuitous interior shot, showing how well the Roady with its red faceplate matches my interior!

 

Great pics man! Thanks !!


I don't know if I would put take the cigarette ashtray approach to mount my roady when I get it..

Have you thought about other places you might place it? How about the left of the steering column?

 

I tried a couple of places before deciding the ashtray cover was really the only option. Right of the steering column there was no place to put it where it wouldn't be blocked by the steering wheel. Left of the steering column would be too weird, and I'm not sure there's room either. I considered the blank space below the CD slot (I don't have a cassette player), but it didn't fit there very well -- it hid the A/C button and just looked junky. I also considered mounting the Roady on the supplied rotating bracket (still on the ashtray cover) but it stuck out too far and got in the way of shifting!

 

personally I would take the roady apart and make a custom cover using the existing cover below the CD player.

(Similar to what somebody did with their Valentine One radar detector).

What do you think?

 

I agree, that valentine one install was very sharp and looked like it came from factory

 

Hey jtimbck2,
Nice write up on your installation!

You may want to try placing the Roady in the overhead bin for a concealed and custom look. That's what I did with my Alpine FM modulator and its pretty damn slick IMHO. :D

 

Well the roady is something you interact with, unlike an fm modulator.

putting it there is not only impractical--it simply wouldn't allow you to press any buttons on the roady, since the buttons are along the bottom.

 

Actually I chose that location so that the remote display would be easy to interact with when I decide to add an XM tuner and it is actually very easy to use all of the buttons with it mounted there.

With the Roady I would imagine that some of the plastic would have to be trimmed (due to its larger size) so that all of the buttons would be accessible but that is not hard to do.

It all boils down to what you want it to look like and how much effort you want to put into it.

 

I don't know...the Roady is a little thick to try to put it up there. Besides, I use my sunglass compartment for sunglasses!

Precisely. I put several hours into my install. I'm happy with the results, and I don't see a need to spend any more time on it. The Roady's controls are in a very convenient place (I can reach them with my hand on the shifter), and there's a lot to be said for that!

 

Cool, then sounds like it is time to just sit back and enjoy your tunes! :D

 

nice install speed racer

 

Very nice install, I am going to try to install my Delphi SkyFi this weekend.

Was it hard to take apart the dash?

-Chris