I have a question for all of you that have done your own mobile A/V component installs:

What is behind the plastic part inside the cubby where the navigation system screen goes? How does that area of the dash come apart?

Allow me to explain-

I got the Kenwood Here2anywhere sirius satellite radio setup. I have a base model Z obviously without the navigation system. I want to put the satellite radio unit inside the compartment where the navigation system screen goes. BUT, the compartment is a little too small. The radio unit is too deep. So, I want to remove the piece that fills in the empty space inside the compartment and modify (cut and hack) it so the satellite radio unit fits.

I know, I could get the smaller audiovox unit that fits nicely inside the cubby. But I love the home to car switching functionality that the Kenwood system provides. And I'm a little weary of buying a component with the Audiovox brand on it.

So, does it pay to cut the back of the part out, or is there something right behind that part so that making a cut won't gain me any extra real estate?

Also, how does that area of the dash come apart?

Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

 

there is some room but not much, I put my XM in there and I also had to take apart the dash. here is how mine looks http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jes...Nights+001.jpg Also a couple of other members have done the same here is another pic of westpak install https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....=radio+install as for taking apart the dash here is a link step by step http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereor...s350zRadio.htm

 

jesfuego,

How did you guys do the wiring? For power, my setup comes with a cig lighter adaptor and a phone chord-like wire that plugs into a cradle. I want to hardwire the unit to the car so I don't have wires running all over the interior. Is there an accessory out there for that?

BTW, I've wired a few amps and decks in the past, so this subject isn't totally foreign to me.

 

I ran a wire to get power from the Xm unit to the cig lighter connector between the seats. I accessed it from the side of the subwoffer, the front cover comes out real easy. I ran a 14 gauge wire. kinda extream but it works fine. I hope this helps.

 

How does the power wire plug into the XM unit? The setup I have has a power cord with a cigarette lighter plug on on end and a cylindrical plug on the other that plugs into the cradle that holds the receiver. I can't figure out how to hardwire the receiver to the car with that type of power cord.

 

Mine came with a hard wire already attached to it. But you can cut the tip of the wire you have and hard wire it the same way. its only 2 wires in there. I did the radar detector like that and it works fine. If you do cut the wire, take apart the end you cut(The cig connection) to see if it has a fuse in it. Some of them bring one, If thats the case then just put a fuse in line with your connection if you are worried about anything getting to hot or what not. I myself did not use a fuse, because the cig connection already has a fuse in the fuse box of the car.