I am in the process of picking out a satellite ready head unit, and XM tuner, from Crutchfield. The sales rep on the phone said that in the Crossfire this involves some wiring under the passenger seat and putting the tuner there. I feel leery of this because I suspect Chrysler would say the warranty's off on anything that anyone else has touched. Obviously when you replace the radio there's no more Chrysler warranty on the radio, but if the radio people have to remove the seat to wire in the tuner. Could Chrysler say that invalidated warranty on the seat and whatever other wiring is under there such as the seat's directional controls?

 

I purchased a Sirius Stiletto from Circuit City last month for a little over $500. It is portable plus you can buy a home station and I had them install a base in the car. It is excellent.

On Monday 2/26 I got an email from Sirius selling the same Stiletto for 50% off. I got another one for the other Crossfire. I'll have CC put in the car for a $100.

PS I prefer Sirius over XM which we have in the MB C230. I had to replace that radio. If I could I would change that to Sirius.

This might be a mute point as I understand they are merging.

 

There are four bolts holding down the sear and two plugs for the wires to the seat for power & heat. Move the seat to the rear and undo the front bolts then move the seat to the front and remove the rear bolts. After you remove the bolts tip the seat to the rear and you can unplug the wires. I think Crutchfield is saying to put the tuner under the seat but on top of the carpet. You will have to remove the door still plate to pull back the carpet to run your wires. You should download the repair manual to see how to do all this.

 

I have my Sirius tuner underneath my seat and have an easier solution than to remove the seat.

1) First, make sure you connect all the wires to the tuner because once you move the seat back you'll have very little room to maneuver anything or connect any wires

2) Now, slide the tuner on the floor from the back all the way to the front trying to keep the 2 cables attached to it in front of the tuner. Start to move the seat back into the normal position. The tuner may get caught on the seat but you should have enough room to get your hand under the seat to grab the wires and/or tuner from moving back with the seat.
Once the seat is back you'll have some room to move the tuner around and pull the wires through the front area under the seat.

3) It's time to start hiding the wires and connecting them to the unit. Right around where the cig lighter is on the passenger side is the best place to feed the power/ground and output wires through to the head unit. Though they'll be sticking out a little, you can easily push them in the center console paneling once you're done.

Take your hand and get an idea of where the crease is on the paneling mentioned above, you should be able to get a finger through which is enough for the wiring. Poke your finger through and work the wires through. Now you'll be able to feel the wiring as it goes back behind where the head unit goes. Pull the Output wire through where the rest of the wiring is to be hooked into the back of the unit (this wire is typically thicker and will make pulling the thinner power/ground wires easier). The same goes for the power and ground wire (should be Yellow and black, respectively). Once you have the wiring in place and the output wire in the back of the head unit, fire up the battery and test the connection.

Once, done push the wires into the center console paneling until you hit a dead end and the only person who'll be able to see it would be the passenger but it's not all that intrusive.

Now you could pull up the carpeting and make holes for the wires but as long as I can't see the wires that's all that really matters. I'll take some pics of how i have mine tomorrow and post it up if my instructions weren't great or that visual.

 

I'm currently using a Samsung Helix which is portable but I originally had a built in Sirius tuner in my leased Crossfire Roadster. It was an Audiovox unit and had a separate tuner box and FM modulator switch. I don't like the idea of installing equipment under seats where it can get snagged by moving parts or get wet, so I found a better location.

Like most Mercedes vehicles, the Crossfire has its engine control computer located under the passenger footwell. If you pull the carpet back you will discover a metal panel held on by three plastic lug nuts. The panel can be removed and there's a lot of space alongside the control module. Using this location means that you don't have any wiring going into the cabin, (except for the antenna). If you are going to put the antenna on the dash, it makes for a very simple install. You can easily fish wires from the radio area to this location and you can use the existing wiring to hang your wiring from to prevent any rattles.

 

I got the Roady kit free at Christmas for signing up for a second subscription under the Family deal.

Mounting the unit on the ashtray with velcro, the FM signal was too weak to reach the rear FM antennae in the glass.

However, the unit came with an extra piece that attached to the glass that touches the wires imbedded in the glass.

The result was a very strong signal to the stock unit and it has never sounded better.

The downside is a ton of wires running back to the cargo area, but I was able to pry them under various edges, carpeting etc.

 

Crossfiregal,

if you set on installing a new head unit with Sat functions most of the places you purchase from will do it. Just go over the condition of your car with them to show you have no existing damage.

I have XM, installed an XM2GO unit which use everywhere, office, home, car, travel. It came with a complete kit, see my gallery I have some pics of how the cradle was installed. Wiring was pretty easy going this route, power and antenna.

 

Whale Tail,

Nice install solution. I think I'll copy it for my Helix!