Has anyone done this?

I've got an '04 Lariat with the rail system, and I like the idea of 'hiding' the satellite unit inside one of the large overhead bins. It seems to me there should be ample room, possibly even enough room to install a smaller unit and still be able to keep my sunglasses in there.

BTW - I'm only looking at Sirius units because they carry my team (Texas Tech - Go Big Red!). Please, I'm not looking for a discussion of XM vs. Sirius - I've already decided which service I will use.

Any ideas, however, on what PnP unit might work in the overhead bin would be great!

Thanks in advance!

 

You would have to look at Sirius receivers. I know that xm has some that are a perfect fit for the overhead bin. Not up to date on Sirius. I know this past week at the consumer electronics show XM has some demos of future receivers...I'm sure Sirius would have done the same thing.

All in all....it can be done and users on this site have. The hardest part is going to be finding a receiver that will fit in there. I would start on Sirius website and look at the product specs for their receivers.

 

Do you want something like this Mark LT

That's the Starbase. If there is room, I'd much rather have the Starmate Replay with its added features.

 

What I'm looking to do is mount the unit inside one of the overhead bins so that it can be closed and out-of-site.

I did some measuring last night, and looking at the dimensions I've seen for the Starmate Replay (5-1/16"W x 1-15/16"H x 1-1/16"D) it looks like it should be a very nice fit. I agree, I like this unit's feature set - it seems to be very comprehensive.

Anyone else had any experience with this unit? Reliability, etc?

 

I've been thinking about upgrading to the Starmate Replay. Two things against it so far according to the hardcore @ Sirius Backstage: The three separate wires vs. a cradle make it more complex to pull out of the car and the display is very bright, even on its lowest setting. My guess is that neither will be an issue for you.

Note, that the three wires come out the left side of the unit which may be a problem for your desired location. I believe there are adapters w/ 90 degree elbows availible.

 

APT - You're right... not being in a cradle is not as significant for me if I'm able to place the unit inside the bin. My idea is to use Superlock Strips from RS. I plan to cut out the corresponding foam padding from the inside of the bin and then place the hook-and-loop there so that, when mounted, the tuner will be flush against the foam around the inside of its edges. I don't think the brightness will be an issue, either, since most of the time it will be closed.

Thanks for mentioning the wires! I'll bet RS will have something that will alleviate that problem as well. I'm hoping to get the unit sometime next week, so I'll post more info as I get into the installation.

 

Have you guys removed the headliner or otherwise tried to run the antenna cable through the liner to the cab light? If so, any issues?

 

joe215 -

That's a great question, and one that I hadn't asked but wanted to... My plan is to run the power and audio cables through the headliner to the piller and down from there. I'll obviously want to run the antenna (edited) wire through the headliner as well.

Anyone have any advice on getting in there to do that?

 

Not sure what year truck you have. But if it is equipped with the overhead rails, there should be a small hole under the first bin. This is for the factory overhead DVD player. You should be able to find power off of one of those wires.

 

Cool. That takes care of the power. Do you have any advice on routing the audio cables and the antenna?

 

Sorry, don't have any advice on the routing of the cables. If I remember correctly there are a few people on this board that have put their radio in the top bin. Do a search and see if you can find it. Heads up, I would imagine you would have to buy extra audio cable unless your receiver has the crappy FM Modulation like my XM radio. I would run the wires from the radio to the drivers side. Up the A-pillar (take it off to hid the wires) and then somehow tuck them underneath the headliner. I haven't done this myself but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Good luck

 

So what about that Mark LT? Any one have any ideas on where I might be able to find something like that?

 

Thanks FX4. I haven't got my unit yet, but it'll be soon, and I'll let you know how it goes.

Sorry for the late reply - I've been out of town for a few days.