I had a semi-clean setup with my 4runner. The trim plate over the panel was easily removed, so all the wiring was put behind it. With the ranger, it seems I can't pull that panel off without removing the radio, which to a radio newb like me, seems like a PITA.

Here are my specific questions:

1. I have read about "hard wiring" my radio, which seems like it would save me an outlet. How is this done? I know zero about wiring, but I LOVE little projects like this.

2. Do I have to remove the radio to get that trim off? If so, what is the easiest way?

 

you don't need to remove the radio. there should be two screws at the bottom under the ac controls. just take those out and pull on trim and it should all pop off. the radio will need to be removed with special tools, unless its an aftermarket stereo. Hard wiring shouldn't be hard. Just need a constant power and then ground and that should be good. Run your antenna and use the wireless fm modulator to the stereo since you have the sportster replay.

 

dont guy the "special tools"
freakin waste of money and time.
just push down on all four locations of the "prongs" or w.e. they are
and theyre out.
worked bettter than the tools....couldnt get em to work.

 

Yeah I think its easier just pulling the bolts out and popping the radio out that way. But thats just me.

 

I'll check for the screws today when I head out there. I don't remember seeing any yesterday. Does anybody know where there is some kind of writeup for hardwiring something like this?

BTW- about the FM modulator--Once you go to direct wire, you never go back. The quality difference is a no brainer. I am going to get one of the RCA cords, so there is one less cord crowding it up.

 

are you talking about hard wiring your sirius so that it comes on when the radio does?
Because be careful some of the sirius radios like mine are 5 volt so you can't just cut the plug off you got to keep the cigar lighter end on the hard wire that in.

 

^Good thinking.

If that is the case, then you would need to buy/build a voltage regulator circuit that puts out a continuous voltage to match your radio. I used the cig lighter circuit and installed a lighted switch for my mp3 player recharge unit. I'll see if I can snap pics and do a write-up later.

-Chance

 

just splice in a 12v outlet behind your dash and plug in the sirius...

 

 

[QUOTE=07SPORT;941404]just splice in a 12v outlet behind your dash and plug in the sirius...[/QUOTE
thats what i did
then just tap into the radio power and now it auto on and off

 

cut the plug off the stripped wire is positive and the solid is negative. i went to behind the 12v plug and used t-taps which you wont have, so just carefully strip a lil wire back and poke a hole in the middle of the wire and feed the sirius wire threw it and wrap tightly, then electrical tape it up. i used to do **** like this all day at the shop i used to work at, be in and out off a sat install in 10-20 minutes all wires fully hidden, hard wired antenna ran, and car put back together and cleaned.

 

I just got the radio where I wanted it, down by the cupholders where I saw it on one of the trucks on here. it is a great location because the sun really starts to take a toll on these plug and play units.

Nicholoff-- I really like where you are going with this. I am still a little foggy though. Am I going to make a total of two connections, one pair of striped and one pair of solids?

I have some butt splices that I use for my side job of hooking up phones. I was thinking that I could "tee" into the 12v, by cutting each wire, and butting them together, with a wire from the sirius pushed into the 3rd 16ga slot. Would that work?

 

i'd think twice about that. i'm pretty sure those radios only need 3 or 5 volts. they specifically say not to cut the adaptor off, there is also a fuse inside you'll be removing.

in my rig, i bought one of those 12v aux ports. i just ran a hot and ground to it, plugged the sirius into it and tucked it behind the dash after i wrapped it all up.

 

HMM, well, I just did it. I guess the worst that could happen now would be my 3 year old radio being ruined by too much power.

If you want to run a 12v aux port, where do you get the hot power source?

After this post, I'm gonna do a search. I'm sure I can find something.

 

i have 2 connections. power and ground. and dont use the butt connectors to do that connection. my sirius sportster doesnt have a fuse in the lighter plug. i have installed many many of these this way none never came back for wrong voltage, only antenna positions.

 

straight from the battery is the easiest. just fuse it.

 

Ooops. I already did it? Is it going to start a fire?

 

I meant add a cig. outlet behind the dash :-)

 

I really hope you fused that...

 

ehh you will be alright. just go back in and wrap it in electical tape. i generaly wrap all crimped connections in tape as an added security.