Sirius Sportster 4 mount job

[RevoRunner]

I saw something similar to this install but nothing like it so I'm posting it up in case someone is interested. Basically I took a Swivel Base Universal Mounting Bracket and cut and welded it back into a shape like this...

I cut some holes in the inside of the cup holder to mount the bracket and run the wires through. The design of the bracket allows you to keep using your cup holder without being in the way. I've tried the bracket that fits next to the glove box but it shook too much over bumps IMO. Plus I wanted something lower to keep in out of "window line" view. Here's the finished product.

From the side

Tested it out and it is very sturdy, good line of sight, and even though I have a remote... it is very close to my right hand to change stations.

 

[jacal]

ohhhh...fantastic! Must add this to my list of potential mounting points.

I will install the starmate 3. So far it is just on the suction mount.


J

 

[atomic punk]

Awesome job. Can you still open that little door and access the 12v socket?

Is it too much to ask for you to take pics of the holes you drilled/cut? I don't know much of a pain in the ass it would be for you to remove the mount so we can get a better idea of how the console looks with holes, but w/o the mount.

 

[RevoRunner]

Opening the access door is not a problem... see pic below:

Taking the bracket off is kind of a pain but here are some shots of the back to give you an idea. Basically 4 drill holes on the inside of the cup holder. One for wire access and 3 to hold 4mm screws.

and upside down

Now what does suck is I ordered the dual power port ashtray and now see that it will not work. Because the main port, you can access but sticking something in would be in the way a bit. So I have a new ashtray that I'm gonna sell probably on ebay. The place I ordered it from said it was a special order and could not be returned.

Thus far I've been very happy with the setup.

 

[alpha]

How do you like the Sirius?

I had a free trial of XM, but didn't like it. XM seems more to the talk radio enthusiast. I expected it to have more variety in music, which I heard Sirius provides.

Oh, and XM started having commercials towards the end of my free trial, so I decided not to renew membership.

 

[atomic punk]

I'll answer for everyone: Sirius kicks ass. I bought it for Stern, but I'm keeping it for EVERYTHING it provides. Commercial free music, a TON of channels in my favorite genre: rock, and, my favorite station: Maxim radio, which has the best mix of talk, music, comedy, in-studio interviews, advice, etc.

 

[RevoRunner]

I have to agree. I really didn't think any satellite radio would be worth the money, but Sirius kicks butt. I think Sirius has stepped up as far as bringing better programming, Stern, NFL, comedy, etc. I listen to the comedy stations all day long. I will say, that they have a diverse line-up of music, but I can't say for sure how deep their playlists are. The only bad thing about Sirius is that I cuss ALL day long. I'm so used to hearing it on the radio that I don't think about it when I'm talking to people... hahaha.

 

[nserpa9248]

Nice job w/the mount job.
Custom definetley.

Is it sturdy enough to remove the SP4TK1 w/out holding the bracket

 

[RevoRunner]

Yeah... it's a breeze to snatch it out of there. It has a nice solid feel when pressing buttons also. It's so close to my shifter hand that I never use the remote.

 

[atomic punk]

The only bad thing about Sirius is that I cuss ALL day long. I'm so used to hearing it on the radio that I don't think about it when I'm talking to people... hahaha.

That's the first time I've heard anyone say that, but it's true.

I'm sick of hearing the 5 second promo "Raw dog, comedy un-censored" over the Jimi Hendrix Purple Haze riff between seemingly every comedy bit. They gotta change that up a bit.

 

[Scrappy125]

I just got the sportster 4 yesterday, and have been trying to figure out a good place for it. What wire did you tap underneath to get power?, nice install BTW.

 

[atomic punk]

Yo, see my Sirius Install in my sig file. Easy removable power tap without sacrifcing your 12v socket.

 

[RevoRunner]

I ran it around to the fuse box below the steering wheel. I attached the ground to a bolt underneath their also. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Scrappy125]

I ran it around to the fuse box below the steering wheel. I attached the ground to a bolt underneath their also. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks Revo,
Yes one more if you don't mind. What fuse did you end up tapping it to? Did you use an add a circuit type thing?

Thanks again, I'd like to try to get rid of as many wires as possible.

I'm really loving the sportster 4 though, my old sporster 1 finally got retired.

 

[atomic punk]

No, really, check my sig file, I swear I'm not lying, the info is in there.

 

[Scrappy125]

No, really, check my sig file, I swear I'm not lying, the info is in there.

Sorry man, didn't see your post.

I used your link last time I installed my old sirius, I'm on that old thread!

I was just concerned because the new sportster 4 is only supposed to pull 5v instead of 12v, I'm new to this wiring stuff but I thought that would not work, maybe be too much power?

 

[atomic punk]

Yeah, I saw you on those old posts - I was wondering why you were asking so many questions when you already had it hooked up...

You sure it runs on 5v? Doesn't it come with a cig plug for it's power source? If so, then it must "start" with 12v, regardless of what the receiver has to see (there could be a transformer that drops the voltage to 5v inside the dock or something). Just seems weird that all auto accessories run on 12v, but now this one is 5v.

 

[RevoRunner]

My install isn't as stylish as atomic punk. I just plugged it right into the ACC plug 7.5V... I didn't use a circuit adder or anything (what is that??? maybe I can use it). It's worked fine without any problems. I remember the line had some type of fuse or something on it so I'd doubt there's a problem with the voltage.

Yeah I'm definitely digging the sportster 4. I'm still getting used to all the features.

 

[atomic punk]

That Sportster 4 looks sweet. Smaller/thinner than the Replay but with more features. Pretty soon ALL Sat radios will have awesome looking full color displays like head units do and ours will look antiquated.

7.5v? All accessory plugs in the car have 12v... Your unit must run off of 12v & there probably is an in-line fuse, but that protects against current overdraw, not voltage.

 

[RevoRunner]

hahaha... my bad... I meant a ran it from the slot that used a 7.5 fuse... and yes you are correct about the other stuff. As far as electricity goes... I know just enough to say I don't know squat.

Yep... as soon as I buy something, I don't look back to the latest and greatest. Everything changes alot faster now than it did 15 or 20 years ago. It's too expensive to stay up on everything.