We can do this!! XM for under $100 !!

virnoche · 10-15-2004, 07:51 AM

Fellow TitanTalk members……

I have an idea outlined below please read and see how YOU can contribute….this could be fun!

Scope of this project:
XM Radio integrated into our factory pre-wired head units for under $100.00

Known facts:
Head unit manufactured by Visteon www.visteon.com
Pre-wired harness under dash near the ECM port
Factory wiring diagram is straight forward and shows that we have something called ‘N-Buss’ that communicates between the XM tuner and head unit

Theories:
According to the Visteon website (read the white papers) there is a REALLY good chance that this ‘N-Buss’ protocol is nothing specific to just Nissan. It appears as though the manufactures have come to a standard protocol which helps them offer newer technologies without having to re-design things year after year.
Recently launched is a universal XM tuner from XM-Direct that already has adapters that allows this tuner to be used with Pioneer, Sony, Kenwood and Alpine XM ready head units. By years end there will be adapters for some select Chrysler and Ford products and there are already some avail for some of the European autos.
The adapters for the other manufactures such as Sony etc make sense being that they really don’t have any standards to answer to so their pinouts etc are different from one another. Waiting for a third party vendor to investigate the Titan feasibility is out of the question so lets do this ourselves!!!

What we need to do:
Find out from Nissan or Visteon just what exactly ‘N-Buss’ is…..is it the ‘open’ protocol that Visteon describes in their white paper?
Get a wiring diagram for the XM-Direct tuner to see what the pin-out is for the d-sub connector.
Can this just simply be jumpered in? OR…do we need a magic black box to interpret the communication from the XM Direct box to our head units?

Summary:
What I have done so far is A LOT of reading on Visteon’s web and as much as I can find on this XM-Direct tuner module. XM-Directs web is www.xmdirect.com and is still under construction so we cant get much help from there.

My gut tells me that the XM-Direct tuner was manufactured to the ‘open protocol’ standard so its use would be as universal as possible. If this IS the case then we should have NO PROBLEM simply finding the harness manufacture for our trucks and get the harness end and make our very own XM kits for as low as $55.00!!! That’s what the XM-Direct tuner costs…..
Let’s keep this thread near top so we can ALL enjoy XM for next to nothing!

Best Regards…

Virnoche

Tom-ADC · 10-23-2004, 12:13 PM

I emailed Crutchfield and askerd them about this systems availablity, my wife drives a 2004 Impala and would like it for it also, XM Direct does list system for the car but didn't see our trucks on it. We'll see what Crutchfield says.

PHOEBISIS · 10-23-2004, 03:01 PM

I know you guys know this,but the Roady(XM) is just $120,and it works great.Heck,I don't even have to put the magnetic antenna on the roof-it just sits on the dash.
The install isn't clean;it is all out there in the open.No doubt you folks want a "clean" factory type install,but for those less fastidious types, who just want a wide variety of no interference listening while driving through the TX panhandle at night,the Roady is hard to beat.I just take it off,and bring it inside when not using it.I have it jury rigged to work in the house also.Thanks,Charlie

billaku · 10-23-2004, 04:24 PM

Terk site: http://www.terk.com/xmdirect/index.html
Middle left: Comaptible models, though couple other sites also have Alpine.

All was able to find in Service Manual:

Satellite Radio Tuner (PRe-wiring) (With Midline and Premium Systems)
The satellite radio tuner pre-wiring allows connection of a satellite radio tuner.
Power is supplied at all times
• through 20A fuse [No. 31, located in the fuse and fusible link box]
• to satellite radio tuner pre-wiring terminal 32.
With the ignition switch in the ACC or ON position, power is supplied
• through 10A fuse [No. 4 located in the fuse block (J/B)]
• to satellite radio tuner pre-wiring terminal 36.
Ground is supplied through the case of the satellite radio tuner.

Some user comments: http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/oid/...Review.do#tabs

Note some statements about incorrect compatiblity info.

And: "I had to have my pioneer adapter replaced 2 times in order to get the unit to produce decent quality sound. Overall, it is great."

But, if fits and get good unit: "...The sound quality of the system and XM is much better than my MP3s! Putting in the car was a piece of cake just a couple of quick plug-ins and a call to activatemy account..."

billaku · 10-23-2004, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHOEBISIS

I know you guys know this,but the Roady(XM) is just $120,and it works great.Heck,I don't even have to put the magnetic antenna on the roof-it just sits on the dash.
The install isn't clean;it is all out there in the open.No doubt you folks want a "clean" factory type install,but for those less fastidious types, who just want a wide variety of no interference listening while driving through the TX panhandle at night,the Roady is hard to beat.I just take it off,and bring it inside when not using it.I have it jury rigged to work in the house also.Thanks,Charlie

How do you have it hook into radio - AUX, FM Modulation? If FM Mod - been any/many problems with FM interference?

Thanks for info.

ragedogg69 · 10-23-2004, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billaku

How do you have it hook into radio - AUX, FM Modulation? If FM Mod - been any/many problems with FM interference?

Thanks for info.

I can share my .10 about wireless FM mods. First thing you should do is check frequencies 88.1-88.7 and see if there is any stations on them. IF so, such as here in phoenix, you WILL have interference problems. Soltution? Try removing your radio antenna and keeping the plug and play unit close to your deck. Or get a wired FM mod. (which i recomend, besides getting an aftermarket set up) that way there is no way for interference.

keiffers · 10-24-2004, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billaku

How do you have it hook into radio - AUX, FM Modulation? If FM Mod - been any/many problems with FM interference?

Thanks for info.

I have mine hooked in through the AUX port on the dash - sounds great....I would eventually like to try and run it straight into the HU and plug into the SAT outlet (I have the SAT button on my radio, so I assume there is a connector in the back of the HU). Just picked up a male-to-male connector at Radio Shack for around $5 that allows connection from the side of the Roady 2 to the AUX port on the dash.

Tom-ADC · 10-24-2004, 03:46 PM

Well forget about Crutchfield they don't handle the XM direct systems. Going to call the dealer in the morning.

Per keiffers help and instructions I use Roady 2 in my Titan.

big44hank · 10-26-2004, 12:30 PM

Tom-ADC
I had a friend help me with my Roady 2 install this past Sat.
He tapped into the aux input from behind the dash, so now I have clean look and still can plug something else into the dash aux port (portable tv, ipod, minidisc player, walkman, etc..) The Roady2 sound and the second device will both be heard if the XM receiver is still on.
To clean things up even more. he tapped into the 12v socket from behind the dash to power the Roady2. Be aware that the Roady2 uses a DC-DC converter, so simply splicing the wires into the cigarette lighter socket will damage the Roady2. You must use the circuit board to provide the step down in power from 12v to 6v.
I mounted the Roady2 using the swivel double sided taped to the circular punch out where the 4x4 switch would be. I do not have 4x4 on my truck.

Tom-ADC · 10-28-2004, 09:47 AM

Hank, sounds like a nice clean install got any pictures you can share?

schneid · 10-28-2004, 06:38 PM

I did the Roady thing through the AUX jack for awhile but having an XM ready Bose with N-Bus finally got me to buy the factory unit. Install is very easy if you ignore their instructions. Factory tuner is over-priced but it is much better overall than the Roady.

big44hank · 10-29-2004, 08:04 AM

The Roady2 is an okay controller, and I originally bought it 'cause it was super small and I originally thought I would take it everywhere I go. But I read some posts discussing the connections are not made for connect/disconnect all the time. They become loose over. Schneid is right, if you pay for the factory unit. you will have a nice system.

Titanman · 12-07-2004, 07:02 AM

Look around, you can beat that deal. I just purchased the new Skyfi2 WITH car kit for $49.00 during a promotion. Granted it's not as convenient as the Nissan XM unit, but for 300 dollars cheaper, it's worth it IMHO.

MIke

Predator · 08-03-2005, 11:25 PM

Looks like no one has posted this thread in a while. I have the Rockford Fosgate system and I want XM installed (not using my current Roady2). Has anyone bought the (behind the dashboard) system from the dealer and installed it themself? Any thoughts, comments, help would be appreciated. I'm getting tired of unplugging the Roady everytime I park somewhere.

Thanks

ckgdrums · 08-04-2005, 06:51 AM

Us Titan XE KC owners need a "behind the dash" option as well. I am contemplating an Alpine HU with XM built in. I already use the Roady2 w/FM Mod. I like the sound but it could be so much better.

Had the same Roady2 in my 92 Caprice Classic Wagon. Awesome sound, 330w of power into some Infinity 6x9's and a 110w JL sub. It was nice.

The sub situation in the Titan is tricky, but some guys have pulled it off, even in the KC. Would be nice to have a "plug-n-play" option.