PIE LD-1 Wiring

[tyler2you]

Hi all,

I just got my Titan this past weekend and I'm trying to install an XM Commander. I've got the PIE line amp on the way, but want to make sure my plan for wiring it up is correct. Please take a look at the picture and let me know if this will work. I want to connect both the XM and the aux in to the amp.

Thanks.

[schneid]

I think:

Sat Out -> PIE In

PIE Out -> AUX In

[ruauman2]

Originally Posted by schneid

I think:

Sat Out -> PIE In

PIE Out -> AUX In

I agree unless there is something odd about connecting the PIE. I haven't ever seen one but typically an inline amp would be connected as "Schneid" says.

Where did you get the PIE and how much was it. I installed the Sirious Starmate a couple weeks ago and I need to boost the level into the AUX. The Sat receiver output is too weak compared to the FM/CD level when you switch between the three sources.

[tyler2you]

I got the amp Here

Total price with shipping was $44.60

Maybe my picture is confusing. The box I have labeled "Aux In" is actually the front panel connector. I want to take the input going into the front panel jack and boost it as well which is why it is routed to the "in" jacks on the PIE amp.

[eakes]

Tyler: your diagram is correct. If I were making this mod, I would open the sleeve covering the wiring going to the from AUX connector about half way on its path to the rear of the HU. Cut the wire and solder on pigtail cables that have RCA connectors on one end and are unterminated on the other (can be purchased at Radio Shack). One pair would connect to the wiring going to the front AUX jack and another pair to the wiring going to the rear of the HU. Connect the RCA plugs to the appropriate in/out on the PIE unit (use Y cables as you indicate on the input), wire power and ground and you are good to go.

[tyler2you]

Well, I decided to go ahead and get everything ready for the PIE amp to arrive on Friday. I ran the antenna wire into the 3rd brake light, threaded it through the headliner and down into the dash. I also cut the auxilliary wire and soldered female rca connections on each side of the cut. Then, I hooked-up the power and ground wires, mounted the display and decided to try it out without the amp.

Guess what--I don't need the amp. I'm getting adequate volume at 6 or 7 on the head unit. Plenty of power from both the XM Commander and my Ipod connected via the headphone jack to the aux in port. A little disappointed with the XM quality so far. Several channels seem to have a "crackly" quality to them. I thought it might be my wiring or the RF speakers, but the Ipod sounds OK.

My truck was built 04/05. Did they finally get around to correcting the problem with low volume on the aux-in? I guess on Friday I will have a new in the box LD-1 to get rid of.

[ihatekmart]

tyler...

where did you mount your commander?

[tyler2you]

It's mounted in the tray where the DVD nav would be if I had that option. I drilled a hole under the rubber mat and you can't even see the cable. I'll post a pic later.

BTW--how's the sound quality on your Commander? Do you get some "crackling" at higher volume? When I'm playing my Ipod through the Belkin Auto Kit, it sounds great. I may experiment with moving the ground connection to another location to see if that helps.

[ihatekmart]

my commander right now is FM mod which is OK for now, but no " crackling" at any volume. I'm looking to buy a PIE amp here soon after some more parts come in. Instead of switching two input wires... im wiring some switching in my cab so i can have three inputs into my AUX- ipod, commander and still have the AUX input open on the dash.. crazy.. but what the heck!

[atc56]

Hi All,
Don't know if anyone is still interested in the PIE LD-1, but I found one at for $30.95 with free shipping Just go to Cardomain and do a search for PIE