Where to hide satellite tuner in 2003 NB

[MikeF74]

I'm trying to install a Sirius satellite tuner into my 2003 New Beetle. I've run the antenna to the dash, that was the easy part. My problem is placement of the tuner.

This is a hidden satellite tuner that will be controlled by my aftermarket receiver. This is a box roughly 4"W x 4"D x 1.5"H. I'm having the hardest time find a spot for it. I'd rather not install it under the passenger's seat. I'd like it somewhere underneath or inside the dashboard if possible.

Since the dashboard is big enough to take a nap on, I thought for sure there would be plenty of good places. But I'm not finding them.

I've searched all over this forum, but can't see to find any suggestions on where to put it. 99% of the Sirius/XM threads deal primarily with Roady-style receivers. I was 2 seconds from riping out the center console facade before I decided it might be better to ask around the forum.

Any ideas?

[NBTurboFreak]

I have 3 parts of mine hidden away in my dash. The main part of my headunit is under the carpet at the highest point of the passenger floor. I have my Sirius and add on EQ in the dash, one box is behind the black panel above the pedals and the other box is dash area where it mets the floor at the cupholders.

[guitardude5]

I have the black box Sirius tuner mounted under my dash. When you take the center cap off your dash and take off the passenger side top dash panel, you will see a small amount of space behind the airbag. Mine has been in the for a couple months with no issues. It was also very easy to run the wires as it was right next to head unit.

[MikeF74]

All done. I tore out my glove box hoping to find a decent place, but couldn't really find one. Though, with the glove box out of the way it was easier to mount it up under the foam under the dash on the passenger's side. Also with the glove box out of the way it was easier to feed the wires to the stereo.

The hardest part was putting in the new pioneer head unit. That damned thing just didn't want to go in. There is just barely enough room behind the unit. If you've got wires crossing from left to right, there isn't enough clearance between the back of the unit and the dashboard stabilization brace at the back of the DIN slot.

After an hour of trying to jam that sucker in there I realized this to be the case. I then took my AUX line and Sirius control cable and fed it behind this brace to give me just enough extra clearance to fit the stereo into the slot.

I wasn't able to use the snap-in Metra facade that I bought. It just doesn't work well for removable faceplate stereos (or, just my removable faceplate stereo). I hat to settle for the facade that worked in conjunction with the stereo's trim (against my better aesthetic judgment.

One last step... Reassemble my dash.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

[MikeF74]

Oh I'm definitely not brave enough to put it in the door. I'm surprised by how little free space is available anywhere else though.

This was my first stereo install, and all in all it went pretty good. Though I did leave a couple of small unsightly scratches here and there. Of course, now I know to put masking tape everywhere for protection. Beginner's mistake. D'oh.

Oh, and I also have two spare Torx screws.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

No no, that's not the door, that is built inside one of the rear trim panel locations by the rear seat, unused dead space.

[mulligania]

where is your rear speaker too cold? Do you have dot-matrix issues with your tint on the rear window or is that just the effect from the picture.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

The audio system is far from stock, the factory rear driver assemblies have been removed and tossed, the appearance of the glass in the picture is likely due reflection and dust, the glass is fine.

[apodaca]

Originally Posted by Too Cold NB1.8T

How did you get that wire thru the rear window?

[NBTurboFreak]

Originally Posted by apodaca

How did you get that wire thru the rear window?

It is going under the automatic spoiler as Too Cold has a 1.8t model.

[apodaca]

I have mine mounted on the dash inside the car. And because of this, I can't get any reception outside of Tampa, FL. Once I go outside of the city limits, there goes mt Sat radio.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Originally Posted by apodaca

How did you get that wire thru the rear window?

If you are referring to the antenna cable, I first jacketed the cable with a protective wrap and removed the plug from the end, I routed the cable through a factory water tight plug which is only visible when the hatch is open and then carefully ran the it down inside of the applicable "C" pillar to it's destination.

I reattached the plug to the antenna cable and plugged it into the Sat. receiver, reception is fantastic everywhere, often even inside of a garage.