Here's my solution... And it has great volume level too:
- I removed the aux. input box in the back of the console and moved it to the center of the console, so the when you open the door to the aux input, there's only a hole where the aux plug used to be.
- Then I bought a A/B Selector switch which has my XM as the A input, and my iPod as the B input. (See Ref. 1)
- After that I hooked up a Signal/Volume Booster, so amp the signal from XM and the iPod. (See Ref. 2)
However I found that at times I got some feedback squeals, so I also added a group loop isolator to remove that static noise ( See ref. 3)
1) This is the way the A/B switch works. When it has 12v+ to it, input A is selected. When the switch is off, then input B is selected. It's a great little unit, and fits inside the center console. I bought a simple toggle switch from RadioShack and that's what I used to turn it on and off.
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Picture of it
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Link to Buy $26
2) The signal/volume booster is crucial. This is actually the way the Harmon Kardon Speakers were meant to bump.
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Picture of Booster
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Link to Buy $33.50
3) Here's the whine/alternator feedback remover if you need it. This can also be bought from Best Buy or any car electronics place.
Any of These Noise Filters Work. I got mine from
Radio Shack
4) For the XM input, I used a regular 3.5mm to 2 RCA.
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Looks like This
5) For the iPod, I wanted a cable that charged it as well. So this is what I used.
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Picture of iPod Cable
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Link to Buy or this one
Link to Buy
-And also one of these:
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Link to Buy
In my opinion this was the way to go, and it works and sounds amazing. I can write in detail how to do it as well if needed. I found a 12v+ connected to the aux. input box, that was a purple wire where I tapped all my 12v+ into. Then my 12v- all tapped into a black wire that also connected to the aux. input box in the console. If you have a multimeter, that helps as well to figure all that out too.
Here Are a Few Pics:
-Notice the 2 switches on the bottom left behind the parking brake. The top switch is for my aux input A/B. The 2nd is to turn my radar detector on and off. Notice the iPod connector on my iPod that runs under the console to the A/B switch inside the console.
XM Portion:
-This is how I mounted my XM radio. I took the whole plastic docking unit apart so only the connector was visible. Took a roto-drill and cut a rectangle in the console and rubber pad so the unit's plug poked through. Screwed it in place.
Picture of Dock for XM:
-Here's a pic of the actual opening I cut for the XM unit. Wasn't too difficult.
Wire wise this is how it works:
XM Input -----A------>
------ A/B Switch ---> Signal Amp ----> Ground Loop Iso. ----> Land Rover's Aux. Input
iPod Input----B------>
Overall the whole thing was not that difficult, and I could gladly explain in more depth how to do it, or if you have any questions. This is not the only way to do it well, but this is the way which I did it to do it "professionally". Hope this helps and gives some of you all some ideas.