It's been a while since I replaced my radio (Alpine unit), so I don't remember everything, but a couple answers:
Installing a Pioneer DMH-1500 NEX into my 17 premium with no amp or hk stereo. I am having a heck of a time fitting the wire harness, and the Maestro unit into the cavity while keeping the bulky Starlink module installed. A few questions:
1: Has anyone done this? Any suggestions on how to make it fit?
When I did mine, I also added the miniature Alpine amp. Trying to wedge that, the Starlink unit, and the head unit was not fun, especially getting the various connections to the Starlink unit. It took some finagling and pushing wiring harnesses around, but I eventually got it to fit (though it is tight and I had to "hang" the amp down further behind the climate controls).
2: Are the metal brackets on the left and right side of the cavity for the old radio and can they be removed?
Might have to see pictures. When I pulled my radio, the brackets were attached to it (after removing the 4 bolts). I don't remember other brackets, but it has been a while.
3: Do they make Starlink wire adapters so that I can mount Starlink in the glove box?
No idea on this one. I know I bought a couple connectors off Mouser Electronics (can't remember how I found them - Mouser part #571-175966-2 (male), 571-175615-2 (female), and 571-173681-1-CT (pins)) to plug into the speaker connection parts of the Starlink connector, so you could get those and extend that part. The antennae would be the hard part, but if someone knows the connector type, that might help.
4: What if I bag the Starlink and dont connect it? I lose the front speakers as I understand it. Anything else? Issues not using Starlink?
There used to be someone (name escapes me) who sold a Starlink "bypass plug" - when you remove it, it basically does a loopback of the connector so your speakers still work. When I put my unit in, I manually created that, and then ran the actual Starlink connection down to some cheapo Amazon-special speakers (I think they were higher impedance than normal) which I put on either side of the console around the shifter. Beyond front speakers, you obviously lose all the telematics-based stuff, but if you aren't using that, then the front speakers are the main item I'm aware of (unless you do the loopback or bridge the wires directly).
