I would like to share the following for those who are looking to update the stereo head unit. This is almost a plug and play upgrade. You only need to remove the centre console to get at the central switch panel above/ containing the head unit. All very easy with a screwdriver or 2.

I wanted a bluetooth and ipod solution whilse maintaining the steering wheel controls, but I did not want to cover the interior with after market buttons and displays. I was also not interested in keeping the boot/ trunk mounted CD Stacker as it kept going into error anyway.

I have updated my 1999 stock head unit (the one with with the phone keypad) with an aftermarket Alpine unit, (with Bluetooth and Ipod controller) and it works with my steering wheel controls.

Note: mine is the basic 1999 ICE system (phone button on head unit) without a boot/ trunk mounted amp.

The Adapter Cable + Steering Wheel Interface can be found on the Nexxia website you will see it works for a number of aftermarket headunits.

To better integrate the apperance of the headunit in the centre console when I noticed that the early XK8's shared the sime head unit from the 1995 XJ6 (X300). I previously owned one of these XJ's and knew that you can buy a facia adapter (also on the nexia website) that adapts the facia from that curved head unit to a standard DIN unit.

So I bought an early XK8 plastic central facia panel (about £35 from Jaguar) + the XJ6 Facia adapter and the aftermarket unit fits nicely into the central facia/ dash. (All the Aircon and lighting switches etc are the same on the earlier and 1999 models and can be moved across).

Total Cost/ Parts List:-Before

After

regards

 

I really like the appearance of the install, very nice! Do you have the part number for the xk8 center fascia you purchased from the dealer, I may try to re-install my single din, but I didn't know the auxiliary buttons could be moved to the 'retro' panel. I may give it a shot, my fabrication skills are rather lacking, and my corners aren't perfect, curvature isn't exact...etc.

 

crap, nevermind, I see the part number now in your 'list', thanks for the tips!

 

Finally got the Nexxia fascia adapter and the XJ6 trim piece in.







This has to be the best option for a single-din replacement head unit. Looks fantastic, and i liked the 'custom' one above this for the longest time!

 

That looks excellent! Much better than the one you had before, and I though it looked pretty decent. It almost looks OEM. How much did it cost, and from where did you buy it?


Notice I said "from where did you buy it", not "where did you buy it from". I don't want Paul Pavlik giving me a hard time for ending a sentence in a preposition! LOL! By the way, Paul's last name must be spelled wrong because there's a little red squiggly line under it!

Oh, I crack myself up. Or maybe it's the beer. My first beer in a month and one beer gave me a buzz.

 

It's kinda weird, I've been comparing your pics to smoggy's, and I think your's looks a lot better (no offense, smoggy). Your head unit is more flush with the trim piece, which makes it look like it's the OEM stereo. His is recessed back into the dash, which makes it look aftermarket.

Although, in your bottom pic it looks like it's recessed more. I assume the display tilts. Is there a way to lock in the display at a certain position? It would suck to be pushing on the touch screen and have the display always moving back when you touched it.

 

I will stick my oar in here
What I reckon would look good is if you blended the shaped facia with the centre surround, less seperate parts. I wont deny the earlier XK and XJ centres work a lot easier with after market head units.

When I make my surrounds I always try to tilt the head unit a bit, that way it blends better with the facia shape.

Looks good though

 

No offence taken sam

It looks like H2O's head unit has a tilt mechanism and this combined with also being black and bulkier I agree it does lot more factory than my silver one.

The truth be told if I could get bluetooth/ phone and ipod (with control of it) on the origonal unit I would put it back in. I do like to keep the inside looking origonal when I can.

regards

 

Yes, my head unit has a tilt function, and moves to the setting every time the car/head unit powers up. The touch is very sensitive, so it doesn't actually 'move' anything, though I wouldn't my youngest niece trying to change tracks or folders.

At the top, it protrudes about 1/8-inch (or 6 cm roughly) from the trim piece, and due to the curve, appears deeper at the bottom.

Reverend, Nexxia over in the UK is the only place for the 'insert' adapter, and the xj6 trim console can be had from our sponsor Gaudin or Nalley. There's a part number above you from smoggy.

Glad you guys like the new idea smoggy found for us all to consider...it'll help many get that newer head unit in this model car w/o going 'custom' which scares most off due to the cost, and possibility of not matching colors, etc.

 

That head unit looks sleek H2Oboy! Smoggyx100 I got lucky because when I bought my XKR it had a Parrot MKi9200 (voice activated) which allows the use of USB,IPOD,SD and Bluetooth connectability without the removal of the original unit. It's awesome in my opinion. I will take some pics so you can see the setup. You can change the wallpapers to a Jag theme so it looks somewhat factory. Only problem is I can't find the wires to hook all those goodies up HAHA, so I just use bluetooth.

 

Smoggy / H2O, both great looking installations! Not only this, but both of your cars have been improved with the addition of XJ6 parts, (IMHO)however miniscule by weight, function, cost or importance!
Sorry, couldn't resist a bit of good-natured ribbing....

Olc101, have you looked under the center console? I installed a Parrot MKI-9200 in my daughter's 03 S-type and am glad to finally find another member who appreciates its marvelous utility! (Even if I had to depart my normal S-type and X300 haunts to find one) Great pc. of gear - blows the factory-installed BT module in the wife's S-type out of the water...dayum thing won't even stream audio! But I digress....they supply a special grommet for 3/4" hole in the center box (you have to drill it) to bring the wires through. Could be the PO of your car was skittish on hole-drilling, really just wanted BT and/or phone and just tucked 'em under the console. Or....maybe they zip-tied the cable in a small wad near the blue control module, wherever they mounted it. It will have an Apple connector, USB, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack all held together by a neat little molded-rubber cap.

 

I finally got an account to upload pics. So here they are. I looked under the center console put the connections weren't there.

 

Hi Smoggy,

Excellent walk through initially. I purchased all the relevant parts listed in your post, and set about installing my nice new shiny Sony BlueTooth head unit.. everything out and was about to put everything back when I discovered that my loom connection to the stock radio was completely different to that of the PC2-55-4 iso patch cable - it seems that I have an amplified version which I did not know..

Have tried to source an appropriate cable but so have been unlucky - have you come across one? Any comments greatly appreciated..

 

Beam me up Scotty.

 

...no you din-unt !!

 

PunterHunter

Sorry bit i'm not sure what cable to get for an amplified system. Is in one on theis link, jaguar at Nexxia ?

If not maybe XKRacer can help.

regards

 

If you have the premium system, as far as I know there is no plug available, what you have to do is basically make up your own, cut the plug off and make your own connections

Can not be certain off the top of my head but the steering controls are a yellow and white wire, only prob you get there are about 4 different looms, it can vary, Jaguar don't like making things easy!

 

I just order both of these for my '02 XKR. I bought the same head unit that H2Oboy has and will be doing the install within the next couple of weeks. I got the XJ6 Center Console Switch Cover from Coventry West; they had several used in great shape for $45. Very easy to work with those guys, will definitely use them again.

Mark

 

Hi ya,

Just a quick message. The head unit you installed in your XK what make and model is it? And did you have to do anything with the Jaguar loom connection to connect it to the head unit or by some mirical of fate does the connectors fit without modification?

Have a Sony Bluetooth head unit from my old MGTF which I was going to install but as you can see from the post trail, I'm having difficulty in managing this without going to a proper ICE specialist which will probably cost lots.. I have the sing DIN adapter plus the new surround, must need to fit a new head unit.

Cheer's

Garry

 

Sorry, last message was for H2Oboy