XK8 Deck Replacement, NAV & New Subwoofer

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XK8 Deck Replacement, NAV & New Subwoofer

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Jaguar Forums >> Brand Review >> Audio/Visual Electronics >> XK8 Deck Replacement, NAV & New Subwoofer

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XK8 Deck Replacement, NAV & New Subwoofer - 6/22/2008 12:55:22 AM

h20boy

Posts: 1011
Joined: 3/29/2007
Status: offline

Yet another audio project in my pursuit of the loud and accurate stereo system in this XK8. I now have successfully removed any factory influence in the radio, and my NAV system, as a casualty of war. No speakers, no amplifier, no changer of Jag origin works in the car.

In an effort not to re-direct you to a previous thread in which I did alot of improvements speaker-wise, I will simply restate everything that I now have in this car. Sometimes, looking at the list, I can''''''''t believe I actually did all of it in the first place.

Deck: JVC ADV49 - with DVD playback, 160 GB portable hard drive, HD Radio tuner, and PAC steering wheel controls; video out to the original screen

Navigation: Garmin GVN 53, via NavTV box onto the original screen
Signal Processor: Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.2

Amplifiers: Rockford Fosgate 450.4 (100x4) and JL Audio 500/1v2 mono

Speakers: Front - Polk Audio Momo 6.3/4" components Rear (where the 6.5 subs used to be) - Polk Audio Momo 5.25" components

Subwoofer: JL Audio 10w6v2

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I initially wanted to keep the origina Jag navigation system operational with the new deck, and I had the wiring diagram with the audio wiring, video wiring, and the speed sensor wire. The only thing the audio shop had to track down was the power wiring leading from the deck to the navigation module in the trunk. They claimed they could not keep the navigation system working when the wires were unplugged from the deck. I think it could be done, but I wasn''''''''t about to disagree while they had my car in a thousand pieces. Instead, they talked me into the aftermarket Garmin system which could be integrated into any system as long as there was a screen to connect it to. The NavTV box took the video signals from the Garmin, and the video output signals from the deck, and simply switched between the two to display on the OEM screen.

Here are some pics of the deck in the control area, notice how the deck is recessed into the faceplate; i specifically asked for this, otherwise, this particular model would be sticking 1/2" from the surface. I think this keeps it looking very clean. The deck has several tilt settings, so being mounted low was no problem at all. The color of the buttons are actually blue, but at least when the ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''chameleon'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' functions of this particular deck is on, you can''''''''t see anything but the power indicator and the screen. Had to go with green on the background, although there are other colors and patterns to choose from.

This switch activates the different inputs of the NavTV box, and allows me to either turn it off to keep the Jag clock -

or the video output of the deck, either in DVD disc, MP3 disc, or even displays the directorys and album art of my portable hard drive

or the new Garmin navigation unit. The old nav controls on the dash do not work, but they still illuminate with the interior lights. The new nav system operates entirely from a remote control, and did not have to be tied into the wheel speed sensor (VSS) wire of the car. It was connected to the deck''''''''s tele-mute, and works perfectly when the lady tells me where to go. Sadly, the Garmin voice is not as nice as the original Jag voice. That, I will miss.

I asked that the rear seats not be totally compromised to add a new subwoofer enclosure. I was willing to lose the area behind my seat, but I wanted to keep the passenger side available for my big lab-mix dog, my neice, or laptop case/planner when I bring it in the car. As such, they built a fiberglass enclosure around the new JL Audio sub (which only needed 0.625 ft^3 miminum, and they got me mabye 0.75 ft^3) and wrapped it with vinyl to match the dove grey as best as possible.

Summary
Well, after this particular project, I think I am as close to getting a superior sounding system as I can with the acoustics of this car. It is loud, it sounds great (and I am continually improving on the adjustments to the 31 EQ settings to the F/R and of course, the bass EQ and output levels). I currently am tracking down an alternator whine in one of components, or RCAs, so that is taking me some time... but I pledge to find it in due time.

I learned a ton about the electronics in this car in doing this, and the previous projects. Do''''''''s, don''''''''ts (like don''''''''t mess with the foam in the rear seats), and where to draw the line, if there is one. If anybody has any questions, please feel free to drop me an email or PM.

After installing all of these components in the boot, the JL Audio amp showed it''''''''s wires (c''''''''mon guys, even Rockford Fosgate has a plate to cover all of the connections!!), so the audio guys built me a ''''''''cover'''''''' to hide all of these pieces. Not bad looking actually.

< Message edited by h20boy -- 7/7/2008 3:15:36 PM >

_____________________________

Matt '03 XK8 CvTbl

My Jag Galleries

Post #: 1

RE: XK8 Deck Replacement, NAV & New Subwoofer - 7/7/2008 3:14:07 PM

h20boy

Posts: 1011
Joined: 3/29/2007
Status: offline

Not a single comment, everyone must not have a subscription to this area.

Looking back at these pics, I really hate the J A G U A R stickers... off they come!

_____________________________

Matt '03 XK8 CvTbl

My Jag Galleries

(in reply to h20boy)

Post #: 2

RE: XK8 Deck Replacement, NAV & New Subwoofer - 7/9/2008 4:30:23 AM

sh500

Posts: 21
Joined: 12/1/2007
Status: offline

This is a great install and well thought of. You have managed to keeping it all looking as ''standard'' as possible

I was going to get that same headunit for my XJR but the screen was too small; lucky that you have the dash screen, it seems to complement the headunit very well.

(in reply to h20boy)

Post #: 3

RE: XK8 Deck Replacement, NAV & New Subwoofer - 7/9/2008 3:56:25 PM

h20boy

Posts: 1011
Joined: 3/29/2007
Status: offline

Thanks sh500! I tried to keep it low-key. In addition to selecting this head unit for its chameleon controls, I really like the fact that there are no other dials, buttons or all those pesky logos to look at - CD/DVD, Dobly, DTS, MP3, Bluetooth, HD, SAT ready, and on & on. They are on the top, inset with the faceplate so you can see them only if you really look. My sister borrowed my car for a quick trip to the store and had to call me to ask me how to adjust the volume!

_____________________________

Matt '03 XK8 CvTbl

My Jag Galleries

(in reply to sh500)

Post #: 4