Here are some pictures of the installation of my Alpine Stereo with Ipod Touch interface.

The Fascia plate is finished in Suede and I sourced some Jaguar Original Leather to match the interior of my XJ8 to compliment the Ipod holder within my centre console.

 

Very clean install.. nice work. Could you have fit a double din in there or would that have been too big?

 

whiteSTR, I was thinking the very same thing when I saw the singleDIN installation.

 

Hi guys, firstly, thanks for your kind comments, it did take me some time to complete as I am quite the perfectionist!

I did look at a double din installation, but this will require some serious modification to the dashboard due to all of the intricate componantes that sit just behind the stereo.

I believe the ECU for the gear box sits right underneath the OEM stereo..

It might work if you angle the doubin din by 30 degrees, but to be totally fair, I wanted to install my pre purchased Alpine in order to plug and play my Ipod..

Either way, I am 101% happy with what I produced!

 

hey what does it look like when you take the stock radio out if you dont put that black on it? is it too tacky or what? idk where i would find that black material

 

I've matched my color and texture with a little time and patience. I took the base faceplate, painted it black, added some texture with this can of rustoleum 'textured' black from lowes that has some 'grit' to it, then applied a very light dusting of clear... did this a few times until the perfect combination of texture and color and sheen resulted.

 

that looks great man but was that plate around your radio there when you took the stock one out? or did you make it?

 

It was made...from wood. Easier to work and sand down to the perfect size.

 

see everytime i try to tackle one of these custom projects something breaks. lol. which leaves me to the stock radio haha it looks great though man!

 

It looks really nasty without anything there, there is alot of rough cut plastic and voids

 

To answer mbxjr01's question regarding how it looks without the plastic surround in place..

 

H20boy, you're installation is the best one I've seen, you should be proud of your efforts!!

 

thanks alot Morgai!

 

how much would you want to make one? black just like yours

 

If you can get/have the faceplate fabricated and ready install, I can texture it and blacken it for you to match the rest of the controls at no charge. I still have all paints in my garage. You just need to get it to me and cover postage out.

I wouldn't want to make it for you (or my shop) unless you plan on doing the exact same thing that i did - recess the JVC unit. Otherwise, it may be too much of an opening for a standard radio.

Let me know, here to help if you need it.

 

okay man yea i will let you know!

 

@ h20boy- SICK SET UP// JEALOUS

 

IS there a harness adapter for an 03 XJ8 ? and Better yet, a DIN adapter for that year car? I am looking at doing it myself, and dont wanna have to cut wires to do it.

 

Hello There
I am new to the forum and forgive me if I have posted this in the wrong section and please forgive my coming questions maybe you or someone could help me. Firstly! Boy what a great job well done mate it looks as if it should be there! Now I have a 1996 XK8. Do you know or now of another poster who has done this on a 1996 XK8? Also I wonder if you know if I can remove the complete wood veneered facia plate that houses the dials on my 1996 model and fit the facia plate from a later say 2002 model XK8. As you said you dont need any of the original control knobs etc. Hope you or maybe someone else can help. If it is poss would you make me a face plate like yours I will get the same head unit as yours or the update you mentioned as I think it looks really good. If it is the same size facia plate I can get one from a breakers yard. Thanks for your patience. Regards Ken MacKenzie

 

Ken, I have a couple questions.

First, you sure you have a '96 my, the xk8s started in '97.

If your car is just like mine, there are no wood veneer sections around the radio...only the navigation screen. Is that what you were referring to?

I'm not sure what you may need built, but I am willing to help if I can.