Hi,

I'm thinking of upgrading my car radio ( stock '98 XK8 non-premium audio, cassette player, cd multi-changer ) to give me bluetooth audio. I want it to still work with the steering wheel controls. I'm not bothered about the CD changer working, but I do want the radio to work ( powered antenna ).

I believe I have to buy one of these to get a single DIN slot

Then just buy any head unit (e.g.) that takes my fancy that supports steering wheel controls, buy a car stereo removal tool ( two metal sticks ). I also assume I'll have to buy an aftermarket wiring harness.

I've not done this for a long time, is there anything I'm missing here? I'm thinking it'll probably cost me about £50 plus a head unit.

So my questions are:

How do I determine which after market wiring harness I'll need.
Is that all I need ( facia plate, head unit, harness ) ?

Is there anything I haven't considered?

The process is just slide out old head unit with tool, plug in harness, slide in new head unit?

 

Lots of people have tried. A few have changed their head units. Non really look 'Jagaur' if you know what I mean.

As for using the steering wheel controls that too seems to be very problematic. I have often thought about doing it myself but after seeing others attempts I gave it up as a bad job.

The Alpine sound system gives terrific sound quality, make sure you dont loose that.

Take a look. The replacement head unit is in the right place but would you want that in your Jag?
Also http://www.jaguarforum.com/showthread.php?t=78860

 

Thanks, I might try buying just the fascia first and see if it's going to look terrible or not. It's just the small old cassette player - there's no satnav screen to play with or anything like that,

The sound is currently awful anyway as I'm using one of those cassette adapters.

Process wise, and products to buy, am I on the right track?

( My car hasn't broken down for a while, and the car repair savings account has quite a bit of money in it, so I want to treat my car for good behaviour )

 

Actually, many members have successfully converted to modern audio systems with bluetooth, iPhone, etc... If you search the forum you'll find many threads on audio upgrades.
I have successfully upgraded to a 'state of the art" Alpine unit while maintaining the existing amp and speakers. The steering wheel control is a very easy and straightforward mod.
As far as the upgraded look is concerned...I think my installation looks great and blends nicely with my Jaguar interior. All the necessary fascia pieces are readily available.

 

I'm sure I've searched for this before and just found people suggesting Parrot.

Anyway, for future readers, I've just found this thread, which seems to cover exactly what I want:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ontrols-56937/

 

Being the cheap and generally lazy SOB that I am, I tried several Bluetooth adapters and settled on this one. BC08 FM Transmitter Bluetooth Player Car Kit Dual USB Charger Handsfree MP3 Sale - Banggood.com

It syncs bluetooth music from my cell, and phone calls from my cell and the volume controls on the radio and steering wheel all work. It's even got USB sockets so one of these days I'll get my mirror mounted camera to work.

It's not as elegant but works pretty damn well.....did I mention cheap at about $11.

 

The FM transmitters I've tried haven't worked very well. Perhaps it's due to the lack of available FM radio spectrum around here, I'm not sure.

 

All upgrade options will leave huge ugly gaps around your radio, if you can live with that -- go for it. Crutchfield has the plug in kits and they usually have good deals

 

From what I can tell, this covers those gaps:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

You can only tell once installed. Look at any xk8 with an aftermarket radio

 

I chose to retain the head unit (I much prefer the 'standard' look), build a cable to take the low-level outputs from the head unit to an amp in the boot and swap all the speakers for better ones. The change in quality was incredible.
I installed a dab module that feeds into the stereo and has an aux input, with the aux lead run to the centre cubby box.

 

i can only attest to the fact that the current Alpine upgrade technology provides a much improved and diverse listening experience.
Check out the various pics on the forum of finished upgrades and you can see that alleged "gaps" and poor appearance are really not an issue.

 

Show one clean aftermarket install, I'd really be interested in seeing it

 

mrobinson - You are going to need more than just that Nexxia item... you ALSO will need to buy the radio fascia from an early 1997 xk8 - Read through MY posts HERE on page 5 and HERE ALSO, then also read through the entire posts... if you have any specific questions, please let me know.

As far as the steering wheel controls, mine works FLAWLESSLY with the Metra Axxess ASWC-1...

My new stereo may not look factory perfect but it looks VERY NICE (SEE HERE) and sounds AWESOME! My stereo is now in the 21st century with hands-free calling, bluetooth, aux-in, USB, etc...

I would say go for it...

 

If your okay having the Walmart special look, this is the way to go. This is exactly the type of installs I'm talking about..

 

This is how it's done, totally imperceptible install. It's rocking a Samsung note 4 with automate app. It's got everything, butter smooth software. It actually makes Jaguars new software in its 2016 model cars feel old.




Customizable skins



Google maps



Leaper on startup

 

Here's the 1st pic I found (smoggy). Would you like mayo on your crow sandwich?

 

Yes please, extra mayo




How it actually looks, ghetto fabulous

 

A better look at this beauty

 

hm1's just a hater... don't pay any attention to him. His setup WOULD be nice if he got rid of those mickey mouse nav buttons that don't work anymore... but to each his own.