Does anyone have a suggestion for a resonably priced reliable replacement radio for my 96 VDP. I would actually prefer the OEM but after reading many posts I am convinced it would eventually go bad and I only want to do this once. I don't need anything fancy I would just like it to be able to utilize the factory cd deck in the trunk. I want something that doesn't look out of place and that I can just plug into after removing the old one and button it all back up. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Joe

 

That's probably not going to be possible. I'm not sure is there was any aftermarket head unit compatible with the stock CD changer (I think it was the other way around - one obscure aftermarket changer that worked with the stock head unit), and even if there was, it would be many years discontinued, so you'd have to buy it second hand (assuming you could find one at all).

Also impossible - they all look rather out-of-place because the Jaguar one has a custom oversize fascia.

You can get one of these to make it look 'somewhat less' out-of-place: Autoleads FP-14-00 - Jaguar XJ6, XJ12, Sovereign upto 1997 Fascia Trim Panel

X300 uses a proprietary Jaguar plug/socket, so at the very least you'll need a harness adapter. Something like this: Autoleads PC2-55-4 - Jaguar Sovereign, XJ6, XK8, XKR, XJ-V8, XJ12 Wiring Harness

In my case (IIRC) there was no single harness adapter to convert the Jaguar socket to my particular head unit. I was going to have to daisy chain a Jaguar-to-ISO adapter with an ISO-to-Pioneer adapter, so in the end I just did my own direct terminations with crimps - cleaner and less handshakes.

 

Mine isn't exactly ugly and it works with the factory cd changer.

 

Oubadah, thank you for taking the time to provide such a detailed answer and providing the websites!

5tevie...that looks fine, did it come from crutchfield and did it come with an adapter harness and faceplate? Was it fairly simple to install?

Thanks,
Joe

 

Can't help you there, kongo.
I gave a guy in a local radio shop an extra £37 and he fitted it for me. The radio itself was in the "Used but working" bin in the same shop and cost me an extra £35. Bought with a cash back promise that the radio would work with the Jag's CD equipment. It worked and I was happy with the deal. It's an excellent radio with a great sound to it and my wife loves the sound it makes with her old Barbara Streisand, Gloria Gaynor and Beatles tapes.

 

I am having the same problem with my radio and I am pretty sure I will go the aftermarket route for bluetooth phone connection.

Take a look at this XK8 thread https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...er-6734/page5/

One of the member here did an excellent conversion job and even found an insert to make the single DIN looks not so out of place.

He used a X300 radio fascia to get the best result, available here: Jaguar XJ Radio Fascia Adaptor

Post pictures if you are going aftermarket... I am with you! I will toss a couple hundred bucks in once... but not twice.

 

Luckily my stock unit started working again for me. If yours is doing what mine did (still does once in awhile) which is one station, one volume, try holding down the eject button for the cassette tape. This usually brings mine back to life (don't know why).

 

Thanks! I will give that a try. I read elsewhere that inserting a tape and ejecting it would cure the issue. So when you press the eject button, did you have a cassette in the unit already or not?

 

The first time I had a tape in but since then I can just push on the button with no tape in and it works alot of the time. Good luck!