I have been thinking about a stereo replacement in my 98 XJ8 base, but I have held off because all the head units I have found are hideous. Then, I started reading up on Apple’s CarPlay and stumbled upon the Alpine ILX-007 and what intrigues me is how the unit is less than half the size as a standard double din unit.



I'm thinking that it might fit with a little modification to the stereo housing.

What do you guys think?

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc.

 

I haven't yet pulled the trim out on mine so I don't know the depth available to clear the supports, but it might fit if you have to modify up a trim piece that will sit the unit farther out. The downfall is then it will all sit out farther that the hvac above so it might look a little more out of place than normal. But if you bevel the trim out, and if it doesn't have to come out TOO far, it might be fine. Just my thoughts, of course.

 

Looks about the same as the Parrot Asteroid Smart.

Keen to hear if either fit... but my money's on no

 

Keep us updated if you decide to go for it!.

 

OK, this'll be what you're dealing with.
The X308 radio opening reveals a frame metal piece accross the top of the opening, but absolutely in the way to any 2-din radio. Right now I couldn't say exactly, but I think the piece is located nearly 2" to 3" deep, so this 3" deep Alpine radio would be kind of pushing it if you want the new radio to be flush, or at least at the same angle as the stock radio.

However, you can always tilt the radio in the manner I did (left pic below), but unfortunately, this ILX-007 Alpine radio is just too high (top to bottom) at close to 3 7/8" compared to the max height of 3 3/8" that the opening allows, even when tilted to the max. Conversely, the 7" TFT display radio that I recently installed was chosen strictly with the very least height possible in mind, yet, it still needed to be tilted as much as possible in order to fit it in there. BTW, my radio, is a single din unit with the radio body at the top, compared to the Jaguar stock unit with the radio body at mid point high, most likely to avoid that dreaded piece of metal.

Finally, even if this Alpine radio was depth-wise able to just clear that metal piece, 3 7/8" height will simply not fit in the existing opening as it is, worse yet if not tilted.

P.S. I'm also adding a picture of somebody's nice and clean install (picture to the right), but which was achieved with a smaller display, looking more like a 6.1" instead, similarly as addressed in the X308 "double din" thread here at this forum.

Cheers,

 

That second pic was done by EAPJ. pics of their install are on the multimedia page on their website

 

Looking at the Alpine unit again, the chassis is 3 7/8" tall. But what about just the screen?
I wonder if you might be able to remove the screen from the main body of the unit, and tuck it a bit further back?

 

By geometry rules, all screens that measure 7" diagonally will derive the same height (3 1/2") and width (6 1/16"). In looking at the picture of my install for reference, it'd appear that, if the whole frame was removed from it and the 7" screen was left alone by itself, it may just fit in there without much alteration. However, the edge of the LCD layers would need to be protected. In addition, this fitment will allow installation without much tilt, which is a problem because that metal piece will still be in the way, unless it's OK to leave the radio sticking out.

Cheers,

 

The guys at EAPJ cut the cross piece and relocated the airbag module that sits on top of the trans tunnel behind the stereo further towards the front bulkhead, this gave them a lot more wiggle room. As it was a number of years ago I'd guess 6" was top of the range.

I just use hidden velcro tabs and the ipad for infotainment on distance journeys.