Easy XK8 Fascia Solution
 

Finding a nice looking fascia for a stereo swap is tough. On this forum, I've found members making fascias from 3D printers or modifying existing single DIN fascias to fit the XK8 involving lots of hours and fiberglass. I honestly thought this was going to take days to make, but after I removed the existing stock radio, I found the thickness of the fascia to be that of 3/4" MDF. Why not just make a fascia from that? I did and it only took a few hours from start to finish. I used a belt sander to shape the edges that fit perfectly into the existing fascia mount and used plastic epoxy binder from JB Weld [which is an excellent plastic bonding adhesive].I then sanded the surfaces. Next, I finished the fascia with Krylon textured black paint. If found the MDF bonded to the flimsy plastic frame really helped to strengthen the frame. I hope this helps others looking for an easy solution to the fascia problem.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...607a788efe.jpg
MDF Bonded to the plastic frame
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...7623775339.jpg
Stereo mounted to finished plate
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...e0355b7100.jpg
This created the factory finish to the piece

You can see if this might work ... https://www.ebay.com/itm/28436200293...IAAOSwOEhg5Kci

It's a little pricey for a face plate & harness adapter but it's one of the only one's I've seen for these cars.


Or this unit (which is even more expensive) which claims compatibility with the trunk mounted amp ... https://www.ebay.com/itm/36345975027...oAAOSwTvZg5KgC

If my CD changer continues to give me troubles I'll probably end up trying this kit for a single DIN Bluetooth stereo. But the kit claims that it bypasses the premium amp unit in the trunk (which my car has) so I'm not sure if it's a good fit or not.

Yeah, that's a lot of money for a little more plastic than we already have. I just can't see spending that much on thin plastic mounts. I think I'm going to like this MDF solution once I get it mounted. I'll post pics once I get it finished. I'm working on a plate for the trunk to mount the amps and crossovers. I'll be running all new wire into the doors and dash as I've got a hefty system I'm installing. This is my second Jag I've done this to, but this time, I've redesigned the existing subwoofer cabinets. I've made bigger enclosures by maximizing all the space where the rear subs go. I modeled the cabs with foam and then fiberglassed them. The existing cabs are just too small. I used the shallow mount subs in my other Jag and there's no way to get any decent bass out of them, and I pushed them with 1200 watts and still didn't sound that great.

Has anyone put a double din stereo in an XK8? Looks like it would really mess up the aesthetics, if it's even possible. Thanks.

It's not possible in the area where the radio goes because it has very limited space, but maybe if you have the dash with the Nav area. Better be good at fabricating otherwise it will look really bad.

Yes there are a few who installed double DIN - in this case, they moved some of the controls to inside the center console - just do a search - 48posts about Double DIN

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...14336453&pp=25

Just move the existing controls somewhere else and there is plenty of room

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...icture-214.jpg

I wanted to do the same but cheated - 8" android tablet with a velcro'd case gives me full everything I need - connected via bluetooth (FM modulator at the moment) it gives me full access to my music, sat-nav - everything I'd need. Then easily locked in the glovebox. 10 hour battery life means charge overnight, use all day

Might not be everybody's cup of tea, but for about £100 with no mods required to the car - who cares?

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...b9849dd914.png
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...251876c175.png

Those look nice, I don’t have the sat nav model. Thanks.

Dibbit great example, but it take a deft hand at fabricating to make it look great. Excellent example.