In a few short months the weather will get warmer and I will start using the Jag again. Until then, I wanted to upgrade the radio system, which, quite frankly is horrible. I have the OEM Alpine head unit with the CD changer in the boot. More often than not I find myself listening to Pandora or Spotify through the cassette adapter. We're talking technology from the late 80's.

Before you stop reading, however, please note that I have read most, if not all posts on this forum for radio upgrades and yet I am still stuck.

I noticed that many people here get the radio fascia from Nexxia in the UK. This is what I emailed them 2 days ago:

"Hello,
I am in the process of planning an upgrade to my original stereo system in
my 2005 Jaguar XKR with an Alpine system.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would provide me with the part numbers
for the following items:
1. Single DIN radio fascia
2. A plug that would allow me not to cut the original wiring 3. A mechanism
or a switch that would allow me to retain steering wheel controls.

The VIN on my vehicle ends with A40813. I would appreciate your assistance in helping me source these items by providing me with the part number(s) and/or the link to the items on your web site."

They wrote back to me stating that they have nothing for my car
Does anyone know of any vendor(s) that can provide me with a radio fascia like, for example, H20boy has in his car, as well as the other listed components? This will not be a DIY job as I have two left hands At least I want to have all parts on hand before heading to the installer.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

 

I think the correct replacement fascia pieces are for an XJ. If true, whoever answered your email may not have made the leap across models.

Look again at the threads here and I remember there being several with the appropriate XJ part numbers.

 

These are the two parts you'll need as far as the fascia is concerned:
1. XJ Fascia Surround - part no. LJA6318AB from http://www.sngbarratt.com/PartSearch...rtno=LJA6318AB
2. Single DIN adapter - part no. FP-14-00 from Nexxia Quality Audio Video Wall Plates, Car Audio, Audio Video cables (m)


I can't help with the wiring unfortunately. Maybe someone else can chime in on that.

 

This is exactly my dilemma. All of these web sites claim that these parts are for earlier XK models and I have a 2005XKR. Did anyone here install these on a 2003-2006 cars?

 

Matt - H20boy - has a 2003 so it should be the same, someone will confirm I'm sure.

 

for steering wheel controls check with PAC - Pacific Accessory Corporation - www.pac-audio.com as they show aftermarket interfaces for jaguars. I purchased one from the last summer to replace the head unit in a Mercedes.

 

Devspider,

I've had both the XJ fascia and the single-din adapter from Nexxia with a JVC KD-AVX77 (which I highly recommend) installed in my 2005 XK8, so you shouldn't have any problems. To my knowledge, the XJ fascia should fit all cars from 1997-2006 as Jaguar never changed the center stack design in our XKs.

As for steering wheel controls, at least with a JVC replacement head unit, I used the PAC SWI-JACK. About $40 on eBay.

I still have the stock speakers and amp in the car. The CD Changer will no longer be functional, as I'm sure you're aware of.

 

I did sound system upgrades on both the XK8 (1999) and XKR (2004). Did a flip screen single DIN in the XK8 and never did a panel and it looked fine really, though if I were to do it again I'd have moved the switches down and the unit up. Replaced the amps and speakers both times because the speakers suck (paper cone) and while I could use the XK8 amp it is really out of date. On the XKR the amp has a unique optical interface that nothing I could find works with (even another Alpine which I have as a head unit). Here are some pictures (by the way the sub in the trunk thing doesn't work).

 

I agree the stock systems suck - only hope I can off load mine on eBay while there is still some interest in them.

I've got a 2003 XKR with steering wheel controls for my single DIN Alpine and only ever listen to Pandora, XM-Sirius satellite or maybe a radio app through my phone. I used the same Nexxia steering wheel control I had on my 1997 and it works perfectly. The adapters are usually brand-specific so make sure you get the right one.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have a look at fitting a double-din and relocating the controls the way enderle did - very slick!

While my shop was working on something else (BCM problem - fixed!), I had them remove the disconnected CD and DVD Nav players from the rear quarter area. The Rockford Fosgate amp now sits in a custom mount and probably runs a lot cooler than before. Less non-working crap to haul around now too. I don't miss the CD player at all and never used the Navigation since Google is far better and already on my phone. One caveat - if you are running anything through Bluetooth your bandwidth will be limited and it will not sound as good as a cable-attached iPod or even a regular CD player. Pandora is also limited to MP3-level quality, but it's mostly good enough for the road.

 

Just as a point of clarification, the Jaguar part # LJA6318AB is from a 1997 XK8/XKR (with vin less than 018108) - not from an XJ... and, unfortunately it seems that they are out of stock with no ETA on a new shipment. So while the part is NOT discontinued (yet), no one knows if and when they will be available at a dealer. So your best bet is to find one on eBay or Craigslist from someone parting out a 1997 XK8/R. If you do find a NEW one, then please let me know as I can't seem to find one

 

This is why I'm confused. Forum members are saying that the radio is the same on 96-06, but you're saying otherwise. And so I'm still stuck

 

Basically you're saying that the part works on your 97 and 03?

 

Yes, exact same part worked on both cars.

 

Ok... the early 97's had a different radio than the later xk8/r's... the bezel was also different and that is the one you need. The external dimensions of the bezel are the same and the a/c controls and the heated seat buttons are all the same... it is just the opening where the stereo fits that is different. From another thread, here is a pic of the newer style we have and the older style below (the part # LJA6318AB) which we need (and this pic has that nexxia adapter installed in the opening as well):


Without the Nexxia adapter, the one we need looks like this:


And here is the old style WITH the radio that we need to find since it appears we are going to have to get USED items:


Hope that helps clarify things

 

Actually, we're both right. Part number LJA6318AB was used on 94-97 XJ6's as well as early model 97 XKs. So the good news is that it makes the part easier to come across for us. Gaudin Jaguar has them in-stock for $56.26.
Jaguar Parts - Direct JPLV Porsche Parts.com


Below is a picture of part LJA6318AB in a 95 XJ6. Compare to Blindside's above from a 97 XK. Although the radios are different, the bezel is the same.



You will still need the Nexxia adapter along with this part. And thanks to Blindside for digging up the pictures of the fascia adapter. Hopefully this makes it a little clearer!

 

Alright, I am definitely NOT trying to be argumentative here but that part #LJA6318AB is only for the xk8/r and not the xj at all - thinking it was from an xj only added to my confusion when I was looking for one, until GGG set me straight with this pic here:



...from this thread HERE... if you google the number, it is only shown for the xk8/r... the radio's may be the same but the bezel's are definitely not interchangeable (notice how the xj curves in at the bottom).


And, UNFORTUNATELY, that part LJA6318AB is currently (maybe permanently) NOT available anywhere... except USED. If I am wrong PLEASE let me know as I cannot find a new one ANYWHERE and would like one for the radio swap.

Thanks!

 

Blindside, you are correct. I did some more research and discovered it is the Nexxia faceplace adapter that works for both the 95-97 XJ6s and the 97 XKs (with the part #LJA6318AB bezel). The part #LJA6318AB is indeed unique to the 97 XKs. Sorry for any confusion that I have caused. However, this part does seem to be available from Gaudin Jaguar, as I mentioned in a previous post. Did you attempt ordering it from them?

 

Yes from them, from every dealer in South Florida, from Coventry West, from SNG Barratt and anyone else I could find on both sides of the pond... none to be had.

LUCKILY, I did just get my USED one that I ordered from Jaguar Heaven in Stockton, California.... Danny was awesome and knew exactly what I needed and sent me a very good condition one for $61 shipped to my door in So.Fla. Give him a call at 800-969-4524 (Jaguar parts from the original Jaguar Heaven! Jaguar parts for classic to current models) if anyone needs to get one... he seems to get these 1997's in regularly and parts them out.

NOW I just need to figure out which wiring harness I need upfront at the stereo and in the back at the amp... I think someone mentioned one from a Mazda, but I need to do some more searching on that one.

 

The steering wheel control adapter is a bit of wiring - the radio connections themselves were no different regardless what the dashboard looks like, but it worked in my 97 XK8 and my 03 XKR is all I know.

As for the opening, yes it's kind of frustrating with the earlier models and that goofy odd shape they put on a perfectly square radio.

I never did anything about it when I installed my aftermarket Alpine except recessing the head unit as much as possible. If you really could not stand the look, I would suggest making something up from scratch. It can't be that difficult to find some plastic, styrofoam, light steel etc - maybe from a craft store. Make a template from cardboard then trace it, cut the permanent material to shape, sand the edges and paint it black. Presto, custom face plate. A stereo shop might be able to do something like that but it'll be overpriced if they do.

On a related note, I'll be selling a mint condition working factory radio from my 2003 XKR as well as the CD changer and DVD Nav unit if anybody is interested. It'll be going on eBay sometime next week.