Well it's Saturday so for me it's a work on the car day. Today I'm going to try to install a new radio
in my '97 XK8. I'm doing a straight swap, the old one for a brand new one that's exactly the same that
I got from Jagpartschicago except, I hope, this one works. I'm pretty mechanically inept but after reading
the tech guides, the how to posts and videos by Reverend Sam I'm feeling fairly confident. With the help
of the good folks on this forum I have already fixed my rear lights issue, my passenger window issue and
my broken cup holder and I'm pretty sure I can get this done too. Thanks again to all the good folks that
contribute to this forum and the how to and diy stickies. Without your help I'd be clueless. Wish me luck.

 

Best of luck. Let us know how it goes....

 

Hopefully it’ll be a straight swap but....
1. USA didn’t have radio security codes so hope you won’t need it. Otherwise make sure you have the security access code to the new radio... just in case
2. Make sure ground electrical connection is good
3. Be careful of the radio’s LCD display. It’s delicate. Don’t ask me how I know. Hmmm

 

Hello,

Thanks for your replies. Well it's done and tickity boo, she's as good as new.
It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I took the lap top out to the car
with me and cued up the videos and away I went. The only thing I ran into was
that whoever opened up the dash before over tightened the screws and broke
the plastic. Oh well, it could have been a lot worse. I was lucky I guess and I
didn't need any security codes and while I had the battery disconnected I
cleaned the poles and tightened them up good. All together it took me about
an hour. Thanks again to Reverend Sam those who take the time to help those
of us that are less mechanically inclined. This was actually fun and
I'm going to try some of the other "easier" stuff.

 

Ozbot,

So, as you dug in during the R&R of your radio deck, you found the dreaded old brittle plastic bits. Unfortunately you'll find a lot of this as the X100 is now at an age when plastic goes bad. It's all over the car and is the same in any old car of this era. I dread having to put screws into old plastic as I just know the plastic will crack!

For these repairs, JB Weld (epoxy glue) will be your best friend.

 

Hi David,

Thanks for your reply. I have noticed that the plastic is very brittle and everywhere.
I did epoxy glue the pieces back together and was extra careful replacing the
screws, no screw gun for the old girl. On the other hand I took her for a spin
after I got the radio in and she runs like a dream, 160kph and she purrs like
a kitten. When I bought the car I was impressed with how well the previous
owner had taken care of it but like any 22 year old car it has a few minor
issues that I'm working on repairing. Also I don't think that the previous owner
ran her much over the 50kph city speed limit and used it as a daily driver in
Vancouver. I think with these cars you have to take them for a good run
every once in a while.

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ing%94-219579/

 

Well done. And as you have already been warned, watch out for cracking and disintegrating plastic bits (especially in the engine bay)….

 

Hi Guys,

Just a general question. The information label on the driver side door post says date of manufacture is Oct 8,1996
and the previous owner took possession of the car on Nov 15, 1996. This actually makes my car a 1996 XK8 not
a 1997 doesn't it? The serial number ends with 002693.

 

Your situation is quite normal across the automotive industry. Keep in mind that many of the 2020 models are available now or will be available soon....

 

ozbot FYI . My "97 has Serial # 005562.

 

Thanks for clearing that up. I just bought the car a month ago and I'm still in the
"I'm in love" stage and I'm trying to find out all I can about the old girl. On my journey
around the forums I found a post by GGG that shows a production numbers chart and
2925 XK8 coupes were made in 1996. Because of my VIN number being in that range
I assumed it was one of these and a '96 instead of a '97. After reading the above post
by Jon89 and the VIN ranges shown in MRomaniks reply I understand that my car is
designated as being in the 1997 model year even though it was built and sold in 1996.
Thanks for your help folks. It's people like you that make this forum a great place to
get info for new owners like me.