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To this date I have been getting information from this forum so maybe it's time for me to give some back.
Given that the XK8 is fitted with an outdated radio and deprecated SatNav all in a very unique and expensive dashboard,
When one tries to move it to the 21st century, one ends up with a lot of small problems to solve and questions to answer.
Then once completed, one feels the need to share with the community while talking about himself at the first person.
so here is what I have done:
removing the Radio, CD Changer, SatNav head unit and SatNav central unit,
replacing all of that with a single device providing SatNav, Waze, Spotify (android appstore), ditching the need for Tapes and CDs,
integrating with existing steering wheel controls,
integrated the screen within existing SatNav Screen with zero degradation (I can refit the old SatNav),
applying a final touch to make sure everything looks well integrated inline with the car's interior.
what did I use for all of that:
head unit: I went for Joying Auto, to leverage their concept of detached screen (I had to purchase the screen cable extension)
Firstly, removing all the 90s electronic wasn't particularly complicated, however it left me with a lot of Junk…
Then there was a lot of space to fit the replacements, start with wiring which was straight forward, the Joying adaptor connects to the 12 pin interface adaptor (instructions are very simple, it worked first time, quite pleased with the simplicity.
Then it was time for the screen support that fits in place of the SatNav Head unit and uses the mounts provided by Joying Auto therefore there is no alteration done to the dashboard panel nor any other elements.
I had to design and 3D print the support to mock the shape of the SatNav Head unit, after that it was a simple matter of fitting the screen mounts where the satnav buttons should be.
Once fitted, it uses the original screws and has a gap for cables.
Then I was able to re-assemble the dashboard.
From there it’s a simple matter of assembling the screen in the way the manufacturer intended it.
Then I had to make a cover to conceal the reverse sensor indicator and cover the exposed bare metal, once again 3D printing was the solution assorted with a lot of sanding and painting.
At that point all the hardware was fitted so I had to configure the new android based head installing and configuring the following apps:
Nova Launcher: rather than using a launcher designed for dashboard (car or other) I have preferred a highly configurable Launcher, Nova allowed me to build a minimal setup suiting my needs.
Waze: because now I have a modern sat nav
Spotify: because this is the 21st century and I don’t own CDs anymore
Torque Pro and Widget for Torque: to connect to the ODB2 Bluetooth adaptor
This is configure to start on launch with a 4 dials setup,
I have also added a few widget dials on the homepage (which I never use)
General settings: configured to show Jaguar logo on start… obviously..
It also has capabilities for android auto and radio however I don’t have much of a needs for any of these (I don’t take calls in this car).
Homepage
And that was it:
I have been using this setup for a few months now very happy about it, people think it's factory fitted, loving the feeling.
only issue is that the GPS antenna is fitted directly being the screen and due to the amount of metal around it, it gives pretty bad reading so I need to move it somewhere else.
now I need to replace the speakers... after 22 years the sound is not so good anymore.
Do you have any photos of the wiring? My jag is now in bits and the stuff Joying sent me doesn't marry up with what's currently in the jag so I'll have to rewire everything by the looks of it, please tell me there's an easier way 😂
Do you have any photos of the wiring? My jag is now in bits and the stuff Joying sent me doesn't marry up with what's currently in the jag so I'll have to rewire everything by the looks of it, please tell me there's an easier way 😂
Oh dear... we've all been there...
unfortunately I don't have any photos from the wiring however I can describe what you should expect (from memory).
Joying provides adaptor from their head unit to standard ISO connector (consisting of 2 8-pins connectors)
Hi I was so impressed with MonkeyBrain’s Joying upgrade i have purchased same unit via Aliexpress and plan to install in my 2005 XK8 convertible. Thanks also for publishing the CAD for Mounting plates on Thingyverse, which a mate of mine kindly printed for me. I note you needed the 300mm extension ribbon cable so i just ordered that from China pity I didn’t order when I ordered the Screen and head.
I am also impressed with the blank plate you printed to cover the head unit - i assume you didn’t need the replacement sngle din moulding that Incartec supply?? I wonder could you also publish the blanking plate CAD to 3d print please?
Hi I was so impressed with MonkeyBrain’s Joying upgrade i have purchased same unit via Aliexpress and plan to install in my 2005 XK8 convertible. Thanks also for publishing the CAD for Mounting plates on Thingyverse, which a mate of mine kindly printed for me. I note you needed the 300mm extension ribbon cable so i just ordered that from China pity I didn’t order when I ordered the Screen and head.
I am also impressed with the blank plate you printed to cover the head unit - i assume you didn’t need the replacement sngle din moulding that Incartec supply?? I wonder could you also publish the blanking plate CAD to 3d print please?
I am very flattered to read this post has inspired someone to do similar modifications!!!
Don't forget to buy the adaptor to connect to the jag's connector.
Regarding the covering plate, you are right it is 3D printed however I didn't share the blueprint because it has a housing for my reverse sensor box (fitted by previous owner).
Since you ask, I can export a blank version and publish it on thingiverse.
It comes with a small warning, this part is not just about 3D printing... To get the smooth result shown on th le photos it took a layer of resine (for strength and smoothness) followed by several layers of primer and sanding to erase imperfections.
And make sure you don't print in PLA which won't resist sun heat in summer.
Ooooh I just got hold of a nav trim and spare radio bracket with a view to doing something like this. I too would cheerfully pay you for that 3d printed bracket though. I've been working on a raspberry pi based solution because I have trouble trusting a random android thingy compiled in china, but I acknowledge that Xi Jing Pin and the chinese communist party probably aren't interested in hacking my old jaguar.
I've also contemplated just shoving an old mobile phone behind the nav screen and leaving it at that lol.
Hello again, many thanks for sharing the blanking panel CAD. I wish i had such design skills! May I ask with the Joying head hidden in the void behind did you mount the head cradle/steel cage in anyway or does it just lie in the space? Cheers
Ooooh I just got hold of a nav trim and spare radio bracket with a view to doing something like this. I too would cheerfully pay you for that 3d printed bracket though. I've been working on a raspberry pi based solution because I have trouble trusting a random android thingy compiled in china, but I acknowledge that Xi Jing Pin and the chinese communist party probably aren't interested in hacking my old jaguar.
I've also contemplated just shoving an old mobile phone behind the nav screen and leaving it at that lol.
in fairness I wouldn't be against keeping the screen and deploying my own boot using a raspberry pi (or similar), however the 3d part is designed to work with the screens supplied by joying.
in fairness I wouldn't be against keeping the screen and deploying my own boot using a raspberry pi (or similar), however the 3d part is designed to work with the screens supplied by joying.
Looking good !!!!
I recognise joying screen and GPS antenna, however the head unit fitting seems different, what did you use ?
did you get the steering wheel control working to ?
@MonkeyBrain question: in your list of parts, you mention the steering wheel control interface which is listed as compatible with standard audio, not premium, but your original audio stack looks like the premium one. Did this present any additional problems, or was the wiring the same for the steering wheel interface?
I too am also interested in what @Lemo1210 did differently above. the joying unit you posted appears to have a quite large processor module associated with it, vs what's shown in Lemo's picture. If he's used the same model he's hidden that processor somewhere very effectively. His tombstone surround trim there is from the Standard audio package which had a smaller head unit. Makes quite a nice cubby. Would be neat to mod that with a little blanking plate and some kind of storage bin mechanism stolen out of another car. I'm thinking a spring/hinge arrangement from an overhead sunglasses pocket, specifically a Toyota one. Plenty of old priuses at the local pick n pull!
Looking good !!!!
I recognise joying screen and GPS antenna, however the head unit fitting seems different, what did you use ?
did you get the steering wheel control working to ?
Thanks! I used a scrap bit of textured black plastic from work, cut holes in it so I could have the 4g and gps antennas in the old head unit hole. The new head unit is behind the plate at a slight upwards angle due to the space behind the center console 😊
ahhhh thank you @baxtor for the explanation, I was confusing "standard" audio with the head unit that was fitted up to MY1997 which may be the piece he has there see image in video here at time indicated
@MonkeyBrain question: in your list of parts, you mention the steering wheel control interface which is listed as compatible with standard audio, not premium, but your original audio stack looks like the premium one. Did this present any additional problems, or was the wiring the same for the steering wheel interface?
yes MY 2000 with the phone and satnav has the same head unit has the premium (just lacks the amp in the boot).
I mentioned "compatible with standard audio" because that's what I have worked with, in fairness the steering wheel interface should be the same regardless of the sound system but I coudn't be certain without investigating hence I stated my environnement.
also the website where I bought the adaptor differentiates by model year and audio, so maybe there is a difference in input, the output should be standard... make sure you buy the right part.
Last edited by MonkeyBrain; Feb 24, 2023 at 03:52 PM.
I wasn't aware of that, so far I haven't had any issue.
what kind of issue have been experienced ? and is there a safer alternative ?
FYI my experience of this is it really depends on the ELM adapter you use and the chip it has in it - I use an obdlink mx+ bluetooth which is well regarded as having faster hardware which can keep up with the ecu and poll effectively. Never had an issue displaying live data from ecus in torque with this in my 2nd gen miata, 2nd gen Tundra (comparable engine - mid 2000s DOHC V8 and canbus) or the Jag. I suspect people having issues are using cheaper ELM adapters with slower hardware. https://www.obdlink.com/products/obdlink-mxp/
@MonkeyBrain Just recently rejoined the forum. So glad to see that my post was of some help in your installation. The addition of the printed parts for those that would prefer not to cut up the veneers is a great addition!
As to the steering wheel stereo controls, they are only a plus / minus and ground. If you are using the Joying unit, it should see them without an adaptor. You can then teach the unit in the settings to recognise the inputs from the switches and run from there.
