Hello all,
I acknowledge that this is an old topic, but I could really use your help. I have a 2002 xk8 convertible and I'm trying to replace the premium head unit radio with a single din JVC unit I purchased a while ago. I'm not an electronics guy by any means, but thanks to the links and help from this forum, I successfully installed a new antenna and a nav unit in place of the factory unit behind the dash (that looks and works great, btw).

I acquired single din adapter wiring and facia from the place in the UK (pricier than I thought it should be, but oh well). As you already know, it did not come with instructions. I've been searching this forum and Youtube for hours and hours across the last year for a more detailed 'how to' of this project with no success. From what I gather so far, the new wiring from my UK kit must run from the new radio behind the dash, under the center console, under the carpet in the back seat, behind the seat to ultimately reach the amplifier and hopefully all of the new plugs will fit the old existing fittings for the amp without disturbing the speaker wiring. I have the center console out already, but I would really benefit from some photos and step-by-step narrative of this project before I take anything else apart. I got so frustrated that I called around to MANY Metro Detroit audio shops to pay someone to do it, only to be told, "Nope, we don't work on those older cars."

I bow to the collective experience and expertise of this forum. Please help!

If I missed the detailed thread/post on this in my searches, please forgive me. My beautiful jag has been in the garage for over a year because of this.

 

Pickings are slim for a lot of how-to videos on these cars. I suspect because there's just not that many of them around.

I think, at this point, I'd verify that the cable connectors on your kit match those currently plugged into the amp. My understanding is that this adapter harness connects an aftermarket head unit to the factory amp. Is that correct?

Once you've verified that they'll connect, all you can do is to "learn by doin'." Pull the passenger and rear seats out. remove the carpet, or at least enough to pull it back far enough to where you can see the factory wiring routing. This will be a much bigger PITA than it should be. You may have to pull off the door sill plates, which, IIRC will require glue to replace as they're glued in. Yay, Jag! I think videos exist on this task. Pull the side panel off of the right side rear speaker. I believe the wires from the head unit run through that section into the trunk. Then run your wires.

It's a daunting job, but if you break it up in little chunks and take your time, and persevere, you'll get it finished. Be sure to photograph each step as you do it, partially for a souvenir, and partially as reference when you go to reassemble. And don't forget to bag and tag all the screws you remove.

 

Y2KJag, thanks so much for your thoughtful reply. Your suggestions make sense...I'll just have to muster up the courage to dive back in. I'll document as much as I can for future reference and possible help for others.
Thanks again!

 

First of all are you sure you got an adapter kit for the premium sound system, rather than the standard system? Are the wires that came with it long enough to reach the boot of the car from the stereo?

The wiring run itself is easy to route, going along the centre console in the middle of the car, then under the back seat - no carpet or tread plates to pull up. The wires can be tucked away up the side of the centre console and routed out to the back seat down the middle of the car. You will need to remove the back seat cushion (bottom held in place by two nuts) - I can't remember how the seat back comes out, but it is also easy to do. Run the wires across the seat and up into the corner (seated shoulder height) where the hydraulic cables pass from the boot - follow those cables into the boot and you will be where the amplifiier is located. Join the wires from your head unit to the corresponding wires at the amplifier location and that should be it.

If you don't already have it, get the electrical guide for your car. This will show you what the wire colours you need to connect to:-

JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource

I'm surprised you can't find an audio shop to do this work - maybe if you bought the head unit from them, rather than wanting them to work on your kit. You could also ask auto electricians - print out figure 16.2 from the electrical guide and take it with you so they can see they have all the information they need - this really isn't a difficult job.

 

Why the extensive rewiring?
If you had the premium system, you have the wiring back to the amp. I would have thought a patch lead to connect new head unit to that existing harness would be all you need, not a complete rewiring of the car.
A few minutes with wiring diagram and the relevant plugs/sockets to rig such a patch.