What replacement can I get for my 420G Radio?

[dgrahamenquiries100]

Dear All,

I wonder if anyone can help? I would like to replace the radio in my Jaguar 420G with a unit that can play music from my Iphone.

Can anyone recommend a unit that would fit without drastic and non reversable alterations to the centrel console?

Many thanks.

Regards

David

[richard582]

There was a firm down in Hastings that specialises in up-to-date tech head units that integrate into a period-looking, say Radiomobile, by stripping out its old innards. But I can't remember their name or whether today they're still in business...
Another method might be to use a modern head unit but house it into your 420G's drawer that was fitted if the radio option wasn't ordered...

[JimMann]

Jaguar Classic Parts have a range of period correct radios that are to the latest DAB specifications, cost is circa £1,000!

Jim M

[dgrahamenquiries100]

Dear Jim / Richard,

Thank you both for your replies. OMG £1000 that's a lot to pay for a period correct model.

Has anyone replaced their MK X / 420G radio on the forum? I'm not looking for modern car performance, just an adequate usalble unit

Many thanks.

Regards

David

[richard582]

I did see a period Radiomobile at a boot fair in Autumn last year. Nowadays the £40-ish Radiomobile covering Long and Medium Wave only are a sought after item commanding up to £200 in unknown working condition. The Radiomobile cartridge player (LW/MW and VHF) would fetch £600-ish (AFAICR both switchable for +ve or -ve earth) When I "progressed" to a cassette player in my Rover P5 3500 I put the cartridge player in the loft along with all my other stuff "that'll come in useful one day". Unfortunately my family thought I'd become a hoarder and went around throwing things out -- I liked living amid MY junk!

But if you don't care that sticking in a -ve earth only asian-looking cheeepo would stick out like a sore thumb in your 420G's dash then it's easy to pick up the earth, aerial, and speaker connects. I don't know whether you have a two or four speaker set up there. That would dictate what head unit you buy. Second hand units may not have the undertray that a new unit should come with. New should come with a facia plate but again it might be too short lengthwise to bridge the old radio's space. Hence my suggestion of getting a modern unit that adds DAB+, Bluetooth, SD Card, and CD Player. If you want to go TV too then there's units that provide that as well with DVD via a swivel-out screen

The DS420 series used "Clarion" head units as an optional extra

Best I can do for now -- Let us know how you get on?

[JimMann]

Hi David, most classic radios are known as Single DIN, or DIN-1, which is a size denomination, but I don't know the 420G well enough to know whether the radio fitment pre-dates the standardisation of DIN. That said, I would suggest that you make some measurements of the pocket that the radio fits into in the dash of the 420G and then pop down to Halfords, or a local car audio shop, and pick the brains of the young technician onsite.

There could well be a plethora of options if you know the size / dimensions of what will fit into your space and probably not look too far out of place.

Jim M

[dgrahamenquiries100]

Dear Jim / Richard,

Once again thank you both for your replies. I will get the head unit out over the holiday weekend and as you suggest check with Halfords what would fit, and yes I ultimatlely want to end up with a unit that can accomodate blue tooth and DAB, A TV?? now there's a thought lol

Many thanks.

Regards

David

[sjp5977]

Hi David, I have replaced my original 8-track (radios were dealer fit, so anything of the period is correct) with a single DIN Pioneer that has a fold-out screen (Pioneer AVH-7250BT). This means I have apple car play (incl. navigation), hands-free and a reversing camera. I am very happy with the set up, fits nicely, the screen does not interfere with anything including the heater controls (of course you have to fold the screen down to use them). Also means my wife can drive the car as she demands a reversing camera. To achieve this I purchased a second timber piece, so I can easily disconnect the modern radio and replace it with the original one (ashtray and all) for concours (of course reversing camera removed from the rear as well). For the single DIN to fit you have cut the opening in the timber piece to fit the square shape. Unfortunately, my car is at the mechanics so I cant take a photo of the screen out.

https://caraudiocentre.co.uk/products/m ... h-z7200dab

Cheers
Steve

[ptjs1]

Steve,

Lovely dashboard! Looks great!

Paul