Alpine head unit upgrade project pics

[ptjs1]

It's a long time since this thread was active but I just wanted to ask a few questions of those who've recently fitted one of the Alpine CDE-range head units, particularly David & John.

I'm thinking of fitting one of the range that has advanced Bluetooth with built-in mic (are there any with this?) + the TuneIt App capability, probably the CDE-177BT or CDE-178BT.

John, you mentioned that you had to trim the mount panel on yours. Is this the part of the facia that is visible on the outside? David, did you also have this problem? I don't really want to have to cut up bits that are visible.

Do you know if the stock Alpine CD multi-changer that is in the boot can be easily interfaced into the new headunits? I'm presuming that Alpine equipment is compatible but can't see easily from the headunit specs if old CD multi-changers can be easily linked.

Tks for any thoughts from anyone.

Paul

[davidr]

Paul - as I recall the unit fitted without any adjustment. However it was over 2 years ago and on the basis that I can't remember what I did last week my memory may be dodgy!
I don't recall needing a converter for the loom either - straight forward plug in fit I think. But then the Celebration had an Alpine unit as standard any way so built in compatibility?
As for the CD changer, my car doesn't have one and, given the iPod compatibility I didn't see the need for one. I'm not sure that these modern head units have the connections for a CD changer for the same reason.
Hope that helps
Regards
David

[ptjs1]

David,

Tks very much for this. As my car has the same Jaguar Alpine headunit as yours had, that's partly why I'm going down the Alpine upgrade route. I am dubious that the CD changer will interface but it's not a deal breaker as all my music is in Cloud or accessible via remote drives etc. I just like the looks and functionality of the Alpine units and if it makes the installation and compatibility easier, then so much the better.

I'll go for one of the headunits that has a single CD slot anyway which will cover the odd CD need. I also don't really want the hassle of wiring up a mic so a number of the units have built-in mic which will be fine as I don't really want to make / receive calls that often in the car.

If there's any chance you could post a few pics of the unit in situ when you get a chance that would be much appreciated. Also, I appreciate that functionality has moved on in the last few years but is there anything specific that you feel that I should look for, or avoid, in these units? I recognise that my XJS with the top down is hardly the most accoustically-optimal arena, so I'm sure the sound quality will be fine on any of the units!

Tks again, David

Paul

[Brakebuster]

though a Sony head unit my install was simple

DIN mounted access hole dictates a nice fit , and most single DIN units come with an optional surround to adapt to the facia if you need it , the original Jaguar aperture was not fully DIN and needed a small amount of filling to fit to DIN

again , no multi changer in my car, but i have a head unit that takes USB ( or iPod / iPhone ) input ,

this is hard wired( iPod USB lead ) to the back of the stereo head unit and is run to the centre arm rest where i had to cut a small notch in the armrest tray to allow the cable to enter, then i simply plug in the iPod or iPhone to the cable, close the armrest and control it from the head unit , this will also power the chosen device !

most if not all head units will have this function these days

for nostalgia you could leave the cd changer fitted, but to be honest, its an old way of playing multiple tracks inside a car,

BB

[davidr]

Paul - as requested a few photos of the Alpine head unit installed in my Celebration.
It looks like I did use a link lead (some of these are old photos and I'd forgotten!!)
You will need to move the 2 side brackets so the unit can be fixx to the threaded holes in the side. As I recall, there wasn't any need to adjust the aperture as BB describes. I guess the later cars have a standard DIN sized hole.
The last photo shows 2 switches under the center armrest. One is the standard fitted valet switch. The other was fitted by me into an existing mounting hole (that was blanked off) and used the same type of switch as the valet switch. This is wired into the lead that goes back to the power antenna so I can listen to either the CD player or iPod with the aeriel down.
If I were to do it again I think I'd invest in a DAb radio and also, as BB says, a head unit with a USB connection in the back so the lead can be run through to the center armrest and be hidden away neatly.
Otherwise, it works very well and gives good sound quality.
Hope that helps
Regards
David

[davidr]

A few more photos

[ptjs1]

David,

Tks very much, that's hugely helpful!

I'm guessing that link lead is a standard ISO lead that I can buy for a few pounds on ebay?

Your installation confirms my view that the unit will look fine in the XJS. I'm not quite sure what you mean about moving the 2 side brackets. Are these brackets already fixed to my existing unit or are they brackets which come with the new unit and I have to remove them?

I note your point about DAB. It has occurred to me but I'm not sure about the idea of having another aerial in/on the car. With the arrival of apps like TuneIT on the new units I think I can get a lot of internet-provided services which should suffice.

I really like the idea about wiring in an aerial cutout switch. What intrigues me more is that your car has the USA valet switch setup on the front of the centre console armrest. That's the first time I've seen one of those on a UK car! I either need to buy a US armrest lock panel or else just mount a switch inside the centre console. At the risk of being even more of a nuisance, can you remember how / where you wired that up to the aerial?

Tks again

Paul

[davidr]

Paul - the 2 side brackets in the photo are moved from the existing unit.

The valet switch on my car was present but not installed if that makes sense! In other words, it was there but was under the centre console out of sight. All I did was put it into the existing slot after taking out the blanking plug. If wonder if all UK cars actually have the switch but hidden away?

There is a connection that goes back to the power antenna relay. I think (although this could well be unreliable information) that the wire from the head unit is yellow but you'll get a wiring plan with your new unit. It's function is to signal to the relay to put the antenna up or down. No voltage and the antenna goes down, with a voltage it puts the antenna up. All I did was wire the switch in series with this so that I could send a "no voltage" signal back to the relay by switching it off. The kind of switch that I used is exactly the same as the valet switch which is a simple on/off type. Part number is DBC12022 but I think it is no longer available. I got mine from a scrap XJ40 I think.
Hope that helps
Regards
David

[kradnik]

It's a long time since this thread was active but I just wanted to ask a few questions of those who've recently fitted one of the Alpine CDE-range head units, particularly David & John.

I'm thinking of fitting one of the range that has advanced Bluetooth with built-in mic (are there any with this?) + the TuneIt App capability, probably the CDE-177BT or CDE-178BT.

John, you mentioned that you had to trim the mount panel on yours. Is this the part of the facia that is visible on the outside? David, did you also have this problem? I don't really want to have to cut up bits that are visible.

Do you know if the stock Alpine CD multi-changer that is in the boot can be easily interfaced into the new headunits? I'm presuming that Alpine equipment is compatible but can't see easily from the headunit specs if old CD multi-changers can be easily linked.

Tks for any thoughts from anyone.

Paul

Sorry for late response, Paul. The slight plastic trimming I had to do was around the metal side brackets (which you have to transfer from your old head unit) to allow it to sit nicely. It's behind the facia and not visible at all. I ditched the CD changer - it won't interface with the new unit. Good luck with the project, it's not so bad once you start! John

[ng4xjs]

When I upgraded mine some little while ago (because I had too!) I chose a different route. New radio and carrier and I then modified the carrier to slide in and locate within the fascia. That way any modern radio will fit. I also adapted the standard wiring adapter by shortening and soldering the connections which significantly removed a whole bundle of unnecessary wiring from behind where the radio sits.

happy days
Nick