Upgrade of ICE Unit

[Malc_R]

Hi Guys

Are there any options to upgrade the HiFi /ICE unit in the ol' XKR (1999 m/y) , or is it a custom unit that isnt a standard size/standard fit ?

I quite fancy a current model Alpine, Blaupunkt type-thing.....

Thanks

Malc

[BestGear]

Hi Malc

Its a std DIN size, but the hole in the dash is not a neat DIn size, and thus needs an adaptor trim piece made up.

You will also loose the phone if you have it and also steering wheel controls as I doubt if anyone makes a compatible adaptor.

Many folks, self included, have just added and amp and better speakers.

Do you have the std or premium system now?

David

[Malc_R]

Dave

Thanks for the reply - how can I tell if its the premium ? I believe its the standard system - the speaker grilles don't have any branding on them, which I seem to recall the Premium has from a test-drive I had...

Are there upgrade 'custom' speaker sets available from someone like Alpine, for instance ?

Does a Premium system had a different head unit ? are these available after-market ?

Cheers

Malcolm

[Nik]

Dave

Thanks for the reply - how can I tell if its the premium ? I believe its the standard system - the speaker grilles don't have any branding on them, which I seem to recall the Premium has from a test-drive I had...

Are there upgrade 'custom' speaker sets available from someone like Alpine, for instance ?

Does a Premium system had a different head unit ? are these available after-market ?

Cheers

Malcolm

Dave

Thanks for the reply - how can I tell if its the premium ? I believe its the standard system - the speaker grilles don't have any branding on them, which I seem to recall the Premium has from a test-drive I had...
The Premium has an extra amplifier , either Harmon -Kardon badges on the early ones or Alpine badges on the door tweeter covers (adjacent to the door mirrors) extra speakers under the dash top covers and a bass speaker under the cover on the parcel shelf , and a six disc changer .
Are there upgrade 'custom' speaker sets available from someone like Alpine, for instance ?
You can retrofit better alpine speakers or any other make for that matter.
Does a Premium system had a different head unit ? are these available after-market ?
No , the head unit is the same and in most cases the loom for premium sound is also fitted ex factory

Hope this helps ,

Nik

[BestGear]

Dave



Are there upgrade 'custom' speaker sets available from someone like Alpine, for instance ?

Does a Premium system had a different head unit ? are these available after-market ?

Cheers

Malcolm


Hi

Agree with what Nik has said, but would add:

There are plenty of standard sized speakers to fit your xk... a common fit is 6.5" in the front doors with tweeters in the dash panels. All wiring is there - it leads to a big connector in the center console where you can patch things through depending on what was fitted to your car when built. You may already have tweeters in the doors or perhaps in the dash locations. If you need help with ideas and the wiring, check here:

http://www.carxk.co.uk/mod_soundsystem.html

http://www.vis1.co.uk/jag/

Premium system uses same head unit - there is however, a switch on the bottom of the head unit (later type not earlier one) that enables premium mode (more menu options etc) if you then add the Jaguar amp (not aftermarket).

It is also a simple job to fit a new amp in the boot and add a 10" sub to the back shelf. Just check the depth of the sub as it can foul the petrol tank and one of the pipes.

Hope that is of interest and help.

David

[Malc_R]

David, and chaps

Thanks for the replies. I have the convertible so dont have a parcel shelf, but some rather suspicious panels at the sides in the rear seat area that look like they are speaker covers.

No sound appears to come out so I am guessing these are used for the Premium system - how do I get those rear seat sides out to have a look at a) what's there already - I am expecting 'nothing' !!
and b) What I could put as part of a system upgrade.

Cheers

Malc

[mike020150]

Hi Malc, Even the standard system has speakers in the panels either side of the rear seat. Are you sure your car's are working? Mike.

[Malc_R]

Mike - this is what I was expecting. I was quite troubled when all seemed quiet. I will have a play with the front/rear balance.

Of course, it would be easy if I could see what was there - do the grilles come off from the front of the panels, or do I have to get to them from behind ?

Thanks

[Bassman]

I thought the convertible rear speaker positions were used for subs when premium sound is fitted

[mike020150]

Hi Malc, If you want to see if your rear speakers are connected, from memory try this: lower the hood; remove the plastic trim piece over a seat belt upper swivel; extract that belt's upper fixing stud followed by the trim screw hidden just beneath the top of the belt; remove the two fixings at the rear of the horizontal trim capping on the same side and ease the trim up from the rear. Now, you should be able to see behind one of the speaker trim panels. In the case of the premium sound system, the normal speakers either side of the rear seat are replaced by subs. Mike.

[Malc_R]

Mike

Many thanks for this info again - you really do know your way round these cars - without pushing my luck too far, how do I get the door cards off ? - I am told I need to do this to get access to the front speakers (I'd rather there was a central source of info like this rather than having to bug the same people on the forum )

My Front=Rear balance was set to 'front only' which is why there was no sound from the back. Playing the F-R balance, the front speakers certainly sound much meatier than the back.

My thinking at the moment is taking me towards upgrading the 'standard' speakers front and rear, and put some tweeters in the dash cavities. I dont know what my options are for the rears until I have a look at the fittings/space etc, but I'd like to put oval speakers for the better bass response. I might consider also putting an active sub in the boot, but I'll see how it sounds with upgraded speakers.

Looking forwards to the head unit, reviews for the Alpine XDA series are good (And this has the iPod interface, which is what this is all about fundamentally). I know I will lose the steering wheel controls, but there' s a remote control you can get . As far as the fitting panel goes, there' s a wood trimming company in Hemel that I was thinking about using, to get them to make me up a piece of burr walnut to go around the new unit, so that it blends with the rest of the woodwork.

Thanks again

[mike020150]

Malc, The door trims come off as follows:
pull latch & remove the plastic filler within the door handle assembly, unscrew fixing, remove handle trim;
remove screw from below door pocket trim mat;
using suitable plastic hook, release plastic stud & remove trim at front of door pocket;
remove screw (now revealed) holding switch pack in position;
move switch pack and undo screw underneath holding door card to door;
carefully ease door card from door (8 clips).
Workshop manuals are available for early XK8s but a better and cheaper source of more up-to-date information is available if you get a JTIS disk. These are readily available on eBay. I'm afraid I'm content playing my Sound of Music cassette on the standard sound system so unlike other contributors I know nothing about the best upgrades. Mike.