Upgrading te base stereo

[Ean Austral]

Gday All,

I am looking at options of upgrading and see now that you can get intergrated systems that have the DVD,ipod, gps etc etc, so who has done it?, what did you chose and what would you change.

Prices seem to range from $400 - $1400 from what I have seen ( which is very little ), but only want to do it once and do it right, so am keen to hear what people have tried or would change.

Thanks in advance

Cheers Ean

[DiscoDavey]

Hi Ean,
I didn't retro-fit to a Landy but I have done it to a couple of soft-roaders. I can recommend the Pioneer range. I got one with Bluetooth, Rev Camera, DVD, and iPod connectivity, It was brilliant - the kids loved watching video straight off the iPod (not while driving of course :unsure:)
Cost me around $500 for the head unit and $300 to fit by a professional.

You would have to really need/want the navigation option to pay the big price difference between the unit with and without it.. TomTom stuck to the window when I really get stuck works for me.

I see on ebay they are selling fascias for Disco 3s so it must be reasonably common. ($54 + $24 delivery)

[CaverD3]

I assume we are talking the D3 low line unit.
If you want good sound I would recommend a pioneer with the Auto EQ (need to order the mic as well) Speaker replacement will improve the sound as the OEMs on the low line are crap. Sun can be put in the tailgate or as I dis a couple of powered ones under the front seats. It sound better than the one in my D4 which has the Hi ICE 11 speaker system.

[Ean Austral]

I assume we are talking the D3 low line unit.
If you want good sound I would recommend a pioneer with the Auto EQ (need to order the mic as well) Speaker replacement will improve the sound as the OEMs on the low line are crap. Sun can be put in the tailgate or as I dis a couple of powered ones under the front seats. It sound better than the one in my D4 which has the Hi ICE 11 speaker system.

Yep upgrading the low-line or base model stereo. The single CD unit.

Cheers Ean

[CaverD3]

An easy upgrade. :D add amps as well if you like.

[jonesy63]

Ean - PM sent. :D

[jonesy63]

In case others want to do this, I thought I'd better put some details on here.

I upgraded the base stereo (CD400) in my Disco3, using the following parts from Nexxia (www.nexxia.co.uk):

1) PC2-81-4 Jaguar Harness Adaptor - this allows connection of the aftermarket head unit to the standard power/speaker wiring connectors.
2) CT24LR02 Freelander Mar 07> - this is the fascia - to allow a single DIN stereo or double DIN DVD player to be installed.
3) PC5-100 Antenna adaptor DIN antenna - this allows Disco3 antenna plug to be adapted to the standard antenna socket for Australia.

I also installed a (2DIN) Sony 7" DVD player, amplifier under drivers seat, 10" shallow-mount sub in the lower tailgate and RCA/speaker cables to connect it all together. The factory 2 way speakers were ditched and I installed Seas H1396 tweeters and Vifa PL18 mid-bass.

Two other things I installed, were an iPod/iPhone interface for the Sony head unit, and a stereo/steering wheel interface from PAC. The model for the latter was a PAC SWI-PS (which works on Pioneer and Sony stereos), and allows all the steering wheel volume/etc buttons to work with aftermarket stereo. (Of course, you do need to install the steering wheel stereo switch bank too!).

I'm happy to answer any other questions.

Cheers,
Rob

[CaverD3]

It did sound good. :BigThumb:

New head units now come with blue teeth and i-phone inputs. Also signal delay circuits to position where the sound comes from. The Pioneer does this automatically with mic and also adusts the equaliser levels. Noticed a big improvement in the clarity of lower midrange when done.

The JBL MS8 also has this function using Logic 7.

ProCoustics MS-8 - JBL (http://uk.jbl.com/jbl-procoustics-ms8-uk/ms-8.html)

[jonesy63]

Just had a quick look at DVD/GPS units... Kenwood now has DAB+ radio, but Pioneer has offroad mapping.

[Rohan]

I just bought an Orion avr6.1 dab+ head unit from jb for under a grand! These units do everything, hema maps, normal nav, 3 camera inputs, dvd, cd, ipod, bluetooth etc....
Having it fitted to my RRS in acouple of weeks, along with a speaker upgrade amp etc... Will post results when it's in.
It's the only dab+ double din I could find for reasonable money (under 2.5k!) and has off road mapping as a bonus :)

[101RRS]

If you want to use off road nav then you will need a unit that runs Win CE as its operating system.

Any one been able to replace the higher spec radio that is part of the Canbus system with steering wheel controls that work both the radio and setting in the dash computer.

Garry

[Rohan]

At the risk of repeating myself.......
http://www.orioncaraudio.com.au/site/files/7043/Orion-AVR61-Brochure-Final%20doc.pdf

[Scary]

we bought the apline double din unit with all of the above - the only issue I have is there is no output to the clock on the dash.

Good unit though.

Here is the thread with our unit installed

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/120610-dash-clock-aftermarket-stereo.html

[101RRS]

At the risk of repeating myself.......
http://www.orioncaraudio.com.au/site/files/7043/Orion-AVR61-Brochure-Final%20doc.pdf

This will work well with the base system but on the higher systems I do not believe the steering wheel controls will still work with the settings on the car's dash computer. Hence the need to have the original radio stashed somewhere else in the car and still connected for it to work.

If I am wrong that would be great.:D


we bought the apline double din unit with all of the above - the only issue I have is there is no output to the clock on the dash.

Good unit though.

Here is the thread with our unit installed

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/120610-dash-clock-aftermarket-stereo.html

As the Alpine does not use Win CE as its operating system I don't believe it is able to use offroad nav systems like Ozi Explorer.

Again if I am wrong please indicate that is the case.

Cheers

Garry

[PerthDisco]

Hi Scary

Who was the installer in WA you used and would you recommend?

Thanks

[Rohan]

The installer who I use wouldn't go near my RRS if it had the "high end" stereo in it:o, not sure why, but he went pale and started shaking when I mentioned RRS. He calmed down a lot when I said it wasn't the posh stereo :). Probably to do with the stuff mentioned above.

[Scary]

Hi Scary

Who was the installer in WA you used and would you recommend?

Thanks

Westside sound in Cannington - although the main installer is no longer there (became a fire fighter) they still do good work

[Phoenix12]

The installer who I use wouldn't go near my RRS if it had the "high end" stereo in it:o, not sure why, but he went pale and started shaking when I mentioned RRS. He calmed down a lot when I said it wasn't the posh stereo :). Probably to do with the stuff mentioned above.

I just went through the same thread....trying to put a full dvd unit with bluetooth etc etc.....

I was told that because the RRSport has optic fibre throughout that there was a requirement to do lots of mods with multiple can bus adaptions, change over of sub woofer etc

So it can be done with the "high end stereo", but the bloody cost to do so is extreme ! So needless to say my RRSport has not changed !

Cheers

[Steve223]

I just bought an Orion avr6.1 dab+ head unit from jb for under a grand! These units do everything, hema maps, normal nav, 3 camera inputs, dvd, cd, ipod, bluetooth etc....
Having it fitted to my RRS in acouple of weeks, along with a speaker upgrade amp etc... Will post results when it's in.
It's the only dab+ double din I could find for reasonable money (under 2.5k!) and has off road mapping as a bonus :)

like to hear how you went with this, the unit looks excellent and I want to replace my system as well.

@rob should have paid attention to your system at the boy's night out. Did you install it yourself?

[Rohan]

Hey Steve,
Install happening in two weeks, the shop I use had a big sale on speakers etc., so I'm getting everything thrown together at once.
Will post here when it's done. I've gone for "Focal" speakers amp & sub, plus 2 cameras (one front, one rear). Can't wait! :)

[Steve223]

Hey Rohan,

Sounds like a great system, who is installing it for you?

Steve

[Rohan]

Thanks Steve, should sound great. Had a Focal system in my last car and it sounded nice, gone for an upgraded system this time so should sound fantastic:D
Bought all except the head unit from Freeway car audio in Dandenong & they're doing the install.
There's a website but they don't stretch to Sydney as far as I know.
If you give them a call and talk to them they may know a Sydney outlet.
Cheers.
Rohan.

[jonesy63]

@rob should have paid attention to your system at the boy's night out. Did you install it yourself?

Hi Steve - yes, but that install was in my previous car - a D3. I haven't bothered updating the stereo in my D4... yet! Something even more special is now being planned for installation next year. :cool: :D

[Rohan]

The new stereo is in! Sounds fantastic.
A couple of not so good points::mad:
I no longer have the factory nav screen (no 4x4 info or anything else). It is driven from the factory head unit. Boo.:mad:
The steering wheel controls (volume & track skip etc) no longer work.:mad:
They hid the dab+ antenna in the a pillar, reception could be compromised a bit:mad:

In my opinion far out-weighed by the good points!:D
The amp & sub fit perfectly under the bigger half of the back seat.:D
The on road navigation is brilliant. (I can get shouted at in many different languages!):D
I love the dab+ radio.:D
I have front and rear cameras:D
Haven't had bluetooth before, love it!:D
I may be deaf within 6 months:D

Total cost including fitting was approx $4k. (no, S.W.M.B.O. cant read this)
Cheers. Rohan.

[101RRS]

Thanks - so it does seem that there is no fully functioning alternative to the original radio. As you do not have steering wheel controls now I assume you also cannot change settings within the car computer - though once set up may not be needed.

You mentioned on-road navigation but how well does it do offroad navigation with something like OziExplorer?

$4k - you must love your radio - $500 ebay versions will give you that functionality but maybe not quite the sound.

Good luck with it.

Garry

[Rohan]

Not sure about the off road nav yet(havn't had a chance to try it) but it does come with Hema maps, so should be ok.:)
$4k was the whole package, the radio part was "only" $989.
Not sure the ebay specials can do double din with dab+, dvd, off road nav etc.
Was only the nav screen in my RRS that was affected, the trip computer still works fine (range to empty etc..).
I do like my sounds in the car, $3k for amp and speakers is quite a lot to spend, but so is $50k on a second hand car:o

[CaverD3]

You probably can getthe steering wheel conrols to control the new head unit. You will nne a steering wheel control adaptor. Did this with mine, you can program it to work with it. Mine works with an ifa red trand mitter in the front interior light cluster.

[Rohan]

Yep, had that option, the stereo comes with a remote anyway, so I'll just use that. Or lean over a bit and use the dial :) the volume is on the right hand side anyway!
By not playing around with it too much I can return the whole lot to stock pretty easily when the time comes to trade the car in.
Which hopefully wont be any time soon!

[jonesy63]

Rohan - you might ask your installer about the option of installing something similar to this:
Pac-Audio.com Product Details | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future (http://pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=212&CategoryID=29)

There are other brands of steering wheel interfaces.

[jimc]

Rohan..what head unit did you go for?

where did they hide the GPS receiver?

and who installed it?

and front and rear cameras are a great idea!

[Tombie]

Woohoo... DAB radio...

Excellent as long as you are in sight of a Latté shop...

Bloody useless once leaving suburbia...

And with a bitrate lower than anyone would consider acceptable on an iPod quite amusing :cool:

[Rohan]

Crystal clear am radio, even under tram lines, works from Melbourne to Phillip island, network expanding as analogue tv is switched off. Not so bad IMHO. Maybe not as good in Adelaide, to quote a mate, " Adelaide, they're 1/2 an hour behind & never look like catching up..."

[Tombie]

Crystal clear am radio, even under tram lines, works from Melbourne to Phillip island, network expanding as analogue tv is switched off. Not so bad IMHO. Maybe not as good in Adelaide, to quote a mate, " Adelaide, they're 1/2 an hour behind & never look like catching up..."

Adelaide? I'm 2 peninsulas away from there :cool:

And I work in the middle of the desert... :)

I hear DAB works fine in Adelaide... :p

Good quote by the way.... Made me laugh!

[Tombie]

Crystal clear am radio, even under tram lines, works from Melbourne to Phillip island, network expanding as analogue tv is switched off. Not so bad IMHO. Maybe not as good in Adelaide, to quote a mate, " Adelaide, they're 1/2 an hour behind & never look like catching up..."

BTW - Whats AM radio..... lol... :twisted:

You need to catch up... We use FM for our non-digital broadcasts...

AM is for listening on a "Wireless" :angel:

[CaverD3]

If you want DAB you can get one of these and plug in to the aux in:

Pure Highway In-Car Digital Radio - ($109.85)RYDA DAB Radios (http://www.ryda.com.au/Pure-Highway-In-Car-DAB-Digital-Radio-p/vl61098.htm)

[Rohan]

Sorry Tombie, not much idea where anything is! :eek:
When they start broadcasting the cricket on FM I'll maybe think about getting rid of the DAB+ :D
It probably is quite hopeless in the dessert, but you don't throw the analogue bit away, it's just an added extra :)
Cheers, Rohan.
P.S. Same mate... "welcome to Queensland, please turn your clock back 50 years...":D