Defender double din install

[Baytown]

Gday fellas.
Has anyone here fitted a double din facia to their Puma Defender?
I've just purchased on from the UK with the right angled top panel, ($600 delivered) as I want a better reverse camera view than my ARB reverse camera mirror offers.
Not sure if I will have it painted the same body colour as my vehicle (silver) or not.
Any advice on fitting is appreciated.
Best wishes all.
Ken

[alittlebitconcerned]

I'm doing mine right now. I found this guys experience to be helpful...

Land Rover Double DIN dashboard fitted | Landroverweb.com (http://www.landroverweb.com/landrover/land-rover-double-din-dashboard-fitted/)

[Baytown]

Thank you for that link, it's just what I'm looking for.
Ken

[alittlebitconcerned]

I found with my install today that the head unit was too deep to fit without some mods.

1) I had to remove the steel bracket directly behind the head unit. This was easy to do and doesn't compromise the structural interigty of the dash.

2) The head unit was fouling on the plastic ducting for the windscreen vents also directly behind the head unit, so I used a heat gun to soften the plastic and pushed it in with a block of wood and held it in position until it cooled and hardened. The plastic bent easily and after three cautious attemps I found the right depth I had to push the plastic in to get the head unit to fit. A bit of a pain in the ass but it's all in now and looks good.

3) In the link I posted, the bloke said after he had re-installed the dash he was getting light spill from the dash bulbs due to the dash sitting about 1mm futher out. In anticipation of this I stuck sponge foam tape (Raven brand draft stopper from bunnings) on the back of the dash anywhere I could see light getting through. Worked perfectly.

[Baytown]

Great tips, thanks.
I was aware of the depth issue with CD playing Double din head units, so will be after an Alpine Apple Car play unit without DVD function. They aren't as deep due to no CD mechanism.
The foam is a good idea.
I'll post my install here as well.
Ken

[patclan]

I fitted mine a few weeks ago, I put in the pioneer avh-x8850bt, with car play and android auto, I wanted it for the android, don't have an apple.

I know all up it is an expensive upgrade, but boy we all love it, even my 3 year old daughter who shouts out "play frozen music" she does not know that you have to press the mic button first..

The pioneer fitted in well, had to take it out a few times to get the cables in better, and it does sit on the air duct slightly so is pushed out a few mm, but at the moment that is no biggy as I still have the hazard light plug/cable sticking out the corner between the clock and dash part, I managed to get all switches in bar that one without having to use the extra switch bezel, I saw a post somewhere of someone cutting and smoothing switch bezels out of the old dash and placing them on the cubby box, so i am thinking of trying this with the hazard light bezel, that way I just have one switch on the side dash, or maybe I will just bite the bullet and put in the big side panel for future expansion..

If I did it again I would get some spare metal clips that go on the panel, it is a pain getting the old ones off and I think it made them weak, also with having to remove the panel a few times the broke so don't hold as well, I will be ordering some soon. Or as I read somewhere do a dry fit first without putting the clips on.

Either way a great upgrade!!

[DiscoMick]

I notice Britpart advertising a double din kit in the latest Land Rover Owner International mag. Not sure if it is the same as the German kit.

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

[alittlebitconcerned]

I fitted mine a few weeks ago, I put in the pioneer avh-x8850bt, with car play and android auto, I wanted it for the android, don't have an apple.

I know all up it is an expensive upgrade, but boy we all love it, even my 3 year old daughter who shouts out "play frozen music" she does not know that you have to press the mic button first..

The pioneer fitted in well, had to take it out a few times to get the cables in better, and it does sit on the air duct slightly so is pushed out a few mm, but at the moment that is no biggy as I still have the hazard light plug/cable sticking out the corner between the clock and dash part, I managed to get all switches in bar that one without having to use the extra switch bezel, I saw a post somewhere of someone cutting and smoothing switch bezels out of the old dash and placing them on the cubby box, so i am thinking of trying this with the hazard light bezel, that way I just have one switch on the side dash, or maybe I will just bite the bullet and put in the big side panel for future expansion..

If I did it again I would get some spare metal clips that go on the panel, it is a pain getting the old ones off and I think it made them weak, also with having to remove the panel a few times the broke so don't hold as well, I will be ordering some soon. Or as I read somewhere do a dry fit first without putting the clips on.

Either way a great upgrade!!

That's the same HU I installed. There's no way mine would have fitted with taking out the bracket and modding the aircon ducting. Odd.

I absolutely agree re the clips. I lost a few in the black abyss behind the dash when they popped off removing the dash. Hell of a pain trying to find them and get them out.

I mounted my hazard switch in the center of the (pen holding?) tray ontop of the dash. The switch has its own slight bezel so it dropped without any gaps. There is no need to lengthen the wiring to mount it here.

[patclan]

That's the same HU I installed. There's no way mine would have fitted with taking out the bracket and modding the aircon ducting. Odd.

I absolutely agree re the clips. I lost a few in the black abyss behind the dash when they popped off removing the dash. Hell of a pain trying to find them and get them out.

I mounted my hazard switch in the center of the (pen holding?) tray ontop of the dash. The switch has its own slight bezel so it dropped without any gaps. There is no need to lengthen the wiring to mount it here.

Ha yeah I should have said I took the metal bracket out, forgot about that bit as I did it as part of the pull out of the dash.

I lost 2 clips down the back also, found 1 ok, the other I could see but when I went for it it disappeared took me hours to find it.

I will check out putting the hazard up there sounds a good idea cheers..

It's a great head unit so far. Picking up a lot more radio stations too, I upgraded the Fm aerial a while back which made a slight improvement but this is now on par with the misses little Mazda which stops her comparing.

Sent from my SGP771 using AULRO mobile app

[weeds]

Great tips, thanks.

I was aware of the depth issue with CD playing Double din head units, so will be after an Alpine Apple Car play unit without DVD function. They aren't as deep due to no CD mechanism.

The foam is a good idea.

I'll post my install here as well.

Ken



Does this unit allow a reversing camera to be hooked up.....they are a good price at JB at the moment.

[Baytown]

Yes, at least one. I need 2 cameras though, one for reverse, the other for the caravan rear view camera, so I'll be doing some investigation before purchase. I like the Alpine equipment.
Fellas, do you have a photo of the hazard install on top of the dash you mention?
I went to purchase 2 OEM style auxiliary lighting switches from Mulgo yesterday. $60 each which is ok but they want $52 for postage which is just wrong. I'm still trying to find a supplier of same without exhaubitant postage rates.
More to follow once my dash parts arrive.
Ken

[weeds]

I have decided on the pioneer 8850.....it has one camera input....

I'm sure there was another pioneer model to two camera inputs that about to be upgraded JB Hi-Fi said they would be reduced heaps in the next month or so.

Maybe they is a splitter available so you can select which camera goes to the stereo.

[patclan]

I have decided on the pioneer 8850.....it has one camera input....

I'm sure there was another pioneer model to two camera inputs that about to be upgraded JB Hi-Fi said they would be reduced heaps in the next month or so.

Maybe they is a splitter available so you can select which camera goes to the stereo.

I think you can use the rca as a second camera input, I saw it on a YouTube video, will see if I can find it.

[Baytown]

Thanks Pat.
Interesting.
Ken

[weeds]

Yes, at least one. I need 2 cameras though, one for reverse, the other for the caravan rear view camera, so I'll be doing some investigation before purchase. I like the Alpine equipment.
Fellas, do you have a photo of the hazard install on top of the dash you mention?
I went to purchase 2 OEM style auxiliary lighting switches from Mulgo yesterday. $60 each which is ok but they want $52 for postage which is just wrong. I'm still trying to find a supplier of same without exhaubitant postage rates.
More to follow once my dash parts arrive.
Ken

was in a shop today........

Kenwood DDX6016BT has 2 x camera inputs........

I'm now leaning towards the Kenwood unit as i don't think i need Apple Play and Andriod Thingy.......plus nav systems don't appear to be straight forward.

[Baytown]

Thanks Weeds.
I'll check it out.
Ken

[patclan]

One thing about the pioneer is it does not have built in navigation, it does use your phone, in my case google maps as I have android, but for city driving it is great, the voice activation is a real enhancement from my old garmin, you can ask things like where is my closest bunnings and it will tell you and show you a few of the closest ones on the screen, or you can just say take me to the closest bunnings and it starts navigation straight away. I have found the directions to be great and I can keep the phone in the cubby box and it is still pretty accurate, plus the integration with the headhunt /android auto and the phone for calls and sms is great also, i.e. sending txt by voice, and asking it to call someone, I suppose these are all pretty standard these days in a "modern" car, but having them in my defender is great and makes the audio/phone/internet all feel integrated for a change. I still have my tablet with GPS and off road maps if need be for trips.

[Baytown]

I just received my Double Din facia from "The Mother Land" and it's a nice piece of kit. They unfortunately forgot to include the stereo mounting brackets so that's put my install on hold till they sort it out.
I think I'll get it colour coded silver to match my Defender while I'm waiting. It'll add a nice contrast to my interior.
Still haven't decided on a head unit yet.

Ken

[Tombie]

Do all the cuts first :)

[rutmutt]

Baytown - You can go to rimmerbros.co.uk buy 3 seat heater switches, delivered to Oz, and then buy 3 sets of connectors for these switches off ebay for a total of $71. Then reuse the blank switches on your dash. I had my done for Front and Rear Lockers, found a local Laser Engraver who did them for about $4-6 each... (can't quite remember)

Heated Seat Switch - Genuine Land Rover at www.rimmerbros.co.uk (http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-YUF500150LNF)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER...item2339ee49ce (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-5-Way-Switch-Connector-Terminals-BLACK-Discovery-Defender-TD5-/151295773134?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2339ee49ce)

extremely useful link about installing these.
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/mak...le-182841.html (http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/making-use-unused-switch-puma-console-182841.html)

https://scontent-syd1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/10288794_10152242941009285_7432135158433749731_n.j pg?oh=1703ccb0356f2f31cc47c078914839cc&oe=581D8BB9

[weeds]

I just received my Double Din facia from "The Mother Land" and it's a nice piece of kit. They unfortunately forgot to include the stereo mounting brackets so that's put my install on hold till they sort it out.

I think I'll get it colour coded silver to match my Defender while I'm waiting. It'll add a nice contrast to my interior.

Still haven't decided on a head unit yet.



Ken



Pretty sure your head unit will come with mounting hardware

[Baytown]

This is the unit I decided on.
Alpine ILX-007E. Apple car play, no cd mechanism so very shallow fit. It mirrors my Apple phone, so same functionality.
$700 on special till end of July.
I'm still waiting on the facia mounting tabs from the UK supplier.
Ken
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/[/URL][/IMG]

[rutmutt]

Where can you noun a double din without blocking everything? Especially aircons...

Sent from my ZTE Blade Q Lux using AULRO mobile app

[Marty90]

Where can you noun a double din without blocking everything? Especially aircons...

Sent from my ZTE Blade Q Lux using AULRO mobile app
Land Rover Double DIN dashboard fitted | Landroverweb.com (http://www.landroverweb.com/landrover/land-rover-double-din-dashboard-fitted/)

[weeds]

This is the unit I decided on.

Alpine ILX-007E. Apple car play, no cd mechanism so very shallow fit. It mirrors my Apple phone, so same functionality.

$700 on special till end of July.

I'm still waiting on the facia mounting tabs from the UK supplier.

Ken

http://i1037.photobucket.com/albums/a452/47Indian/image_1.png (http://s1037.photobucket.com/user/47Indian/media/image_1.png.html)



Hey Ken...where did you buy the unit from??

[Tombie]

Land Rover Double DIN dashboard fitted | Landroverweb.com (http://www.landroverweb.com/landrover/land-rover-double-din-dashboard-fitted/)



Sadly that moulding is so poorly fitting I wouldn't consider it..

Hack the clock mould off, poorly fitting the gauges..

Unless it's all been updated I would look for other options.

[Baytown]

Hi Weeds.
Ofeonline is the name of the eBay seller.
They have more currently available if you're interested.

Ken

[DiscoMick]

I noticed recently that Britpart was offering a double din Defender unit, but I'm not sure if it's the same one.

[Tombie]

Aerpro also do one.

[alittlebitconcerned]

A heads up for those that bought the German brand dash (Nakane... Nakenanda... Nakone... dunno), the plastic tabs that the spring clips attach to aren't quite right. When you push the dash in the clips don't engage properly with the mating hole and was therefore a real pain in the ass to get it to work. A little hard to explain here so if you find youself in the same predicament drop me a phone number and I can verbally explain.

[Baytown]

I've just started my double din install.
Dash is out (easy to remove with plastic trim levers).
The head unit is mounted in the facia after I modded some mounts up. The U.K. Seller didn't supply the brackets, even though they were an important part of the kit. Jerk.
I've removed the clock, vent panel from the original panel via multiple passes with a new Stanley knife. Nice clean cut.
I'll be wiring the reversing camera to it, and also a dual battery monitor from Redarc.
Have to cut the side panel tomorrow and then put it all back together.
Daunting but not difficult.
Best wishes all.
Ken
http://i1037.photobucket.com/albums/a452/47Indian/image_81.jpeg (http://s1037.photobucket.com/user/47Indian/media/image_81.jpeg.html)

http://i1037.photobucket.com/albums/a452/47Indian/image_82.jpeg (http://s1037.photobucket.com/user/47Indian/media/image_82.jpeg.html)
http://i1037.photobucket.com/albums/a452/47Indian/image_80.jpeg (http://s1037.photobucket.com/user/47Indian/media/image_80.jpeg.html)

[DiscoMick]

I do like the look of that.

[karlz]

This is mine, done some months ago by Freeway Audio

What I found, make sure you get a unit that does tilt out.
If theres no tilt out its hard to see.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/09/710.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/09/711.jpg

[axton]

A heads up for those that bought the German brand dash (Nakane... Nakenanda... Nakone... dunno), the plastic tabs that the spring clips attach to aren't quite right. When you push the dash in the clips don't engage properly with the mating hole and was therefore a real pain in the ass to get it to work. A little hard to explain here so if you find youself in the same predicament drop me a phone number and I can verbally explain.

FIRST PROBLEM - Clips not engaging on main dash (top two metal U clips)
Hi Alittlebitconcerned - yeah I just had Performance Car Audio in Bayswater (https://www.performancecaraudio.com.au/) (great guys BTW) install this on the weekend (PURCHASED this moulding (https://4wdindustries.com.au/piano-black-double-din-centre-console-unit-suits-land-rover-defender-ba2714.html)). It was VERY expensive at $550 and the quality of the tabs and mounting leave a lot to be desired. I saw another image where some one has put two pan head screws in the top to fix the problem of the top two metal U Clips not engaging properly. Any one else have any suggestions.

SECOND PROBLEM - small side switch panel
THe guys carefully made this cut out and we have a neat and tight fit but the tabs do not engage either and the panel keeps falling out at the first bump... :( Any suggestions.

Ive rung 4WD Accessories in NSW who sold the panel to me who have been sort of helpful - want images to send but I suspect by what other have said here this is a common issue...

Appreciate any suggestions.

Cheers

Clint

[Marty90]

You'll probably find the tabs are hitting the ribs on the inside of the dash. I used a cutter on the Dremel to remove enough of the ribs to allow the tabs to bite. Sorry ,don't have the part number, it's about the diameter of a pencil and has cutters on all sides.