Upgrading the base model headunit in a Disco 3

[Alfa156Melb]

Hi All!!!

So I've just bought a 2008 Discovery 3 SE with the base model headunit. It's all very nice but I want to upgrade the headunit to something with navigation and Apple Car Play. I had put a deposit on a Pioneer avic f970dab last week, i'm just waiting on some time to get it installed.

However.. here's my conundrum: Since picking the car up I realized that the time on the instrument cluster is controlled by the headunit [bighmmm]. I know that the high end HK7 (is that what it's called?) controls a lot more of the cars systems and as such cannot be replaced.. or has to at least be kept in the car somewhere so that some systems don't stop working. Is that the case with the low end, base spec unit?

If I upgrade to a new head-unit, will I be able to set the time on the dash, and what else will stop working?

Anyway, hoping someone can help! :)

[jonesy63]

Since picking the car up I realized that the time on the instrument cluster is controlled by the headunit [bighmmm].
The instrument cluster communicates with the head unit - to show the time... the head unit doesn't control the instrument cluster.

I know that the high end HK7 (is that what it's called?) controls a lot more of the cars systems and as such cannot be replaced.. or has to at least be kept in the car somewhere so that some systems don't stop working. Is that the case with the low end, base spec unit?
The base model does not have a fibre-based MOST network, whereas the HK7 and 13 do. The head unit, bluetooth, amp and other bits communicate with each other. That makes it hard to upgrade any of these components. For example, to upgrade the amp you have to take speaker-outs from factory amp and then through a line output converter or processor, into a new amp. That's why upgrading from a base system is easier.

If I upgrade to a new head-unit, will I be able to set the time on the dash, and what else will stop working?
Having done this, while you lose the time display on your dash -you gain time display on your new head unit, so no loss. If you have added the steering wheel stereo controls, you will also lose that. To fix that, you need to buy an audio interface - like those from PAC. If you haven't added the stereo controls - I recommend that.
Cheers,
Rob

[Alfa156Melb]

Thanks Rob - most helpful!

I ended up going ahead and as you say all I lost was the time. But its on the headunit to it's no big deal. I don't have steering wheel controls so that fine too.

Actually it went pretty well, the Pioneer avic f970dab, whist superseded, its a great unit! Having inbuilt GPS is great too although the tom tom software on my iPhone is much better.

So now to other mods, next one is to fit a UHF radio... [biggrin]

[fisser]

Thanks Rob - most helpful! I ended up going ahead and as you say all I lost was the time. But its on the headunit to it's no big deal. I don't have steering wheel controls so that fine too.Actually it went pretty well, the Pioneer avic f970dab, whist superseded, its a great unit! Having inbuilt GPS is great too although the tom tom software on my iPhone is much better. So now to other mods, next one is to fit a UHF radio... [biggrin]Hey mate, I was considering a similar move. Any chance you could post a few pics of your upgrade? Cheers, Fiss

[Alfa156Melb]

Hey mate, I was considering a similar move. Any chance you could post a few pics of your upgrade? Cheers, Fiss

Yep, no drama's! I'll take some pics in the morning for you.

[Aussie Jeepster]

Would love to see pics as well.
I see on the Pioneer Aust site that this is DAB compatable in Oz.
Very interesting in how it wired in (did you get a lit, or did you have to di it wire by wire??), and what it looks like fitted .

[Alfa156Melb]

Sorry guys, I forgot all about this, I'll post a pic in the morning..

[Alfa156Melb]

No idea how it's wired, I had a shop do it for me...

Dropbox - IMG_8684.JPG (https://www.dropbox.com/s/gxnc52ftwdjw4kj/IMG_8684.JPG'dl=0)

I can't work out how to embed the pic.. sorry

[Aussie Jeepster]

No idea how it's wired, I had a shop do it for me...

Dropbox - IMG_8684.JPG (https://www.dropbox.com/s/gxnc52ftwdjw4kj/IMG_8684.JPG'dl=0)

I can't work out how to embed the pic.. sorry


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