Thread: Replacement Head Unit

Search fullfatrr.com I'm pretty sure there are a few threads on there about this unit.

Gary

cheap chinese crap & doesn't fit the dash as good as you would hope.

Hi James,

My MY03 HSE was suffering a little from dead pixels on both the MID and the instrument cluster when I bought it. Before very long the instrument message centre became unreadable due to the amount of dead pixels. I had this repaired locally and it has never looked better.

I got sick of the MID not long after and had the whole ICE system replaced with a VMS all-in-one SatNav/CD/DVD/USB/SD/Bluetooth Phone unit.

It took the guys who did the work a couple of days to get going and most of this was due to trying to integrate the steering wheel controls. All the so called "experts" in the field kept saying it couldn't be done. My installers proved them wrong, big time.

Any 2DIN unit (particularly an all-in-one) that you choose to replace the original CD unit will have issues as the main duct for the HVAC vents runs just below it. This ducting will need to be remolded to allow the new unit to fit.

Also, at the time, there was no available double DIN fascia panel to fit the range rover so the guys also had to fabricate one of their own to match the dash panels.

In hindsight it wasn't a cheap exercise. It did have a couple of false starts due to issues with the VMS software. My installers were not happy campers as it takes one and a half hours just to strip the dash and side panels to gain access to the unit (and the same to put it back together!).

The VMS guys rose to the challenge and its now been in the car for a couple of years and has only had the occasional glitch. Most of the glitches have been from stops and starts that have not allowed the unit to shutdown properly before being restarted. Even high end desktop/laptop computers suffer from these sort of issues.

The original MID plugset is hiding just below the centre speaker so I can get access to it readily if I need to reprogram the clock, or similar, at any point.

I have attached a couple of photos for your perusal.

Any specific questions just let me know.

Cheers,
Iain

There is a good amount of knowledge about this now. I'm told there is a catologue facia plate available, everyone I've spoken to so far has (like Iain) had a custom facia made - some with stunning results.

Steering wheel controls are resistive - not CAN. There are several catologue interfaces that suit, and several installers (in BNE) who have now done it (as well as many early X5).

For anyone who is familar with the interal trim, the dash takes about 10mins to get apart and refit (I've done it). It is very different to any jap set up which would explain VMS having difficulty.

The MID unit can be permanently mounted behind the glove box - take the CD stacker out and the MID display fits on the stacker mounts.

I'm about to take the jump over the next couple weeks, I have a (catologue) facia coming to see if it fits, just need to make a decision on unit to fit...

Hey Harlie,

Glad to hear you're taking the plunge.

I'm sort of debating about replacing the custom fascia with an OEM replacement. The ones I have seen so far look just a little too plastic for my tastes.

I defy anyone, even those who know where all the tabs, screws, and panel links are, to take apart the dash for proper access, without damaging the wood panel trim on the dash ends, in ten minutes.

It can be done quickly, sure. That quick requires very good planning, good trim removal tools and a fast, small cordless screwdriver.

I didn't think the MID harness would reach across into the glovebox. It's a great solution though if it does.

Good luck with it all Harlie. I'm sure whatever you decide on will be much better than whatever was supplied as standard back then.

Cheers,
Iain

Originally Posted by harlie

I'm about to take the jump over the next couple weeks, I have a (catologue) facia coming to see if it fits, just need to make a decision on unit to fit...

Is the Facia which you are using a 1Din or 2Din set up? if it is a 2Din set up where have you managed to find one, as i only seem to be able to find single din facias for this model...

James.

I changed my stereo to a single DIN. To keep steering wheel control I used an interface device that also fitted I think BMW X5. It needed to plug into the socket on the back of the stereo. I bought it in from UK off Ebay.

Adrian

I have continued to look into this vaguely over the past few days, after going to my local car audio mob and coincidentally pulling up at the same time as a fellow L322 owner we went in requesting much the same thing...

And it seemed the second the guys in the shop seen the Range Rovers they wanted nothing to do with us.

Am i correct in believing the HSE variant of the L322 doesn't have amplifiers? they insisted it did and that this prevented me from being able to fit an aftermarket unit?

From all i had read online this didn't ring true to me so i decided to leave it at that as they were not overly excited about the job... instructing me that to even pull the dash apart was a monumental feat... however again thanks to online tutorials it looks simple enough!

OK to the point...

1. Will a simple aftermarket double din unit work with my HSE? What wiring harness is required? is is just a BMW one of the time?

2. Does ANYBODY know of a DOUBLE DIN aftermarket fascia panel for the L322 or an equivalent? Will the 2005 onward Sports version fit?

3. What is the interface unit required to ensure i maintain my steering wheel controls?

If i am able to get a unit/facia and the wires i am sure i will be able to
tackle this job myself! Then i might look into fitting a sub


Kind Regards, James.