Thread: Replacing the sound system - integrated with the steering wheel controls

Originally Posted by p38arover

It's a standard single DIN on my 1995 P38A and I don't see why yours wouldn't be - or is it wider? The Alpine is easy to replace.

See Range Rover P38 Radio Harmon Kardon | Nexxia UK

Yep it's a good 2-3 cm wider

On the website you provided there are spacers to use http://www.nexxia.co.uk/product.asp?product_code=FP-21-00&category=Range%20Rover%20Single%20Din%20Fascia §ion=Car%20Audio

See pics;

I'm using the same spacers on mine but they go on the outside, They plug into the same holes that the cover piece fits - see the holes either side of my radio in this pic:



I guess you need to pull the radio slightly to see what you need to do..

I found a product to interface steering wheel controls with aftermarket stereos... I have not seen it in person, and have not heard any reviews. But the Alpine and Clarion units cost around $85.
Pac-audio.com Products | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future
And here on ebay australia for $98:
PAC SWI-RC STEERING WHEEL CONTROL INTERFACE ALPINE JVC KENWOOD PIONEER SONY | eBay

Any reviews?

Regrettably, the early P38A is not shown in the PAC compatability lists.

They do mention that not all Clarion models are shown but they still may be compatable... maybe worth an email to find out?

Originally Posted by Marshall

They do mention that not all Clarion models are shown but they still may be compatable... maybe worth an email to find out?

Yep. Clarion PU9836A is the original but one doesn't want to interface to one of those, one needs to interface to steering controls to a new head unit.

Originally Posted by p38arover

Yep. Clarion PU9836A is the original but one doesn't want to interface to one of those, one needs to interface to steering controls to a new head unit.

Good point.
So just choose a "compatable" head unit and voila!

Originally Posted by Marshall

Good point.
So just choose a "compatable" head unit and voila!

I assume so. I guess our problem is knowing if the steering wheels controls can be isolated from the plug and connected to the new head unit. I haven't looked to see if there was any change in the steering wheel controls at the Clarion to Alpine changeover. I assume there was.

Wait...

The two diagrams below are from the '95 and then the '99 models. I'd looked a the '95 model drawing before and always thought there was an error because two of the resistors are the same value, 4k7 ohm. Not so in the '99 drawing. Note the change in resistor values to 470k and 820k.

I'd like to get a switch block to check.

1995:



1999:



It seems some of those PAC controls use a 3.5mm phono jack to plug into a head unit whereas the Clarion connections are via the ISO connectors (C226 pin 3).