DAB+ retrofit for 2010-2011 D4 (and RRS and L322 )

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

I posted a couple of hints about this earlier, but not a full explanation, so here is the story for a full "factory" retrofit of DAB+ into a 2010-2011 L319 Disco 4, and the same would apply to the L320 Range Rover Sport from 2010-2011, and the L322 Range Rover Vogue from 2010-2012. For the sake of the discussion, let's call this infotainment system the "VN HDD" system, which is what Land Rover calls it Land Rover | Choosing System | HERE this is a different system to the MMM2 (Freelander2, Jag XF and XK) and the later IAM2.1 system.

I say "factory" because it is functional like a factory installation, even though DAB+ was not available in JLR vehicles until the 2013MY. Also the DAB+ module used for this retrofit is not an original JLR unit, it's an aftermarket unit from a company called in2digi. The OEM DAB+ modules that work in the 2012MY-onward Disco4 (and just about all other JLR vehicles) don't work in the 2010-2011 D4, RRS and the L322 with the VN HDD system, for whatever reason Land Rover went with a different system for these models. The only unit that works with the VN HDD infotainment is the in2digi...

OK time for some pictures...

IMG_5989.jpgIMG_5990.jpgIMG_5991.jpgIMG_5992.jpgIMG_5993.jpgIMG_5994.jpgIMG_5997.jpgIMG_5998.jpg

OK so how do you do this retrofit?

Well there are some components needed;

Antenna
Antenna amplifier
Antenna cable
DAB+ receiver
Power cable for DAB+ receiver
MOST fibre optic cable
Mounting bracket for the DAB+ receiver (and bolts)

IMG_6083.jpg

And then you need to edit the CCF to enable the DAB functions on the touchscreen...

I'll explain each aspect of the installation;

The factory location of the antenna is in the left rear side window, the antenna is embedded in the window glass. However it seems that most-all D4's from 2010-2011 that were delivered to Aus are missing the press-stud connection on the rear windows. The antenna "wire" is there on the glass, but the stud for the antenna amplifier to connect to is missing. However I figured out a way of bonding a press stud onto the window so that the antenna will function.
D4 Antenna Stud.jpg
After a lot of searching I found a source for the studs, and a special electrically-conductive adhesive to bond the stud to the antenna pad on the window. Have done this on two D4's now and they are holding up very well.

What connects to this stud is an antenna amplifier.
Green DAB amplifier.jpg
This mounts up in the roof cavity, and connects to the stud on the window. There is a thread in the roof rail for the amplifier to mount to. You do need to remove the d-pillars, the left side c-pillar, rear passenger seat grab handle, and some other bits of trim to lower the rooflining.

A cable runs from this antenna amplifier back to the DAB+ receiver. This cable is not available from Land Rover as a spare part, I make them up myself.

The DAB+ receiver needs to be mounted, and connected to power and into the MOST fibre optic network. This was the part where I was not particularly happy. The in2digi module does not have any mounting tabs/slots on it, and it's a different size to the OEM modules (the DAB module or the phone module). As I was pressed for time on the first installation I ended up using cable ties to strap the DAB+ module to the phone module.

IMG_5988.jpg
Since then I have spent some time coming up with a mounting bracket solution which is bolted, and a much more professional method of fixing the module in place.
IMG_6072.jpgIMG_6073.jpgIMG_6074.jpgIMG_6075.jpgIMG_6076.jpg
The bracket uses the existing mounting bolts on the phone module, then the DAB+ module bolts to the bracket.
I'm in the process of getting these brackets laser cut, instead of making them by hand.

You also need to connect power to the DAB+ module, and connect it to the MOST fibre optic network. I make up my own MOST cables for this, which are nice & compact.
IMG_5917.jpg

The power cables are just a +12V and an earth.

So once it's all in and connected up, you need to edit the CCF. This might not be so straight forward for everyone, since it appears only SDD and Nanocom can do this activation. It would appear that the IID and Autologic tools which won't make the activation. I use SDD so it's not a problem for me, maybe an issue for others though...

I have all the items needed for this retrofit on my shelf if anyone is keen to do the same.

Cheers!

[Stuart02]

Totally impressed! If you could produce a kit with idiot-proof baby-step instructions I'd absolutely want to have a crack at it!

[AGRO]

Hi,

Great post.

Question.

I have a D4, MY11 TDV6 2.7 TDV6 base model without the full screen functionality. I think that the base model radio system is just that - very basic.

Reception is mostly great around town for radio but exceptionally poor when a short distance out. My simple comparison is to any other vehicle we are travelling with. My rear windows have the antenna and a connection/wire to the "stud" at the top that disappears into/under the roof trim.

Does your reception module and or antenna combination have the possibility of improving reception?

Are you aware of a fix for upgrading the base spec radio reception and /or functionality?

Thanks

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

Totally impressed! If you could produce a kit with idiot-proof baby-step instructions I'd absolutely want to have a crack at it!

It's really not a very complicated installation, the most time consuming aspect is removing all the trim panels to get access. And the bonding of the studs needs a steady hand (and at least 24hrs wait while it cures). I could certainly write some detailed instructions, and take step by step photo's on the next one I do.

Hi,

Great post.

Question.

I have a D4, MY11 TDV6 2.7 TDV6 base model without the full screen functionality. I think that the base model radio system is just that - very basic.

Reception is mostly great around town for radio but exceptionally poor when a short distance out. My simple comparison is to any other vehicle we are travelling with. My rear windows have the antenna and a connection/wire to the "stud" at the top that disappears into/under the roof trim.

Does your reception module and or antenna combination have the possibility of improving reception?

Are you aware of a fix for upgrading the base spec radio reception and /or functionality?

Thanks

Cheers.

The DAB is totally separate to AM/FM in these cars, different components are used, they aren't going to affect each other.

There are some booster/amplifier units which could go inline with the existing AM/FM antenna amplifier, but I'm not sure this is the right way to go about solving your problem, it might be a fault with the existing components in the car, since I haven't heard anyone else make the same complaint. Actually as far as I know the AM/FM antenna system in the 2010-2011 D4 is the same regardless of which audio system you have.

[rar110]

Cam you've progressed a bit since my last email. I'm still interested for the 08 L322.

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

Cam you've progressed a bit since my last email. I'm still interested for the 08 L322.

I learnt something new about the 05-09 model L319/L320/L322 system in the meantime, I'll send you an email.

[Parkes]

Hi Cambo,
I'm very keen on the DAB+ retrofit, if possible some help on the installation would be great. I have a 2012 HSE Luxury with the Logic 7 sound system. I'm is Sydney also to make things easy.

Cheers,

Andrew

[Cambo_oldjaguar]

Hi Cambo,
I'm very keen on the DAB+ retrofit, if possible some help on the installation would be great. I have a 2012 HSE Luxury with the Logic 7 sound system. I'm is Sydney also to make things easy.

Cheers,

Andrew

Have sent you a PM mate, cheers.

[alinton]

I've been searching for info on this for some time, I had to come to the other side of the world to find it!

My L322 Vogue has the factory DAB, but its not DAB+. I obtained the equivalent module from an L405, which apparently is DAB+, and swapped it out last night after soldering in a pair of wires for the power, as that's the only connector that's different.

But it doesn't work! The DAB button is still on the display, but pressing it does nothing except beep. It doesn't actually select DAB. I tried selecting a different DAB option in the CCF - using IID - but no change.

Has anyone had any success putting the newer module into an L322 I wonder?

Here are the two modules, orig at the top, L405 DAB+ ver underneath:

IMG_7361.jpg

Cheers,

Andy
Kilkenny
Ireland.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Great post and a very cool idea.

Im assuming you need the HSE spec touch screen to start with?

Mines an SE with the smaller non touch screen and HarmonKardon audio. So can a larger screen also be retrofitted in place of the smaller screen?

No conplaints re the sound system, but DAB would be great.