Range Rover Aftermarket Radio Install - Land Rovers Only

scarman99 · 09-27-2005, 02:51 PM

Hi All...
I am new to this forum...so...I would like to send a greetings to all!
I have a problem that I know someone out there can assist with. I am the proud owner of a 2001 Range Rover, 4.6 SE. It is outfitted with the Harman Kardon soundsystem. I am trying to install an aftermarket radio in this vehicle while still using the factory amps (plenty of power) and speakers (which I'll change out later). I can't seem to find a fitment harness that will allow me to plug and play a radio into this vehicle. I really have no desire to cut the wiring.
Is there anyone out there that has done this? It has an Alpine Radio...so...does Alpine maybe make a radio that will work in place of this one? Does anyone else make a plug and play radio that might work?
I want more capability and the only way to do it is to change this radio but I can figure out how to make that happen. Any assistance would be awesome!!
Thanks!!
Rob

troverman · 09-29-2005, 08:47 AM

I think you'll have to cut the wiring. Do you still plan on using the CD changer in the rear? Good luck finding an aftermarket stereo that'll work. Other than that, you can just match the wire leads on the back of the radio, but the problem I see is using the factory amps. If your new unit has preamp outputs, then maybe you can use it, but you cannot just connect the speaker outs on the new unit to the door amplifiers. Also, there is a security lead and an amplifier trip that turns the powered amps in the door on when the radio comes on. For your model, there are also going to be wires for dynamic volume control which adjusts volume to your roadspeed. Finally, there are steering wheel mounted radio controls which will be defunct with a new unit. Why get rid of the factory h/k? It sounds nice, and has plenty of features. Upgrade the speakers, maybe, but keep the factory look and features of the stock unit is my opinion. Of course, it is your truck so do what you want! Does it have navigation, by the way?

scarman99 · 09-29-2005, 03:53 PM

While I can appreciate what is currently installed in my RR...the headunit is obsolete. It has a cassette deck and even though it has a changer...I would like to play MP3's and have additionally control capabilities that this unit cannot offer. This setup doesn't have a nav system installed but to be perfectly honest, I really don't have a need for a nav system. I guess the bottom line is that I know what needs to be done...but I don't want to cut up the wiring. Additionally, I believe the factory amps and speakers are pretty much just fine. But the head unit itself definitely needs to go.
The Disco II has the same exact headunit and setup...so...I just need to see if the same harness they make for that model will work on mine. I am checking on the plug wiring now...so...we'll see what happens. Thanks for getting back with me....no one has been able to answer this question...and it seems alot of folks just changed out the entire system and bypassed all the factory stuff.

Disco · 09-29-2005, 05:53 PM

Changing out the entire system is the easiest option as it allows you to install whatever aftermarket system you want, however, in your situation, as you only want to change the headunit, I'm of the opinion, that the wiring loam to the radio between later model RR has not changed, therefore, it's a good bet that you could just plug in a new headunit. However, at worse, you may need to find some electronics shop to make up an adapter lead.

98RRover · 09-29-2005, 07:07 PM

Hey, i do a lot of audio and visual stuff for my truck, they don't make harnesses specific for a range rover. You need to go to an audio shop and have them splice the wires and hook it up the hard way. It can be done, and its not that bad. You will lose the steering controls unless you add on a new amp because of some wierd power thing that my buddy explianed to me since he owns a shop, but i had no idea. In the end, you can have it done for pretty cheap, but don't do it yourself without the know how. I wrote down what wires equal what somewhere for something like this but im not sure where it is. If I find it I will let you know, that way you can do it yourself 2. Hope everything works out!

Disco · 09-30-2005, 03:38 AM

[quote=98RRover]Hey, i do a lot of audio and visual stuff for my truck, they don't make harnesses specific for a range rover. You need to go to an audio shop and have them splice the wires and hook it up the hard way. It can be done, and its not that bad. QUOTE]

I think that's what I said/meant.

scarman99 · 10-01-2005, 05:53 AM

Hey all....thanks for the responses. I spoke to a dude in England (Nexxia) and he just recently worked with someone with my very same model RR. He says this connection is a straight up ISO connection and that no harness is required. It's just a straight up plug in connection to an ISO radio He DID say I may or may not lose my amps....that I needed to experiment a bit. However, with that being said...if I plug in a radio and lose the amps...all I should need to do is connect the amp turn on connection(s) to the single blue turn on wire from the ISO wired radio and I should have a good signal. So...bottom line is that I'm gonna rip out the radio...and see what the connections look like. Thanks again all....if anyone else has info on this or has tried this...please get with me....I plan on doing this in the next few weeks....so...I'll definitely post my results! Thanks!

09-27-2005, 02:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
scarman99 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3 Gallery: 0	Range Rover Aftermarket Radio Install Hi All... I am new to this forum...so...I would like to send a greetings to all! I have a problem that I know someone out there can assist with. I am the proud owner of a 2001 Range Rover, 4.6 SE. It is outfitted with the Harman Kardon soundsystem. I am trying to install an aftermarket radio in this vehicle while still using the factory amps (plenty of power) and speakers (which I'll change out later). I can't seem to find a fitment harness that will allow me to plug and play a radio into this vehicle. I really have no desire to cut the wiring. Is there anyone out there that has done this? It has an Alpine Radio...so...does Alpine maybe make a radio that will work in place of this one? Does anyone else make a plug and play radio that might work? I want more capability and the only way to do it is to change this radio but I can figure out how to make that happen. Any assistance would be awesome!! Thanks!! Rob

09-29-2005, 08:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
troverman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 272 Gallery: 0	I think you'll have to cut the wiring. Do you still plan on using the CD changer in the rear? Good luck finding an aftermarket stereo that'll work. Other than that, you can just match the wire leads on the back of the radio, but the problem I see is using the factory amps. If your new unit has preamp outputs, then maybe you can use it, but you cannot just connect the speaker outs on the new unit to the door amplifiers. Also, there is a security lead and an amplifier trip that turns the powered amps in the door on when the radio comes on. For your model, there are also going to be wires for dynamic volume control which adjusts volume to your roadspeed. Finally, there are steering wheel mounted radio controls which will be defunct with a new unit. Why get rid of the factory h/k? It sounds nice, and has plenty of features. Upgrade the speakers, maybe, but keep the factory look and features of the stock unit is my opinion. Of course, it is your truck so do what you want! Does it have navigation, by the way? __________________ Current: 1992 Range Rover County 2000 Land Rover Discovery II Also current: 1995 Mercedes-Benz E320 Wagon 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan GLS 1996 Ford Explorer LTD 2WD 1982 Volvo 240 GL Diesel Previous Rover: 1995 Range Rover 4.0SE

09-29-2005, 05:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Disco Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,819 Gallery: 0	Changing out the entire system is the easiest option as it allows you to install whatever aftermarket system you want, however, in your situation, as you only want to change the headunit, I'm of the opinion, that the wiring loam to the radio between later model RR has not changed, therefore, it's a good bet that you could just plug in a new headunit. However, at worse, you may need to find some electronics shop to make up an adapter lead. __________________ No hand signals, driver playing with his transfer Knob.

09-30-2005, 03:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
Disco Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,819 Gallery: 0	[quote=98RRover]Hey, i do a lot of audio and visual stuff for my truck, they don't make harnesses specific for a range rover. You need to go to an audio shop and have them splice the wires and hook it up the hard way. It can be done, and its not that bad. QUOTE] I think that's what I said/meant. __________________ No hand signals, driver playing with his transfer Knob.

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09-29-2005, 03:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
scarman99 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3 Gallery: 0	While I can appreciate what is currently installed in my RR...the headunit is obsolete. It has a cassette deck and even though it has a changer...I would like to play MP3's and have additionally control capabilities that this unit cannot offer. This setup doesn't have a nav system installed but to be perfectly honest, I really don't have a need for a nav system. I guess the bottom line is that I know what needs to be done...but I don't want to cut up the wiring. Additionally, I believe the factory amps and speakers are pretty much just fine. But the head unit itself definitely needs to go. The Disco II has the same exact headunit and setup...so...I just need to see if the same harness they make for that model will work on mine. I am checking on the plug wiring now...so...we'll see what happens. Thanks for getting back with me....no one has been able to answer this question...and it seems alot of folks just changed out the entire system and bypassed all the factory stuff.

09-29-2005, 07:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
98RRover Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 291 Gallery: 0	Hey, i do a lot of audio and visual stuff for my truck, they don't make harnesses specific for a range rover. You need to go to an audio shop and have them splice the wires and hook it up the hard way. It can be done, and its not that bad. You will lose the steering controls unless you add on a new amp because of some wierd power thing that my buddy explianed to me since he owns a shop, but i had no idea. In the end, you can have it done for pretty cheap, but don't do it yourself without the know how. I wrote down what wires equal what somewhere for something like this but im not sure where it is. If I find it I will let you know, that way you can do it yourself 2. Hope everything works out!

10-01-2005, 05:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
scarman99 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3 Gallery: 0	Hey all....thanks for the responses. I spoke to a dude in England (Nexxia) and he just recently worked with someone with my very same model RR. He says this connection is a straight up ISO connection and that no harness is required. It's just a straight up plug in connection to an ISO radio He DID say I may or may not lose my amps....that I needed to experiment a bit. However, with that being said...if I plug in a radio and lose the amps...all I should need to do is connect the amp turn on connection(s) to the single blue turn on wire from the ISO wired radio and I should have a good signal. So...bottom line is that I'm gonna rip out the radio...and see what the connections look like. Thanks again all....if anyone else has info on this or has tried this...please get with me....I plan on doing this in the next few weeks....so...I'll definitely post my results! Thanks!

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