Jaguar XJS Gets a Modern Radio - $75 Single DIN Apple CarPlay / Android Auto! Will it even work?

If there's one thing I have learned to dislike, it's flashy modern headunits in classic vehicles. Don't get me wrong, I love a nice stereo/head unit, but often times flashy modern radios look goofy the day they go on market, and worse as they age. Case in point - this 2000's looking cassette deck in this Jag.
I tend to gravitate to original or original looking radios. But I do love Android Auto, and use screen-based head units in many cars. My goal there is clean looking units that will age well, and they must work well.
Originally I planned to use a Continental/VDO head unit that is very popular for 1980s/1990s Euro cars. It's a clean looking modern radio that matches the period aesthetic.
But then I found out there are folks making Single DIN* radios with screens that run Android and support Apple Carplay / Android Auto. Further research, and I found one for $78 with coupon code off Ebay. Surely this was too good to pass up!
That unit arrived, and well, it looks pretty clean. So much in fact I think I'll try it in the XJS!
So come along as we do just that! Will it fit? Will it even work? Is it any good? Stick around and find out!
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Links:
Radio Wiring Image taken from this informative post:
"Radio wiring Help" - Jag-lovers.org Forum:
forums.jag-lovers.com/t/radio...
Parts and Tool Links:
Note that here at Vortex Garage I do not get paid to promote any products. However as an Amazon Affiliate, I may get a small commission on any links used below to Amazon products. Know however, that I will only link to products I have personally used, or would use as a substitute for things no longer in stock. Links to any other sites are not affiliate links.
See below for some tool links as well!
Radio Used:
(Ebay link) www.ebay.com/itm/156021677815...
Note that there are other versions of this radio out there. Amazon does stock some similar ones - most likely the same radio made in the same factory, or slightly different variants. Some of these Amazon ones are competitively priced and may be great options.
Amazon Options for similar radios:
These two appear to match the design of the one I used, and also currently are cheaper. They may not have all the same accessories so check each one to choose which you prefer. Also, I'm sure the screen size is the same - one just rounded up to 6.9 from 6.86...marketing :)
Hikity 6.86 Inch Wireless Carplay Car Stereo Single Din
amzn.to/3xHzOE9
6.9 Inch Single Din Car Stereo with Wireless Apple Carplay Android Auto HD Touchscreen Radio
amzn.to/3VGfZFv
Similar option, but no volume knob - you may prefer this - I elected one with a knob for easy volume adjustment:
6.9 Inch Wireless Apple Carplay Car Stereo Single Din Touchscreen Car Radio
amzn.to/3VGkqjy
Last variant - has a knob and dual USBA plus USB-C. Will it's front bezel be the same size though?
6.9-Inch Single Din Touchscreen Car Stereo
amzn.to/4cdjA4V
TOOLS:
Compact Multi-meter :
Hioki 3244-60 Card HiTester and Digital Multimeter, 41.99 Megaohms Resistance, 500V AC/DC Voltage
amzn.to/3VxKopg
Other Multi-Meter Options that are great:
AstroAI AutoRange- I have this one, and it's actually a nice unit for the price so far - backlit display, magnet mount optoin, and only $27 at time of publish:
amzn.to/3VWCYxe
INNOVA 3320 AutoRange - Have had one of these for years and never had an issue - $32 at time of publish
amzn.to/45EvT7E
FLUKE 117 - I got a secondhand one recently, and it's a great unit! For when you are really serious - $225.
(Honestly though, for basic automotive use, and not used daily or with ultra precision needed, the cheaper options take you VERY far and work very well - but this is more of the "ultimate")
amzn.to/4cwJbFB
00:00 Introduction
01:51 Single DIN Android Headunit and ISO Wiring Adapters
05:08 Trim and old Radio Removal
07:43 Wiring Inspection and Radio Test Fitting
09:00 Front Trim Panel Removal and Prep
11:27 Confirming Wiring - How to test for right connections
15:46 Found some odd wiring - Ground wire
18:10 Adding ISO Connectors and Wiring Notes
19:48 Testing New Radio - Power On Test and Confirming Wiring
24:28 Speaker Wiring to ISO
25:15 Headunit Testing / Power and Speakers
29:32 Final Installation / Checking out the new unit
31:38 Conclusion

[@crasbee]

Jaguar are really special in every regard 😅
But I'm glad you get so much joy out of it, tinkiering with such an oddball 😄

[@user-nh6ct9pl2b]

I was hoping for the video with on more vacuum system that we talked about before .

[@VortexGarage]

That one is half edited. This one just got out first. The vacuum system one has some confusing bits I gotta clean up. I should have it out next!

[@user-nh6ct9pl2b]

@@VortexGarage thanks looking forward to seeing it .

[@V12motorsports]

I made a video on removing the oem radio just to get the serial number for the radio code that the car didn't come with. If the car had an after market radio I might have considered upgrading to one of these