So I still can’t get the speakers working so I’m just changing out the radio in the 03. It’s got the navigation unit in it and I’m wondering what else I’m going to need? Most specifically, what do I need to keep the steering wheel controls?

 

There are tons of threads about this in the https://landroverforums.com/forum/au...lectronics-10/ forum.

 

I replaced my stereo - I’m a musician, so it’s the first thing I did in my D2 and RRC. I wanted to keep the volume +/-, mode and track +/- controls on the steering wheel. I installed this: PAC SWI-RC Steering Wheel Control Interface SWI-RC-1.


It works, but I think I have a short somewhere or the steering wheel buttons themselves are screwed up since it started to work intermittently after a few months of installing. I’d have to rip everything out again to see, but it got somewhat cramped in the dash with the wiring for the heat unit, two inline crossovers, the steering wheel control interface and this stupid mounting bracket that’s in the middle of everything and sticking way out for the original stereo - about that bracket, I think there’s a way to unbolt it without having to cut it, but I’d have to look into that again.

Also, just another warning: that company the makes the steering wheel remote interface has some extremely rude people working there.

I’m not sure if your HSE with the navigation will be exactly like my SE, but hopefully this helps.



You can see the pain-in-the-**** bracket in the center of the bay with the mounting hole in for the original stereo. Maybe someone knows how to remove this thing. It gets in the way with a lot of stuff back behind there. Maybe yours is different though since it has a navigation unit.

The blue unit is the steering wheel remote interface. The clear units are inline crossovers. All in all, it makes for a pretty crammed installation due to that bracket.

 

An Android-based head unit requires no additional hardware to get the steering wheel controls to work.

 

Disclaimer - haven’t read all the posts...

I think I have a similar issue. Bought a radio from Crutchfield and the steering column controls. Radio lights up and goes through the motions, but no sound. The steering column controls? Fuggedaboutit. Hope to learn something here.

 

Unless there's a connection to the amp signal wire, your head unit won't turn on the amplifier and you won't hear anything.

 

I'm going all in with a full replacement of my sound system in my 2003 DII. Crutchfield was super helpful, and I've purchased an Alpine head-end with the steering wheel controls, Kicker speakers, amplifier and powered sub-woofer that I plan on installing on the rear door (where the factory sub would be). I'm hoping for minimal issues since my plan is to replace everything, including wiring. I'm thinking of also installing the amp in the rear cargo area, perhaps in one of the storage cubbies. Any thoughts on running the wiring from the cargo area to the dash? How difficult will it be replace the door speaker wiring and where does it run, under the carpet or in the sills someplace?

Thanks-KAT

 

I installed my JL 3 channel sub amp under the passenger seat, seems to be a great location. The other two channels feed two of the door speakers.

 

Thanks Dave. I was wondering whether that was a good spot as well. I figure I may be taking the seats out anyway, depending on where the wiring runs. Did you replace your speaker wires and where did you run everything?

KAT