Freelander 2 (LR2) CarPlay

Hi All,

First time Landy owner, looking to install Apple CarPlay in the Freelander 2 and wondering if anybody has used this company before: https://unique-ad.co.uk/product/lan...d-navigation-with-apple-carplay-android-auto/

I know there are options to replace the existing head unit with a double din CarPlay solution but that does put the screen a little far down in the centre console. This option would replace the existing, outdated nav unit and put it a good eye level. They are currently out of stock but they have told me that they are getting stock soon.

Just looking to see what experience people have had with them please?

I've not seen a custom unit fitted in the FL2, although a few have fitted universal type double din HU in the standard location. The problem you'll have is to do with system integration. The FL2, like most modern vehicles uses multiple modules to linked together on a data bus. For instance, the FL2 HU is responsible for handling the audio component of the reverse sensors (PDC) system, so removing that will make the sensors inoperable. It's also where the time on the dash is derived from, so again the clock will go blank if it's removed.
The sound for the speakers is sent via a optical cable (MOST) to the amplifier, so unless the replacement HU has the optical output, you'll need to work out another way to get sound to come out the speakers.

It's not just a case of pulling out an old unit and fitting a new one any more, as there's lot's of integration in modern vehicles.
The sat nav forms part of the audio system, so removing that will affect something else in the system.

Thanks for the reply bud, most of the fitting kits come with all of the necessary connector adapters and integrate the PDC sensors. This specific one that I am looking at integrates using the Aux In input to the existing HU so should keep the existing PDC sensors and volume control etc. It also actually replaces the existing nav screen so the dash clock would not be an issue.

bazgrant said:

Thanks for the reply bud, most of the fitting kits come with all of the necessary connector adapters and integrate the PDC sensors. This specific one that I am looking at integrates using the Aux In input to the existing HU so should keep the existing PDC sensors and volume control etc. It also actually replaces the existing nav screen so the dash clock would not be an issue.

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Sounds interesting. You'll have to come back and show us how it fits when you get it.

I've been looking for a similar thing to upgrade the stereo in the wife's Fiat 500 Sport, however the kits for those seem to originate from China, and unfortunately from what I've seen, don't provide a decent sound quality and have patchy integration with the steering wheel controls and PCD system.

bazgrant said:

Thanks for the reply bud, most of the fitting kits come with all of the necessary connector adapters and integrate the PDC sensors. This specific one that I am looking at integrates using the Aux In input to the existing HU so should keep the existing PDC sensors and volume control etc. It also actually replaces the existing nav screen so the dash clock would not be an issue.

Click to expand...

Hey there!

New proud owner of a 2008 Freelander 2 SE TD4 and looking to fit a CarPlay unit. Was doing some googling and found this post about it - wondered if you had an update on whether you ended up fitting one, how you went about it and what unit you got?

Sorry for digging up an old post, there’s not a lot of info out there regarding this kind of thing and want to be sure it all works before forking out £500 on a CarPlay unit!

Unfortunately I didn’t get round to doing it, this does look like the most viable option but I don’t have first hand experience of trying it though

JimothyJones said:

New proud owner of a 2008 Freelander 2 SE TD4 and looking to fit a CarPlay unit.

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If I want to listen to audio from my phone, I use a lead which goes from the headphone socket on my phone, to the Aux input, then I'm not restricted by the Apple ecosystem.

I've looked at some of these FL2 audio units, finding none of them perfect.
I use and am happy with the standard SE system, even the nav is acceptable, once the latest disc is used.

If I want lots of music for a long drive, I simply use MP3 CDs in the multi-changer, which gives several hours of music, or I can stream music from my phone via said lead.

The only thing I'd like to upgrade is the speakers, to the Logic 7 14 speaker system, which I plan on doing at some point.