Series 3 radio installation

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neilc75

Active Member
Posts
190
Location
Birmingham
I have for the last 10 years tried my best to keep the landy original , however now that you can get Bluetooth radios from eBay for a tenner (shipped!, I've already got one it's actually good! ) I'm going to put a pretty low key one into the dash. I have a few questions. I've fitted fog lights and a few well hidden usb sockets so I understand how basic wiring works . The only indication that my landy ever had a radio is the remains of an aerial hole on the bulkhead . Here are my question...
This is how I intend on doing it , block plug in back of stereo , red extended to empty fuse ignition when ignition on only .. two cheap from speakers in footwells to whichever correspond to wires from block , black to negative , and aerial to back of unit , am I missing anything . Can anyone offer advice on discreet aerial .


The only existing wires that go nowhere on dash are neutral , red/blue ( only works when lights on ) and red/yellow wire , I think they were associated with old removed fog lights .

Red/ blue only becomes live when lights on , unsure where red/yellow goes ... If anywhere I could trace it back , black is obviously neutral , I'm thinking I could maybe use the red/blue for my live if I can redirect it to come only independently when ignition on .

Any advice would be appreciated , I'm only using landy for short journeys so it's not too noisy so I think putting radio in will be worth it .
 
Basically, you need a switched live from the key, a permanent live, and ground. Some radios take a signal from the lighting circuit to dim the display at night, so wire that in if it's available.
Blue/red is the Lucas colour for dipped headlights, and red/yellow is for fog lights. So it's possible the fog lights were wired into the dipped beam circuit.
On speakers, you can get door cards for series doors from Mud UK which look good (and you can fit some sound deadening in the doors so you can hear the radio.) Speakers there will probably give a better sound quality than under the dash.

Standard aerial position on a Defender is on the right hand wing top. A manual telescopic aerial works fine and you can push it down to avoid snagging on tree branches etc.
 
Great , thanks , id forgotten about the permanent live , I think the light circuit is the only permanent live ? , I may be wrong , the pictures below show where im intending to put stereo , the original aerial was extendable but wasn't in the wing it was on the drivers side of the bulkhead and pulled out flush to the window frame , are these areials still available? , I can't seem to find then
 

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I like to keep original ish and bought a defender radio cassette, I made up an overhead console, the lower panel has cut outs for the 52mm gauges which I wanted to keep , I used old speakers with new grilles from maplins
I fitted a new stubby rubber Ariel just behind windscreen
I ran the wiring down front right window corner so it can be disconnected easily when I want to run it with out roof on
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Thanks for all the advice , your installation looks great , I've seen this on Amazon , delivered for £25 , originally I thought that the sound quality/volume would be useless , however it's got amazing reviews , apparently the volume is great and you can add additional speakers , for £25 I'll give it ago , no need to but speakers , stubby aerial is a great idea , thanks
 

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Mine is on a permanent live but has a small switch next to it so I can turn it off. I have the whole lot above the screen, radio in the centre and speakers near the door tops, this put them near our heads. I have the supply running up the screen centre and a screen mounted ariel. Mines an S2a so there is no dash to fit it anyway and who doesn't like switches above their head? Made it all out of ally sheet pop riveted then screwed in place, lipped over the roof join inside and screwed into the roof under the capping strips. Radio in centre, then a shelf each side, then spealer each side. LED downlights as interior lighs by the speakers. Head unit is e-bay cheapie, metal came out of a skip, LEDs were £2 for 5.
 
@neilc75 , I'm in similar position but with my Ninety - want a DAB radio/audio system but don't want to leave expensive tech on show/mess around too much with interior. I've decided to go the bluetooth speaker route linked to mobile phone. After reading the reviews, the JBL Extreme2 looks like the ideal option with reasonable/best of breed outdoor sound which should match a Ninety Soft Top environment - I'll position on front of bulkhead/between to seats. Having this means no additional wiring, easy comms link, the unit has handsfree enabled [though I never make/answer calls whilst driving] and will simply remove from Ninety when not in use. Maybe this could be a good option for you...?

https://uk.jbl.com/bluetooth-speakers/JBL+Xtreme+2.html

and they're currently available for £160.00 :)

https://gb.gbeprices.com/gb/en/products/251320180.html
 
I'm awaiting all the bits , I'll need to order some brown and white wire for switched live / live . Does the radio need to be fused or is it ok as I'm piggy backing from fuse box ? Also what gauge wire do I need? , Thanks .
 
You will need to put some sound proofing in the cab and under the bonnet otherwise a radio is a bit pointless. I fitted one in mine but the only time I could hear it was when I was stationary with the engine on tickover. I've also tried a Bluetooth speaker connected to my phone but I wasn't happy with that either, I needed it so loud that when I stopped at junctions, traffic lights etc, it was embarrassing.

Col
 
As per @Colthebrummie , Land Rovers need some level of sound proofing. I've recently sound proofed the interior with silent coat, and Dynamat under bonnet kit. Most good quality sound proofing sheets are of the same/ish materials with similar effectiveness...all are quite expensive, so the trick is to search for those on good offer...you'll save a good few £££'s. This paid for a large roll of Dodo 10mm closed cell acoustic material that I've added to floors/footwells, under seat covers/cubby box/seat box area. It makes a remarkable difference. Now just waiting for the JBL Extreme2 to arrive...I'll play around with its location so not to suffer @Colthebrummie 's mobile rave machine dilemma ;)
 
Ok , ive got the radio , I've put the aerial in ,my cheap overseas radio with built in speakers is really loud , I mean really loud so my concerns were unfounded there , not all in yet , just a quick question , the aerial seems to earth it , normally I'd earth it seperately , should I bother ?
 
Yes, you can never have too many earths and it reduces interfearnce (or so I beleive). Re wire size, same as everything else, re fuse, better safe than sorry, put an in-line spade fuse in if there isn't one in the back of the radio - there often is. I have a had a radio go bang in the Series - water got in from a roof leak.
 
Speakers are right above our heads, and even then we now have a set up with headphones. On long runs my lad just watches a DVD with headphones on, this suits me too as it keeps his eye off the satnav and stops him asking why I'm speeding (usually by 1mph) or not following the satnav (because its route is rubbish)
 
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