I have finally started to fit a Pioneer AVH4450BT to my FL2 so far it has been relatively easy, my FL2 is the base Australian Model so it doesn't have Bluetooth and can't even play MP3 discs so in my view it's worth an upgrade.

I bought the unit in August and decided to fit it after repeated messages on the Garmin SatNav that the maps needed updating so I decided it was best to do both at the same time.

The hardest part so far has been getting the centre dash speaker cover off to access the screws to remove the old unit.

This what I have discovered so far of what I am going to gain and lose from the upgrade.

Gains
Far better sound system
Full Iphone connectivity
Bluetooth
Reversing Camera (not installed yet, that's today's job and I think this will be the hardest part of the whole install)

Loses
Reversing sensors (but I think there is a way around this with an after market canbus speaker adapter)
Clock display on the dash

If anyone else is thinking of this, do yourself a favour and purchase a wiring loom adapter it make the install really easy and you retain the steering wheel controls and also you don't have to work out how to connect the reverse signal for the camera as the loom adapter taps into the CanBus signal.

Ill post some pics when the install is finished.

This thread mentions best technique for removing the centre speaker grille.

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic1133.html...aker+grill

Also, I think one or two people who have upgraded the sound system have mounted the old unit in the boot still connected up in order to maintain reversing sensors. 2013 RR Evoque Pure Tech
2012 TD4 GS Auto Orkney Grey - gone

I replaced the entertainment system in my previous Range Rover and mounted the factory Media Information Display (MID) unit in the glove box in order to maintain the vehicles trip computer and dashboard clock functions.

I could do this, because it is considerably smaller than the Freelander radio/CD unit, otherwise I would have hidden it in the boot somewhere.

This was a great selling point when I got rid of it. garioch43

2009 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE - Santorini Black/Black Leather
2002 MGF 1.8i - British Racing Green/Cream Leather with loads of walnut and chrome bits

Success at last in wiring up the reversing camera, it was a huge job in 35c + heat.

The hardest part is running the cables ( RCA + Power) up through the tailgate into the cabin, I followed the factory cables through the rubber sleeve on top of the tailgate into the head lining then down the side through to the floor area in the boot.

One thing I have discovered is if you blow a number plate light it will be a full on job to replace it as you cannot remove the light holder without removing the socket on the back, which means dismantling the tailgate panels and unscrewing the tailgate release moulding to get to it - BIG JOB.

To trigger the head unit and power up the camera when selecting reverse I have used a 4 pin relay which is wired up to reverse light (Green / White wire) and it works well with no error messages on the dash.

Next is to restore the parking distance sensors which I have ordered part # 25-512-PDC interface from INCARTEC in the UK, I should of originally ordered 29-658-PDC which is the whole thing and it would of saved a lot of hassle.

The Auto EQ function on the head unit is awesome, you plug in the calibration mic and it runs a series of test tones and it EQ's and Time Aligns your speakers, best sound I have had in any car I've owned.

I take some pics once I have tidied the whole thing up.

Finished job, really happy the way it has turned out.
I purchased the Parking Distance Restore module from Incartec, so now the reversing sensors are working again so now I have the best of both worlds.

Installed photos

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Looks good. Near impossible to remove all dust, you just don't see it most of the time!

Like the hill climb vid in your gallery.  2013 RR Evoque Pure Tech
2012 TD4 GS Auto Orkney Grey - gone

Cheers
That video was taken about a week after I got the car so it was it's first time off road

Just seen this thread, nice neat job, planning similar for my 2007 HSE with a AVH-X3500.

I checked out the cable from incartec, looks like it's a must have, wasn't planning a rear view camera, may just go ahead now though.

Was this a "plug N play" or did you have to trace/identify some of the wiring

I have a reply from incartec, there are 3 cables and a double din facia and cage to get, i'll order them when I order the radio.

Plug N Play, the hardest bit was getting the centre dash speaker cover off

Ahhh thats music to my ears ... thank you

Seems I'm not as lucky, apparently I have the Alpine premium system in mine, which has an amp in the rear fed via fibre optics. Installing the Pioneer would require bypassing the amp, and possibly require a new amp to drive the sub.

Over my head at the moment unfortunately, so I'm looking at options, if anyone can help please pm rather than hijack this thread - thanks

Nairbr wrote:

Finished job, really happy the way it has turned out.
I purchased the Parking Distance Restore module from Incartec, so now the reversing sensors are working again so now I have the best of both worlds.

Installed photos

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It's amazing how you think your car is clean until you take a photo and then you see all the dust.

Sorry to resurrect an old thred but would I be right in thinking that all I'd need are:

Double Din Aftermarket headunit with Can Bus connection
29-658-PDC for steering wheel controls
facia mount

Would the phone buttons on the steering wheel work for answering the phone?
I have DAB on the current headunit, would the DAB arial connect to an aftermarket headunit?
will fitting an aftermarket headunit disable the trip computer?

Thanks in advance of any replies.

Glyn.

Hi Glyn
To answer your questions
The phone connect should work as mine doesn't have steering wheel phone controls I cant answer 100%
DAB aerial will connect.
The trip computer will work but your clock wont.
Cheers