The time has come to fit my new Android radio to the Range Rover project. And, as I said last month, that I’d explain why here. The original system was excellent for its day, twenty years ago – but new roads have rendered the sat-nav out-ofdate, the units themselves are prone to water damage (in the boot), and not only is there no DAB there’s no hands-free phone capability. Courtesy of China, it’s possible to buy an Android unit that solves all these problems and looks at home, albeit one finished in black for its intended home in a BMW E39 5-series. So having sprayed mine to match the rest of the facia, as seen in Part 3, it was ready to fit. However, while I’m reasonably competent when it comes to electrical stuff, I know my limitations.
So, I turned to my friend Simon Heap, who has been undertaking OEM-look upgrades since the 1980s, notably the visually accurate retrofitting of Trafficmaster into an Austin Maestro complete with laser-etched surround panel, and fitment of rear electric windows using top-spec Montego components. I knew that if I wanted this to look like a factory installation, Simon’s help would be invaluable.
Which is why, one wet weekend earlier this year, I drove the hundred or so miles to Simon’s house in Derbyshire with a
