Stereo Upgrades

fatweasel · **Posted:** Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:37 pm

I am interested in upgrading my basic stereo. Finding that there are essentially no current offers in our 1.5 DIN size.

I can either go with an aftermarket 1 DIN, or a Chinese no-name 1.5 DIN.

What have you all done with your upgrades?

papaindigo · **Posted:** Thu Nov 15, 2012 4:56 pm

I've found that Crutchfield has a good selection at reasonable prices that come with the dash mounting kit and a wiring kit to go from the aftermarket radio to your OEM radio power plug. Be a little careful with the antenna plug in to the back of the radio; it's somewhat strange to me at least and can be pulled appart while removing.

I'm running a Sony MEX-BT3900U (superseded by the MEX-BT4000P I think) with an Axxess steering wheel interface so I can use the steering wheel radio controls. I had a older Sony unit, same as what's in my wife's Honda (CDX-GT820IP) but it was prone to doing odd things like turning on when you crank up even when it was off at shutdown and/or losing communication with the iPod. The MEX unit works fine as does the built in Bluetooth phone connection.

If you have the "premium" sound system be aware that your front door speakers have a "built-in" amplifier. No big problem so long as the speakers work ok but if they start to buzz they are expensive to replace. For what it's worth the amplifier is not "really" built in rather it's bolted to the speaker frame with only 2 wires going to the speaker. In theory, I've yet to try this, I would think the amp could be unbolted from the speaker and mounted to a bracket inside the door frame in which case you could then extend the 2 wires to a new aftermarket speaker for a whole lot less than an OEM replacement. If I understand things correctly losing the amp will delete the dash speakers.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Thu Nov 15, 2012 5:56 pm

I'm not sure a 1.5 din radio will fit......we have a rounded radio face that is not standard compared to the flat 1.5 din you typically see.

That being said, check out crutchfield, orders over $100 get free shipping, free mounting plate, and free adapter harness, about as plug and play as it gets.

I picked up a sony headunit that supports bluetooth for about $130 shipped with all the goodies it needed. Now I have hands free calling, bluetooth streaming music from my phone, oh and it plays CDs, mp3 cds, and also has an aux in port.

I don't really see the need for the CD player with the bluetooth or aux in port.

teckman02 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 15, 2012 7:24 pm

what all are you wanting to do

fatweasel · **Posted:** Thu Nov 15, 2012 9:19 pm

I had the Sirius satellite radio in my previous CRD - that was pretty cool. I like the 2 DIN stereos with navigation and stuff, but they won't fit.

Just looking for ideas right now.

rjmaype · **Posted:** Thu Nov 15, 2012 9:34 pm

My premium front door speakers blew out. On the Jeep forum they explain how to Elmer glue a connecting fabric to the torn speaker foam.

I decided not to replace the head unit but bought a Motorola T505 which connects the cell phone via Bluetooth for phone and media, broadcasting the phone and music on an unused FM frequency.

Total cost around $50.

amslube · **Posted:** Fri Nov 16, 2012 9:18 pm

Stay away from the Chinese no-name. I bought a double din unit with GPS for my Stealth, first one didn't work at all, returned. 2nd one was OK but the SD card with the maps wouldn't work "as is"...needed major program modifications to get it to work thanks to GPS forums. Sound system is below par.

badassjeep · **Joined:** Tue May 10, 2011 9:18 am **Posts:** 66

I put in a Sony with iPod controls and a AUX jack, sound wise putting new speakers all the way around was a vast improvement.

Fitz! · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 4:46 pm

I would agree with the first post to check out crutchfield, that is where I got mine and it is a very clean install. Also you could check sonicelectronix.com I've had good luck with them for speakers and amps. I got a Alpine CDE-HD138BT and the thing sounds awesome. The Bluetooth+ is awesome! My phone automatically connects and then I can wirelessly play music from my phone. Also has a USB, 3.5mm audio jack and HD radio built in. :rockon:

Elmer · **Joined:** Sat Sep 22, 2012 11:43 am **Posts:** 83

I just installed an aux input adapter on my stock 05 KJ stereo. $60 from amazon and took about 20 min to install.

ChooChooman74 · **Posted:** Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:13 pm

I got mine from Crutchfield. Great unit for about $260. HD radio, blue tooth hands free, usb, aux in, blue tooth streaming, panoramic controls.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KDCX896/Kenwood-Excelon-KDC-X896.html?tp=5684

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

QCCRD · **Joined:** Tue May 08, 2012 6:02 pm **Posts:** 11

I just replaced my infinity speakers and deck with new stuff as two speakers bit the dust at near the same time. I found Amazon to be quite a bit cheaper than Crutchfield. New stuff sounds great.

jinstall · **Posted:** Fri Nov 23, 2012 2:41 am

I ordered a OEM 1-DIN while I was in Germany with the wire harness. I switched from Alpine to Kenwood Excelon series back in 2000 and things have been great. I just upgraded from the 993 to 996($279 local), it is a pretty straight forward install with proper install parts. Everything in mine has been replace except the rear door speakers, really no need for it. Most of my equipment is mid to high end as I am pretty picky about sound reproduction. By far an upgraded headunit will make you OEM speakers sound much better. It is a good inexpensive way to upgrade your sound quality. If you do get a HU with DSP settings like the Kenwood Excelon, you can further tweak the sound and get much better sound and staging, even from OEM speakers.

racertracer · **Posted:** Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:22 pm

I am interested in a good quality stereo capable of connecting to Sirius/XM Radio and bluetooth. I like it to fit in the OEM Bezel and look somewhat stock.

camo · **Posted:** Fri Nov 23, 2012 10:28 pm

I bought the chinese no name and yes... like most chinese stuff is nice exterior and features but very poor funtionality. That being said, I want to get a radio that its buttons light on when I turn the head lights on and that has a clock with the same funtionality as the factory. any one knows a radio that does this?

fatweasel · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 9:25 am

I ended up getting an XM Skydock which plays directly through my existing stereo. It provides satellite radio and allows me to play music from my phone. I can use the GPS function on the phone while music is playing. Also can play Pandora as long as there is decent cell coverage.

I was initially using the FM frequency to transmit from the skydock to my stereo. Wasn't happy with the static so I ordered a CHRY02-AUX adapter which plugs into the back of the stock stereo. Now I have CD quality audio from the stock unit and it charges my phone at the same time.

very happy with this setup!

camo · **Posted:** Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:00 pm

What phone is it?

fatweasel · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2012 8:08 am

iPhone 4

Elmer · **Joined:** Sat Sep 22, 2012 11:43 am **Posts:** 83

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CJ2J9 ... -1&pi=SL75

Same thing I just installed.

I don't see how it could charge an iphone though.. Or did you use an iphone-specific cable plugged into the rca input? I used an rca to 3.5mm as I have a Samsung galaxy nexus and don't believe it's micro-usb port supports audio. Is that the case with the iphone?

fatweasel · **Posted:** Sun Dec 02, 2012 11:44 am

The XM Sydock has an iPhone interface, there is an additional audio-out that plugs into the CHRY02-AUX to feed audio to the stereo.

the Skydock interface charges the phone.

Pretty good setup.

Stereo Upgrades

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