New Infotainment Radio Option (Looks Stock)
- Thread starter AutoCrat
- Start date
TJRick
TJ Enthusiast
While I am not a fan of computer screens in cars - particularly the TJ - that one looks really good.
What did that come out of?
That’s the factory optional Mopar RB1 radio,, there was also RB3 / RB4 (Below) offered in Europe and Central America -
Pictures stolen from another forum but this would have been my setup, if I had bought TJ in 2004 
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Hennep87
TJ Enthusiast
I had no clue that was ever an option for an '04... going back to the OP, I also installed one of these android 13 head units. It was surprisingly plug & play with zero issues installing. Running the factory amp for the subwoofer without issue. It powers the aftermarket Kickers reasonably well - it would certainly benefit from an amp and will likely do that one day. The sound quality is good and basic interface is familiar... but, there is basically zero support or guides for the nuanced features. I thought it was going to have HD Radio, but it only has the European version (DAB+). Mine came with a CAN box... I plugged it in, but since we don't have a CAN BUS system I am not sure why I did that? I assume removing the box wouldn't impact anything (just guessing here). If someone has figured out all the bells and whistles of this device, maybe they can post a guide (or point me to an existing YouTube guide).
Hennep87
TJ Enthusiast
What do you need to know. I figured out everything what I need to know.
Didn’t installed the canbus, works like a charm
Have you been able to get the system to update? I can't get it to access the Play store for updates because it won't accept my Gmail credentials due to a security setting...?
Have you tried adding a cellular dongle? It looks like that is an option in the settings.
Pictures stolen from another forum but this would have been my setup, if I had bought TJ in 2004
View attachment 578806View attachment 578807View attachment 578808
Edit: apparently this is just cartographical realistic fiction, but it sure threw me for a loop trying to find these places on Google
That OEM setup is very cool.
Hennep87
TJ Enthusiast
I have no idea I use apple CarPlay so didn’t need to update.
Also the dongle isn’t necessary with CarPlay
ChasUGC
TJ Enthusiast
I have a Boss single din 10" touchscreen, with removable screen and it's great. It does everything except bake cookies. It has one knob and that's for volume. The problem comes from people installing advanced stereo systems and not knowing what they're doing and mess up the radio. The instructions specifically say to have installation done by a professional.
JEEPSTEVENANAIMO
TJ Enthusiast
Not sure what that has to do with anything. it doesnt take a professional to follow a wiring diagram and solder some wires together. only those who cant do wiring pay a "professional" to install a stereo. a head unit is childs play, ive been wiring these since i was around 12 years old on the farm. couldnt pay me to put a walmart boss stereo in my shit.
And if you buy from a place that offers factory wiring harness adapters (Crutchfield comes to mind), even easier yet.
You can get a decent brand (Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony) radio for around $250 - $300 if you don't mind wired android auto/apple. If you want wireless car play, that seems to be when the price jumps to $400+.
For my trail rig, I have a single DIN Alpine. It has bluetooth, but no need for car play since it doesn't have a fancy screen. Something like that would be around $100 - $150 now. I have a mount for my phone. So if I want to use google maps, I just use the screen on the phone and bluetooth for audio.
For my DD TJ, I have a double DIN Sony that has wired car play. That was $300 on Crutchfield at the time.
For my trail rig, I have a single DIN Alpine. It has bluetooth, but no need for car play since it doesn't have a fancy screen. Something like that would be around $100 - $150 now. I have a mount for my phone. So if I want to use google maps, I just use the screen on the phone and bluetooth for audio.
For my DD TJ, I have a double DIN Sony that has wired car play. That was $300 on Crutchfield at the time.
Hennep87
TJ Enthusiast
Or.. if you don’t mind a Chinese radio.
You got wireless CarPlay and a factory wired harness adapter for less then 150,-
I just found this on AliExpress: 137,32€ | Car Radio for JEEP Grand Cherokee Liberty Wrangler Chrysler 2002-2006 Navigation Video Player WIFI GPS RDS Android AUTO CARPLAY
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtSXXt5
You got wireless CarPlay and a factory wired harness adapter for less then 150,-
I just found this on AliExpress: 137,32€ | Car Radio for JEEP Grand Cherokee Liberty Wrangler Chrysler 2002-2006 Navigation Video Player WIFI GPS RDS Android AUTO CARPLAY
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mtSXXt5
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Look into one of these if your head unit supports wired CarPlay/Android Auto and you'd like to go wireless.
Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Adapter
My truck has wired CarPlay and I've been using one of these for 3 years now with no issues.
A big plus is that it's easy to take with you if you rent a car or want to test drive a car without hooking your phone to it.
Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto Adapter
My truck has wired CarPlay and I've been using one of these for 3 years now with no issues.
A big plus is that it's easy to take with you if you rent a car or want to test drive a car without hooking your phone to it.
These are handy, I bought this version a while back. Looks like mine is only CarPlay.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQK14Y1B?tag=wranglerorg-20
ChasUGC
TJ Enthusiast
Yeah, that is what a lot of people think until they mess it up and then blame the stereo. Stereos these days have come a long way and the electronics are more delicate and more advanced. We didn't have 5 channel amplifiers, wireless Android Auto, Hands free phone connections, Bluetooth, back up cameras, and all the gadgets on them, 25-30 years ago. I trusted my professional installer and he promised to back the installation. I've had it about two years now with no problems. And, if I do, I know he will support it. But, you do you.
You're not decrypting Lorenz or putting a man on the moon...it's a car audio device. Sorry, you are really pumping this one up.
I'm not suggesting you shouldn't have used an installer, or that anyone else shouldn't, but they really aren't that difficult.
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Went wheeling last weekend and still enjoy my older single DIN Alpine that has bluetooth and just works well. I've been using Alpine since I was 16, late 80's.
My DD is a '23 Ram 1500. There are so many tied in electronics, that it doesn't make much sense to replace the OEM radio anymore. It is very quirky and needs a somewhat complicated adapter (PAC) to interface with an amp. It has some other issues that bug me that I won't get into. So just makes me miss the days when you could buy any radio you want and toss the OEM radio in the trash, where it belongs (or sell it on Ebay haha).
My DD is a '23 Ram 1500. There are so many tied in electronics, that it doesn't make much sense to replace the OEM radio anymore. It is very quirky and needs a somewhat complicated adapter (PAC) to interface with an amp. It has some other issues that bug me that I won't get into. So just makes me miss the days when you could buy any radio you want and toss the OEM radio in the trash, where it belongs (or sell it on Ebay haha).
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