Radio Recommendations
- Thread starter Don and Dale Champagne
- Start date
Depends on what ya want from it. Water proof? Touch screen? Built in amp? Car play? Can range from 70 bucks for a cheap single din Bluetooth to hundreds for a good CarPlay double din.
TJRick
TJ Enthusiast
I prefer the OEM radios.
Almost any Chrysler/Mopar radio from 1997 - 2002 will fit without any modifications, as long as you get one with the correct mounting tabs. There will be on on top right and another on the bottom left.
I have an OEM combination CD/cassette player in mine.
KennethS
TJ Addict
Just about any single DIN radio with an installation kit. Crutchfield.com is a good site to see various radios, compare specs, and see what installation kit fits your vehicle.
There are some nerdy types who solider in bluetooth and RCA outputs onto older 90's headunits in the BMW space. Wish I was smart enough to do that. As the OEM looks the best. It just belongs in the space.
A previous owner of my 2000 Sport installed a Kenwood marine radio and it fits in perfectly. All the buttons work, it lights up beautifully and there are speakers on the soundbar. Only problem is that no sound comes out of those speakers. So that's a future project. Thankfully Kenwood has the owner's manual on their website. Point is, you shouldn't have a problem fitting a new radio, although the tricky part might be getting it to work.
KennethS
TJ Addict
I had that issue twice. It gets so hot here in the summer (brutal sun beating on the black top) that the sound bar speakers get cooked to the point of failing. Installed a new set of speakers and everything was back to normal.
I had the same issue with my overhead mounted CB radio - the internal speaker failed due to the heat.
And every few years I have to replace the roll bar mounted grab bars as the nylon straps (and the Velcro) disintegrate -it just turns into a fine black powder.
Thanks. I'll look into that.
As for the grab handles, when I went looking for some (to keep my wife happy!) I saw where a lot of people were complaining about the same thing. Primarily that the handles move around and they wear out from use and extreme heat. Somewhat flimsy as well. After a bit of research I ended up getting a set of metal grab bars from the online vendor Extreme Terrain. Be careful, there's a lot of junky ones out there (most from that infamous foreign country over in Asia) but the ones they sell by Red Rock are the one's you might want to try. They're built like a tank, relatively easy to install with some possible modifications of trim pieces required but no big deal. These are what Jeep should have installed themselves on the older TJ's. Believe me, you'll never need anything else to help you into the Jeep, other than maybe a set of running boards.
Edit: I just looked on that vendor's website and I'm not sure they still sell the metal bars I was talking about. I also checked Red Rock's website and couldn't find them there either. Not sure what happened, but I'll let you know if I you can find them somewhere else.
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Get a single DIN Sony. Sony is so much more intuitive than other brands.
CreepinDeth
TJ Addict
This is all you need
However be mindful a new headunit is just the brainbox, and a good external amp, and better speakers is needed for anything remotely good sound
I am putting a modified Pioneer marine radio into my Victory Magnum and I was told between JVC, Kenwood, and Pioneer that the Pioneer had the best overall quality. Im usually a Kenwood or Alpine guy, but the last double din Kenwood I installed in my wifes Tahoe left me questioning their QC
My kids 03 Wrangler I installed a double din BOSS because I didnt want a higher end unit that attracts thieves. Shockingly enough, its alot better then I thought it would be, and looks OEM with the proper double din bezel
Im a stereo junkie metalhead , been doin aftermarket stereos since 1995
I bought an Alpine UTE-73BT from Crutchfield because I wanted something that looked period correct (and that HU has been made since 2005 or so), and I wanted the BT capability for connecting my phone.
Super simple to wire up - I think I spent more time getting the buttons the correct shade of orange, and the screen the correct shade of green to match the gauge cluster lol.
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-o3mTqUmZabW/p_500UTE73BT/Alpine-UTE-73BT.html
I guess I have the factory speakers, and I replaced the blown OEM sub with a Quadratec sub, and it honestly sounds great. Good RMS power is key.
Super simple to wire up - I think I spent more time getting the buttons the correct shade of orange, and the screen the correct shade of green to match the gauge cluster lol.
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-o3mTqUmZabW/p_500UTE73BT/Alpine-UTE-73BT.html
I guess I have the factory speakers, and I replaced the blown OEM sub with a Quadratec sub, and it honestly sounds great. Good RMS power is key.
If you really want no modifications whatsoever, you can find an OEM from anyone parting out a TJ. Or just look on Facebook Marketplace. Be sure you get one with square corners, as the rounded-corner style will only fit in an 03–06.
If you're open to a minor modification (to make a single-din radio fit in the 1.5-din slot), call Crutchfield and they'll help you out. It's a very common/easy upgrade.
If you're open to a minor modification (to make a single-din radio fit in the 1.5-din slot), call Crutchfield and they'll help you out. It's a very common/easy upgrade.
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