Recommendations For Upgrading Stereo & Speakers

[primetime4]

To replace the dash speakers with 5.25" speakers, do you need to cut the jeep or do they just fit with the adapter?

Depends on the year. My 2001 had a metal piece that needed to be cut to fit the speaker mounted in the adapter. I worked around this by only connecting one side of the adapter. It’s still enough to hold everything in place but not as rigid as fully screwed in. I doubt it makes a difference sonically. Either way the metal piece is not really structural so you can easily cut it out.

 

[Woodrow]

You need to cut some metal (at least on my '97). Here's a link the post in build thread on the install including a pic of the cut:

Post in thread 'Woodrow's 97 Green TJ Moderate Build'

Apr 15, 2024

I have neglected updating this thread with regard to my sound system for a few months (6 to be precise). I had been living with the PO’s Sony head unit and some mismatched aftermarket speakers since I picked up my TJ 5 years ago. The sound was tinny and mostly useless above parking lot speeds. Obviously, this was not a priority but eventually I thought a better sound system would be nice. I decided to build a “headless” system that runs off my phone by bluetooth (like a big bluetooth speaker for your car). I am not an audiophile but with the help of @skrelnik and Crutchfield, I put...

• Woodrow

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[jwilkinson01]

To replace the dash speakers with 5.25" speakers, do you need to cut the jeep or do they just fit with the adapter?

Definitely had to cut and it was a pain. I could only get so much with the dremel due to limited working room, the rest I did holding a hacksaw blade.

 

[bmcgc]

In my 40 years of owning Jeeps, I have found that you can spend a couple hundred bucks and have crappy sound or spend a couple thousand bucks and have crappy sound in a CJ or Wrangler.

$50+ will buy a decent single din bluetooth and another $100 for speakers will get you functional for under $200.

 

[Woodrow]

In my 40 years of owning Jeeps, I have found that you can spend a couple hundred bucks and have crappy sound or spend a couple thousand bucks and have crappy sound in a CJ or Wrangler.

$50+ will buy a decent single din bluetooth and another $100 for speakers will get you functional for under $200.

The system the po left me with was probably the equivalent of the $200 set up you’re talking about. Like you said, functional but crappy. My current set up was under $1000 (headless with blue tooth amp, 10” sub and four 5.25” Blam speakers. It suffers from the poor sound stage which I think is your point but it really is much better than what I had (5x better? prob not, but I’m happy with it).

 

[ChasUGC]

The system the po left me with was probably the equivalent of the $200 set up you’re talking about. Like you said, functional but crappy. My current set up was under $1000 (headless with blue tooth amp, 10” sub and four 5.25” Blam speakers. It suffers from the poor sound stage which I think is your point but it really is much better than what I had (5x better? prob not, but I’m happy with it).

If you want to improve your sound stage, try adding some polyfill to the rear of your front speakers. When you can hear your front speakers at zero fade, then you have a excellent sound stage. I actually added too much and I drowned out my rear speakers, so I took a bit out until I could equally hear the front and back speakers.

 

[ChasUGC]

To replace the dash speakers with 5.25" speakers, do you need to cut the jeep or do they just fit with the adapter?

On some year TJ's, you do need to cut a small piece, and some year TJ'S you don't. I really can't remember over 25 years later, since I brought it in '97 and that was one of my first mods by '07. But, it was fairly simple either way. If you just get the cheap adapter plate, you'll see. If you want to put a more expensive baffle enclosure in there, it can be more difficult. I'm a Manly man too. Are we related? Probably not.

 

[JMT]

I have a 2003 Jeep TJ sport with the factory subwoofer option.
I am new to the forum and definitely new to audio upgrades. I have a blown speaker in the soundbar and that has sparked my interest in upgrading the whole system. My reading has told me to get 5 1/4 speakers in the dash and 6 1/2 in the soundbar. I also want to get a new head unit (maybe this, Kenwood Excelon KMM-X705 ?) and I am not opposed to getting an amp if deemed necessary. I just want to be able to listen to some tunes as I am cruising down the road with the top off and the doors off. I am not to afraid of theft where I live as long as I can somewhat conceal the amp (maybe under the seat). Should I even buy an amp or is it not needed. Should I do a 4-channel amp and just use the factory amp for the subwoofer or does it make more sense to get a 5-channel amp to do it all? Any brands for speakers, amps, and head units?

Thanks in advance, Tyler

5-channel for sure. Head unit internal amps are never as clean as dedicated amps.

 

[MrManly]

On some year TJ's, you do need to cut a small piece, and some year TJ'S you don't. I really can't remember over 25 years later, since I brought it in '97 and that was one of my first mods by '07. But, it was fairly simple either way. If you just get the cheap adapter plate, you'll see. If you want to put a more expensive baffle enclosure in there, it can be more difficult. I'm a Manly man too. Are we related? Probably not.

LOL. I'm a Smith, just use MrManly for forums and other online id's