I think you’re getting confused. On the 97-02 models your head unit doesn’t matter, they all have the same hookups. There’s a series of components that get wired into the original head unit via factory adapters to make the changer work. This is from the parts catalog.
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As a side note, I do remember my factory changer having a small controller mounted to the dash under the ash tray. It lit up but it didn’t display anything. Wish I had a picture of it.
The bottom two CD changers in those diagrams are both FM modulated CD changers. That means you tune your radio to a certain frequency, for example, 88.1FM, and the CD changer plays through that, and the changer is controlled through an external controller (#7 in the middle diagram, #4 in the bottom). These could be installed through ANY radio.
However, there was ALSO a changer that was controlled directly by the buttons on the head unit and didn't interrupt the FM broadcast and play through the radio tuner, but these required head units that were designed to control the changers. There will be a socket on the back of these to accept a plug from the cable that connects the changer to the head unit. Simple, no external parts necessary.
The bottom two CD changers in those diagrams are both FM modulated CD changers. That means you tune your radio to a certain frequency, for example, 88.1FM, and the CD changer plays through that, and the changer is controlled through an external controller (#7 in the middle diagram, #4 in the bottom). These could be installed through ANY radio.
However, there was ALSO a changer that was controlled directly by the buttons on the head unit and didn't interrupt the FM broadcast and play through the radio tuner, but these required head units that were designed to control the changers. There will be a socket on the back of these to accept a plug from the cable that connects the changer to the head unit. Simple, no external parts necessary.
Very interesting, thanks. So I could in theory install this to be used with my current RAZ.
Do you know which ones? Or do you know the sales code for them? (RAZ, etc.)
Very interesting, thanks. So I could in theory install this to be used with my current RAZ.
Do you know which ones? Or do you know the sales code for them? (RAZ, etc.)
The connections that you referenced do not include the aux plug for the cd changer. The CD changer wiring is not in the Jeep's standard wiring harness.Yes the setup we’re referring to should theoretically work with any factory radio 97-02 since the rear connections are the same no matter what.
Yes, you could use an FM modulated cd changer with the RAZ.
No, I do not know all of the models that have included CD changer controls. Again, read the document that Jamison linked in your other thread. It specifies.
For example, the RBN:
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The connections that you referenced do not include the aux plug for the cd changer. The CD changer wiring is not in the Jeep's standard wiring harness.
See the round DIN connector on the top right here? That's where the CD changer plugs into a radio with integrated controls.
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Hmm interesting, I found a picture of my dash out with the factory radio and it doesn't have the connector on the back, so maybe the radio you listed above was a factory upgrade if the vehicle was ordered with the changer?
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I like nerding out over this stuff. It almost feels like history at this point
I feel like I’m in a classic restoration thread.
Fine, but I can see people searching for these types of rare things 25 years from now.
Make sure and get some CD’s from the year of your TJ to complete the time capsule!
What’s to think about? All this stuff is obsolete.
I used the below stereo and the six disc changer so that I could add an aux cable. Basically I hacked into the cable from the CD changer to the head unit and then printed a blank CD with blank audio files. Now, when I run the CD changer and play the blank CD, I can plug my phone into the aux port (not pictured, but just to the right of the head unit in the bezel) and listen to whatever I want, using the phone for control. I tried a modern looking head unit, but I absolutely hated all of the flashing lights and the clash with the interior of my Jeep. I think I spent $60 on the head unit and another $50 on the CD changer. Plus about $10 for the aux port and some wire taps.
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I used the below stereo and the six disc changer so that I could add an aux cable. Basically I hacked into the cable from the CD changer to the head unit and then printed a blank CD with blank audio files. Now, when I run the CD changer and play the blank CD, I can plug my phone into the aux port (not pictured, but just to the right of the head unit in the bezel) and listen to whatever I want, using the phone for control. I tried a modern looking head unit, but I absolutely hated all of the flashing lights and the clash with the interior of my Jeep. I think I spent $60 on the head unit and another $50 on the CD changer. Plus about $10 for the aux port and some wire taps.
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I used the below stereo and the six disc changer so that I could add an aux cable. Basically I hacked into the cable from the CD changer to the head unit and then printed a blank CD with blank audio files. Now, when I run the CD changer and play the blank CD, I can plug my phone into the aux port (not pictured, but just to the right of the head unit in the bezel) and listen to whatever I want, using the phone for control. I tried a modern looking head unit, but I absolutely hated all of the flashing lights and the clash with the interior of my Jeep. I think I spent $60 on the head unit and another $50 on the CD changer. Plus about $10 for the aux port and some wire taps.
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https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads/rbk-and-rbq-radio-auxiliary-input-install-how-to.1859386/
This is a guide to install an AUX input into your factory radio. The used LJ I just bought came with an aftermarket Kenwood. I'm middle aged which factors in, but I prefer a radio with actual buttons, that you can find without looking when driving. I want a rotary knob for volume, and tactile feel.
I found a round corner stock radio on FB Marketplace from a Dodge Ram. Plugged right into the factory harness. I've ordered some 3.5mm jacks and plan to get out the soldering iron some rainy weekend and then rock some MP3s.
Just coming back to this, out of curiosity. So did you just get an aux input and splice the wires into the right L and R wires of the cable that runs from the changer to the head unit?
And if so, can you also still play CDs in the other slots, and you just use the blank CD for when you want to plug into the AUX?
First, the stereo head unit has to be the one I pictured, with the "mode" button so that you can choose the CD input. The matching CD changer and cable is the one I pictured. It's an 8 pin DIN cable, not a L + R. You need L, R, and ground connections, and then you must crack into the DIN cable and splice accordingly. I did my best to find a way to get around using the CD changer, but the head unit is expecting some data comms from the CD changer and I couldn't find a way to spoof it, bypass it, or disable it. I will try and find the wiring diagram I used for the DIN cable. This was a very easy mod, but the head unit isn't plug and play from a mounting perspective-you will need to do a simple bracket for one side.
This is the input I used. You can still play CDs in the other slots, though I only have the single blank CD, in which case it will play the blank cd over and over.
If I was doing this over, I would relocate the aux input to be as close as possible to the cigar lighter, and add a bluetooth adapter like the one linked here: TUNAI Firefly LDAC Bluetooth Receiver. My son has one of these in his car and it works perfectly.
Thanks. I have a different head unit, but it does have the same 'mode' button to select the external disc changer as the input. And there is a wiring 'key' on the back of my four-disc CD changer, so I'll be able to see which of the DIN wires is for L and R. I do plan on using the disc changer for CDs, but if I can dedicate one CD slot to a blank one and then play via aux input or bluetooth, that'll be swell. Maybe I can set the head unit to repeat the one disc whenever I want to use AUX. But I'll also explore the other ways I've seen for adding bluetooth to the head unit.