Upgrading the sound system on your Jeep Wrangler TJ

Chris

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I see a lot of questions about how to get a better sound system from your Jeep Wrangler TJ. People will often dismiss the TJ as being a vehicle with poor sound dynamics to begin with, and while this is true to some degree, I can tell you that the sound system I have in my 2005 TJ Rubicon is absolutely killer, and it didn't break the bank either!

At 65+ on the highway with the doors off and the top off, I can hear the sound loud and clear without any issue at all. I have my subwoofer volume set at 6 (out of 12) and the subwoofer volume on the amp only turned to half way. Yet the bass still kicks like you wouldn't believe!

Here's what I am using for my setup:
Some of the components I bought from Crutchfield, while others I got from Amazon.

But that's it, literally. I mounted the amp underneath the front center console (it's a very tiny amp) and the subwoofer is mounted in place of the factory subwoofer (which some TJs came with). The amp powers the subwoofer alone, and the speakers are driven off the head unit.

This sound system is no joke, I mean it. I was expecting it to be a little better than stock, but I wasn't expecting it to be this good. If you crank the volume all the way up to 35 (the highest it goes), it's deafening.

I highly recommend this setup to anyone who is looking to improve the sound in their TJ without breaking the bank. This is all you'll need, I can promise you that.

So while this isn't a "how-to" guide in terms of installing it, I feel like this is a fantastic setup at a price that won't leave you broke.
 
I would have to go add everything up, but I want to say it was a little less than $700.
 
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I recommend a marine head unit. Reason 1; water resistant; Reason 2, white background and black letters are visible when you have your top off.

I replaced my head unit, all four speakers with Polk DB’s and added a powered sub for $475
 
Do I need a marine stereo due to moisture? Or does it matter for when it rains hard?

That depends on whether or not you leave your TJ out in the rain with the top off.

For me, that's never an issue at all, so I'm not worried about it. Nothing wrong with getting a marine grade head unit, if you think you're going to be exposing it to water.

For what it's worth, I can see my lettering just fine with the top off, but that could vary from person-to-person.
 
I recommend a marine head unit. Reason 1; water resistant; Reason 2, white background and black letters are visible when you have your top off.

I replaced my head unit, all four speakers with Polk DB’s and added a powered sub for $475
Which head unit do you have again?
 
What’s up my man?! Not that it’s the greatest head unit by any means, but I haven’t had many problems with it. The problems I have had are connecting to Bluetooth, but they were easily resolved. Just forget this device and re set up the connection.

JVC KD-X330BTS

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-hSFoTWNmUT3/p_105KDX330B/JVC-KD-X330BTS.html
I'd like to upgrade my head unit! I would lose my lifetime satellite if I replaced my factory stereo. :( Think I could have a decent system with a factory head unit?
 
I'd like to upgrade my head unit! I would lose my lifetime satellite if I replaced my factory stereo. :( Think I could have a decent system with a factory head unit?
Yep. There's a way. I've looked into it before. I'll get back....
 
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I'd like to upgrade my head unit! I would lose my lifetime satellite if I replaced my factory stereo. :( Think I could have a decent system with a factory head unit?
Absolutely. You can hook up most amps to a stock unit using the speaker wires (high level) or with a high level to rca converter. An amp and new speakers will make a noticeable difference. Add a sub to complete the system.
 
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What are the options for aftermarket speaker locations? I’ve currently just got the in-dash speakers. Is a sound bar on the roll bar the best choice or are there other creative options? I’ve had a sub behind the rear seat in the past and not a huge fan of that setup.
 
What are the options for aftermarket speaker locations? I’ve currently just got the in-dash speakers. Is a sound bar on the roll bar the best choice or are there other creative options? I’ve had a sub behind the rear seat in the past and not a huge fan of that setup.
There are other options available; footwell, custom trunk pods, et al. They are pricey!

Other options that don’t take up any precious space in our TJs are under the front seats (must be small) or under rear seat.
 
There are other options available; footwell, custom trunk pods, et al. They are pricey!

Other options that don’t take up any precious space in our TJs are under the front seats (must be small) or under rear seat.

Does anyone have experience with some of the other locations to compare to the roll bar? I had a JK a while back that had factory roll bar speakers and they seemed to be a good choice. Just curious though if there’s a good reason to go a different route than picking up an aftermarket one for my TJ.
 
Does anyone have experience with some of the other locations to compare to the roll bar? I had a JK a while back that had factory roll bar speakers and they seemed to be a good choice. Just curious though if there’s a good reason to go a different route than picking up an aftermarket one for my TJ.
I almost said this before, but what is your goal with the sound system? Include what you have now
 
I almost said this before, but what is your goal with the sound system? Include what you have now

Current is stock dash speakers (99 TJ) and old aftermarket head unit / behind rear seat sub. Im getting rid of the current sub, updating the dash speakers with 5.5” pods and updating the head unit as well. Primary goal is good clear sound at 65 with the top and doors off.
 
Current is stock dash speakers (99 TJ) and old aftermarket head unit / behind rear seat sub. Im getting rid of the current sub, updating the dash speakers with 5.5” pods and updating the head unit as well. Primary goal is good clear sound at 65 with the top and doors off.
You might be a little hard-pressed to get “good clear” sound at that mph, topless and doorless. I can still hear mine under those conditions, but it’s not “good clear” sound. I have 4x6 Polk DB’s, 5.25” Polk DB’s and a powered sub under the rear seat. My setup might work, but you might need a bit more than this,
 
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Current is stock dash speakers (99 TJ) and old aftermarket head unit / behind rear seat sub. Im getting rid of the current sub, updating the dash speakers with 5.5” pods and updating the head unit as well. Primary goal is good clear sound at 65 with the top and doors off.

Then follow my swtup in the original post. I can hear mine at 70 mph plus and it’s louder than you can imagine. That’s using speakers in the stock locations. No need for them in any other locations.
 
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Then follow my swtup in the original post. I can hear mine at 70 mph plus and it’s louder than you can imagine. That’s using speakers in the stock locations. No need for them in any other locations.

Thanks, that’s more or less what I was thinking. Since I don’t have the factory sound bar though, I’m just curious if an aftermarket sound bar is my best option or if there was something else out there that was an even better option.
 
Factory or some kind of aftermarket sound bar.