Hey crew, looking to replace my radio in my TJ. Looking for some solid recommendations. Only must-have is wireless carplay.
Who has some experience and some reviews?
-buz
Who has some experience and some reviews?
-buz
Double DIN Radio Suggestions With Wireless CarPlay
- Thread starter Rud Bobbins
- Start date
I run an Alpine unit. It has Carplay, just not wireless.
Take a look on https://www.crutchfield.com/S-3pPmxIfZ5Mw/
Take a look on https://www.crutchfield.com/S-3pPmxIfZ5Mw/
The Sony line of CarPlay receivers has been good for me. The fact that the unit only really occupies a single din of space in the dash makes installing it a breeze. For my XAV-5500 I just had to mod the Metra bracket with a small cutout on the drivers left side. No sub dash cutting.
I just got the Sony XAV-AX3200. You do need to connect to the USB cable if you want to use Android Auto though. I'm not aware of any that can do that over bluetooth?
I would normally go for the Alpine, but it was $100 more. Alpine has been my favorite since the 80's when I was heavily into car audio. Since it's going to be parked outside, I didn't want to spend the extra money in case it's stolen.
I would normally go for the Alpine, but it was $100 more. Alpine has been my favorite since the 80's when I was heavily into car audio. Since it's going to be parked outside, I didn't want to spend the extra money in case it's stolen.
OP
Also need a recco on a replacement bezel. Does it matter which one? Looking to just find one on Amazon.
I got the Metra which is what Crutchfield sells. The person that installed it commented:
'The head unit stuff was less than stellar. The Metra adapter had to be
messed with to center the face plate in the bezel opening.'
Though that could've been an issue with the Sony radio. It looks and functions great now that it is installed. It has an OEM look to it.
I've posted about the Joying units before. I loved the 8.8" one when I had my LJ and I'm currently using the 7" one in my RRC, which is the same height. It fit almost perfectly between the vents and
More information is in the thread here.
More information is in the thread here.
I want wireless carplay and a non-glare screen and back up camera. There is another thread here (one of the build threads) where the guy had installed single din sony. This is the one I am going to be adding to mine. Its actually on sale at crutchfield right now too.
Since you can't really lock a soft top TJ and sound quality is never going to be great, I went with a low cost Android head unit.
I got this one for $150 with a Christmas coupon (the coupon is $30 off right now) and I'm completely satisfied with it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3X3C7RD/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Wireless Carplay hooks up quickly and works fine. And since it has a mic right on the front of the unit I didn't have to mess with mounting a microphone.
It also supports wired Carplay if you want to charge your phone while driving.
One issue is that this is basically an Android tablet and it's so thin the Metra kit can't mount the radio, so I mounted it directly to the Metra surround. I had to get an antenna extension to do this. All the other connectors were fine.
I got this one for $150 with a Christmas coupon (the coupon is $30 off right now) and I'm completely satisfied with it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3X3C7RD/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Wireless Carplay hooks up quickly and works fine. And since it has a mic right on the front of the unit I didn't have to mess with mounting a microphone.
It also supports wired Carplay if you want to charge your phone while driving.
One issue is that this is basically an Android tablet and it's so thin the Metra kit can't mount the radio, so I mounted it directly to the Metra surround. I had to get an antenna extension to do this. All the other connectors were fine.
The new Alpine ilx-507 has wireless car play. Plus rear camera, dash cam capabilities. New HD video screen. Hi Res audio.
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I have the ilx-207 it has all the bells and whistles, just not wireless car play or dash cam. It serves the purpose at this point.
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OP
Hey all, thought I'd update everyone on where I landed. I installed a radio with wireless carplay. I went with the SSL DD999ACPW (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NWJN22S/?tag=wranglerorg-20)
It installed super easy with the Metra bezel. Very straightforward. Be sure and get the wiring harness too.
It really does work great, the only issue with it is that it is pretty slow to get loaded and to connect to your phone. BUT once connected works great. I also added a cheap under-seat subwoofer to it (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079PSSD6N/?tag=wranglerorg-20) that I put under the backseat. It really adds that little something extra. And finally I felt like I might as well put in a backup camera. So found a cheap $20 one on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CIFSYI/?tag=wranglerorg-20) and installed it on the hub of the spare on the back. Works pretty good so far but can't tilt it down. Since it's all wired it's easy to just get a different cheapy camera and try them. All in all, quite the modern upgrade all around.
It installed super easy with the Metra bezel. Very straightforward. Be sure and get the wiring harness too.
It really does work great, the only issue with it is that it is pretty slow to get loaded and to connect to your phone. BUT once connected works great. I also added a cheap under-seat subwoofer to it (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079PSSD6N/?tag=wranglerorg-20) that I put under the backseat. It really adds that little something extra. And finally I felt like I might as well put in a backup camera. So found a cheap $20 one on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CIFSYI/?tag=wranglerorg-20) and installed it on the hub of the spare on the back. Works pretty good so far but can't tilt it down. Since it's all wired it's easy to just get a different cheapy camera and try them. All in all, quite the modern upgrade all around.
I did a lot of research and review reading over the last month and finally decided on JVC's new option:
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KWM785B/JVC-KW-M785BW.html. I installed it with the PREWIRED harness option and it is freaking awesome. ITs as good as my newer Cadillac, and better than my wifes 2023 Honda. High screen resolution like im used to in the Caddy and the sound and microphone through the phone calls is better than the Honda as well. Very happy, switched out all 4 speakers to Kicker and MTX and now im itching to get the small undersea sub installed. LOL. my first radio install, and it took me approx 2 hours. Had to cut out the dash support beam (plastic) but overall pretty straight forward.. Can't say enough ab0ut Crutchfield Techs, and the Prewired harness option. Best 24$ ive ever spent for sure.
The wireless CarPlay is seamless and a total game changer.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KWM785B/JVC-KW-M785BW.html. I installed it with the PREWIRED harness option and it is freaking awesome. ITs as good as my newer Cadillac, and better than my wifes 2023 Honda. High screen resolution like im used to in the Caddy and the sound and microphone through the phone calls is better than the Honda as well. Very happy, switched out all 4 speakers to Kicker and MTX and now im itching to get the small undersea sub installed. LOL. my first radio install, and it took me approx 2 hours. Had to cut out the dash support beam (plastic) but overall pretty straight forward.. Can't say enough ab0ut Crutchfield Techs, and the Prewired harness option. Best 24$ ive ever spent for sure.
The wireless CarPlay is seamless and a total game changer.
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I opted for the no cut Sony, then my iPhone data port got fubared so I can’t use CarPlay till i fix that. Next time I’ll go with a wireless CarPlay for sure.
Are you still happy with the Sony and any pics?. Bestbuy near me has a deal on an open box one.
I can get some pics later.
I've been using it for a little over two months now. No real complaints. The only thing I don't like is I wish it had a second USB jack. I like to leave a thumb drive connected with all my music so I don't use my phone battery. Not a big deal though, I just run the music off the phone using bluetooth most of the time. I only plug it in if I'm going to be on a longer trip and/or am going to use Google maps.
It works well though. It has some preset equalizer settings. I've been using the 'Rock' setting which seems to sound good.
I do miss the volume knob a bit. It has volume buttons which are fine, but the knob seems quicker to me.
The volume knob has become a dealbreaker for me in a vehicle that doesn't have steering wheel controls.
I'll happily take a slightly smaller screen if it provides a real honest to goodness volume knob that I don't have to guess at.
I'll happily take a slightly smaller screen if it provides a real honest to goodness volume knob that I don't have to guess at.