06 Rubicon radio replacement

rockbottom

rockbottom

Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2023
Messages
97
Location
MT olive , Ms
Determined my parasitic battery is from my OEM radio

Anybody have a replacement model that fit correctly in the dadhboard?

Can you get a OEMreplacement?
 
Modern radios have a lot more features than when these vehicles were made. I recently installed a marine radio because in an open Jeep it seemed like a good idea to have a weather resistant radio, and it has a display that is designed for direct sunlight so I can actually see it.

This radio is so much lighter than the original. It has a front panel USB port, Bluetooth, and a microphone that works through the radio to a connected phone for hands free talking. I purchased it through Crutchfield in their refurbished section for under $100.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kenneth G Zinis and 06lj
There are a couple companies that sell refurbished head units if you want to keep it stock. 1factoryradio.com is one that I recall. Alternatively you can buy an adapter and install any single din head unit you want. There is also a full bezel that can be purchased to install a double din head unit but it does require some trimming.
 
I'm going with a Sony DSX-GS80 soon. It is a single DIN radio, but has a small built in amp that produces 45Wx4 to the speakers. Most aftermarket radios only produce 12-22 watts per channel. If you upgrade the speakers as well, you'll definitely improve the sound quality in your Jeep.

The one thing about this radio is that you'll need to power it straight from the battery. Many people have used it with the stock connections and have been fine. Some people have started with the stock connections and had problems where the radio would shut off because it wasn't getting enough power. They have then wired it from the battery and the problems go away. I'm going to start off with it wired from the battery. About an hour of research at 1am last night and I feel better about doing it myself. The kit to wire it to the battery is about $15-20 on Amazon, and you only need the red and black wires from it.
 
I replaced mine with a Boss with CarPlay. It works fine, not high end but does what I want and if someone rips it out only out a few hundred bucks. Jeeps aren’t the most secure so didn’t want to spend a lot.
 
I have upgraded both jeeps speakers in dash and roll bar through cruthfield. Prices very competitive to Amazon and eBay as mentioned. Big plus as mentioned above is they usually have free install kits they send for wire adapters to eliminate cutting/splicing or mounts. Very painless and excellent instructions if you need them as well
 
  • Like
Reactions: CreepinDeth, Dr. Internet and TheBoogieman
i just uninstalled a alpine that was a replacement for the oem head unit and replaced it with this Kenwood KMR-M332BT 1-DIN Marine Digital Media Receiver. never really liked the alpine as the settings were hard to navigate and after a couple years it started acting up. the kenwood has only been in for a few weeks and i like it a lot better than what it replaced. price on ebay wasn’t bad either.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Claybirdd
Crutchfield really is a great place to start. They have a good selection, fair prices, and their customer support is great. Just give them a call and they'll walk you through the process and your options, etc.

If you're interested in replacing it with an OEM, you'll have to look on eBay, Facebook, or any part-yards to find one. I took that approach, but it isn't for everyone.
 
Dude

All stereos have a parasitic drain, its what holds the settings. Now if your parasitic drain is above and beyond normal and killin the battery, the fix is simpler then replacement

Put a toggle switch INLINE to the constant 12V positive wire, and you solve the problem. Simply isolate that circuit by breaking contact at your leisure

This is your simplest and most cost effective solution. However if u wanna invest in new stereos, I believe thats a good choice also. OEM is dated and boring

Just keep in mind if you have a chaffed wire, replacing the stereo wont resolve that issue either
 
txbemis69 said:
i just uninstalled a alpine that was a replacement for the oem head unit and replaced it with this Kenwood KMR-M332BT 1-DIN Marine Digital Media Receiver. never really liked the alpine as the settings were hard to navigate and after a couple years it started acting up. the kenwood has only been in for a few weeks and i like it a lot better than what it replaced. price on ebay wasn’t bad either.
Click to expand...

I have the same Kenwood unit and love it!
 
  • Like
Reactions: txbemis69
wwolfe said:
I have upgraded both jeeps speakers in dash and roll bar through cruthfield. Prices very competitive to Amazon and eBay as mentioned. Big plus as mentioned above is they usually have free install kits they send for wire adapters to eliminate cutting/splicing or mounts. Very painless and excellent instructions if you need them as well
Click to expand...

Definitely buy from Crutchfield
I spend thousands on Amazon annually but for stereo gear try to only use Crutchfield. Experts and freebies are a dwindling option. They helped me match my 6.5” SKAR Audio rears to Polk DB5252 component fronts
 
  • Like
Reactions: JasterMereel42
Another vote for Crutchfield and a vote against Factory1 Radio. The bluetooth modified OEM radio I bought from them crapped out (the bluetooth part) after 2 years. I still use the radio, but I added a Grom auxiliary input device that works great.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JasterMereel42
KennethS said:
Modern radios have a lot more features than when these vehicles were made. I recently installed a marine radio because in an open Jeep it seemed like a good idea to have a weather resistant radio, and it has a display that is designed for direct sunlight so I can actually see it.

This radio is so much lighter than the original. It has a front panel USB port, Bluetooth, and a microphone that works through the radio to a connected phone for hands free talking. I purchased it through Crutchfield in their refurbished section for under $100.
Click to expand...

KennethS Could you please share pics of your new radio
 
CreepinDeth said:
Definitely buy from Crutchfield
I spend thousands on Amazon annually but for stereo gear try to only use Crutchfield. Experts and freebies are a dwindling option. They helped me match my 6.5” SKAR Audio rears to Polk DB5252 component fronts
Click to expand...

I absolutely agree with this. Amazon is my go to for almost everything, except if I can buy it from Crutchfield instead.

I also remember looking at Crutchfield catalogues as a teen in the 90s. I'm surprised that they have remained at the top of their game in their niche for this long. Many companies can't do that.

EDIT: As much as I try to buy from Crutchfield, the head unit that I want (Sony DSX-GS80) is out of stock and I may buy from Amazon instead, unfortunately.
 
Last edited:
Kenneth G Zinis said:
KennethS Could you please share pics of your new radio
Click to expand...

Here’s pic. Amazingly my phone stays on that magnetic mount when banging around off-road and rock crawling. I was surprised.


IMG_0823.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kenneth G Zinis
Okay
Replacement OEM radio
Problem still is there
Full charge good battery 12.56 volts showing for 2 days

Put fuse in radio slot 20. (15amp)
When i check voltage drop I see 1.4 millivolts with the radio in the off position

See attached photos

This voltage drop is equal to 436 miliamp per the attached chart

Much higher than the accepted estimated 50 milliamp draw with everything off

What next?

Thinking I should remove the radio and check each wire in the connector to see if tgere is a short to ground? If so i would think that would blow the fuse which is not happening

Any good ideas?

IMG_5445.jpeg


IMG_5444.jpeg


IMG_5446.jpeg


IMG_5436.png
 
Your assessment is only ~0.4amps.

Correct me Im wrong here but it appears you went down rhe 20amp column for that number.

The 15amp column is 306 milliamps, which is therefore more accurately 0.3amps and normal range
Your vehicle stereo is more likely to draw only 0.1 amperes or 100 milliamperes when turned off. Some stereos draw more than regular ones but don't exceed 0.5 amperes or 500 milliamperes. So, the amperage for a regular car stereo is between 0.1amp to 0.5amp when off.
Click to expand...
https://caraudiohunt.com/how-many-amps-does-a-car-stereo-draw/
 
Last edited:
My bad on the chart
You are correct 306 miliamps

So i wonder why my battery ( i have used two different good full charge batteries)
Draw down and will not start the tj after 2 days

Its not the alternator as i just had it rebuilt and have had the radio fuse pulled for 2 days to see if the battery draws down but it stayed at12.5 dc

Im goning to put the radio fuse back in and chart the battery draw volts vs time

Something is strange

I also see no voltage drop across any other fuse except accessories # 26 which is only 1 millivolt

Appreciate any ideas
 
Have you done an in series check with the entire battery to determine TOTAL parasitic amp draw with vehicle off?

If you have, and its total is under 0.5 anps you should be fine. Not sure what is doing it to be honest. However if its more, then you have another circuit to ID and trace

BTW make sure the hood light is detached

 
Top Bottom
Back