Daily Driving a TJ
- Thread starter Jacket4256
- Start date
is that a Sony AX5000 radio? I have the same one laying around but im still looking for other options hearing about the problems with connectivity with android auto/Carplay. Have you had any real problems with yours when it comes to connectivity ?
And how do you like it so far ?
Sony XAV-AX 3200
I’m iphone and its been good - normally pops right up with the carplay option usually-
It might be they need a firmware update to work better , you have to go into settings to do that - Then transfer via usb thumbdrive to the unit -
I don’t even have the CarPlay app because I need to update my phone -
Really enjoy it, especially my direct video stream set up.
It is a fairly basic model.
Last edited:
I daily drove my 99 for 7 years 30 mile commute, I am probably the odd man out in this thread because I love to drive a Jeep without the radio on.
I love the through back in time the TJ driving experience is. I enjoy feeling the ride and hearing all 181 h.p. moaning as you drive up a 9% grade in 3rd gear.
( Although I have a Banks Ram Air kit that obviously adds 1500 h.p. despite the fact it breaths the same under hood air as the stock air box that reportedly will support the air demands of a SR-71 at Mach 3 ) . It is a vehicle that totally should evolve all your senses and if it does you will gladly live with it's short comings. Have a blast DD your TJ !
I love the through back in time the TJ driving experience is. I enjoy feeling the ride and hearing all 181 h.p. moaning as you drive up a 9% grade in 3rd gear.
( Although I have a Banks Ram Air kit that obviously adds 1500 h.p. despite the fact it breaths the same under hood air as the stock air box that reportedly will support the air demands of a SR-71 at Mach 3 ) . It is a vehicle that totally should evolve all your senses and if it does you will gladly live with it's short comings. Have a blast DD your TJ !
I daily drove my 99 for 7 years 30 mile commute, I am probably the odd man out in this thread because I love to drive a Jeep without the radio on.
I love the through back in time the TJ driving experience is. I enjoy feeling the ride and hearing all 181 h.p. moaning as you drive up a 9% grade in 3rd gear.
( Although I have a Banks Ram Air kit that obviously adds 1500 h.p. despite the fact it breaths the same under hood air as the stock air box that reportedly will support the air demands of a SR-71 at Mach 3 ) . It is a vehicle that totally should evolve all your senses and if it does you will gladly live with it's short comings. Have a blast DD your TJ !
I have a bluetooth stereo. But it stays off when i leave the pavement. I find it obnoxious and much prefer the tires on the gravel,comp cam thump,and wind through the open top!
I take the bus a lot into work, but my LJ is my daily go to. It is what I drive 90% of the time. It’s just fun to drive. It has a double din stereo and GMRS radio and that is about it for upgrades. Looking at some seat warmers, and new floor mats. I just finished installing a 3” lift and getting 33” M/T on it.
I daily my TJ even though I have a 2024 Silverado LTZ setting next to it. The TJ is much more fun to drive. Granted I have added several things to mine since I bought it when it was 100% stock. Here are a few things that I have done to mine to DD it. I drive anywhere from 15 to 250 miles a day, depending on what I'm doing for work. Some days I just drive my daughter to school and back and some days I'm driving to the other side of Indiana to look at a project.
1. Double DIN radio. A must with either Apple CarPlay/Android Auto or an Android based unit (ATOTO) with either a SIM card installed or hotspotting your phone. I opted for another SIM card for mine making it a great addition to when the kids are along and they have their tech with them.
2. Speakers. Along with the double DIN, I also upgraded all of my speakers to Kicker with the pods in the dash locations. All of the speaker locations including the sound bar got polyfill stuffing to assist with the sound. The dash pods make the difference; I can hear the dash speakers. I also put in a Kicker 8" subwoofer under the Instatrunk and love the sound. I prefer the sound in my TJ over my Silverado. Even with the top off, it is LOUD and has great sound.
3. Good seats. I HATE the stock seats. I have a set of PRP reclining seats with heaters and the upgraded foam on the way. I hope to get them in the next 2-3 weeks. The stock seats currently have neoprene seat covers on them and they are HOT and very uncomfortable on longer rides.
4. Phone holder. I currently have a BulletPoint holder mounted to the top of the radio bezel. I have a dash vent replacement on the way that adds the ball to the dash vent for the phone mount. I'm going to put a deeper storage tray on the top so it can be more effective as storage.
5. Grab handles. A set of the grab handles to assist in getting in is a must. For me, they are just an assist, but for my wife, a must.
6. Tuffy Instatrunk. It is nice having the added security when the tailgate is closed. The kids like the "shelf" to put some of their stuff on that they can easily reach.
7. B&M Short Shifter. I thought this was a gimmick until I installed it. Honestly, even if you don't DD yours and it is a manual, install the short shifter. No way I could drive a TJ now with a regular shifter and not think it was garbage.
8. Lights. Upgrade your headlights to a good LED light. Even if you don't DD your TJ, this is a required upgrade. I also upgraded all of my lights to LED, except for the front parking and turn signals. The taillights and back up lights being LED are much more recognizable to the rear.
1. Double DIN radio. A must with either Apple CarPlay/Android Auto or an Android based unit (ATOTO) with either a SIM card installed or hotspotting your phone. I opted for another SIM card for mine making it a great addition to when the kids are along and they have their tech with them.
2. Speakers. Along with the double DIN, I also upgraded all of my speakers to Kicker with the pods in the dash locations. All of the speaker locations including the sound bar got polyfill stuffing to assist with the sound. The dash pods make the difference; I can hear the dash speakers. I also put in a Kicker 8" subwoofer under the Instatrunk and love the sound. I prefer the sound in my TJ over my Silverado. Even with the top off, it is LOUD and has great sound.
3. Good seats. I HATE the stock seats. I have a set of PRP reclining seats with heaters and the upgraded foam on the way. I hope to get them in the next 2-3 weeks. The stock seats currently have neoprene seat covers on them and they are HOT and very uncomfortable on longer rides.
4. Phone holder. I currently have a BulletPoint holder mounted to the top of the radio bezel. I have a dash vent replacement on the way that adds the ball to the dash vent for the phone mount. I'm going to put a deeper storage tray on the top so it can be more effective as storage.
5. Grab handles. A set of the grab handles to assist in getting in is a must. For me, they are just an assist, but for my wife, a must.
6. Tuffy Instatrunk. It is nice having the added security when the tailgate is closed. The kids like the "shelf" to put some of their stuff on that they can easily reach.
7. B&M Short Shifter. I thought this was a gimmick until I installed it. Honestly, even if you don't DD yours and it is a manual, install the short shifter. No way I could drive a TJ now with a regular shifter and not think it was garbage.
8. Lights. Upgrade your headlights to a good LED light. Even if you don't DD your TJ, this is a required upgrade. I also upgraded all of my lights to LED, except for the front parking and turn signals. The taillights and back up lights being LED are much more recognizable to the rear.
DD is simple to install. There is tons of room for it and the new DD dash plate is only 100$.
newbie here
just bought a 97 wrangler tj
want to soften the ride a bit
not a rock crawler, just light off road going around our lake or desert trails
i know jeeps have a rough ride
just want a bit softer ride
i have a connection at king shocks but don’t think i want to pay that price for recreational driving
thank you for your time
just bought a 97 wrangler tj
want to soften the ride a bit
not a rock crawler, just light off road going around our lake or desert trails
i know jeeps have a rough ride
just want a bit softer ride
i have a connection at king shocks but don’t think i want to pay that price for recreational driving
thank you for your time
CreepinDeth
TJ Addict
If I worked just 7 miles from home, Id drive my kids Jeep Im building everyday in Summer
Mine came that way also, horrible & scary loose ride
250K so its expected to be crappy. Drove it 1600 miles home from the Orlando area while on vacation, ass puckerin all the way
I replaced eveerything under the Jeep
New Rancho 2.5” lift with adj LCAs for just $800 fm Rock Auto
New shocks, new HD steering, new steering gear
New adj UCAs all new 10.9 yellow zinc hardware
All new PowerStop brakes rotors front & new drums rear really made a big difference too
All in, maybe $1300 for all that, and a few weekends
Rides like new, and the Rancho 5000x were a great recommendation. By the way, for street use, pllenty of brand new Jeep owners dump their factory 31-32” tires and rims cheap on FB Marketplace. Ya just need the adaptor spacers for the lug pattern change
I also went all in on the stereo upgrades
Now Im kinda addicted and wanna drive my 10 year olds Jeep and buy myself a new one
Mine came that way also, horrible & scary loose ride
250K so its expected to be crappy. Drove it 1600 miles home from the Orlando area while on vacation, ass puckerin all the way
I replaced eveerything under the Jeep
New Rancho 2.5” lift with adj LCAs for just $800 fm Rock Auto
New shocks, new HD steering, new steering gear
New adj UCAs all new 10.9 yellow zinc hardware
All new PowerStop brakes rotors front & new drums rear really made a big difference too
All in, maybe $1300 for all that, and a few weekends
Rides like new, and the Rancho 5000x were a great recommendation. By the way, for street use, pllenty of brand new Jeep owners dump their factory 31-32” tires and rims cheap on FB Marketplace. Ya just need the adaptor spacers for the lug pattern change
I also went all in on the stereo upgrades
Now Im kinda addicted and wanna drive my 10 year olds Jeep and buy myself a new one
Last edited:
Extra sun visors are always helpful, particularly if you have the E/W drive. That space between the two sun visors is a killer, same on the driver's side window where the visor doesn't reach.
OP
What I am thinking, I have in my amazon cart the Alpine with double din install shroud, not sure about the wiring since I already have a aftermarket radio installed.
Mine came with a $100 DD. Thw aound is awful and has no power. Which Alpine did you go with and do you have an amp and replacement speakers for it?
Skip the Alpine and get an ATOTO Android based unit. That's what I've got. There are so many more options and features with the ATOTO. For one, I'm running their 4 channel amp that mounts behiythe radio on the radio cage. The Kicker speakers I've got installed sound a lot better with it.
If you've already got an aftermarket head unit, and it has been wired properly, you won't need anything else. Pull the unit and see if they used a wiring adapter or cut and spliced the factory wiring.
If you have a 97-02, I recommend getting the 03-06 radio surround and upgrading to the 4 switch lower that comes in the 03+ TJ's. I did this in my 00 and installed factory fog light switches to run accessories that needed to be switched.
OP
I have not done anything yet probably this coming week.
Looking at the Alpine ilx-w650
OP
That seems like a nice option, I have a 03 x . I have had a few alpines in the past and always had such good luck with them why I was leaning that way.
How long have you had this one ? I really just want something that can do waze/maps via apple carplay and spotify. would also like to try a backup camera as well just not sure how that would work or if it can just be a anytime camera.
who ever did my jeep radio before did not do the best job which makes me a touch nervous.
Don’t forget to price shop Crutchfield. They offer everything you need plus support you won’t get from Amazon if something goes wrong.
I've had this one for 3 months. It can do Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but IF you get one with a SIM card slot (like mine), you can put a SIM card in it and have service on it separate from your phone. It is based on Android, so Waze and Google Maps works. It has the Android App store built in so you can download apps. It will do YouTube, YouTube TV, etc. My kids like it when I run into a store real quick or wash the Jeep.
It will do both front and rear cameras if you install them. I'm still trying to decide on the rear camera and mounting set up that I want.
Doors off/windows off as long as the weather allows! Keeps the interior clean
and enjoy what a Jeep does best. I do run safari style with the top still on for shade and minimize rain events concerns.
Doors off/windows off as long as the weather allows! Keeps the interior clean
I run as much as I can with just a safari top, windowless. I keep a trail cover handy for when it may rain.