I have a 98 TJ with factory cassette player and I am looking to upgrade to a OEM cd player from the same era. There are two rectangle connections on the back of the cassette player and the cd units has the same two connectors, however there's a third smaller connection. In the below photo the I'm asking about is on the bottom right side of unit. What is this connection for? And will this cd player be plug and play for the connections I have? Just curious before buying one.
1998 TJ factory radio connections
- Thread starter keef410
- Start date
ChasUGC
TJ Enthusiast
My guess is that the bottom one could be for an accessory like a factory external multi disk CD player. Of course, factory players and CD's are obsolete anyway.
ChasUGC
TJ Enthusiast
The black and grey plugs will connect and operate the radio normally, the extra plug is probably for steering wheel controls
Unless you're trying to keep the jeep original and radio authentic you might consider upgrading to a modern radio with much better features and sound. You can go with single, or double DIN with proper modification kit. I did this and never looked back.
ChasUGC
TJ Enthusiast
Yeah, Android Auto and hands free is the way to go. Too many accidents these days with people playing with their phones while driving on the highway. I see it all the time. PUT DOWN YOUR D*** PHONE! I scream it at them all the time, and they look sheepishly at me. What idiots.
ChasUGC
TJ Enthusiast
The two main plugs are sometimes called "twin 7 plugs". If your current stereo has them, then yes any other one with them should be plug and play.
That two-prong plug you're asking about ... I can't remember right now what it's for, but I think it was an anti-theft feature. I remember looking into it once, then learning that it wasn't anything to worry about. I have swapped in stereos with any without that plug, and have had no trouble.
Got a pic of the front? I'm curious which one you're putting in. My notes on OEM stereos are here.
That two-prong plug you're asking about ... I can't remember right now what it's for, but I think it was an anti-theft feature. I remember looking into it once, then learning that it wasn't anything to worry about. I have swapped in stereos with any without that plug, and have had no trouble.
Got a pic of the front? I'm curious which one you're putting in. My notes on OEM stereos are here.
Maybe that was it. If so, I don't have those, so that would explain why I've gotten away with ignoring that plug.
I have a double Din as well. Like you said, he has to be a moron. It's not real easy to take out. Of course, they don't mind destroying your dash to rip it out!
ChasUGC
TJ Enthusiast
On the contrary, it is easy to take out. They can do it in about two minutes. A crow bar and wire cutters is all it takes. This is why removable stereos are preferred. It is just a sign of the times. I had mine ripped out like that, and I had to replace my entire console and convertible top. They went under my hood, cut my battery cables to disable my alarm and then cut through the back of my folding convertible top. Plus, the thief left 22 caliber bullets and a Crack pipe in my back seat which he obviously lost while committing the crime. And, I lived in a gated suburban community.
I had a work colleague with a removable stereo, and he took it out and placed it under his front seat. Thieves watched him and realized that he didn't take the stereo with him when he left his car. So, they broke into his car, found and stole it.
There was a time that I had a shotgun during my stereo theft. But, would it have been worth it to kill some desperate drug addict over a $300 stereo, when he is already dying a slow horrible death? In all justice, I prefer the thief to die that way, instead of me becoming a party to his death. Take my stereo and die in your own misery. Sadly, this is how I feel.
I guess you're right. Now that I think about it, it was easy pulling the center console off and replacing the head unit. How about one of these barking gaurd dog cassette tapes they used to sell back in seventies for home protection?
ChasUGC
TJ Enthusiast
My boss 10 inch touchscreen with rear camera and wireless Android Auto is detachable leaving just a big hole. I have a Alpine PDX-V9 mounted completely out of sight under my steering column with a special kit. My stereo is legendary and I take care of it. I keep a small shoulder carrying bag behind my front seat. The screen removes in about two seconds by pressing two buttons behind it. The screen goes in the bag and comes with me. If I park in downtown Long Beach, obviously the stereo is coming with me. If I go to the pier, and use public parking, the stereo comes with me. I learned my lesson more than 30 years ago and vow not to repeat it. We have a gate and a guard at work so, I don't worry about it at work.
YonderWalnut
New Member
I don't know the answer to your question but I do have a '98 Sahara I'm trying to restore to the OEM stereo with cassette player. What would you be willing to let your old one go for?
FYI, you can also find these on eBay and Facebook marketplace. Any stereo from a 97–02 TJ (with square corners, not rounded corners) will fit and work for you.
ChasUGC
TJ Enthusiast