Thanks for sharing the links. I added a lot of it to my shopping list.
Only thing I may do is a different amp. I just saw somewhere that there are 5 channel amps. That would cover the sub and the other 4 speakers. 
Plug-and-play speaker upgrade?
- Thread starter toximus
- Start date
Thanks for sharing the links. I added a lot of it to my shopping list.
Only thing I may do is a different amp. I just saw somewhere that there are 5 channel amps. That would cover the sub and the other 4 speakers. 
yes, that might be my only upgrade from the current system...please share a link if you are happy with the one you get...also don't mount the amp in the console. I did that and it kept shutting down due to heat build up, move to under steering column and has been fine since.Thanks for sharing the links. I added a lot of it to my shopping list.
Nice Job! One of the best audio upgrades you can make in the Jeep. I hope most people follow this route. Did you use one of those inline crossovers?
OP
I hate having clutter but I'm leaning back towards the alpine unit and having a separate GPS unit mounted above it...
The tweeter had it's own inline resistor/crossover inline with the wiring, as does the polk although that is mounted on the speaker itself. I just dropped the dash speakers and cut and tapped into the crutchfield supplied adapter wires from the polk to run the wires to the tweeter. I don't like cutting a factory harnesses. Did not have to remove anything on the upper dash, there was plenty of room to fish the wires for the tweeter through the lower speaker opening. Thirty minutes start to finish.
Steve Rodgers
TJ Enthusiast
Crutchfield also has the pods to mount the speakers in for the dash. They just fit, but they fit. Less sound loss out the back, better front definition. Stock speakers are junk, pure and simple.
Very true...I had my pods custom made for $100 and it was well worth that price, especially when you consider people pay that price for the select increment pods that house the 5.25", and still points at your knees.
I posted a link (not mine) to DIY speaker pod, from the DIYMA forum. Towards the bottom of post 1, would be a fun and inexpensive project.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/audio-upgrade-again.11965/
badlieutenant
TJ Addict
The android unit I got was plug and play. It came with a harness and screwed into the factory spot.
OP
Which Android features are you using that you wouldn't get from the audio companies?
Cole
TJ Enthusiast
badlieutenant
TJ Addict
That’s difficult to answer because I don’t know what audio companies offer on HU’s anymore. I think the best way for me to answer that question is to simply state that the android market has thousands of apps of which many are useful in a motor vehicle. Also consider that the android units have Bluetooth, so you can use a Bluetooth obdII transmitter and use an android app to perform any diagnostics, etc. google maps, pandora, Plex, YouTube, and Netflix are my common go-to’s on my android HU.
OP
I'm going hold off to think more about which I want. At this point I'm pretty sure I don't want the factory unit.
Factory HU:
Pros: Dimmer connects to dimmer switch, easy to use, can add bluetooth, physical buttons.
Cons: Sound is not very adjustable, not any other features, takes up a lot of space.
Android HU:
Pros: Can run just about anything, cameras, maps, music, fast boot, music should range from pretty good to awesome.
Cons: From reading reviews, streaming sounds like it doesn't "just work" with all devices and updates can introduce more quirks. Some functions such as Android Auto use workarounds and may take a few seconds more to connect. Running apps native on the HU provides better performance than streaming but requires sharing WIFI from phone (takes a few seconds) and leaving accounts logged in on the HU.
Other: I always have my phone on my anyway for applications like Torque so being able to run it on the HU would be nice but not a huge benefit to me.
Alpine HU:
Pros: Can use Alpine high resolution cameras, Android auto works with USB (I'm okay having to connect USB since I'd probably only be using this function for longer trips where I'd want to charge anyway), bluetooth music streaming can start as soon as it's powered on (not much setup each time). Music adjustments are easy and sound quality should be great. Dimmer functions based on ambient light.
Cons: Unknown boot time, can't change background image, can't view GPX offroad maps.
Other: When I am wanting to view offroad maps I could bring along a small tablet to mount on the dash.
If the Android HU functioned perfectly for connectivity I'd go with it. I'm leaning toward the Alpine HU since it works great for 95% of my uses.
Factory HU:
Pros: Dimmer connects to dimmer switch, easy to use, can add bluetooth, physical buttons.
Cons: Sound is not very adjustable, not any other features, takes up a lot of space.
Android HU:
Pros: Can run just about anything, cameras, maps, music, fast boot, music should range from pretty good to awesome.
Cons: From reading reviews, streaming sounds like it doesn't "just work" with all devices and updates can introduce more quirks. Some functions such as Android Auto use workarounds and may take a few seconds more to connect. Running apps native on the HU provides better performance than streaming but requires sharing WIFI from phone (takes a few seconds) and leaving accounts logged in on the HU.
Other: I always have my phone on my anyway for applications like Torque so being able to run it on the HU would be nice but not a huge benefit to me.
Alpine HU:
Pros: Can use Alpine high resolution cameras, Android auto works with USB (I'm okay having to connect USB since I'd probably only be using this function for longer trips where I'd want to charge anyway), bluetooth music streaming can start as soon as it's powered on (not much setup each time). Music adjustments are easy and sound quality should be great. Dimmer functions based on ambient light.
Cons: Unknown boot time, can't change background image, can't view GPX offroad maps.
Other: When I am wanting to view offroad maps I could bring along a small tablet to mount on the dash.
If the Android HU functioned perfectly for connectivity I'd go with it. I'm leaning toward the Alpine HU since it works great for 95% of my uses.
Just a few about the Alpine........my iLX-107 has a boot up of about 5 seconds. The 107 doesnt have Android Auto, but the 207 does and it’s cheaper. Both of them you can customize the background image. Also, I’m a GAIA user, and they got approval back on 9/28/18 from Apple to move forward in making their app CarPlay compatible. Of course no time frame is given.
Dont over think this, grab the Alpine that you want. The android head units are clunky and there is a chance you may get a lemon. People have had nightmares trying to return them.
Just remember to purchase through an authorized dealer like Best Buy or Sonic Electronix. I have purchased lots of stuff through Sonic, their NVX brand wiring is very good for the price.
Alpine also has that app TuneIt so you can do some cool stuff through your phone.
https://www.alpine-electronics.se/p/Products/SingleView/Alpine_TuneIt_App
Cole
TJ Enthusiast
Got these little buggers installed the other day! So far I haven't been able to really give them a good test with the top down and/or the wind screen up, but I can already tell they difference they will make.
Good stuff! What is the circular thing in your driver's side vent, an air freshener?
Cole
TJ Enthusiast
Wouldn't that be good! Hahaha! No it's a magnet for my phone. Rokform. Make damn good cases with a magnet so you can mount it just about anywhere that's metal.
I just added a 5ch Amp. Mounted under the driver's seat. Ran power through center console and rca and speaker wires under door jam. Fairly easy install. Alpine PDR V75.
Big sound improvment.
PO had already replaced speakers in dash (4x6 Hertz) and sound bar 6.5 Infinity, but had them running on the HU and two channels of a 4channel Amp. With the last two channels bridged for the Sub. Sounded horrible. Sound bar speakers were over driven, and dash speakers under driven by HU.
With 5ch, everything gets equal/needed power, and sound out of even the well worn speakers (rusted, dented) is way better. Might even hold off on upgrading them. High range from the lower dash mounted speakers is improved even still pointed down.
Biggest problem I ran into was the POs head unit (after market Pioneer) only had two line level outs (rca). So I had to invest $100 in a Kenwood KDC x303 HU to get 5channels rca outs.
IMHO, no speaker will sound great/best on HU power. Don't invest in good speakers if you are going to run them from HU. Installing amps in these TJ was the easiest stereo work I have done. So much open access, and simple short runs. Well worth it.
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