Sony MEX-XB100BT Stereo install

[TJScott]

My wife got me a gift card at Quadratec. I'm very interested in this stereo, MEX-XB100BT. It has good reviews, has BT, hands free phone and satellite connection, free sat antenna at the moment, and they will price match the stereo.
However, Crutchfield states the rear bracket has to go for this install. I did read another article written by @MexiJeeper, but he didn't mention how his actual stereo install went. I was curious if any of you had to remove the rear bracket for a stereo install, what did you do to beef up the install? It seems that having it rest on just the face screws seems like a problem waiting to occur. I don't baby my Jeep too much, so it gets a fair amount of bouncing about on the trails.
The other questions would be, has anyone used Quadratecs installation kit? Is it worth the money? I am really interested in keeping the wiring as clean as possible. A plug to plug kit appeals to me.
And lastly, if installed with a microphone for hands free and or a sat antenna, where did you put those?
I have a 2003 TJ Sport, soft top, 2 full doors, 6 cyl.
Thank you for any input you folks can provide.

 

[cliffish]

the bracket will need to go, it is only 2 screws from the top. crutchfeild supplies the install kit and harness free with all their radios. it is in tight enough that you will not need the bracket that was removed. From what I remembered the quaradtec install kit was a few bucks so it might be better to buy something else fro qtec and go to crutchfield for the radio? I have a soft top and half door jeep so don't expect killer sound without upgrading the entire system. It is fine though for what it is.

 

[TJScott]

I may just buy from Crutchfield, I don't have to bargain for the price and they give me the installation bits for free. They will build the wiring for 20 bucks if I don't want to deal with it. The free sat antenna is based on a rebate and you have to buy their full price satellite package in order to get your money back for the free part. So, maybe not. It doesn't use my gift card of course. From what you said above, I can just remove two screws from above the bracket and it will come out. I'm assuming when that vent strip at the top of the dash is removed I can get at them?
Thanks for the info.

 

[bobthetj03]

I didn't have to remove anything when I installed my Kenwood HU. Maybe yours has a bigger foot print? Not sure. Get the plug-n-play install kit. Makes it clean and simple. Mine fits nice and snug in there, so no movement, and I wheel it.

 

[Reign Mack]

I used that same stereo for a year or so in my 2002TJ didn’t have to remove any brackets but maybe the original owner removed it when they installed the previous Sony storeo. In any case no beefing up had to be done the storeo sits just fine inside. Most of the steroeos weight sits on the dash bezel. If you are going from the oem storeo you will need a bezel for single din storeo.

Also I installed my microphone in this position running the cable behind the windshield weatherstrip pillar trim. Perfect for phone calls and voice activision

 

[cliffish]

crutchfield supplied installation sheet is for your exact vehicle and it is very good with pictures....it will show you the 2 screws are on top after you remove the dash header piece. Be careful removing the dash top especially if it is cold, I just grabbed mine and broke a piece off by the defroster vent, had to glue it back together.

 

[TJScott]

That has always been my fear doing that part of the removal as well. These things aren't new. That stuff gets brittle. I ordered the installation kit from Crutchfield. The sheet doesn't show how to take out the bracket, but I'm going to go with what you guys say. It's logical that there are screws for it up top. I ordered wire for the stereo and a distribution block as well as inline fuses. May as well make power more accessible while I'm working on things. The battery gets a bit crowded as you add things. We will see how this install goes. I appreciate everyone's input. It's helpful for sure.

 

[cliffish]

below is what it looks like, the hardest part was reaching in from the removed glove box and removing the nut that held the radio to the bracket where his hand is., I needed a wrench and it has to be done by feel. Once the the nut loosened with the wrench then radio removal was easy. the 2 loops on the top are where it is screwed into the top of the dash. I was rushing the removal of the top of the dash when I broke it. start on one side and move over to the next part to pop it off, there were several spots to pop the dash top off.

 

[The Real Lxxtsy]

^^interesting bracket, my 98 does not have that bracket. Wonder if it's used on the later models only.

 

[cliffish]

I think it might be, maybe when they went from a single din to a 1.5 din opening?