Thoughts on this Joying head unit?

[kmas0n]

I want to upgrade the stereo in my TJ to something a little more modern. I've become very spoiled with the 8" touchscreen in my JL. So I've been looking at options. Double DIN is, of course, the most popular, but I'm not a big fan of cutting the dash or moving the climate controls around. I found this on Amazon...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W1XTZ6G/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Its Joying for better or worse. Reasonably priced, 4gb of RAM should make it respond quickly. Back up camera ready. Android-based, something I'm already very comfortable with. The only downsides I can see is there is no volume knob, just touchscreen buttons. Can I wire in a knob somehow with an external amp?

This one is kinda unique because it is a single-DIN that has an adjustable screen. Think of a tablet being mounted to your dashboard. I can't find a single picture of one in a TJ, but it would look something like this... This is in an XJ.

Since I don't know much about audio equipment, I'm asking what do you guys think?

 

[Chris]

It has enough reviews on Amazon that I think they speak for the quality / usability of the unit.

Me personally, I don't like the way that thing looks. I think it looks out of place on a TJ dash.

However, have you considered a double DIN bezel? That would make for a much cleaner install of a double DIN unit.

Here's one for 1997-2002 models:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BP68GBC/?tag=wranglerorg-20

And here's one for 2003-2006 models:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SRHX43S/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[qslim]

I installed a Sony XAV-AX1000. It's double din so I replaced the center console surround, the climate control knobs didn't need to be moved. As a matter of fact it was very straight forward. I got everything from Crutchfield to include a pre-made wire harness adapter so I didn't have to mess with clipping and crimping wires.

 

[kmas0n]

I installed a Sony XAV-AX1000. It's double din so I replaced the center console surround, the climate control knobs didn't need to be moved. As a matter of fact it was very straight forward. I got everything from Crutchfield to include a pre-made wire harness adapter so I didn't have to mess with clipping and crimping wires.

So you didn't have to cut out the plastic piece between the stereo and climate control?

 

[qslim]

So you didn't have to cut out the plastic piece between the stereo and climate control?

No, I didn't have to cut anything to install the new dash bezel. The only extra thing that I had to do was transfer the HVAC vents because the new bezel didn't come with them.

 

[kmas0n]

No, I didn't have to cut anything to install the new dash bezel. The only extra thing that I had to do was transfer the HVAC vents because the new bezel didn't come with them.

Well, that is good to know. I thought you had to cut out that plastic which I'm not a big fan of. Is the Crutchfield kit the same as the one Chris linked?