PDA

View Full Version : Newb stereo advice



Pitch
08-08-2008, 11:39 PM
I will start by saying that I would be happy to remain ignorant on vehicle stereo operation: cross-unders, submarines, mpwhatevers, blah, blah, blah...

My tweeters are blown, and so is the Infinity HU on my 01 WJ. I have an idea on what to do with the tweeters. I have also read through the garbage on JU, and frankly it is way over my head. Can anyone make an easy recommendation on a head unit replacement that won't take too much thought or effort to install, with or without the factory amp?

Requirements:
CD player
Radio
Aux input
Able to get the music loud enough to cover up the special noises that my Jeep makes
low-budget friendly ($150 and down)
that is about it

I don't need a ton of super-tech jargon, just a cheap stereo recommendation and why you like it. Thanks.

2jeepsforus
08-09-2008, 12:09 AM
I prefer Pioneer personally, because that is what I had in a few cars and had very good luck with them.

This will fit your grand for the price you want to spend.. if u look elsewhere you can probably get a better price I am sure of it. Crutchfield is expensive

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11104_Pioneer+Premier+DEH-P400UB.html

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/CarAudioVideo/Source/CD-Players/Premier/DEH-P400UB?tab=B

http://electronics.pricegrabber.com/in-dash-cd-mp3-players/m/60372868/

The tweeters are easy to replace on the WJ, at least the ones in the dash are. I bought two tweeters for my Ex-wife's WJ off Ebay for 30-40 shipped and they were the OEM ones.
There is a cover panel that is underneath the windshield and that has 4 clips (maybe just 2) if I recall and you pull upward to get it off. Start at one end, then the opposite end and then pull the entire unit straight up. The tweeters are located by the pillars of the windshield and have two screws holding them in. Unplug the tweeter at the clip and plug in the new one. Then reverse the previous process. TA-DA... you are done.

grandmaster
08-09-2008, 02:45 AM
No matter what stereo you buy, its really simple to install, there are 2 different ways to do it though.
1. You buy the stereo,dash kit, and wiring harness and it will basically plug in and bolt up, really easy.
2. You buy the stereo and dash kit and wire it yourself. IMO its worth the 10 dollars for a wiring harness, then you dont have the head ache.

As far as the tweeters go, you can pick up a pair of decent (not high quality) but will work for what you need for right around 50-75 bucks. And they will just have to be wired, which is fairly simple if you know anything about how a speaker works.

BigDaveZJ
08-09-2008, 09:41 AM
x2 on Pioneer. I put a cheap ass Pioneer deck in my ZJ last summer that fit the bill of what you're looking for, was about $100. My 10 yr old Pioneer deck was still working, but the display was so dim anymore you couldn't tell WTF was going on.

I think this is the new version of what I've got: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pioneer-DEH2000MP-Car-Stereo-DEH-2000MP/sem/rpsm/oid/201365/catOid/-13089/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Squatch
08-09-2008, 10:09 AM
I put a Kenwood something in my old dodge befor i sold it, looked pretty good and worked great, cost around $100. I listened to my ipod on it all the time.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-5/1309139/0722081015.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-5/1309139/0704081108a.jpg

DJJordache
08-09-2008, 10:28 AM
x3 on pioneer but I make sure to only get the Premier line of their headunits since they usually come with more "cross-unders, submarines, mpwhatevers, blah, blah, blah..." as you call it:D I could talk" super-tech jargon" all day about stereo stuff but you just want a basic one so almost any of the pioneers or kenwoods that come with an AUX input should fit your bill.

Pitch
08-09-2008, 12:44 PM
I was considering this stereo: http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?search=pioneer+deh+2000+mp&i=130DEH2000

It actually looks like the same one that Dave referenced. It comes with free mounting hardware, etc. from Crutchfield, so I am leaning that way.

Are there any concerns with how it interfaces with the Infinity amp? It looks like it will just plug in with the adapter and play, but I've heard that this is not always an easy switch.

Thanks for all the help so far...

dp96zj
08-09-2008, 05:37 PM
First of all,

x2 on buying from Crutchfield
x4 on buying Pioneer

Their customer service is the best part of buying from them. You can always talk to a professional live online or on the phone. I bought a Pioneer DEH-3900MP (no longer for sale, ~$130) from them. Pioneer has some of the more powerful stereos for the price, and the internal amp is superior to most other brands.

As for plug-and-play, all I had to do was solder the adapters onto the stereo wires and that was it (and remove a couple wires not needed for the install). The stuff they send with the stereo really helps get the job done easier.

The Infinity amp hasn't provided me any problems being connected, so I haven't bypassed it. I also replaced all 4 speakers, and the sound quality and volume are as good as I'd expect if the Infinity amp was bypassed.

KevLaredo
03-02-2010, 03:30 AM
For me sony has got it covered. I got a deal on one at Wally World over xmas. Paid 100 dollars tax total for a kit that came with the head unit with aux in, a remote, two 6x9 speakers and two tweeters. It was a xmas value package but i think the head unit is still pretty cheap right now. The thing is great!! Sounds eons better than the one i took out which i think was a pioneer.....even with the factory amp and speakers. New speakers are still in my closet. Im being lazy because it sounds so good already. The cd player plays mp3 and wma data discs too so you can fit like 50 songs on one cd. Looks clean in my zj's dash also. Dont have the model number on hand but it looks almost identical to this one except it is darker black and shinier. This is the older model of the same radio. I have had three of them now and they are awesome. Can be installed by anyone witha brain in about three hours tops. Just get a universal wiring harness, some connectors and the dash install kit.
http://image.caraudiomag.com/f/8996305+w750+st0/caep_0802_06_z+sony_in_dash_head_unit+front_view.j pg