a speaker upgrade is tremendous. I personally went with infinity kappa 5.25" in all four spots, with aftermarket conversion brackets for the dash. You can find those on ebay. I also had an infinity basslink in the back, under an instatrunk deal. The stock plastic "Jeep" one, also found on ebay. My TJ already had a cheap pioneer head unit when I bought it, so I can't attest to whether or not it would make a difference from stock, but it usually does. Here's a link to my write-up on the basslink. I had it installed for 5 years, and loved every minute of it.

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f40/infiity-basslink-install-34404.html

 

Like G said some 5.25" brackets for the front might help, Nalin are popular and nice quality (depending on your TJ you may need to cut a small dash section to fit). You can fit 6.25" in the soundbar as well. New headunit I would say for sure.

 

I've been doing a lot of research and going to some local sound shops. one of the shops is trying to talk me in to replacing the head unit, which I will obviously do. He's suggesting a Kenmore or Pioneer. ok...

Also, suggesting I change the speakers, keeping the same sizes, but upgrading to pioneer.
And finally, suggesting a bazooka 10'' combo. I don't want a lot of bass, but I would like some. I'm hesitant because this guy tells me I will have "plenty" of room left in the trunk after the bazooka installation, but from pics online, that is not the case. I'm getting frustrated. I just want a decent freaking system. It doesn't need to beat the block down but I would like to have quality music.

 

If you just want enough bass to fill out the sound I recommend you go the route I did. My setup can be found in my jeep profile.

Long story short.... I added the subwoofer console from a later model TJ to my 98 then loaded it with a kicker sub. Check out my profile and let me know if you have any questions.

 

If you just want enough bass to fill out the sound I recommend you go the route I did. My setup can be found in my jeep profile.

Long story short.... I added the subwoofer console from a later model TJ to my 98 then loaded it with a kicker sub. Check out my profile and let me know if you have any questions.

What is the link to that ? I tried looking but couldn't find it
Just trying good audio options to try.

 

8 or 10 bass tube? Concerned about rattling down the road.

 

I never recommended a tube. Those things in my opinion are terrible. Then with the top down and it all the way in the back, it will lose the effect. Either go big in the back or go with the console with a sub like I have.

 

So what I did was install a kenwood head unit and two 5.25 pioneers in the sound bar. Significant improvement, but will likely be looking for a sub/amp combo to add in.

 

I put a pioneer head unit in. Will be installing kicker speakers and a Pyle sub tomorrow

 

I don't care for 1 DIN radios, so I kept the stock Chrysler head unit on my '06 and installed four 5-1/4" Infinity speakers. In the front I used the Select Increments pods. In the back, I used that foam stuff around the speakers.

 

I'm going to jump into this thread if you guys don't mind.

I am also a newb jeep owner. Just got my first Jeep last weekend (1999 4.0L for $5k) and the first thing on the upgrade list is the speakers because on the freeway, I can't hear em at all (and the LED lights I ordered last night for the dash).

I was wandering around Fry's electronics last night because they have a decent setup with different speakers. One of the speaker I really liked which had a good amount of bass were the Infinity 5.25" 5002ix Reference Speakers.

On Amazon, they run for $69 a pair: http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-REF-5002ix-5-25-Inch-two-way-loudspeaker/dp/B007SNMDV6

I went to crutchfield and they say this speaker won't fit the 99 TJ front dash. Does anyone know why? Is it a depth issue?

I didn't see the 6 1/2" version at Fry's, but seeing the 5 1/4" sounded so good, I could imagine the 6 1/2's would be perfect for the sound bar and they are the same price...

http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Refe...dio-Speaker/dp/B00803LE2W/ref=pd_bxgy_422_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1PG349S0YA9Q71ZE4RMR

Your thoughts?

Stephen
1999 Wrangler TJ 4.0L
Las Vegas, NV

 

I have owned a few jeeps and sound always seems to require an upgrade. Regardless of the factory sound option I am rarely happy once the top comes off. Here is what I do

1 amp- 5 channel which will run the entire system as it simplifies the install and limits the wiring failure points. . JL Audio is a safe bet but expensive.

Your 5 speakers are- Polk Audio 5 1/4 size, buy the bracket to convert the dash openings. Find a speaker that you like on Amazon and read the reviews. There are always at least a few jeep guys that state that it installed into there Jeep TJ,YJ or JK. 5 1/4 Polks or infinity seem to be popular choices. The sound bar can hold a 6 1/2 and I again have always used Polk Audio, read the reviews on amazon to be sure.

The Sub which would be your 5th channel is where you can get creative. Adding 4 speakers and not adding a sub will be disappointing. Adding that sub really brings it all together. My approach is the biggest bass possible without dedicating hardly any space to it. I am not going to have two 15's back there but maybe a Jeep Stealthbox or something along those lines.

I am actually working on my daughters Jeep tonight and doing this very install. It is her first jeep and she can not yet drive it because of age. I took this same approach and bought cheaper gear. For example, I bought a amp that is 5 channel and like 1800 watts, blah blah blah, if it is a cheap amp it will not be great power but I also won't cry if I come home and it is missing.

 

I'm thinking of doing everything in stages right now for the Jeep. Like you said, without a sub, I'm sure I will be underwhelmed by the sound with the top off.

My thoughts are this:
1.) Change Speakers - 2 fronts and 2 sound bars to 5 1/4 and 6 1/2 respectively
2.) Add 5 Channel Amp and Sub. I'm thinking of a sub in the arm rest area to conserve space as this is a 1999 2 Door and space is a premium.
3.) Change the head unit (if necessary). Seeing the speakers and amp will be just taking signal from the stock head unit, I might just buy a better OEM head unit to not give the appearance of a custom radio (translation - steal my stuff!) and I don't want to worry when I go into a store with the top down.

 

I bought my daughter a 2005 Jeep TJ and have been working on this very project. Today I painted the roll bar pads, installed new carpet and thought might as well do the stereo install now. Since this is going to a 16 year old I did not want to spend a lot of money which is really not my style. I have never bought the cheapest anything but I really decided to throw caution to the wind. I bought Kenwood 5 1/4 speakers for like $40.00 a pair. I then bought the kicker sub for the console and ran all speaker wire to the rear where I installed a 5 channel amp- this one to be exact

Planet Audio AC1800.5 ANARCHY 1800-watts Full Range Class A/B 5 Channel 2 Ohm Stable Amplifier

On Amazon for like $120 bucks. So that is 120 for amp, 80 for my speakers, Subwoofer was Kicker 10CVT652 for like $65 and lastly a Kenwood single Din for $99. So all in with wiring I am at about $500 and it sounds amazing. I have had dozens of systems and although the bass wont shake your mirror off it is still really nice. I would be embarrassed to ride with top off and full volume. Will do final adjustments in the morning as I am exhausted.

 

Sounds good, but don't forget to install fuses where appropriate (e.g., near the battery for larger runs of power wire). A fuse at the amplifier will protect the amplifier, but a fuse near the battery should protect the Wrangler.

 

you bet- I finished my daughters install and it is perfect for her taste but I would not be happy. The cheap sound bar speakers and dash speakers I bought are rather High on high side and not enough Mids. She doesn't have a sub but just a kicker in the center console. My opinion is that the kicker in the console is to small so that throws off the balance. The amp is huge and seems to be ok but for a good build go Jl Audio Amp and Polk Speakers seems to be a proven solution. I know some folks love the Infinity speakers but have never tried those.

 

No idea why the pics wont load right but here is the planet audio amp ($119) on amazon, huge which is why i assume it was so cheap.