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JK Radio

4K views 67 replies 8 participants last post by  CTarna  
#1 ·
Hello All...!
I am continuing with the Repair / Upgrade of my 2013 JK Sport. Basically i gave this to my son a few years ago now i have it back with a few needed repairs. One is the Stereo will not stay on. I was planning to either put in a better Chrysler unit (from the scrap yard) or a aftermarket unit. but i am unsure about how the uConnect works with the stereo? could someone talk me through it? Also i have seen some of the cheap Amazon stereos (see link below) with 10" screens that seem too good to be true. Does anyone have any experience with these?


Regards Steven
 
#3 ·
actually RER or RHR are easiest as they have uconnect built in and just need microphone wired to the 10 pin in back of radio

Couple other points
only a radio from a vehicle with the high speed IHS bus will work (this includes all JK and Liberty and Nitro and Journey and 2008-2020 Grand Caravan and sister vehicles Chrysler Town and Country 2008-2016 and VW Routan

low speed can B bus vehicles like early Grand cherokee and Durango and Commander and patriot and Compas and 300 and challanger and charger and Aspen and 200 and Avenger and Sebring will not work

If you get one from 2012 or newer it will need antitheft code easy on Harmon Becker Units but harder on Mitibushi Units RHB and RBZ as need it from deale or buy code for about $10 on ebay

If you get RBZ or RHB try to find 2016 or newer as they have newer SATA HDD instead of older PATA HDD
 
#5 ·
Hello All...!
I am continuing with the Repair / Upgrade of my 2013 JK Sport. Basically i gave this to my son a few years ago now i have it back with a few needed repairs. One is the Stereo will not stay on. I was planning to either put in a better Chrysler unit (from the scrap yard) or a aftermarket unit. but i am unsure about how the uConnect works with the stereo? could someone talk me through it? Also i have seen some of the cheap Amazon stereos (see link below) with 10" screens that seem too good to be true. Does anyone have any experience with these?


Regards Steven
I just put one of those in my 2013 Rubicon. PROs: It was an easy install. The provided cable had all the connections needed except the power to the backup camera was plug and play. The backup camera power did require a crimp connector or to be soldered. I did not use the provided backup camera as I already had one installed. One place to be careful is when connect to the speakers. You use a different (provided) plug depending on if the jeep has the factory amplifier or not. CONS: Possibly the worst user documentation I've ever encountered. How to make changes to the functions of the radio was nearly impossible to find. In my case, the backup camera did not work because the default setting was PAL vice NTSC but one I found that setting it was an easy change. Basically you would probably need to do a search for the code to allow changes to the settings and it varies from radio to radio. In my case the main code is 8888(apparently the most common one); however, there are other codes that provide varying access. From what I have read some care needs to be use as it is possible to "brick" the radio if the wrong code is used. An internet search is your friend if you would like to see the possible codes.

My original factory radio was drawing over 2A with the ignition off and draining the battery which was caused the replacement. I have since read it could actually been the USB but didnt check that.
 
#7 ·
Best answer is it depends. You have to get the security right with a 430N (not 100% sure but I think you need a code from the original vehicle the radio was in if your getting a used radio). As I mentioned the android radio I got was plug and play and uses the steering wheel buttons. You do loose the factory GPS and the EVIC will no longer show route turns or the music that is playing; however, the android radio will default to a couple of different mapping functions (mine is currently defaulting to google maps - I think through my cell phone) one of which appears to be a build-in function of the radio and the music playing is displayed on the screen so it hasnt been a big deal to me. As I mentioned in the previous post it was an easy install but the documentation was very poor. The steps needed to change some functions such as changing the backup camera setting was hard to determine but once done it appears to be working correctly. I did add Pandora to the android radio using google play which works through my cell phone and that works pretty well. Bottom line is it will likely take some "fiddling" to get it working as you want. I have an android phone and that connects wirelessly and is pretty stable but I have had a few momentary drop outs which I think are caused because the phone was to far from the radio. I also think I have something misconfigured regarding the phone interface because others have been able to hear me but I couldnt hear the distant caller (worked the first few times but I think I changed something).
 
#10 ·
yes but on most donors it is built into the auto dim rear view mirror
here high or low bus does not matter as mirror does not use bus just be sure it has the 2 diamond shaped microphone grills and be sure to het the harness from the mirror to the radio and be sure it will work with your windshield button mount

other option with the 730N (RER RHR) for microphone is this plug and play microphone that already has the 10 pin connector that fits the 730N radio
 
#15 ·
I have a 2016 sport. It was not difficult to install with steering wheel controls and satellite radio. The Sonys are generally pretty decent, with solid CarPlay and android integration and not terribly expensive.

If you go to Crutchfield's web site and put in the Jeeps specs it will give you options with all the required adapters and cabling. The will tell you what features will/will not work with the suggested radios and adapters. You can even have them splice some of the harnesses together for you. They also provide tech support for the install if you buy the complete kit from them.

The said you can just use crutchfields web site to help select the radio and adapters etc. Even if you don't buy from them. It's an easy way to find a compatible radios and the required parts.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Crutchfield, stingersolutions, and trailseven have some expensive options besides the Grundig and Elev8.

Search for threads by the chinese brand names like Dasaita and Joying thread

This website has more reasonable prices

Good headunit wiring

Amazon and Ebay have opitions, but often they don't have detailed expertise information.

When shopping consider the connectors and features you need like specs, speed, wifi, bluetooth #, Android version, 1-4 cameras, satellite nav, sat radio module, DAB+ radio, microphone, in-motion safety bypass, storage (SSD, SD, USB), # of USB ports front and back or y connector support, Uconnect and steering wheel controls compatibility, physical buttons and Knobs, sound quality, and so on

Installation guide
 
#18 · (Edited)
No FEW factory Jeep radios will be plug & play in a different vehicle.
The used radio will might lock and be useless once installed into your vehicle UNLESS you get the 4-digit code associated with that radio.
The dealer can get you the code if you can provide them with the original vehicle VIN.

I had to get this code from my local dealer in order for the navigation radio removed from our 2015 JKUR to work in my cousin's JK.

If you want P&P operation, consider an Android head unit upgrade. The unit I chose came with everything needed for an easy installation and all of my steering wheel controls still work as original.

*fixed it.
 
#19 ·
not always true
any IHS bus 2008-2011 oem radio will be plug and play RES REQ RER REN RBH RHB RHR
only 2012 and newer use anti theft codes but as long as not one of the Mitsubishi head units RBZ(430) or RHB(430N) it is very easy to get the free code - I have an app that spits them out free except the RBZ and RHB

also be aware must be from a CAN IHS bus not a CAN B bus radio

most common CAN IHS are the Wrangler Liberty and all the minivans 2008-2020 Grand Caravan and similar years Town Country and VW Routan (same van just rebadged and changed sheet metal)
 
#21 ·
No FEW factory Jeep radios will be plug & play in a different vehicle.
The used radio will might lock and be useless once installed into your vehicle UNLESS you get the 4-digit code associated with that radio.
The dealer can get you the code if you can provide them with the original vehicle VIN.

I had to get this code from my local dealer in order for the navigation radio removed from our 2015 JKUR to work in my cousin's JK.

If you want P&P operation, consider an Android head unit upgrade. The unit I chose came with everything needed for an easy installation and all of my steering wheel controls still work as original.

*fixed it.
Which android head unit did you buy? Which dash replacement did you use? What year?

I've put it in 5 of these. 3 recently.
 
#23 ·
I went with this one, back in 2022…
It comes with a new dash panel for behind the wheel/over the gauge cluster, and a separate piece for the center bezel/radio trim.
IYING 6GB+64GB Wireless CarPlay... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QXPHBMC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I've installed 3 in my 2012 JKU over the last 7 months. None of the dash replacement kits have worked. Best I've been able to do is use a bungee cord to hold the stereo and dash panels in. This is with the in dash style replacement panels. But I found a more floating style replacement panel set that I think will work. Also going to try the dudu7 unit for my vehicle. As it uses it's own customizable OS.

But biggest issues have been the dash panels that don't fit. And that are all made in the same factory. Three different units had the exact same panels. With the same manufacturers marks molded in.

Then the android os vs Android Auto issue. 8/10s of the functionality in these new units doesn't work. Hard time staying connected to my phone. And had to set up various work arounds to avoid android auto.

I would venture to guess your lying unit was android os only. My older units like that worked great. They were basically an android phone with speaker outs. You could run any app. They were great. But with the addition of android auto on top of Android os its a pita.

I'm hoping the dudu7 units have solved this.
 
#24 ·
You can run many/most apps, but not all.
For instance, the inclinometer app that I have on my phone will not work in the head unit because while it has GPS, it does not have the gyro functions like the phones do.
I have to link that through Carplay, & I'll have to zero the calibration of the phone with it in the holder (on the dash) in order for it to work with any kind of accuracy.

EDIT:
I'll also say that this particular setup worked great on my 2015 JKUR, although I did break a couple of the clips/brackets when I installed it. I didn't think they would really matter, but the face of the dash sagged and it bugged me.
I reached out to their support team to purchase a replacement dash panel, and they sent me one for free.
I installed it correctly & it has been great for 3+ years.
 
#25 ·
Guys, i am looking for a working Radio for a JK, i am OK with simple take out. I just want it to be plug and play. Regards Steven
I do have an OEM radio from my 2017 JK Sport. It wouldn't connect to Sirius so I replaced it with a Kenwood. Regular AM-FM worked fine. Don't know if you're interested but I just thought I'd put it out there...
 
#26 ·
I do have an OEM radio from my 2017 JK Sport. It wouldn't connect to Sirius so I replaced it with a Kenwood. Regular AM-FM worked fine. Don't know if you're interested but I just thought I'd put it out there...
Rick, do you have a photo of it or the three letter code from the bottom RH of the face plate. i dont need sirius. you can PM me if you like (assuming we can do that on here).
 
#29 ·
I will say the stock stereo in my 2012 JKU was the worst stereo I've ever seen. It was hell connecting it to my phone. I would buy a $75 android head unit with an actual touchscreen before I used one again. Jeep stereos are notoriously bad.

They make 7 or 9 inch screen models that are direct fit into the same dash location. No replacement panels needed. Or like I mentioned they make floating style mounts for $13. That hold 10 inch android head units.

I would not waste time and money on a stock unit.