You are unlikely to have any wiring because your jeep didn't come with the premium sound anyways. They remove the wires for the hardtop if you didn't get the dual top group so audio likely isn't there either. I wouldn't use the stock wires for an aftermarket sub anyways, though. Unlikely to handle the power. It's not hard to run wires in a Jeep anyways.

Which route you do is up to you. It's your Jeep, do what makes sense to you and is in your budget. I would suggest an amp for the sub, take that load off the head unit.

 

Yeah thats fine. I mean I'm more space conscious than I am dollar conscious, if that makes any sense. E.g. Im sure the 10" downfiring sub and 5 channel amp is awesome (and buying it isn't an issue really) but I don't want to give up most of my storage space to get it. Do most people keep the stock enclosure and put a better speaker in it? Or am I finding them on e-bay because most people discard them? If people mostly ditch the stock enclosure, what do they do?

 

Have you seen the sub enclosures that mount to the tail gate? It might take up more space than you like though. Just a thought.

 

I havent...in my mind I guess I'm imagining it's sitting passenger side, bolted to the tub, and occupying the back of the wheel well area on that side (i.e.compact and unobtrusive). It sounds like it's nothing like that based on what you just said...

 

The 10" downside enclosure was like 8" tall and the full width of the cargo area though, so it can't be worse than that. I do like the idea of mounting under the driver seat and not losing any storage though...

 

Looks something like this

Lots of different makers out there. My Cousin used to make them.

 

Oh, no I meant the stock enclosure that came with premium sound in the 09. It looks like this,

 

Oh sorry I misread your comment, I thought you were saying the stock enclosure is larger than I was thinking it was. I see now that this is another option. Thanks, better than on floor of cargo, for sure. Do ypu have a link to one by chance? And is that 8" or 10"?

 

I think the one pictured is a 12" sub. I just googled "Jeep tailgate sub" and grabbed an image. There were lots of different options but i dont have any links.

 

I don't know if this will work in a 2 door if you have the fold and tumble front seats, but it is what I just put in my 4 door along with the Alpine amp and it is far and away 10 times better than the stock Alpine sub that came with the Premium Alpine stereo system in mine.

Alpine SBV-10-WRA

Weather-resistant sealed enclosure with 10" subwoofer — fits select 2007-18 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JKU models

www.crutchfield.com

 

This works in a 2009 JK 2-door.

NEO-POD – Select Increments

selectincrements.com

Here it is mounted under the passenger seat. It works well but isn't amplified. I purchased just the box and replaced my factory sub for space and better response with a Pioneer 8" sub.

 

Three are many options, it just depends on how creative you get. I ran a 12 inch shallow for awhile but got tired of the space it took up. I built a custom mount and am using Kickers 8 inch TB Loaded Enclosure. Eventually I will add a 2nd on the other side. I am never putting the rear seat back in so this is a very good solution but would probably work even with the seat in.

 

I used Sonic when I purchase my stuff...

https://www.sonicelectronix.com/

 

I installed the 8" Kicker under the front drivers seat a few months ago. I too read the reviews, blog posts, and Crutchfield. The Kicker in general seems to be a well review budget sub ,so decided I'd gave it a try.

Things I like:

1. All metal encloser
2. Single wire harness for clean wiring
3. Compact
4. Built in amp, all in one solution
5. Price

Since I've only had it for a few month so this isn't a long term reivew. My intial impression is the build quality is good and the design is well thought out.

 

A lot of people do use the stock enclosure and replace the sub in it. If you are only looking to fill out the lower end of the sound stage, it will probably suit you fine. As noted above, there are lots of options when it comes to mounting a sub in a Jeep, though.