Infinity Stereo in a XJ - Upgrade?

J

Joev

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Downingtown, PA
Hey everyone..
Been doing some research about updrading my stock XJ stereo to the Infinity Stereo like in the ZJ's. Looks like the XJ's had them but it's rare. Just looking for a little project for the winter. I haven't found that golden write up "Upgrading your XJ stereo with Infinity radio". :badpc:

I will be the first to admit I don't know all that much about stereos but I'm learning. Done everything else Jeep..just not this stuff.

So..Is it possible to take a ZJ infinity stereo and install it into my XJ?
I have questions about: have to be from the same year, # of speakers needed, wiring harness already there, door tweeters, amp, 2 more speakers in the rear doors....all that jazz. What types of things would one need to do this and what do I need to look for...I have the potential to get the door tweeters from ebay off this guy in England..so I have that..but what the heck else do I need..

If anyone has experience with this and can share it with me, I would appreciate it.
 
one thing to look out for joe is the infinity systems had a stock amplifier under the drivers seat. don't know much else just thought I would give you that tidbit.
 
Thanks Bill...I saw some of those on ebay so I'll have to grab one..maybe I'll try to snag one from a C4C if there are any left..

Happy New Year!!!
 
I think you would need pretty much everything including the speakers. IIRC the Inf systems speakers and amps are all some weird ohm rating like 6 or 8, don't remember exactly.
The easiest thing for you to do might be to get all of the speakers/ amp and stereo. Use the factory pigtail on the radio to run the wiring to the amp. Then from there you can do two things. Either run all new wiring from wherever you decide to put the amp to the new speakers or you might be able to get one of those bundle wires they use for 4channel amps (8-9wires in it) and run that from the amp and up to the radio and tap into the old speaker wire that way you don't have to run anything new through the doors etc.
Truthfully in my opinion, you are going to be better off buying a cheap new headunit and 4 new speakers. Possibly even a 2 channel amp to get some better sound out of the front 2 speakers at least and run the rear 2 off the head unit because they are just fill anyway.
Hope some of that made some sense. Been a while since I worked in car audio but a good friend of mine is still an installer. I can ask him some questions if ya need.
Paul
 
xcalibur223 said:
Truthfully in my opinion, you are going to be better off buying a cheap new headunit and 4 new speakers. Possibly even a 2 channel amp to get some better sound out of the front 2 speakers at least and run the rear 2 off the head unit because they are just fill anyway.
Hope some of that made some sense. Been a while since I worked in car audio but a good friend of mine is still an installer. I can ask him some questions if ya need.
Paul
Click to expand...

That is my opinion too, sounds like a waste of time, plus isnt the zj head unit a double DIN? All the speakers are still paper crap, the tweeters probably wont take much power or be really that great. I am not a super stero expert but I have wire a few dozen amps & head units & unless I was super broke I would just get a cheap cd player & some better speakers.

You could get component speakers, but they tend to be more expensive, but they sound really good running off an amplifier. Any speaker running of the head unit generally sucks & factory amplifiers generally suck too. Look for something aftermarket on ebay, IMO. If its budgetary, which I understand I am sure you can make it happen & I know there are wiring diagrams on the web that show what the wires coming from the factory harness go to. Just google it, I found this in a second or two...
http://www.installdr.com/Harnesses/DCP-Wiring.pdf If I can help anytime let me know.
 
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Just upgrade the head unit and speakers nice and simple and it will sound great
 
Thanks guys..Sounds like getting an aftermarket system would be the best bet. Kind of figured the stock swap wouldn't be a worth while project..but wanted to check..I guess that's why I didn't find any good write ups..no one has done it..

Happy New Year guys..See you on the trails..
 
I just put a new headunit and front speakers into my XJ. Its all nice stuff, but there was no bass. Aftermarket speakers REALLY need more power to sound good. Instead of buying an amp, I got a powered sub and am THRILLED with the sound.

BTW, Joey, I just might have an amp sitting in my garage that I got from Keith. I'll sell it to you for the same cost as the CO2 tank. Let me know.
 
Joey... if you just want better sound, like I said on Sunday, skip the infinity set up. Get yourself some nice aftermarket speakers, and a 4-channel amp to match them. You can hook it up to your stock stereo, but an aftermarket deck would be better. I actually have a REALLY nice Pioneer deck that I havent used in years, and have been trying to get rid of...Im sure I can cut you a good deal :)

If you want more bass, a small powered sub like Jordan suggested is the easiest way to go. There just isnt enough acoustics in the doors and sound bar to get good bass out of the 4 basic speakers.

I have an aftermarket deck, and pioneer 3-ways in my 01, and honestly it kinda sucks. MUCH better than not having front speakers at all, but there is zero bass. The stock speakers had more bass...Amy's still sounds awesome with the stock speakers and her Pioneer head unit. I just deal with it because I dont have the money to mess with it right now, but Ide like to build a sub box to hide in the cubby in the hatch area, like I did in my Trans AM. That way you dont loose storage space, and you can get whatever sub/amp you want....used, new, etc. Just adding that to your stock system would go a long way to make it sound better. After putting a sub in my blazer back in high school, I havent been able to go without one since. Just makes it sound so much better.

Let me know if you want to mess around with it, or test drive the head unit I have... I can give you a hand.

J.
 
Nice..sounds like a plan Simon..

Just want a little project for the ol heep..get some more sound and whatnot..


MrSimon said:
I just put a new headunit and front speakers into my XJ. Its all nice stuff, but there was no bass. Aftermarket speakers REALLY need more power to sound good. Instead of buying an amp, I got a powered sub and am THRILLED with the sound.

BTW, Joey, I just might have an amp sitting in my garage that I got from Keith. I'll sell it to you for the same cost as the CO2 tank. Let me know.
Click to expand...
 
Sweet...Let's do it..I got a line on some possible door tweeters..should I get them too..They are the stock ones that go by the mirror..would look pretty B-A..

ghettocruiser said:
Joey... if you just want better sound, like I said on Sunday, skip the infinity set up. Get yourself some nice aftermarket speakers, and a 4-channel amp to match them. You can hook it up to your stock stereo, but an aftermarket deck would be better. I actually have a REALLY nice Pioneer deck that I havent used in years, and have been trying to get rid of...Im sure I can cut you a good deal :)

If you want more bass, a small powered sub like Jordan suggested is the easiest way to go. There just isnt enough acoustics in the doors and sound bar to get good bass out of the 4 basic speakers.

I have an aftermarket deck, and pioneer 3-ways in my 01, and honestly it kinda sucks. MUCH better than not having front speakers at all, but there is zero bass. The stock speakers had more bass...Amy's still sounds awesome with the stock speakers and her Pioneer head unit. I just deal with it because I dont have the money to mess with it right now, but Ide like to build a sub box to hide in the cubby in the hatch area, like I did in my Trans AM. That way you dont loose storage space, and you can get whatever sub/amp you want....used, new, etc. Just adding that to your stock system would go a long way to make it sound better. After putting a sub in my blazer back in high school, I havent been able to go without one since. Just makes it sound so much better.

Let me know if you want to mess around with it, or test drive the head unit I have... I can give you a hand.

J.
Click to expand...
 
Meh..unless you are going for a full audiophile type of system, I dont think they are necessary. You'd be better saving your money and getting a nice pair of 2-way door speakers. That'll give you good highs and tighter midrange than what the stock speakers can do. Leave the rear speakers stock because they'll just be for fill. And then add a small sub for the low stuff. You'd probably be plenty happy with that.

But there are a bunch of different ways you can go... It just gets expensive unless you find a bunch of good used deals...and the parts all work together well.

You've heard my stereo in my Trans AM... Those are cheapy pioneer 3 ways, an old as dirt sub and a cheapo amp from walmart. The head unit is top notch...which is why it all works pretty decent together. Its plenty loud for me. It'll shake body panels if I wanted to be obnoxious while listening to music.
 
Yeah, your Trans AM has a sweet set up. if u can hear it over the insane HP you lay the smack down on the street!! I miss that car..when will it be spring so she comes out to play. The marks in front of my street have faded away..time for some more...
 
Spring? I drove it to work today... haha. It doesnt like the salt covered cold streets though. Inspection is also up...which is why Im taking it home and leaving it there until I can get it inspected. I dont want some chump seeing my expired stickers at the APT and calling it in and it being towed or something crazy...you know my luck.
 
ghettocruiser said:
Spring? I drove it to work today... haha. It doesnt like the salt covered cold streets though. Inspection is also up...which is why Im taking it home and leaving it there until I can get it inspected. I dont want some chump seeing my expired stickers at the APT and calling it in and it being towed or something crazy...you know my luck.
Click to expand...

Justin, to save you the trouble, I went ahead and placed an anomynous tip to the local police about your expired tags. :phone: :anon:
 
Now that's funny right there:roll:

knuckle_buster said:
Justin, to save you the trouble, I went ahead and placed an anomynous tip to the local police about your expired tags. :phone: :anon:
Click to expand...
 
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