Jeep Speakers

[bjoehandley]

The speakers in the hatch of my Sister's '92 Briarwood and the front doors of my '98 Limited need replacement, anybody know which speakers should work with our stock radio gear? I've got the mid range casette player in my Limited with an Infinty amp under the back seat and I don't remember what head unit the '92 has off hand, but can check on that. A co-worker told me that Alpine was the best, I also looked at Sony XPlodes at Wal-Mart on saturday, so I would like to find out which would work best stock wiring. The ones for the '92 probably won't have to be too pricey since it is 12 years old and getting rusty, while I'd like to get some decent ones for my '98 since it's going to be kept till the body rots apart, gets totaled, or the engine dies, which ever comes first.

 

[hightimes2]

I like boston or infinity

 

[scoobyxj]

Get what ever sounds the best to you. The stock wiring is not even a consideration if your still running a stock deck or low powered aftermarket. I have alpines in my xj [not infinty amped] and they sound ok. Have Kenwoods in my girlfriends zj [infinity amped] and they sound down right awsome. It's mostly just a personal taste of how they sound to you, and if they fit. Your 98 has 6 1/2 in the doors and 5 1/4 in the headliner [6 1/2 will fit with a little trimming]. Your sisters should have 6/9 in the rear hatch and 5 1/4 in the doors.

 

[Z22_Z33]

If your going to put new speakers in, you may as well switch to a new radio player as well. The xj, head unit is junk to say the least. I switched over to a cd player and kept the stock speakers and to say the least it sounds a lot better, and no I am not hearing things. It wouldnt be worth the money to buy new speakers but not switch the stock tape deck.
Like someone said eariler use whatever sounds best to you. You can sample speakers at large electronic stores, like best buy or circut city. You can then go somewhere that has cheaper prices like a stereo warehouse or someplace else.
Save your self some time and money by doing things right the first time. I know on the pre 97s its easy to install and hide wiring of these sorts of things.
Oh yeah what would work best for stock wiring, well if you wanted it to be easy buy speakers that have the same connectors the stocks use. If not you gotta cut them and hook them up correctly.

 

[jblaze5779]

you can use 4.5in speakers as a direct replacement.

I bought some kenwoods and they sounded shitty I was really dissapointed, but then I took out the stock radio and replaced it with a 4x35W sony cd deck that was about 10 years old and now they sound way better. It's all about getting rid of that really bad radio that comes with the jeep itself.

 

[Gridikal]

Get what ever sounds the best to you. The stock wiring is not even a consideration if your still running a stock deck or low powered aftermarket. I have alpines in my xj [not infinty amped] and they sound ok. Have Kenwoods in my girlfriends zj [infinity amped] and they sound down right awsome. It's mostly just a personal taste of how they sound to you, and if they fit. Your 98 has 6 1/2 in the doors and 5 1/4 in the headliner [6 1/2 will fit with a little trimming]. Your sisters should have 6/9 in the rear hatch and 5 1/4 in the doors.

as far as the '98 goes---Most 6-1/2's will fit but technically they are 5-1/4 in the doors- regaurdless of what crutchfield says or whoever. Go with the infinity's if you plan to stick with the stock deck or low powered after market- if higher powered after market look into component systems for up front and basic 2-ways in the rear...if using an amp, thats where the fun begins

 

[5-90]

If you want to get a quick handle on what will fit, take a few minutes at www.crutchfield.com and use their "what fits my vehicle" link to check things out. Most of the head units will go right in, and I seem to recall that most XJ's use 5.25" speakers fore and aft.

Not that that means anything - what you want to wedge in there depends on how much work you want to put in. I've got 5.25" speakers up front and 6x9's in the back - it's just a matter of putting in a little work with a Dremel! That, and some planning...

OEM wiring is fine for nonamplified speaker signals, probably up to a 50W head unit. Anything past that, and get used to the idea of pulling some heavy-gage speaker wire.

I've used Sony Xplod drivers with good results, and I put JVC poly-cones in my wife's 89. I strongly suggest you stay away from "paper" cones - they tend to get beaten up pretty quickly. Also, given the environments Jeeps tend to see, you probably want something that won't get waterlogged too easily.

Aplifier mouting poses a problem - not due to room, but due to security. The only effective way to hide an amplifier is to find one small enough to go under a seat (and find a way to provide it with cooling air) or build a false deck for the rear section and stash the amps under that. I'd give you a design, but I've not finalised one yet...

Pretty much any name-brand head unit will do better than what you have now, but I suggest you look for a few features to allow for future upgrades...

CD-R/CD-RW playback
mp3 decoding
auxiliary audio input (front or rear, at your convenience)
Pre-amp outputs (for a subwoofer, at least. three sets is better - use them as you need them.)

With a little looking, you can find a DIN-sized unit that accepts both cassettes and CD's (if you need it) or a cassette unit with CD-changer controls. Also, Kenwood makes their "Music Keg" which looks promising, and most of their head units will control it remotely as well. Just something else to think about...

5-90

 

[Gridikal]

If you want to get a quick handle on what will fit, take a few minutes at www.crutchfield.com and use their "what fits my vehicle" link to check things out. Most of the head units will go right in, and I seem to recall that most XJ's use 5.25" speakers fore and aft.

Not that that means anything - what you want to wedge in there depends on how much work you want to put in. I've got 5.25" speakers up front and 6x9's in the back - it's just a matter of putting in a little work with a Dremel! That, and some planning...

OEM wiring is fine for nonamplified speaker signals, probably up to a 50W head unit. Anything past that, and get used to the idea of pulling some heavy-gage speaker wire.

I've used Sony Xplod drivers with good results, and I put JVC poly-cones in my wife's 89. I strongly suggest you stay away from "paper" cones - they tend to get beaten up pretty quickly. Also, given the environments Jeeps tend to see, you probably want something that won't get waterlogged too easily.

Aplifier mouting poses a problem - not due to room, but due to security. The only effective way to hide an amplifier is to find one small enough to go under a seat (and find a way to provide it with cooling air) or build a false deck for the rear section and stash the amps under that. I'd give you a design, but I've not finalised one yet...

Pretty much any name-brand head unit will do better than what you have now, but I suggest you look for a few features to allow for future upgrades...

CD-R/CD-RW playback
mp3 decoding
auxiliary audio input (front or rear, at your convenience)
Pre-amp outputs (for a subwoofer, at least. three sets is better - use them as you need them.)

With a little looking, you can find a DIN-sized unit that accepts both cassettes and CD's (if you need it) or a cassette unit with CD-changer controls. Also, Kenwood makes their "Music Keg" which looks promising, and most of their head units will control it remotely as well. Just something else to think about...

5-90

screw crutchfield- some of their info is messed up and their prices suck. The only thing they are good for is looking at the pictures

 

[5-90]

'S funny, I've been using them for autosound for a number of years without complaint. I know I can find better prices, but not usually by much and I have gotten a LOT of use out of their service and support! For people who don't do a lot of automotive installations or who do way too many on too many different vehicles, they're quite helpful.

Meanwhile, Joe, you don't mention where you are. If you're anywhere near the SF Bay Area, I can help you if you need it. Your 92 isn't that different from my RENIX XJ's, and I've done installs on all three of mine that went pretty easy...

5-90

 

[Gridikal]

I have gotten a LOT of use out of their service and support! For people who don't do a lot of automotive installations or who do way too many on too many different vehicles, they're quite helpful

ok, but you're paying an arm and a leg for "support". All the people I do installs for I tell them not to go there because they can get their audio support through me for free. And that applies to any naxja user and I can do even more if you live near me.

 

[1989laredoxj]

I agree dont use crutchfield they will beat competitors prices though and will give you help with anything with a fib or 2. Also www.woofersect.com is pretty good, service and price.
*cooling an amplifier I have struggled hiding an amp many many times now and have given up now I make sure they are secured and in an open area. And the person who owns it has some sort of security. But to keep an amp cool I have tried the little electric fans, I have tried them right on top of a box. I found a thin sheet of aluminum does the trick if you put it under the amp. I couldnt tell you why but in my quest to stop burning amps out I found they stay cool When you have a thin sheet under them. sorry for the long post. but anything is better than stock. I have never heard anything good about sony but most other brands havent come back with bad reports. I would keep with mid to high end tho driving with no radio is pretty boring

 

[bjoehandley]

Thanks for the offer 5-90, but I live in the Chicago Suburbs. I talked to a kid I work with today who's into car audio trying to figure out what might work, I want to stay as simple as possible since my '98 is also used for family roadtrips (parents, sister and myself) and we use all the room we can get (too many years with the Chevy G-Vans I guess.) I'm pretty much over my head when it comes to car audio to be honest, I can usually do most mechanical stuff on my vehicles (boht real and R/C)and some electrical (mainly R/C for that though.) My OE speakers in the doors are pretty much dead (should see the look on that kid's face when I turned up the radio ), but the rears are soldering on just fine so far and the only complaint I've had on the factory head unit is that after using a car cd adapter it will run tapes kinda fast forward Chimpmonks style sometimes (don't know what sounds funnier like that Elvis or AC/DC) and I'd like to stay as factory as possible for now. I don't want to get too carried away money wise either. Chris (the co-worker) also told me to stay away from Crutchfields and many of the online audio dealers, since they tend to sell re-mans and scratch and dent type stuff (thats what he told me). He also tends to prefer Alpine gear and has his Regal mostly equiped with that brand. I also recently noticed (actually re-discovered) that I have small "tweeter" speakers with Infinifty cast into the door panel right below them. I appreciate all the help guys, if you have any other suggestions keep throwing them my way, like I said I'm way over my head when it comes to this.

 

[Atl XJ]

Crutchfield sells top quality stuff, never scratch and dent or remanufactured. You can however, buy scratch and dent stuff from them at discounted prices if you prefer. Crutchfield has stores and a great magazine too, I've dealt with them a lot in the past and while not always the cheapest (but not unreasonable), their service is so good and they give you so much free installation stuff its well worth it. They supply you with fool proof instructions and their tech support is top notch as well. They also give pretty good discounts if you buy a whole system.

 

[RJJR]

Crutchfield sells top quality stuff, never scratch and dent or remanufactured. You can however, buy scratch and dent stuff from them at discounted prices if you prefer. Crutchfield has stores and a great magazine too, I've dealt with them a lot in the past and while not always the cheapest (but not unreasonable), their service is so good and they give you so much free installation stuff its well worth it. They supply you with fool proof instructions and their tech support is top notch as well. They also give pretty good discounts if you buy a whole system.

I second this, working with crutchfield has always been a positive experience for me. I have made several purchases from them, and am very pleased with their customer support.

 

[bjoehandley]

Like I said, this is kinda over my head and I do have some other things that need to be performed on my truck first. I guess my sister thinks her truck's hatch speakers are ok, I guess she just wants to put that plastic cage back around the cone when dad puts the panel back on the truck.

 

[ASJackman]

If you really wanted your system to sound nice, and you have the money, but some MB Quart speakers. I have them installed in mine and it is by far the nicest mids and uppers that i have heard. Just make sure you have them powered by a quality amp and you have enough power going to everything. which usually requires a capacitor, or two, stronger battery, stronger alternator, etc....you get the point. it's like lifting the jeep, there's more that goes into lifting a jeep than just the lift kit itself.

 

[Gridikal]

I second this, working with crutchfield has always been a positive experience for me. I have made several purchases from them, and am very pleased with their customer support.

and you would kick yourself if you realized how much money you could have saved.. providing that they were purchaces of things like over 200$- my cd player I currently have in my jeep cost me 250... through crutchfield it was 350...hmmm tough choice there. I also saved an average of 100 per amplifier- the kicker sx's- 3 of them. They didnt offer my speakers but sounddomain did and I still saved money over them by 80 or so$$- and all that money you could have saved could be put into the jeep:lecture: . Granted for people un experienced in the audio relm, crutchfield does do good as far as help and info- but hell when you think about buy the thing for 100 less and then HAVE them install it for about 50-60 your saving money-- i dunno bout you guys but i cant just burn that stuff, I'll cut cost where i can

 

[Gridikal]

If you really wanted your system to sound nice, and you have the money, but some MB Quart speakers. I have them installed in mine and it is by far the nicest mids and uppers that i have heard. Just make sure you have them powered by a quality amp and you have enough power going to everything. which usually requires a capacitor, or two, stronger battery, stronger alternator, etc....you get the point. it's like lifting the jeep, there's more that goes into lifting a jeep than just the lift kit itself.

-MB Quart dominates the SQ domain, just not their lower model units--good choice.. and another point you made is POWER the speakers by an amp if you can afford it-it is a night and day difference in sound.

 

[bjoehandley]

That one co-worker has offered to help me with the truck, even told me of a stereo shop about 45 min away that he's gotten stuff at pretty cheap. I may see if I can find a former co-worker of my Mom's who I painted a couple of R/C bodies for a while back, I guess he's now working for a stereo shop that did a wild install on a Durango he used to own, I just can't remember which one.

 

[Eagle]

I can't figure out you guys who are bad-mouthing Crutchfield so much, unless you're buying "hot" merchandise off the back of some gypsy's truck. I've never found any source that can beat Crutchfield's prices by more than a few bucks, and those prices usually don't include the adapters and stuff that Crutchfield includes with all sales.

And I think y'all are getting poor Joe more confused than he was at the start. I know many of you are into BIG sound, but here's a guy who just wants his radio to make sounds without that miserable crackling that blown speakers make. A pair of $30 Pioneers from Wal-Mart would do the job just fine. In fact, when I found that the driver's door speaker on my MJ was blown right after I bought it, I just bought a $9.99 house brand generic 5-1/4" speaker at Pep Boys and stuck it in as an interim fix, 'cause I planned to replace the head later.

Once I replaced the head, that $9.99 speaker sounds fine to me. I'm leaving it. No, it doesn't produce enough bass to rattle windows three blocks away, but I'm not into that. For a head with no amp, it's fine.