Replacing 1.5 DIN Radio

[Jeff-97XJ]

My 97XJ factory radio is flaking out so "time for an upgrade".

Problem is that the opening for the radio in the dash is 1.5 DIN, not the standard 1 DIN.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to which if any aftermarket radios will fit the opening?

I DO NOT want to use an adapter to fit 1 DIN radios !!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for your input-
Jeff-97XJ

[Kittrell]

I've had this dilemma too. Just ended up getting a working stock cd deck. Pioneer makes one, but I personally think it looks very cheap. Alpine used to make one that I really liked, but they no longer do. It's hard to find one of those in good condition. Then there are the offbrands, Phase Linear (Audiovox), Pyle, Rampage, etc. I think the Phase Linear looks great, but Im not down with AV electronics. Never been a fan of their stuff.

Pioneer DEH-P77/74DH
http://images.andale.com/f2/114/114/17176434/1096482966527_DEH_P77DH_RB.jpg

Alpine CDA-D852/853/855
http://i19.ebayimg.com/04/i/07/c5/9d/83_1.JPG

Phase Linear UMP8015
http://www.4wheelonline.com/images/products/PHAS-UMP8015(Large).jpg

[riverfever]

just out of curiosity...what's the problem with using an adapter to fit a 1 DIN?

[RichP]

I replaced my stock am/fm/cass with a jensen 1 din, http://www.cardomain.com/item/JENMP8610BT
Got it mainly for the bluetooh so I use my cell phone over the stereo system. Pioneer makes one too. The installation kit has an insert that the radios security sleeve slids into. The wiring harness adapter took me about 10 min to solder and shrink tube and then it was plug n play, physically removing the radio and putting the new one in literally took about 8 min... Mines a 98XJ, also putting one in the TJ next month, going to be the pioneer one this time though now that the price has come down..

[Jeff-97XJ]

just out of curiosity...what's the problem with using an adapter to fit a 1 DIN?


I have seen how they look in an XJ and they all look AWFUL.

Jeff-97XJ

[jocko463]

First place I would check is Crutchfield.com. They have a database for what fits in what and all the needed adapters, faceplates, etc.....but there's not much to choose from in the "big radio" (1.5 DIN) category.... or....

Cruise eBay for an upgrade stock radio. My '00 XJ came with the stock AM/FM radio....I didn't like the look of the the aftermarket offerings (I also didn't like the look of the price tags either) so I opted for a high zoot factory job. Since I've still got one foot stuck in the "Anaolg Age", I scored a CD/Cassette/AM/FM unit with a three band "equalizer". I believe some of the higher end factory units were actually made by Alpine. Best part is installation; pop the center panel off, remove two screw and disconnect the back leads is all it took to remove the existing radio.... do it backwards for installation and your playin' tunes. The setup sounds nice and looks original.... and it will sound even better when I swap out the four factory speakers. Now if your into making the earth move whenever you crank on your car stereo.... well, keep lookin'

Mike
00XJ

[deezyperformance]

The install kits for the 1.5din XJs look good if you get the right one. You can flush mount just about any aftermarket radio try Metra kit #99-6501 sits nice in the dash not like older GM when the kit has to stick out of the dash an inch because of no depth. Those Pioneers may fit without an adapter but don't look good installed.

[Littlewhitexj]

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i41/FlatFender_2006/000_0029.jpg

Still needs some glass work done, but here was my solution. This stereo was from an 05 Magnum. I have been very impressed with the sound quality also.

[rienzio]

Anyone ever try a double-din radio in a 97-up XJ? I had my center stack trim off and noticed that there's probably enough room to alter the A/C duct and diffuser. Cut and splice the trim? Could get a pretty nifty Nav/DVD head unit in or even try one of the new MyGigs from 08+ mopar!

[h2opete987]

take a look at these threads and the "related threads" on the bottom of their pages.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=941093&highlight=mygig
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=941600&highlight=mygig

[FordGuy]

It was a pain in the as#, spent over 8 hours reworking the panel.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj247/richrader/Jeep%20Build/IMG_1030.jpg

[RichP]

It was a pain in the as#, spent over 8 hours reworking the panel.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj247/richrader/Jeep%20Build/IMG_1030.jpg


WHOA, How you going to explain to your passenger and insurance company the reason for planting that display in someones face when the airbag deploys ?????

[FordGuy]

There is no Air Bag behind the GPS, But the going joke is, "It's on my wifes side"

[88XJSport]

There is no Air Bag behind the GPS, But the going joke is, "It's on my wifes side"

The whole rectangular panel blows out there "fordguy" Ya its the going joke, until you kill your wife. :nono:

[IllianaXJ]

If there isn't an airbag behind it, it won't blow.

Besides, the panel blows up or down; straight out would defeat the purpose of having an airbag behind the panel.

[88XJSport]

If there isn't an airbag behind it, it won't blow.

If he ripped the airbag out, physically, then I can see how that can be pulled off...

[lawsoncl]

I have seen how they look in an XJ and they all look AWFUL.

Jeff-97XJ

Try Crutchfield. I replaced the 1.5 DIN in my wifes Frontier with an adapter that adds a pocket in place of the extra .5. It looks nice and the extra pocket is pretty handy for a couple of CDs or the cell phone.

[FordGuy]

If he ripped the airbag out, physically, then I can see how that can be pulled off...

No Shit Sherlock! Do you really think anyone with even a peanut of a brain would leave in the air bag! come on dude! Its a Joke.

[88XJSport]

No Shit Sherlock! Do you really think anyone with even a peanut of a brain would leave in the air bag! come on dude! Its a Joke.
My bad dude! Next time I wont jump to conclusions by judging by your username.

[riverfever]

I have seen how they look in an XJ and they all look AWFUL.

Jeff-97XJ

I'm a stickler for details but I just don't equate this with awful:

http://i38.tinypic.com/2djnrpi.jpg

To each their own though.

[mfascuba]

Pretty much how mine looks as well. I'm not too picky, my paint on the hood, header panel and passenger side fender suck. It's a jeep, a daily driver and an off road beater on weekends. If I were entering it in a show I'd be more concerned.

[FordGuy]

My bad dude! Next time I wont jump to conclusions by judging by your username.

What's wrong with my user name? I was to lame to come up with anything else.

[mrfreakinwhite]

What's wrong with my user name? I was to lame to come up with anything else.
lol, I assumed when I saw it was Ford GP or whatever that early military one was.

Still laughing, cuz that would be really cool if you had one.

Also, I thought my own 1.0 din looks great, like the pics above. My opinion might suck from time to time, but wtfhell, the 1 din looks fine.

Those 1.5s are dorky. They look like they were, "Modified to fit your screen."
All squished up and fake.

[RichP]

lol, I assumed when I saw it was Ford GP or whatever that early military one was.

Still laughing, cuz that would be really cool if you had one.

Also, I thought my own 1.0 din looks great, like the pics above. My opinion might suck from time to time, but wtfhell, the 1 din looks fine.

Those 1.5s are dorky. They look like they were, "Modified to fit your screen."
All squished up and fake.

There is one upside of the 1.5 units, ventilation, they have alot more 'air' room inside, the components are not packed quite so densly as the 1.0 size, the 2.0 units with the DVD stuff though are packed tight, that extra .5 is for the LCD screen to fit in and they tend to block air flow UP and out which is where heat wants to go. Just being technically picky :D :D :D

[Hammered]

Waterproof one, WITH WEATHERBAND. on ebay... I sorta wish I got this one. I have the Pioneer one listed earlier in the thread. Works great... But not loud.


http://cgi.ebay.com/PYLE-1-5-DIN-WEATHER-BAND-MARINE-RADIO-CD-MP3-RECEIVER_W0QQitemZ180274884724QQcmdZViewItem?hash= item180274884724&_trkparms=72%3A1071%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[FordGuy]

What I should have done instead of a double din, is install a front speaker cb along with a standard radio, stacked.

[winkosmosis]

The main problem IMO with the aftermarket headunits is how ugly they are. Most of them are silver and all kinds of nasty colors. Even if they're black, they still have a chrome knob and red and blue lighting. Freaking grotesque. I have a Sony in mine that the previous owner put in and I need to get rid of it. Now if only there was a good looking 1.5 DIN headunit with an AUX input.

[winkosmosis]

Can you wire up one of these to an XJ or is it impossible with that CAN bus stuff?
http://cgi.ebay.com/CHRYSLER-DODGE-2004-2007-Sirius-MP3-AUX-CD-Deck-Stereo_W0QQitemZ380055167068QQihZ025QQcategoryZ397 54QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[RichP]

Can you wire up one of these to an XJ or is it impossible with that CAN bus stuff?
http://cgi.ebay.com/CHRYSLER-DODGE-2004-2007-Sirius-MP3-AUX-CD-Deck-Stereo_W0QQitemZ380055167068QQihZ025QQcategoryZ397 54QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Not a clue, thats what bothers me about the new vehicles, they are tying those head units into the vehicle so you are stuck with it, not to mention they are allowing the designers to integrate it into the physical design of the dash. I was looking at a scion this morning that a friend of my wifes just got. That radio is actually part of the dash and has wiring going back to the center console for iPod and aux inputs, not my idea of customizable and I thought that was the idea and main selling point of the scions.

[RichP]

Waterproof one, WITH WEATHERBAND. on ebay... I sorta wish I got this one. I have the Pioneer one listed earlier in the thread. Works great... But not loud.


http://cgi.ebay.com/PYLE-1-5-DIN-WEATHER-BAND-MARINE-RADIO-CD-MP3-RECEIVER_W0QQitemZ180274884724QQcmdZViewItem?hash= item180274884724&_trkparms=72%3A1071%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

The killer for me on that one would be no bluetooth and no USB, to me USB is more preferable than a CD player. USB does not skip :D :D :D

[roxj]

just get a double din

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=924648

[Hammered]

perhaps, but the 1.5 din was installed - out of the box and into the jeep with the supplied adapter from (C-Field) in less than 15 minutes. Very quick & easy swap.

[winkosmosis]

The killer for me on that one would be no bluetooth and no USB, to me USB is more preferable than a CD player. USB does not skip :D :D :D
Even better is hooking up an iPod through AUX. I specified iPod because there's no good alternative to the control wheel for navigating your music while driving.


Does that Pyle marine radio have an aux input? The eBay listing says it has RCA output but I wonder if they mean input. It would definitely have to be painted black.

[Fred85]

just out of curiosity...what's the problem with using an adapter to fit a 1 DIN?

it's not really that they look bad, its just that they are all plastic and very flimsy

i tried a commercially produced one, it was garbage and didn't hold the radio secure

i ended up making one out of wood, it looks great and they radio doesn't budge

[kujito]

I had an older version of the big Pioneer (DEH-P77x) in the old Dakota and loved it. That thing was rock solid. Best if used with amp(s); 22w RMS probably wouldn't do much in the loud-azz XJ cabin. The 4V pre-outs sound nice with quality amplification. The dedicated sub-out gets rid of the need for an outboard crossover. I might be talking myself back into a new one(old one was stolen from truck). The performance outweighed the looks, plus the price was right.