Factory radio questions

[makersforme]

2018 Jeep JL
From the factory it was the 8.4" screen with Alpine sub (all according to the window sticker)

Previous owner removed the factory head unit and installed a Linkswell Gen 4 T style radio. It is horrible.

Could a person go back to the 7" screen if the factory unit was a 8.4". Cost and availability is a factor here. Hard to drop $800+ on a used factory radio. The 7" variety seems to be cheaper and easier to buy.

I already bought a used AC/Heater control so I am part way there.

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[Infotainment]

Yes the 7" UAG does work in your wrangler so you can get that radio instead of the 8.4" unit. I'd double check there is no damage to your factory wiring so the install goes smoothly. Watch this video to get an idea of how the install should go and look.

 

[makersforme]

Got the 7" I bought from forum member mikehikespnw. Only problem is I have zero sound. I don't know what connection provides the actual speaker connections. The Jeep has the factory Alpine setup so I have 3 Fakra connectors that I don't have a place to install. The previous aftermarket radio had rca connections ran to the drivers footwell area and are in a position I can't really get good access as a 51 year old fat guy with a bad knee . Those RCA cables plug into something down there that sure feels like factory wiring but RCA from the factory makes no sense. I don't know if something was removed previously.

I bought a replacement hvac control and got it installed. Previous aftermarket radio installer cut some of the dash structure out but it seems stable enough that it won't fall out

Volume controls work, Apple CarPlay works, just no sound no beeps, no noise.

Any ideas? Or is this a job for the dealer or radio shop?

 

[CMTAZ]

Those RCAs are not factory. Now if the job was done right they would have used a PAC or some other interface device allowing you to swap the radio and keep the factory wiring. If this was done "on the cheap" they probably spliced the wires. At that point it anybody's guess as to what was done.

The way it "should" work is the radio has several connections on the rear. One of them is a large connector with a locking lever for the plug. That will eventually feed into the alpine amp, and the outputs of the alpine amp will be the speaker wires.

In the 8.4 radios there are some "steps" to go through to place the radio in to AMPLIFIED mode (used WITHOUT the alpine system so the radio drives the speakers) or NON-AMPLIFIED mode (used WITH the alpine system and allows the radio to be used and not shut down if it does not sense an impedance load). You will need to make sure the 7" radio has the same capabilities.

 

[makersforme]

Got an appointment on Friday for a local audio shop to look at it. $75 per 30 minutes for troubleshooting then the quote to fix. Hopefully it is quick and inexpensive.

 

[makersforme]

Well that was an expensive appointment. The factory amp is missing and the wiring left for it was cut way short. Appointment set to have them rewire everything needed to make the factory radio and sub work so new RCA cables, sub amp and an LOC. Plus they are going to figure out why the halos on the headlights don't work. Went this route so if I decide to update speakers or sub in the future everything is there. My 18 year old drives it more than I do, so this will make him happy for sure.

 

[CMTAZ]

You might want yet another opinion. It may be less expensive to use a 5 channel amp, and build from what you have, rather than try to restore what came from jeep. Both solutions are possible, but it may be prohibitly expensive if you attempt to rewire using the factory harness and parts.

G/L

 

[makersforme]

The aftermarket radio is a Linkswell and in my opinion is trash so much so I will give it away for only the shipping cost if someone wants it. Additionally new rca and power cables would have to be run as I removed or cut them. Also a new sub amp would still be needed.

I had budgeted $1500 when I first bought it to have the system replaced with a different aftermarket one so a bit more for a factory look and feel works for me.

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