Wrangler JL Head Unit replacement options?

[Archer85]

Curious about options, there are not many. I have the 7'' and i see people posting that they are getting factory 8.4'' head units for like $400 but online i see them for $1,600 plus and aftermarket ones like Stinger for around $1,200. Are these essentially the only options (minus the junky ones) and are these really the prices? Any thoughts on where I could find a cheaper 8.4'' one?

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[Rustynail11]

If you don't want to spend the $$ then the best bet is to be patient and keep searching FB Marketplace, Craigslist, and the forum marketplace and hope you find a good deal on an 8.4 that someone is replacing,

 

[BXFXJeep]

I have the 8.4, I also had it in the 2018 JL

I personally would not spend 1 cent buying a uconnect, I'm not sure what the 8.4 has vs the 7", I think the 8.4 is probably more gimmicky, but I find it buggy and utterly useless. All I use it for, is to pass thru music from my phone, there is also a backup of music on a USB key.

 

[Archer85]

I have the 8.4, I also had it in the 2018 JL

I personally would not spend 1 cent buying a uconnect, I'm not sure what the 8.4 has vs the 7", I think the 8.4 is probably more gimmicky, but I find it buggy and utterly useless. All I use it for, is to pass thru music from my phone, there is also a backup of music on a USB key.

I have the 7" and no real issues with that. The 8 has navigation and just the larger screen which would be nice to have. But i definitely appreciate the insight, any and all will help! It's not a small purchase so I want to make sure I get it right.

 

[KevinC11]

For the money the 8.4 used is going for, I would get the Stinger. No more UConnect issues and a more powerful (watts) output to your speakers among other things.

KevinC

 

[Archer85]

For the money the 8.4 used is going for, I would get the Stinger. No more UConnect issues and a more powerful (watts) output to your speakers among other things.

KevinC

More watts is huge, the speakers currently are terrible, ive had the radio at full blast with the doors off and it was barely loud enough to hear. Thank you!

 

[1Evil55]

IMO, save all your money and add an amp with an upgraded speaker. I have the basic 5", replaced the dash and roll bar speakers with an amp and is LOUD. I later found a deal on a JL stealthbox to add and what a difference. Not sure what the cost is from factory to upgrade from 5" to better or best they have? All in for me is around $1500. I'd put mine up against the best that Jeep has to offer and guarantee my sound is multiple times louder and still more clear.

 

[BXFXJeep]

I have the 7" and no real issues with that. The 8 has navigation and just the larger screen which would be nice to have. But i definitely appreciate the insight, any and all will help! It's not a small purchase so I want to make sure I get it right.

The Nav requires very expensive updates to keep current, I have never used the Nav it's cumbersome at best to enter a simple address.

The nav in the uconnect I had in my 2015 JK came in handy because it didn't require an internet connection, so when I drove to the US it was handy.

But in recent years I've not used uconnect for nav, due to outdated maps and no cop warnings.

I basically just keep it on off-road or hybrid pages, otherwise the alternative is one big black ugly blank space in the middle of the dashboard, but off-road pages usually fail regularly.

It's gimmicky, my 7 year old likes the numbers and graphics, but otherwise it's useless for the $

 

[aldo98229]

I have the 8.4” screen: I have zero issues with Uconnect. It connects very quickly, is easy and intuitive to operate, and does everything I ask of it.

Uconnect may not be perfect, but after having used the Toyota system in my 2019 Tacoma, and the Mazda system in my 2018 Fiat 124 Spider, Uconnect is clearly a much better system.

The auto press regularly praises Uconnect as one of the best systems on the market.

 

[Archer85]

The Nav requires very expensive updates to keep current, I have never used the Nav it's cumbersome at best to enter a simple address.

The nav in the uconnect I had in my 2015 JK came in handy because it didn't require an internet connection, so when I drove to the US it was handy.

But in recent years I've not used uconnect for nav, due to outdated maps and no cop warnings.

I basically just keep it on off-road or hybrid pages, otherwise the alternative is one big black ugly blank space in the middle of the dashboard, but off-road pages usually fail regularly.

It's gimmicky, my 7 year old likes the numbers and graphics, but otherwise it's useless for the $

I appreciate that! I didnt know you had to pay for updated maps etc... I'm leaning toward the Stinger b/c its a much bigger screen which i want and it would give me more power for my speakers which would be helpful for sure. Thank you again.

 

[TylerV76]

I had the 7”. Bought the Stinger and had it for almost a year. Sold it and bought a 2022 8.4”.

The stingers carplay call quality was awful. Had to replace hdmi cables twice to resolve “no signal” issues. Also didnt like not having any water resistance. Other than those issues, its a great system. The off road pages is incredible.

The 8.4 has been perfect for me. Did have to use JScan to activate off road pages.

Before anything though, upgrade your speakers. I did kicker 3.5’s in the dash, 6.5’s in the soundbar and a kicker hideaway sub in the cargo storage. Quality went way up as well as volume.

 

[zrickety]

I have the 7" and no real issues with that. The 8 has navigation and just the larger screen which would be nice to have. But i definitely appreciate the insight, any and all will help! It's not a small purchase so I want to make sure I get it right.

I also have the 7" and if you use android auto or carplay, the navigation is much better than the 8.4.
Plus it becomes a smart Jeep.
I would spend your money on speakers as others have said. The 7" is a solid unit.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

I have the 5” base unit. Screen size and graphics don’t really matter to me. But, I find uConnect to function very well. Even with the top and doors off the phone works great. No complaints from those I have spoken with when I’ve done so. I even asked when I was talking to people when I first took the top and doors off.

Music audio quality sucks, I will upgrade the speakers before spring. I used to want a new head unit. But I would rather keep my manual AC knobs, and the theft deterrence is a plus.

 

[BXFXJeep]

Just a note about audio quality and speakers etc.

The 8.4 is usually paired with the Alpine premium package, better speakers/amp etc, the Alpine is what makes the difference in sound, not the 8.4 head unit.

The non Alpine or base speakers aren't the greatest IMO. If you have the non Alpine and is looking for better sound, then use the money to get better speakers/an amp etc, then decide if you still want the 8.4 or another system. There are quite a few threads that go into detail on what speaker and amp etc to install.

But like @zrickety suggested, use the phone to make the 7" better. The phone has better mapping and music options, apps etc.

One reason I would not recommend someone buying an 8.4, well then you most likely have to go back to Mopar or the dealer for support, and as it is the 8.4 is already an outdated system that Jeep shoves into the Wranglers, I think only the Wrangler gets this version of 8.4.

Bigger screen may also be prone to bigger fragile surface area.

That's another issue with the 8.4 more finger prints.

 

[Archer85]

Just a note about audio quality and speakers etc.

The 8.4 is usually paired with the Alpine premium package, better speakers/amp etc, the Alpine is what makes the difference in sound, not the 8.4 head unit.

The non Alpine or base speakers aren't the greatest IMO. If you have the non Alpine and is looking for better sound, then use the money to get better speakers/an amp etc, then decide if you still want the 8.4 or another system. There are quite a few threads that go into detail on what speaker and amp etc to install.

But like @zrickety suggested, use the phone to make the 7" better. The phone has better mapping and music options, apps etc.

One reason I would not recommend someone buying an 8.4, well then you most likely have to go back to Mopar or the dealer for support, and as it is the 8.4 is already an outdated system that Jeep shoves into the Wranglers, I think only the Wrangler gets this version of 8.4.

Bigger screen may also be prone to bigger fragile surface area.

That's another issue with the 8.4 more finger prints.

Have you done research on the Stinger Heigh10? Thoughts on that? THe only downside ive seen is that its not water proof, outside of that do you see a downside?

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