Marine radio

[stumblnyj]

My current CD player just crapped out on me a few weeks ago and I've been toying with the idea of replacing it with a marine cd player. This way I wont be worried if it gets wet from the rain or when my yearly "interior hose out" comes every fall. Has anybody done this and can it be done? Not sure if the wiring is simular or different. Thanks for any help.

 

[superj]

Same wiring

 

[TerryMason]

Same wiring. I think you'll end up paying a few bucks more for a good radio (Pioneer, Sony, etc). I cheaped out and put a Pyle marine unit in my boat - you get what you pay for...

 

[stumblnyj]

Thanks for the info Terry, do you know how the Boss units are?

 

[superj]

back when i was into car steroes, boss wasn't a better brand. that has been a number of years though.

alpine
eclipse
kenwood

were all good brands back in the day

 

[stumblnyj]

Thanks, for some reason car electronics scare the crap out of me. Its something about that tangled rat nest of wires that intimidates the crap out of me. Hope to have some tunes in the beast by weeks end.

 

[TerryMason]

Thanks, for some reason car electronics scare the crap out of me. Its something about that tangled rat nest of wires that intimidates the crap out of me. Hope to have some tunes in the beast by weeks end.

Don't be scared - it's actually really easy. Just be sure to buy a wiring kit for your Jeep. You take the wiring kit and radio out to the garage and either tape the wires together, or (as I prefer) solder them. You then just unplug the old radio and plug in the new one.

http://www.jeepz.com/forum/accessories/24018-radio-install-wrangler.html

 

[MattMayTJ]

Thanks, for some reason car electronics scare the crap out of me. Its something about that tangled rat nest of wires that intimidates the crap out of me. Hope to have some tunes in the beast by weeks end.

I'm not to great with car electronics either but my jeep was the first stereo I put in myself just go to best buy and have them walk you through it that's what I did. You would be surprised how much better the sound quality gets with an after market stereo

 

[stumblnyj]

I currently have an alpine cd player installed by the PO who was very short of being an electrician. It was wired up to power on when the head lights were turned on. It would cut on and off (like restarting) if you turned the dome light on and off. I'm afraid of using the wires in the dash because I dont want my new unit to burn up. Granted the head unit in the dash looks to be older.

Do I just trace the power wire to the light switch and unattach them or should I just go to a new power source and cut the old out from under the dash.

I'm looking at this unit: New KMR350U Kenwood Marine Boat CD Radio USB iPod iPhone Pandora Stereo Receiver 019048195579 | eBay

 

[MattMayTJ]

If it were me and I had that problem with my last unit I would just have best buy or some other professional instal it sure it's a little pricy but your guarantied it's done right. I say this becuase I had best buy install a 7 inch ken wood flip out unit and they did an excellent job plus if you ever need to take it out they will take it out for free

 

[superj]

use one of the empty slots in the fuse box that has power. one for constant 12v that is on when the key is off so you have memory and one that comes on only when you turn the key on for the normal power. then ground to any good spot under the dash or use the ground for the lighter

 

[stumblnyj]

I will give it a look sometime this week. My confidence in tacklig this issue is building after reading Terry's thread and all the other help. I know with you guys I can get it done. Now to get over this crack headed night shift schedule....... blah

 

[Utah_jeepster]

I know my way around electronics and the under side of my dash, but when I bought a new head unit I didn't like the thought of going through the wires like you are, I went to audio express for the 1$ install. Sure I paid 20$ more for the head unit but I got a warranty. Was happy with the results I went back when my sub blew and had them install a kicker sub and a 150 digital amp. I even brought them the amp tray and they installed it with no extra cost. Some times its best to pay a little more and have an expert do it.

 

[TrailRatedRN]

Did you buy one? I bought and installed an alpine last year. Love it. Alpine has a great marine selection of hu. Bought mine from crutchfield. They sell their products including the accessories, such as a labeled wiring harness and color diagram, specific to your make/model. They also have an 800 number with free 24/7 tech support for life. I got mine installed just fine, but alpine had me a little confused on some of the menu settings. Crutchfield walked me thru the menu to set it up over the phone.

 

[stumblnyj]

Thats good to know. I already got my hu off ebay. Just trying to get my motor mount issue fixed so i can take the jeep to a buddys shop

 

[XabuJr]

Car stereo stuff can look intimidating especially if the PO was a hack-type. But it's really 3 wires to worry about. 12V constant, ignition switched 12V and ground. Once you have those three hooked up, the rest is just speaker wiring. It may look like a lot, but it's simple. You can tap into the fuse box to get the two 12v sources or you can customize it more. Either way, it can be fun to do.

 

[stumblnyj]

Yeah I would perfer a hack job.... This is SO BAD they even ruined the antenna plug and had that sottered to the back of the head unit. I am going to have to run all new wiring (not a big deal) but I have to get my motor mount issue fixed 1st

 

[TrailRatedRN]

Sometimes you wanna just grab these ppl and ask them what the hell they were thinking. Maybe he heard that would offer better reception.

 

[stumblnyj]

yeah when I saw that the plug was cut off and it was jerry rigged like that I knew I was in trouble.