Alpine i509-WRA-JL Installation + Pre-amp voltage test

[@HowdyJP]

love the longer video! tough install but a great radio! happy new year!

[@carstereochick]

Awesome, so glad you enjoyed the longer format! Thank you Jay! Happy new year to you too 😊

[@crayonsvat121]

Great information video like the long video no music much just watching a install great job on install .

[@carstereochick]

Thanks so much for the feedback Brad! I am trying something different with these in the shop series. Working on another one right now for a 2019 VW Jetta. So glad to hear you enjoyed watching and the lack of music, I definitely wrestled with that during editing :) So glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@johnevertsen8935]

Impressive video thank you. i already had new JL Amps, Subs and speakers installed and still have the 8.4 screen because i was budgeting for the i509 WRA JL which will be soon, i was wondering if i need the Alpine KCX-F200INT Adapter as i have no idea how all this new equipment got wired to my 8.4 screen. I am assuming its all still plug and play even if i have all new custom amps, speakers and sub etc?

[@garyhurd5033]

I have a I509 installed in my JK and cannot get any Pre-Out from the unit for my amps. What am I overlooking? Only think I did differently was use a different amp turn on signal. Doubt that would hinder pre out. Help!

[@justin9908]

Now that you've had time with the Heigh10 and Alpine i509 which one would you recommend? Also any experience with the Insane Audio JL4001?

[@carstereochick]

I looked into Insane Audio once for JK's a couple years ago, but at the time it looked like they were using pretty cheap/basic audio components in them. And then I had a client bring a car in that had one installed and heard it/played around with it and was not impressed. Maybe they've improved since then? Have no experience with the 4001. It's such a tough call between the HEIGH10 and i509-WRA-JL. I would say it REALLY depends on how you're going to use it and what features are most important to you. If you're planning on using a high quality DSP amp that has a digital toslink/optical connection then you will get the sound quality benefit of the digital connection on the HEIGH10. Big time. That digital connection is so clean. But if you're going with traditional amps using RCA's, the Alpine has the better pre-amp by far. Alpine also has a better quality screen/more vibrant and I think easier to see in bright sun/glare. I hope that's helpful!

[@justin9908]

@@carstereochick Thanks for the response. That helped a lot!

[@NewVisionLCS]

Excellent video!!

[@carstereochick]

❤️ Thank you!! So glad you enjoyed it!!!

[@danielgulick5752]

Great video. On your recommendation I already installed a Quart Stage 6 using the AmpPro with the factory 8.4. This would replace the AmpPro and I would run the RCA cables directly to the amp rack under the seat, correct? Also the Quart drop in sub was release last Monday, the 26th. I installed it this morning.

[@carstereochick]

Thank you Daniel! Yes, if you decide to replace your head unit, you're basically going to route your RCA cables from the amp rack under the seat to the Alpine sub brain under the driver's dash. Regarding the MB Quart sub, thank you so much for letting me know - I think I saw that on the Jeep forum this morning!!! I see they include some poly fill and new emblem (nice touch). I'm always leery about putting aftermarket subs in a factory enclosure because they can be prone to rattling and just not being stiff enough, but since this was designed for that exact enclosure, I imagine it's pretty tight and clean? No rattles? Did you have to reinforce the inside of the enclosure with any additional sound dampening or anything? How's it sound???

[@danielgulick5752]

@@carstereochick haven’t stretched it out yet. I will report back tomorrow on that. The sub bolts in exactly as the stock sub with the bolt in the back so it’s using the speaker frame as bracing. I had install ed some 80 mil sound deadening inside the enclosure when I had it apart trying a 10tw3. To install this one I had to cut out and remove some of the mat from the inside where the back bolt is installed because the back of the sub touches the back of the enclosure

[@danielgulick5752]

@@carstereochick so it definitely is better than the rewired stock sub. I was listening for buzzing and there doesn't seem to be any. So far so good. Checking with Qaurt to see if there is a break-in period for the sub.

[@carstereochick]

Awesome! Thanks so much for letting me know :) so glad to hear it's a nice upgrade from the stock sub.

[@danielgulick5752]

Even better on the way home.

[@dreamcastfan6669]

does this work with 2 door wrangler with premium factory audio ? and can you control the bass on factory sub using the alpine head unit ?

[@carstereochick]

This can be installed in the 2-door, but there is another adapter you need to retain the premium audio. I don't think you will have dedicated subwoofer level control from the radio. I'm basing that off installs using the Maestro in the JK's with a stock sub and from the diagram for the i509-WRA-JL with amp it looks like it's a similar retention. I do not see any RCA's going from the Maestro harness to the head unit's sub pre-amp. You would have general bass/treble adjustment (plus the full fledged eq) to adjust the sound. Sorry I can't give you a certain answer as we've only ever installed these as part of a full system upgrade with aftermarket speakers and amps.

[@dreamcastfan6669]

what about center console USB ? does it work with the alpine ?

[@ixibladeixi2639]

Will this unit abke to add the front stock camera?

[@Denis-dx]

What's the average cost of the radio and the labor to install... Thanks

[@carstereochick]

Great question. At the moment the radio itself sells for $2,399.95 plus any additional accessories like SiriusXM or adapters to retain the stock Alpine amp if equipped. Labor is going to depend on what else is currently in the vehicle and if this is the only thing you're adding. Pretty much all of the Alpine 9-inch Jeep screens or Stinger HEIGH10's we've ever installed almost always also involved other equipment - aftermarket speakers, amplifiers, DSP, etc. So like in this car we had previously installed the PAC module and a JL Audio Twk-88 and John had to relocate the Twk, remove the PAC, re-route RCA cables, etc. so it was a more time consuming install in this particular Jeep than if that's ALL we were doing. If you're just going from the factory 5 or 7 (non Alpine amplified model) to this and everything else is stock/no other accessories previously installed, that's probably about a 3-4 hour job, but that's not including time to go through and check/test all settings, do a software update, tuning. For example after it was all buttoned up, I drove it around our building complex and realized the back up chimes/blind spot chimes weren't working. There is time needed to check and test everything. When you factor in other aftermarket accessories that need to be relocated or add in tuning time for existing amps, that can easily get you closer to 6-8 hours. Labor rates vary widely across the country depending on your location, experience of the shop/technician, etc. I hope that's helpful!

[@evangonsalves4347]

My Jeep barely made it off thedealership’s lot before the radio died. They replaced it and every once in a while i had to pull the fuse to reset it. Worst system ever. I wish this was available when i still had my JL.