Installing Double DIN Radio in Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ

Installing a Double DIN (2 DIN) Radio in a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ)
The WJ Jeep Grand Cherokee came with a 1.5 DIN head unit making it extremely difficult to replace the radio with a standard 2 DIN unit. I installed a shallow mounting Alpine iLX-W650.
• Begin by removing the bezel
• Remove the factory Radio and disconnect wiring harness
• Cut away sub dash
• Install vents on new harness
• Run any amp or back up camera cables
• Connect cables to wiring harness
• Connect harness to radio
• Secure radio to Dash with factory screws
• Reinstall bezel with vents
• Radio: www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILXW...
• Bezel: www.crutchfield.com/p_1209565...
• Wiring Harness: www.crutchfield.com/p_1207018...

[@Cathoray2012]

Excellent informative video especially with detailed adjustment to the dash opening to accommodate the double DIN radio.

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

Thank you and I appreciate the comment. Sorry about the bad audio to start.

[@jopplehead]

Thanks. I figured I'd have to do some of this kinda mod, but it is very helpful to know exactly what I'm in for.

[@chrismeyers5884]

Thank you, I’ll be getting a double din this week from crutchfield. This video helped a lot!

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

Good luck! It was definitely a task!

[@chrismeyers5884]

Update just installed it and I followed the video and it 100% works

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

Great! I am glad it helped!

[@soggyfries4347]

Thx, man! Putting the same headunit in my TJ.

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-mx5fw9sd3e]

the parking brake wire is usually hooked to the cortex of the radio so that the video shows on the go

[@toku58]

is the parking brake a ground wire?

[@Mordrayso]

Thank you for this video. The audio quality was not a deal-breaker. Even with the subpar audio, this video was well done and very informative. I have a 2004 Grand Cherokee and I am currently looking for a new sound system. I'll be checking out Crutchfield immediately after leaving this comment. Again, thank you for the video and the effort you put into it.

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

I am glad the video was able to help.

[@traditionalarcher5678]

Good Vid, I just still can't figure out why in 2020 a decent mic isn't used????

[@offroadoldschool8659]

Thank you very much. Good video. I will do that in january with a Kenwood Receiver, the original radio in my WJ is out of order. Greetings from germany.

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

Thanks for watching! I have contemplated switching to a Kenwood or Pioneer head unit from the Alpine as I miss having the actual buttons

[@offroadoldschool8659]

@@TheHappyLife-h7b The installation is actually not a problem for me, as I'm an electronics technician, but it's always nice to get information in advance. In Germany no Jeep dealer can help you anyway, they only know the new vehicles but not older V8s. But there are specialists, too. It's not very often that you can see V8s in Germany, but of course there are a lot of fans of American cars, like me. 2019 we made a road trip through the States, beautiful. Bye 👋🇺🇲🇩🇪

[@x1brandonx11]

Beautiful Cherokee brother nice video also thank you question where can I get some fog lights like the ones you have going their ?

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

I got the fogs at AutoAnything.com. Quadratec also has them but their customer service was a bit less than desirable. Thanks for watching.

[@x1brandonx11]

Just got this same unit installed on my 02 grand Cherokee how’s the bass for you I have my settings maxed out not a lot of bass hmmm what do you think ?

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

I have an additional powered bass speaker in the back. I also upgraded the door speakers, installed speaker baffles, and spacers to bring the sound out of the doors. The bass is now decent depending on the music. Thanks for watching!

[@rotulosafricarass5278]

hola, excelente video, donde puedo comprar la carcasa, gracias

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

Thanks for watching

[@musicismeds]

I am installing the same setup as well as the add on kta 450 amp. Did you have any popping sound when turning the jeep on and off? I also get a popping sound like a cd skipping noise when increasing the volume to 18 or above. If you have any input I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

I installed the head unit only, no additional amplifier. Remember you cannot use the KTA 450 in a vehicle with a factory amp unless you by-pass the amp. Can that be your issue? Thanks for watching.

[@Lacaelxo]

What did you end up doing with the antenna and other cord that were hanging at the end right before the frame switched to the touch screen being installed and on? I have those two and it looks like a power cord hanging and not sure where to put them

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

Thanks for watching. I reused the antenna that was on the vehicle. What was the color of the cord you are referring too? If it’s the one for the light switch, i did not connect it.

[@x1brandonx11]

You think the alpine amp kit for this would fit back their ?

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

It would be super tight! Not much room left back there for all the wires.

[@brenaquinolimofficial7991]

Just a question, i have a grand cherokee 2005 and planning to change my radio, but i am looking for one that has a navigation to it. Does that new radio you installed have it?

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

No, I use Apple Car Play and Google Maps as the navigation option. Thanks for watching!

[@richardwhyte1210]

did you ever have a issue of when getting calls via bluetooth no audio from speakers in car, they can hear you but you cant hear them?

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

Yes....but the mic came unplugged. I had to remove the head unit and push the 3.5mm jack back in. Its been fine since. Thanks for watching!

[@richardwhyte1210]

My mic works if I call someone they hear me fine. It's just on my end I can't hear anything in car.

[@keithwilson756]

The lead for the handbrake, is it just one wire. Going to wire my camera on Tuesday. Just wondering

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

Yes...just one wire. Thanks for watching.

[@keithwilson756]

@@TheHappyLife-h7b ok thanks for the help

[@keithwilson756]

@@TheHappyLife-h7b the ground wire for camera, my instructions said wire it to tail light ground. Wired everything up but it says no signal.

[@ivanbotica4598]

can you use steering wheel controls?

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

My WJ does not have steering wheel controls so I cant speak to that. A call to Crutchfield should sort that out! Thanks for watching!

[@juanpablojaramillo769]

hi, where can I get that plastic frame?

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

Crutchfield.

[@TheTnstick]

WHY TO THE HAND BRAKE ?

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

Certain options on the head unit are unavailable if a brake on - brake off - brake on sequence is not detected once the unit powers up. There are bypass kits available to eliminate that. Thanks for watching!

[@graystone3048]

Friendly tip, whatever mic setup youre using? DOnt. Its very annoying. Do you have a live mic sitting on your bench by any chance? That sounds awful friend. Just trying to help.

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

I know....the mic on this video messed up. I tried to clean it up with software but hopefully the next video will be better. Thanks for watching.

[@thelastminutegifts]

Who’s farting into the 🎤??

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

Too funny. Bad microphone connection initially. Thanks for watching.

[@timmyl2005]

Not a terrible video. Not the best install either. I think you're audio would sound better if you put your microphone in your shoe. Did you use a lapel microphone and Dragon around on the ground behind you because that's what it sounds like the videos on watchable. Unless you turn audio off which video Pointless.

[@TerraFirmaX]

can't watch audio blows

[@TheHappyLife-h7b]

Sorry man....bad mic connection.

[@misstransgender]

fix your mic

[@NLJ1953]

Annoyimg audio