WHAT'S WRONG with our Jeep's Radio?!

We still have the original radio in our 2018 Jeep Wrangler. Now that we've been spoiled, though, with the larger screens on our Ford Bronco Raptor and F450...we think it's finally time for an upgrade on the Jeep.
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[@PhatboyHD88]

That glitching is a deal breaker for me. Id have them replace the head unit if it were me..

[@Toms_Steam_Channel]

Kevin, as someone who is pretty familiar with CCTV cameras and systems, there is a good possibility that the aftermarket camera on the front is a lower resolution than the back camera. Howeverr, it is also possible that the radio itself is not set up or built for as high of resolution on the additional cameras. I suggest that if there is a simple way to switch your existing rear camera to the front camera port on the radio as a test to see if the higher resolution works on that channel, try that before buying anything else. If you get the higher resolution, then you know that buying a higher resolution camera for the front will get you the results you are looking for. As another commenter said, you could even get a replacement rear camera from Jeep and mount it on the front. Hope that helps!!

[@jeffro8373]

Always appreciate your honesty!! Hope all Mothers are having a Happy Mothers Day!! ❤️❤️💯🤙🏻

[@offroadnchill]

I never had any problem with ours, I think that was bad luck but their customer service is really good, Im sure they are going to make it right

[@LTUSATV]

I saw you were running it on Luna's JK are you running it on your JL too?

[@kevinito4141]

The z automotive front camera on the 8.4 in u connect was super simple to hook up. Took my 30 mins to do

[@kneonknight5009]

JeepersDen is a fabulous company and a great partner of the off-roading community! I live in Orlando and have shopped there multiple times. They are also sponsors of several off-roading groups I belong to. GoJeepersDen!!

[@michaeldunn150]

pretty cool head unit.... love it tells you almost everything about the vehicle..

[@kylemullaly5532]

You can get wireless carplay adapters and yes new better cameras would improve picture quality

[@MrJorgerd10]

Britt finally let Kevin speak 😂😂

[@matthewstone1811]

My stinger radio has done the same weird things since the day it was installed. It works when it wants to

[@jeffro8373]

Happy Mothers Day Kriket 💐 !!! You did an awesome job ❤️❤️💯🤙🏻

[@offroad1911]

This kind of stuff is why me and my buddies enjoy wheelin our 80s Jeeps. Lol

[@Walstyguy1]

Awe, should have went with linkswell. The stinger is decent but the linkswell is on another level!

[@zmotorpro]

That glitching with the LCD may be an issue with the zebra strip between the LCD and PCB or a connector issue. Lightly push on the LCD around edges to see if the LCD displays correctly when do so. The mounting of the LCD inside to the plastic frame that holds it in place may be just tweaked. It may be as simple as loosening the head unit and then retightening to see if that fixes it.

[@ScottyP82]

I have the Alpine and have hated it since day one, its been one issue after another which sucks especially for the price. I have been looking to replace with the Stinger. Thanks for the great review!

[@ericschein1857]

Just ordered one for my wife’s JL. Thank you for your feedback on it… I’ll keep an eye on the things you brought up!

[@trjnsd6874]

Nothing like getting a new Big Head! Wiring? Where's Chris when you need wiring... Nice looking radio. Glitches may be as simple as a loose ground or other wire; could be worse. I laughed when I saw the Altimeter while in Florida: Eighteen feet! Then back home: 2800 feet! Bad camera, either out of focus or poor camera definition. Looking at trail ahead I'd rather have as much HQ as I can get, like the rear camera. No point to fuzzy pictures. I got a cheap Pioneer to replace my OEM stereo seven years ago and it still works! LiteBriteNationInStereo!

[@archenemy24]

Recently updated the head unit in my vehicle and went Alpine. Still extremely happy with it after 6 months. Though it does help when you have a meticulous installer.

[@richsmith3120]

That's the chance you take using an aftermarket product. Happy Trails to you both.

[@turbojunki]

Installed one in the wife’s JK 2 yrs ago about 30,000 miles ago. She Loves it. Works great. Stinger has ok customer service, I’d contact them. I noticed the camera quality made the difference when I changed hers out.

[@00ninja00]

Actually, if you have the stock 8.4 radio without front camera, you can easily just add the front camera and use the tazer to add the feature just by turning that option on, very easy. It won’t do the same as the front camera that came from Jeep, with the washer etc. but it’ll be a front camera but in the options it’ll say cargo camera I believe and just not “front camera”. As for the quality of the front camera, wether it’s the one from Tazer, from Jeep, or any other company, it’s not the camera itself that makes it’s quality not as good as the rear camera. It’s the connection, the rear camera is a HD hookup on the head unit, the front camera is a regular. So no matter if you put a hd camera for the front it won’t display hd as there’s no other hd hookup on the head unit besides the rear. There is one way of doing hd on other views besides rear, and that’s just by splitting the rear hd hookup on the head unit. So buy a splitter and hook up multiple cameras to that rear camera hookup on the head unit. Then have the splitter somewhere on the dash and you can manually select which camera you want to show when the rear camera on the head unit is activated.

[@kaceywells]

My Stinger failed at one month left in warranty. They were great and replaced the entire unit. New unit failed a couple of months later. However, I just have to have a paper clip to reset the screen every once in a while. Shouldn't have to do that for a $1000 unit, but if that's all I have to put up with, I'm ok with that. AND, I'm positive that if I contacted Stinger again, they would replace the little blue box (the problem I'm guessing) without any issues. Great customer service.....just not the quality I expected from a $1000+ radio.

[@jstover1]

I’ve had the stinger in my JK for 3 years without any of those issues. However the JK doesn’t have as much vehicle related gauges and also the climate control doesn’t go through the radio either. So maybe that’s why I haven’t had issues.

[@buildingusa9604]

Happy Sunday 🎉 and God Bless 🙏

[@CraigSimons]

I added the front camera from Z-automotive (Tazer JL mini) to my 18 JLUR’s factory 8.4 radio and it’s a lower resolution, but clear enough to help greatly off road.

[@00ninja00]

All front cameras including the one from Jeep if you get that option, will all be lower quality than the rear. The rear is a HD hookup on the head unit. So no matter if you get a hd camera, if you hook it to the front connection on any head unit, it won’t display hd. The hd option is not the camera itself, it’s the connection on the head unit that’s hd. The z auto front camera is as good as the jeep front camera besides not displaying as “front camera” like it would front Jeep, it’ll say cargo I think, and you can’t add the option of the water sprayer option like the stock front camera from Jeep, other than those two things, it’s just as clear and good as the front camera option from Jeep.

[@StlrNtn95]

I have been debating getting the Stinger for a while. Some of the reviews keep me from pulling the trigger, plus I have been hoping they come out with wireless Apple CarPlay.

[@CritFail4x4]

I've had a few issues with the Stinger in my JK as well, but everything could be fixed by pressing the reset button on the front bezel to the right of the buttons. It may work for some of the issues you had without having to turn the jeep all the way off.

[@tylerbuhite5432]

Sweet unit but for me this is why "sometimes" simpler is just better. Thanks for the honest opinions Kev!

[@OverlandingDreamers]

The key to this radio we have found it to let it run through the whole startup before putting it in gear. We for the most part don't have issues when we let it boot all the way on before putting it in gear.

[@indyrocker]

I put that radio with the old integration kit for the JK. I replaced the connect module with an adapter plug for the center console USB. The only issues I have had is the occasional black screen. I also replaced my in dash 12v plug with a USB/HDMI plug.

[@OverlandingDreamers]

Apple Car play you will have to buy a wireless blue tooth adapter to use it without a wire. We have had the same unit for 2 years and the replaced it once with the same issues. They have been pretty hard to get warranty issues fixed. Even with the new Head unit it still clithches and goes to green or red screens and it usually happens when you start the jeep and take off before the radio completely turns on.

[@autismjeepfam]

I have the same radio from Stringer and it is always a software issue. Good Luck

[@fordmi79]

My console USB port is useless too. I put in a wireless CarPlay adapter and a wireless charger in my armrest and I’ve been very happy with that combo.

[@Yabo-]

I bought an xav9500es for my Tacoma. Not sure if it’s compatible with the jeep fit wise but i have absolutely 0 complaints I removed my USB port and took the USBC from the head unit and glued it in and it honestly looks fairly stock. Not that I use it with wireless carplay. Usually use a cigarette 12v charger for fast charge. I don’t know how stinger is with firmware updates. But the 9500es had one firmware update initially that resolved any of the connectivity issues I initially had. Crutchfield was super knowledgeable with what to buy and what not to buy

[@Minnesota_Vance]

I always hesitate to do any electronics aftermarket because this is the nightmare that goes through my head. ☹️

[@yamhammer]

Everyone has an opinion about these type of things. Its a matter of what Kevin wants. So you do you. Cool upgrade Kevin

[@Rubiconromp]

Mall crawler engaged 😅 0:49

[@jasonh4167]

😂

[@auduffer]

The crazy one is the full digital swap, which for some reason is only in Mexico. That thing is ridiculous!

[@bp4887]

I have one in the Gladdy and one in the Wife Units JK and have had great luck with them, they do lag a bit, especially going to the cameras. The camera quality, yes, a better camera makes them better as I have both!!

[@Wheelingoffthewrench]

Amazon has panel mount ones. I put two off of my stereo. And there is a Bluetooth adapter module that allows CarPlay to do more. With the adapter you’ll be able to even watch videos on the head unit

[@t.o.f.t.s.]

For $1,300 I'd want no glitches and no lag.

[@turbhoeheflin1168]

My wife’s pioneer in her ram does those same things lol. Just need the right box to hook to the stock data bus. Ram is so data bus heavy all you have to do is connect to it. 🤷🏽‍♂️ pretty cool though

[@southpawzoverland]

Looks like you might need a firmware update and some settings changed in the cameras. We've had ours in our JK for over a year now with no issues.

[@TimTheTowman]

I like how well the Stinger looks installed.. But, this is EXACTLY what I was scared of and why I went with the Alpine ILX F 509 in my JK..There are some cool features that Stinger has that the Alpine doesnt.. My Alpine has been flawless for 2 years now.. Stinger doesn't have wireless Car play and ANDROID Auto? Get the Motorola MA1 wireless dongle! I bought my Alpine the year before they went wireless.. I bought the MA 1 wireless adapter and love it! No more plugging in evertime I get in the jeep!

[@Tinker3504]

At that price point, even glitching aside, that interface is waaaaay too slow. Running a stock 8.4 now and as slow as it is, it seems faster than that stinger. When I need the front camera I need the front camera. Don’t have time for loading. I’m either in carplay or using the front camera. But all the other features are the same as stock. (Gauges, climate, etc…) Swing and a miss vs the stock 8.4

[@jamminjeeper5854]

I've been looking at a Stinger for my JK for a bit, other cost priorities so it's a back burn nice to have thing.

[@emilevoyer123]

THANKS FOR THE VIDEO

[@limoncelloRubicon]

The number one issue for me is that it’s 100% NOT even water resistant. The warranty does not cover you if it fries when it gets wet. Spoke with Stinger and they told me that people call in and use waterproof shower caps for the “just in case downpour”

[@gta4viceman]

We have had a good experience with JeepersDen they installed bumpers, lift, wheels & tires, lights etc on our 03 TJ that I have

[@gilbertarnold8666]

Great video thank you!

[@LBCR6]

I have had this radio for a couple years only issue I have is the stock rear camera will have a solid green screen at times or it will say no signal then it will work after a few minutes. I have tried a lot of front cameras they are all the same fuzzy you need a true hd camera and I haven’t found one yet.

[@OverlandingDreamers]

Higher quality camera is the solution.

[@MikeSTGL]

That messed up screen - why not have them warranty it ?

[@thomasleonard9685]

Kevin - why would you need 8 cameras? You can barely see over the wheel, so you need to focus on what’s in front of you…. I don’t think seeing every wheel at once is necessary- in a tricky situation you can’t be switching cameras to see tire placement

[@ivy1974]

As someone that doesn’t really know squat about vehicles why didn’t you just get a 3rd party wireless CarPlay adapter instead of a cable? On my second one. Turns out the cables don’t last if you have it bent too much. My bad. But the second one been working great.

[@yogi5835]

Just a thought, maybe something with the tazer jl that needs to be done, unmarried, and then remarried. Maybe not, but could be worth a try. Once you get all the cameras hooked up a follow up video?

[@LawlessOffroadAdventures]

I'd say try a better cable first, then try new camera. The dash displays a non grainy image in the back, so it's capable of that.

[@bobchronister3429]

The glitchin would bug me.

[@CG4Ut]

The issue with all of these is they cheap out on the RAM, put more RAM in them and they stay snappy.

[@gregz.155]

Get the Kenwood or Alpine. We had the alpine in our jeep, it worked very good. I have the Kenwood DMX-1057xr in my Tundra and I have only had a couple glitchy issues. and those are insignificant compared to what you're having. Even my cheap, amazon front camera looks better than yours in this video. My KW is not laggy at all. It shows everything that the OBD2 connector and the associated adapter (Idata-link Maestro RR2) will allow it to interface with my tundra. I ran a stereo install shop for years, and all those aftermarket sub-par android based units are junk. They all have the problems you are having. Spend once, cry once.

[@randyrandy1367]

Google quad lock and all the different accessories that you can do to lock your phone in mag charge dongle that you can hook up to the back of the stereo and then it’s wireless

[@kevinkobayashi]

i am bettmg at the end you will get a simple remote you can set aside on the glove compartment to work the radio. does that make sense.

[@dirf554]

Maybe if you put the gps module in it you could do a firmware update?

[@bobklittich5710]

You should be able to run Apple car play through the blue tooth.

[@frnk008]

Hi i have been watching you guys for a while now and I saw your video on the radio you had installed and i have an alpine x409 with focal speakers and amp under the back seat and the alpine also has a built in amp in it and it is really a bad ass sounding system, I would watch what is going on with the radio because with Jeep using the cambus system where everything talks to the computer of the jeep just using the radio in the system is ok but if you hook up anything else electronic I would hook it up directly to the ignition or battery because believe me I went through hell figureing that out and cost me quite a bit of money to figure it out things like my power steps would go up and down on each side the mirrors would over heat radio would go on and off but now everything is fantastic and the sound is unbelievable,but if you have a lot of glitching it’s probably a lot of other stuff hooked into the cambus system because the more you load into it sooner or later it will happen.

[@shoutingatclouds1050]

If you could video capture from eight cameras that wouĺd be a awesome virtual ride along for us viewers!

[@chuckisbusy]

Should of went with a Kenwood head unit

[@joshuabaker5712]

The glitching would drive me insane.

[@raystevens687]

Hope Brittany can operate your new system.

[@shoutingatclouds1050]

You need to find a tec guy from NewEgg who does freelance at a trade show. Many people are just installing iHome in vehicles and skipping the head unit all together.

[@jcarlson43]

Motion raceworks makes a nice usb port

[@bigbrownmab189]

Looks like that front camera might be 720P and look at the lens itself, might have dirt and and dust behind the lens

[@mikehenry7878]

Honestly I was gonna say before I even saw the part where it went all matrix on you that thing is super laggy. Press and wait. I'd get a refund, that thing is gonna drive you insane!

[@Onebandit]

On my Jeep I used a different cord in the front and I got the apple CarPlay to work

[@KC8YPK]

Should have went to 5star car audio, Clearwater FL

[@jefferyadams3227]

is the sound better. I noticed a huge difference for the better when i put a kenwood in my JK...

[@LiteBrite]

Yes the sound is much better

[@gregy3660]

The screen resolution is on 720p on this unit

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

Kevin, Is there any information on the "waterproofedness" on this? That's one of the items I consider of value with a soft top.

[@LiteBrite]

Luna is running it in her jeep and she has no top or doors and it’s been like that for a while with no issues

[@farfromovin]

The Stinger is cheap garbage that’s why! The Step Child deserves proper equipment. Put a Kenwood 10” in there, DMX1057XR. You’ll probably need an iDatalink Maestro as well for all the interface with the stock systems on the radio. The Kenwood only has 4 camera inputs but at least they’re nice 720p cameras. I have a WK2 Grand Cherokee but I’ve had a similar setup albeit in a double din solution for years with my JL setup. Solid. Oh, and did I mention wireless CarPlay? Your radio sucks because it’s a sucky radio, period.

[@andrewtippitt6469]

I had issues with my Heigh10. My reverse cam went wonky and the part was on back order. I wasn't thrilled with the unit so the company agreed to a return/refund. I went with an Insane Audio. Again wasn't great but better than the 5" factory. Of the two I would have tried the Heigh10 again until I saw this and saw your issues. For the media hub when I did the install it required a wire being ran from the head unit along the console to the back of the center console. Maybe the installers skip this step to keep that half hour install window?

[@MM-gm2yk]

My friend has a stinger and I have Insane. Insane all day plus water proof we both have JKs

[@garzilla2k480]

That radio doesn't support wireless carplay?

[@maxrpm4]

Had one on order but started to read about the bad with this radio and canceled my order.

[@trjnsd6874]

Happy Mothers Day! First

[@brandonwiz]

I have a dongle called aa wireless that makes my android auto wireless. Its not perfect but it works 99.9% of the time and i think its the jeep not wanting to connect.

[@justcarguythings6775]

I’ve almost bought this several times but the long term reviews are AWFUL - looking forward to seeing how it treats you & if issues have been addressed!

[@gregy3660]

I bought one I have had it for nearly 2 years with no issues.

[@kc6nfv746]

Mite be a bad ground why it's better go direct to the battery or run a ground wire to the body's and to the frame your ground wire to the engine so ground the body to the engine and run your ground wire short as you can

[@96codegaard]

I'm suprised it doesn't have wireless car play.

[@Journey_Outdoors]

7" screen is better than the 5" screen....

[@Rubicon14]

Well If your stock jl camera is giving you a great video quality then that is saying the camera that came with the Stinger head unit are not good quality so I would get good quality camera and you will have a good clear quality videos

[@super1vega]

Chris help me 😂

[@davidwamsley7864]

I would say that if you buy better cameras it would give you a better picture if your factory camera is clear and high definition then replacing the other cameras should absolutely give you a better picture.

[@00ninja00]

The rear camera hook up on the head unit is a hd input, the front and all other inputs on the head unit are not hd. So hd camera will only display hd picture if hooked up to hd input. In this case no hd camera will display hd if plugged into the other non hd inputs (rear input only is hd).

[@Evo_JL]

So basically ur back to square1 as far as reliability thats just in a couple weeks so im assuming long term it be worse

[@remsterx]

I would say order another rear camera from Jeep and use it as the front

[@cfreeses]

That why I only run pioneer or kenwood radios... There are probably other good ones... But I've seen so much jank over the years

[@A1AJake]

Speaking from experience don't let the folks at the shows do the installs. They half ass it. I did the DS18 speaker bar install a few years ago at Jeep Invasion. Had nothing but issues by the time I got home. I took it to Best Buy to have my Stinger installed and the installer is was AWE over the the shitty wiring the installers did at Invasion. The guys that do the installs are hired hands to get the job done quickly. Product is good, Installers SUCK!

[@LiteBrite]

These guys do great work. We wouldn’t have worked with or promoted them if they didn’t. The owner is a great guy and truly cares about his customers!

[@A1AJake]

@@LiteBrite That's good to know. I just had a bad experience with having someone at the show do the install. Left a bad taste. But on that note...Can't wait for Jeep Invasion. Got the same radio, but for my JK. Great radio. I've had no issues.

[@cmritchie04]

does the radio record in case you get into an accident with another driver? .does the factory up keep with the GPS data up grades over the years or do they stop after so many years? like all the other after market radios dealers .....the radio I would want does not exist integrated with with ham radio mostly(1) [GPS+APRS] (2)SMS on 144.39 Mhz simplex or go on a repeater, Voice on 2 meters and 70 cementers...objective is to supplement what the cell phone does.

[@Livin2relaxat55]

I’m have the alpine in my jk. It sucks. CarPlay doesn’t work. Mapping sucks. Audio clarity is nice. Special adapters for everything sucks. Updating firmware is a pain in the ass.

[@roryhoffman5919]

Could be interference from something with a strong magnetic field on the screen?

[@jerrygoller4269]

The same thing that is wrong with rest of it; it's a Jeep. 🤣

[@CherokeesJeepLife]

Quick question, did you clean the lens of your front camera? Remember everything is hitting it going fwd. Just a thought.

[@LiteBrite]

Yes it’s clean