SelecTrac

Hello, my 2000 XJ came with a tape deck, but I'd like to upgrade to the factory CD/Tape player. Is this just a "bolt-on" upgrade or will it require a new wiring harness, amplifier, etc?
OEM tape deck:

OEM CD/Tape Player:


Thanks!

RocketMouse

Since they are both OEM... w/o seeing the connector on the back of the HU.... I'd say you're probably safe, as most likely they would not have changed that if it's close to the same model year.

But then again... I'm the guy who custom installed a full double din dvd/nav unit in my 99... after shops told me it couldn't be done.. I did it myself...and looks pretty decent.
My 99 only had the tape player like you have pictured there.

Ralph77

My experience has been that RocketMouse is right.
There is one thing though.
The mounting points for the radio.
There are radios out there that look similar.
But the mounting points are different.
Even has the correct connectors on the back.
It has been awhile but pretty sure the CD/Tape Player picture that you showed is what mounting points you want.
Easy enough to confirm.
On some the mounting point on the right is on top of the radio and not on the side.
Which does you no good.

RocketMouse

.... good point... if the unit is same or close enough in model year, you at least have a shot at it being an easy install.
Custom brackets for a HU... IMHO (because I've done them over the years) really are just a little more time consuming, but not rocket science by any means.

SelecTrac

Thanks RocketMouse and Ralph77. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm dropping it off this week to get a review camera with rearview mirror display, Viper remote start/alarm, and hopefully this upgraded factory head unit that I picked up off Craigslist. Any recommendations for speakers that will fit the stock mounts? I'm no audiophile and want to keep the stock aesthetic of the interior, but wouldn't mind improving the sound a bit.

Battle

I did this exact swap in my 97 - it took me like 10 mins or less and was a direct bolt-in. The original tape deck stopped working but the replacement one (which I think came out of a 2001 as I bought it off Craigslist) works like a charm! Even the tape deck works (yes, I still actively listen to cassettes and CDs). Every aspect of the upscale deck work too - including the directional ****.

Ralph77

Battle brings up a good point.
Fader, directional ****, is sometimes a problem.
I want to say that if you feel resistance when you move it might be an indication that you are good.
Also the little lights on the equalizer sliders.
Not that those really matter.
Was kind of surprised that all 5 worked on a radio I bought sometime ago.
And still do.

Spencer_P

I'd like to see pictures of all those upgrades when they're complete if you wouldn't mind.

jpz

I have replaced my factory tape/CD combo twice with Chrysler CD radios (not necessarily from Jeeps), and both times it was plug and play. Frustratingly, the CD players seem to be a weak link on these units as I'm due for another replacement. Seems like as they age they take longer and longer to read CDs and eventually stop reading them. Then it's radio only.

Also, unless I have been really unlucky it seems like the volume ***** are also a weak link. On all of my radios, the volume ***** have failed as well. My current volume **** works correctly when it wants, the other times it only works to increase the volume (regardless which way I turn it).

I'm probably gonna go with an aftermarket unit once this one completely dies.

MaskedMallard

I replaced my CD/Tape unit with an identical CD/Tape unit that was customized with a 3.5mm audio jack. Everything was plug & play. If I decide to redo it, I'd like to find the Infinity unit that Ralph has a picture of, & have the 3.5mm audio jack installed into it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/28376226680...yABEgKic_D_BwE

SelecTrac

Oh that's interesting. I have one of these Bluetooth connectors for my phone that tunes to an unused station. It's cheap ($25 at Target) and decent, but a 3.5mm cord would sound better.
https://goroav.com/products/smartcharge-f3

Maybe I'll get one of these modified units instead and sell the stock one I bought. Thanks!

Ralph77

I don't think that is a Infinity radio that I have. I am not sure but believe that radio to be from a ZJ. I think if it were an Infinity radio it would say it on the face plate.
But the mounting points and connectors are correct for my Jeep.
I got real lucky and found that radio and an iSimple device that I could use for my 160GB iPod on Ebay for $40 shipped.
The iSimple device plugs into the connector for a CD Changer on the back of the radio. Has a 30 pin connector so my iPod is "hardwired" into the system.
Before I found this set up I was thinking about trying to wire up a 3.5 mm headphone jack myself.
There are a couple of write ups out there. For instance:

https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads...io-diy.907202/

SelecTrac

So I got an upgraded OEM CD stereo modified with 3.5mm input jack (thanks for the tip @MaskedMallard ), Viper 5706 remote start/alarm, Advent RVM200 rear view mirror monitor backup camera, HushMat sound dampening in all four doors, and some upgraded speakers that fit in the stock mounts for the front door and read headliner. I added a little movie at the bottom of this post so you can hear how dead the doors sound when you knock on them compared to the quarter panel. The upgrades all look pretty stock, but add some nice features.

Ralph77

I noticed an improvement like that when I used Dynamat all over my Jeep too.
Went from a tinny sound to more of a thud when you knocked on the panels.
I only did partial coverage though.
Do you have any shots of what kind of coverage with the HushMat?
Also what did you use?
I went poking around their website and it appears there product might be vehicle specific.

SelecTrac

I had the installations done by these guys and was very pleased with their work: http://pdaroadgear.com/
They just use bulk and cut it down since they are a high volume shop. They're supposed to send me some photos of the coverage so I'll post when I receive them.