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aftermarket Radio ?

2K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  Jim_in_PA 
#1 ·
Hi, this is my first post here. I am from Namibia and recently bought a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 5.7 Excellent vehicle but the only issue is with the Nav Radio a 720N REP (ucconect system) it does not support maps for Namibia. I took it up with Jeep but they don't have any plans to add maps for Namibia.

My Question: Can one just remove the OEM 720N REP Nav Radio altogether, would it have any effects on any of the computurized components ? maybe the system bus? Does any thing depend on the radio being available or not ? As far as I could determine it uses a high speed bus, and are basically the export version of the 720 RER without satellite radio.

The idea is to buy some or other aftermarket nav radio which do have maps for Southern Africa and Namibia. Your advice would be appreciated.
 
#2 ·
For MY11-13, you can remove the OEM radio unit and replace with an aftermarket unit without affecting other vehicle functions. However, you need to purchase special adapters to connect to the factory wiring as well as to adapt things like the steering wheel controls to the new unit.

Unfortunately, I cannot help you with sources for your region. Many folks in North America buy the adapters from places like Crutchfield. But even if you did that, you'll still need to source the actual radio from somewhere in your part of the world to get the localized maps as well as appropriate radio frequency coverage, etc.
 
#3 ·
Greetings,

To find a source the best way to figure this out is to look at the various audio manufactures websites and look for the link for regions. For example:

Support | Car Electronics | KENWOOD Middle East, Mediterranean & Africa

From the US site I hit the Global link and the above popped up.

Once you establish a contact, see if they have the HU you are looking for. My suggestion if you have a smartphone, is to look for unit that has mirroring or an HDMI connection. This way one of the off-line navigation apps you might have a better change getting the map for Namibia. You might want to try Sygic or IGO Primo for starters for the navi apps.

Good luck.

Best for now.:)
 
#4 ·
Thanks Guys, Jim that put my mind at ease, i've read a few post on various forums that the system bus might be affected if one fit non oem nav radio etc.

I found a nav radio unit (soundstream VRN-65HB) which is priced reasonably and tick most of the boxes, they use I-go maps who does have maps for Southern Africa (including Namibia). So it seems that my problem is solved, will see when it arrive and installed if sound quality is OK and other features still work as it should i.e. rear camera, steering controls etc.
 
#5 ·
Folks who have MY14+ cannot change out the systems at all due to the change in the electrical buss and significant integration with the other vehicle computer systems, so at least you have that option.

Don't forget that to actually install that aftermarket system, you're going to need special wiring adapters to mate with the JGC harnesses as I mentioned in my original reply.
 
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