[rlusht]

Hello All,

I would like to do a basic upgrade (1,000 or less) for my 2018 JGC with basic 6 speaker system. I would like to add new speakers and amp and sub in rear. Could i get some advice on what route to take to make this as simple and cheap as possible? I have done some basic research but eveyone is all over the place. I can figure out the speaker part, mainly just need advice on what AMP i should get that will tie directly into the Unconnect headunit so i can get some volume out of this system?

 

[1stJeepGC]

Greetings and welcome,

Just to confirm, you are keeping the factory OE headunit?

How much did you set aside for speakers and what type of speakers you wish to get.

My suggestion would be, get an amp with a built-in DSP. The prices are very reasonable at that budget.

You will need is some sort of interface if you are keeping the factory OE headunit.

Lastly, set aside money for installation equipment such as a power kit for the amp.


Feel free and ask questions

Best for now.

 

[rlusht]

Correct would like to keep head unit. I'm think about maybe just a speaker upgrade for now and boost the power a bit will the Alphine power box work?

 

[badhabit2break]

If your just doing a speaker upgrade and no amp, your $1k will go further.

Its always easier to do little at a time and save for the next phase.

 

[1stJeepGC]

Correct would like to keep head unit. I'm think about maybe just a speaker upgrade for now and boost the power a bit will the Alphine power box work?

Greetings,

You can use the Alpine Universal Power pack KTP-445U. You will have to use a passive crossover for the front and the rear speakers. Your budget will be tight depending on which speakers you go with.

Keep in mind, if you are leasing this vehicle, keep it simple and save the OE components, since you have to reinstall them for the return. Otherwise, if you own the vehicle, save up and get better speakers and a dsp/amp.

Best for now.

 

[rlusht]

I heard with the factory setup you can just cut right into the speaker wires and power right from the head unit and you would be good with the Power Pack? any reasons why i would need the passive crossover?

 

[Dom_Kada]

Hello I am also intrested in upgrading my 2017 Altitude 6 speaker please keep updating on what you are doing because id love to see what the end result is and quality

 

[rbshop20]

Hello I am also intrested in upgrading my 2017 Altitude 6 speaker please keep updating on what you are doing because id love to see what the end result is and quality

I have a 2014 limited and I'm with you I would love to see the end result and at what price point ??



Can I just buy better louder speakers and wire them into the oem set up ??

 

[leadfoot4]

I had to keep the OE head unit, due to all the suspension controls it contains, so I was pretty much limited to a speaker upgrade. I went with the Focal speaker upgrade, both in the front doors, as well as the rear doors. I wasn't expecting a big difference, but have to say, I was VERY impressed with the improvement, especially in the added bass response.

 

[Keysplayr]

Here is what I'm planning to do.
Behind the head unit and using speaker level inputs, an Alpine 445U Amp.
It's 50W RMS x4 at 4 ohms.
I'll use the 12V accessory (cigarette lighter) lead for an on/off blue lead to the amp.



I've been told by some cool peeps on here that I need to solder 5w 47 ohm resistors between the + and - of each speaker level output from the head unit and before the amp input otherwise the head unit will not detect proper resistance on that channel and will not broadcast any signal. Grateful for this info, thanks!




In the front doors will go Kenwood KFC-6985PS. I used these in my 2015 and to be honest, I didn't really expect the clarity and the pounding power this Alpine amp and these 6x9s would deliver. I was literally blown away and is better than any Alpine or Harmon Kardon factory system available in these vehicles today, with the exception of the sub-woofer of course. That is for later and done professionally.



For the door tweeters, will be Kenwood ST-01. I believe these have built in crossovers and can be wired directly from the + and - of that door's Kenwood 6985PS.



And finally, for the rear doors, Kenwood 1695PS 6.5".
On my 2015, I used the Kenwood 1665S series in the back doors. While they offered crisp clear sound and good highs, there was absolutely no bottom end coming from these. I know they are 6.5" speakers and are primarily for mid and high ranges, but a tiny bit of bottom for just fill back there would have been nice. This time I'm going with the 1695PS which are reported to have better bass response due to radial cone design, like the front door 6x9s which punch you in the face with bass. So we shall see how they do.



That is it for now. All parts are on the way and looking like a June 1st install.

Deciding on whether or not to pursue sub-woofer addition. Depends on if this sounds anything like my 2015 similar install did. If so, there is no need.

If anyone knows where to obtain proper wiring diagram/schematic for the 2019 Uconnect 7.0 basic 6 speaker system please let me know. If I have to subscribe to a service or pay for it, that is totally fine as long as they have what is needed.

Be well all.

Keys

Addendum: I don't believe the 2014 JGC will need these resistors. I didn't need them in my 2015 with RA2 head unit and this exact setup.

 

[leadfoot4]

Here is what I'm planning to do.




In the front doors will go Kenwood KFC-6985PS. I used these in my 2015 and to be honest, I didn't really expect the clarity and the pounding power this Alpine amp and these 6x9s would deliver. I was literally blown away and is better than any Alpine or Harmon Kardon factory system available in these vehicles today, with the exception of the sub-woofer of course. That is for later and done professionally.



For the door tweeters, will be Kenwood ST-01. I believe these have built in crossovers and can be wired directly from the + and - of that door's Kenwood 6985PS.









Be well all.

Keys

I don't want to "rain on your parade", but stop and consider this....You're not only installing 3-way speakers in the lower front door location, you're also installing separate tweeters in the upper front door location. That's a LOT of high range sound you'll be producing.....

 

[Keysplayr]

I don't want to "rain on your parade", but stop and consider this....You're not only installing 3-way speakers in the lower front door location, you're also installing separate tweeters in the upper front door location. That's a LOT of high range sound you'll be producing.....

I hear where you're coming from, but understand that I have already done this in my 2015 JGC. It sounded absolutely phenomenal to the point where my friend in his 2015 overland with the best system you can buy in that year, was jealous. In a good way. My bass, mid and treble settings on the EQ never had to leave the center position. Highs were crisp, clear and effortless but never intrusive. It's hard to get proper treble highs in a system. Even more so than bass. Trust me on this as I have done this exact setup before. Parade will go on even on account of rain.

 

[VMX12R]

I'm not sure why you would need to run resistors in this setup? The amp allows for speaker level inputs so there should be no need to add resistance or run a LOC. I have the base 6 speaker setup as well and didn't add anything when I setup my JL amp to run off high level inputs.

 

[Keysplayr]

I'm not sure why you would need to run resistors in this setup? The amp allows for speaker level inputs so there should be no need to add resistance or run a LOC. I have the base 6 speaker setup as well and didn't add anything when I setup my JL amp to run off high level inputs.

I didn't either on my 2015 Laredo with RA2 head unit. No resistors and it worked fine. I think it's the newer UAQ head units that require a specific range of resistance from the attached speakers. There have been many reporting that they get no sound after installing an amp of the head unit specifically because of improper resistance. I don't know why Chrysler/Jeep has done this. It's usually about money in some way shape or form.

 

[jpdraven]

I didn't either on my 2015 Laredo with RA2 head unit. No resistors and it worked fine. I think it's the newer UAQ head units that require a specific range of resistance from the attached speakers. There have been many reporting that they get no sound after installing an amp of the head unit specifically because of improper resistance. I don't know why Chrysler/Jeep has done this. It's usually about money in some way shape or form.

You are 100% correct. 47ohm resistance to be specific

 

[korywilliams2281]

I hear where you're coming from, but understand that I have already done this in my 2015 JGC. It sounded absolutely phenomenal to the point where my friend in his 2015 overland with the best system you can buy in that year, was jealous. In a good way. My bass, mid and treble settings on the EQ never had to leave the center position. Highs were crisp, clear and effortless but never intrusive. It's hard to get proper treble highs in a system. Even more so than bass. Trust me on this as I have done this exact setup before. Parade will go on even on account of rain.

I'm transferring my Two T2S1 13" ROCKFORD SUBS and the repacing all speakers rockford as well in my "2014 LARADO" I just need to get sound to them amp has power and running through the sni-35 LOC but, no sound where did I go wrong? Help!!! Thanks