99 Wrangler Head unit options

First of all... It's a Wrangler...  Nothing is going to sound GREAT with no top/no doors.  What I mean is, you're not going to notice the difference between expensive equipment and cheap equipment because your Jeep is a very noisy vehicle to start with (I know MINE is!).   An aftermarket head unit in a Wrangler is a theif-magnet.  Stay stock. 

Here's what I did with my 2001 Wrangler:

• Stock head unit (because nobody is going to steal it)
• Sirius, RF modulated (because if someone steals it, they can't use it after I shut off the subscription by reporting it stolen.  They can't even re-activate it, so it's not something a theif would steal)
• one 10" cheap sub in homemade box inside rear seat (Sub is hidden, and if I happen to fill the tub with water, I'm not out the cost of an expensive sub... the seat is still usable to sit on too)
• cheap amp mounted to underside of rear seat (using hi-level inputs; also see: "water" above)
• Walmart special replacement speakers (Pioneer 4x6 in dash and Pioneer 6.5s in soundbar...on sale)

The sub made a HUGE difference, even though the box isn't quite large enough capacity.  But it's still like night and day!    Mind you... My Jeep is lifted with 33" mud tires, and I normally drive around topless/doorless.  It sounds 'almost great' when parked, and 'pretty good' cruising around town.   I can still hear 'something' on the highway (although I wish it was a little louder).  But topless and doorless on the highway, you almost need earplugs even without a stereo.

Future plans:  I pulled an Infinity Gold amp from a ZJ, and plan to incorporate it into my stock head unit to get a little more sound from the 4x6s and 6.5s.  Why this amp?  Because WHEN it gets fried from sitting in water, it's simple and cheap to get another one at the junkyard.  It also runs off hi-level inputs, which makes it easier to wire-up.  I really just need a 'little bit' more volume for the highway and I'll be happy. 

The major disadvantage of my system is that my factory CD player is shot and doesn't play discs anymore.  Plus, there is no easy way to add Ipod inputs to this factory stereo (unless I RF modulate it).  But since I got the Sirius a couple years ago, it's not a big deal.  I really like the fact that I'm not leaving a couple hundred bucks worth of CDs in my Jeep anymore, and that extra storage space is nice.   Knowing me... even if I had Ipod capabilities, I wouldn't want to keep it in the Jeep for fear of it getting broken or stolen (or covered in mud). 

Also, a suggestion for if you're going to go stock...  Don't go with the factory CD player...  Alot of people have had trouble with them, and they have a tendency to not play burned CDs very well.  The stock CD/tape decks from many Chrysler vehicles (aka: Caravans) work well in earlier TJ's like we have (97-2002).   These play burned CDs, and don't break as much.  Plus, a cassette adapter can give you a decent Ipod/Sirius interface (although not very pretty). 

They changed the stock CD player in 2003, but the connectors aren't the same...  If you can find an adapter, the 2003+ TJ's' have changer control inputs that can be adapted for an Ipod. 

Solution, keep existing head and add the Audio Control 4.1 and put somewhere out of sight. Rewire the aux input button and the sub level control pot and mount somewhere on dash.  It has a Aux input for the Sirius unit or a Ipod. It will act as either the master volume control or slave volume control. It gives you the flexibility you need for full expansion down the road.

https://mobileaudiocontrol.com/product.asp?Product_Id=14150&d_Id=5250&l1=5250&l2=#

As I thought, yes, solder rca ends onto the stock speaker wires and plug them into the input of the 4.1. The 4.1 operates as a advanced LOC.