What did you do TO your Gladiator today? [ADMIN WARNING: NO POLITICS, NO GUN TALK]

[ExitLeft]

Installed the Alpine speaker upgrade for the overhead soundbar. I bought the Alpine SPV-65-JLT from Crutchfield, as it was about $50 cheaper than Amazon, and Crutchfield includes the Metra adapters, which are needed for the JTs (and JLs) that have the premium Alpine audio system. The instructions aren't the best. I've had to watch a couple YouTube videos and looked through forum threads.

Before:

I used the included template and a pick to trace the new pattern. This worked very well for me as a pen, pencil, or marker was harder to see (irregular surfaces). The scribe/pick leaves a good mark to see and feel.

To cut the hole, I tried a jigsaw, but it was much harder to control, especially with the soundbar still installed. Then I tried an electric hot knife, but it produced toxic fumes, and the cuts immediately fused back together (molten plastic). Instructions, YouTubers, and other forum members recommended a reciprocating air saw. Others have also removed the soundbar. I left mine in place and used a box cutter (utility knife) instead. It took a bit more muscle, but it made much less of a mess, and it took about 15-20 minutes per side

The template is not the best. I had to deviate and cut a bit more to avoid some awkward shapes. This is what the removed sections looked like. You can actually remove quite a bit more than what the template calls for. The new speakers gasket just needs to have a surface to seal.

This is what the hole looks like. Yes, not pretty. If you have OCD (like me), turn away and don't think about how sausages are made.

The new Alpine speaker comes with a cross over. If you have premium audio, like mine, disconnect the wires from the woofer (just move them aside) and attach the Metra adapters.

Connect to the soundbar harness.

The resulting sound is AMAZING! Deeper, fuller bass, crisper highs, and looks great.

looks great. Pricey, but great! Nice write up, too.
you mentioned you have the upgraded Alpine audio system already. I assume you mean the Premium amplified system, but everything I’ve read about these speakers indicate they are for the base audio system. I imagine they are quite the improvement over the base system, but how does it compare to the premium system? I guess what I’m asking is, is the improvement over the OEM Premium Audio System worth the $450?
thanks!

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[Jeepmonster]

looks great. Pricey, but great! Nice write up, too.
you mentioned you have the upgraded Alpine audio system already. I assume you mean the Premium amplified system, but everything I’ve read about these speakers indicate they are for the base audio system. I imagine they are quite the improvement over the base system, but how does it compare to the premium system? I guess what I’m asking is, is the improvement over the OEM Premium Audio System worth the $450?
thanks!

Yes, I totally agree with you on the price (a bit high). There are cheaper (and maybe better sounding) options, but I liked the look and took a chance on the sound quality. I've seen nothing but good reviews. Yes, I have the "premium" amplified system (8.4" with subwoofer), but it sounded quite anemic. I replaced the 3.5" speakers in the dash (top) as well as the soundbar (which I ended up removing to fit these new ones in), and it helped with clearer highs (less muddy). These new ones work much better together with the subwoofer. In fact, I had to adjust the bass down a bit from the equalizer. The product description on Crutchfield says it is for the base system (non-premium). It will work with the base system by just plugging into the speaker assembly the way it is out of the box. To adapt it to JTs (and JLs) with premium systems, I got a tip from another forum member who described using the supplied Metra connector to bypass the speaker's cross over. This allows the use of the "premium" sound system's cross over (built into the Jeep somewhere). I was on the fence due to the price, but now I'm glad I got these. Much better sound quality (and looks clean). Now, I'm looking into what to do with the knee panel speakers. Good luck!

 

[Dwayne]

Added the ARE Cap. Loving it.

 

[El_Zorro]

looks great. Pricey, but great! Nice write up, too.
you mentioned you have the upgraded Alpine audio system already. I assume you mean the Premium amplified system, but everything I’ve read about these speakers indicate they are for the base audio system. I imagine they are quite the improvement over the base system, but how does it compare to the premium system? I guess what I’m asking is, is the improvement over the OEM Premium Audio System worth the $450?
thanks!

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/school-me-on-upgrading-system.37773/page-2

 

[mazeppa]

@Jeepmonster

Next time you need to cut thin plastic like that, get a set of right and left Wiss Aviation sheet metal snips.

They work so much easier than cutting plastic with a utility knife and not as messy as a Dremel. Dremel cutting blades are too small/expensive for real work anyways.

 

[Jeepmonster]

@Jeepmonster

Next time you need to cut thin plastic like that, get a set of right and left Wiss Aviation sheet metal snips.

They work so much easier than cutting plastic with a utility knife and not as messy as a Dremel. Dremel cutting blades are too small/expensive for real work anyways.

I should've mentioned that I tried aviation snips as well. I wasn't able to maneuver it well enough to cut through. Mine may not have been good enough quality and needs sharpening.

 

[Lucky1]

Went up a size to 37x12.5x17.

Could you tell me about your yellow lights?

 

[TJDave]

Could you tell me about your yellow lights?

They are some $37 Amazon cheapo led pods I put on to try out. I had heard the small pods do not ice up like the stock led fogs and headlights, plus they help with the Star Trek effect while driving in snow storms.
The rumors are true. I have driven in ice fog and snow. Vision is better and they did not ice up.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Bought this storage box on eBay, didn’t use the two way tape & it seems to work fine https://www.ebay.ca/itm/143872722842

I got the same one on Amazon a couple of weeks ago - didn't come with tape but with the console closed it can't even wiggle anyway. Good for a phone or wallet. So far hasn't bothered the cup holder.

Got my wife the cupfone thing for her GC for Christmas.

 

[Lucky1]

They are some $37 Amazon cheapo led pods I put on to try out. I had heard the small pods do not ice up like the stock led fogs and headlights, plus they help with the Star Trek effect while driving in snow storms.
The rumors are true. I have driven in ice fog and snow. Vision is better and they did not ice up.

Thank you for the info! Would you happen to have a link? They sound about exactly what I'm looking for currently.

 

[87944turbo]

Looks pretty similar to the rokblokz, but man is that a huge price difference. If the rear isn't too difficult to mount that would be a great option for 1/8th the price.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Well worth the time to figure it out. Leave more money for other stuff!

 

[TJDave]

Thank you for the info! Would you happen to have a link? They sound about exactly what I'm looking for currently.

Here you go!

Amazon.com: 2PCS LED 3 inch Yellow Waterproof Lights Fog Lights Driving Lights For Wrangler Offroad 4X4 Auto Car Jeep Truck ATV UTV Boat Motorcycle bait 40W: Automotive

 

[Kevin_D]

rock storm?? heard of hail but...

I was driving through a cut in the hill, and a strong gust of wind (predicted gusts of up to 100kph) kicked up a bunch of dirt & pebbles that pelted the truck.

Kevin

 

[Veloruche]

Had new tires done put on Patagonia’s 315/70/17 and re calibrated to tire size using the tazer. Also finally installed a mount for my #murderspork

Looks awesome, really like the tires under the fenders.

 

[LoJac963]

They are some $37 Amazon cheapo led pods I put on to try out. I had heard the small pods do not ice up like the stock led fogs and headlights, plus they help with the Star Trek effect while driving in snow storms.
The rumors are true. I have driven in ice fog and snow. Vision is better and they did not ice up.

I have a pair of the same ones and they are pretty bright. 10 watts per LED put them in the same output and name brands so it's a win win for me!

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