It can be done! (Alpine premium sub upgrade)

[Jeff.gt]

Was painful to say the least. Everything they say about the rear panel is true. More to follow once power is applied to the system!

yesss the sub is cheap, but was the shallowest mount I could find at about 2.5”.

Sponsored

 

[Hootbro]

Looks good!

 

[dayusmc]

Looks great! This is exactly what I want to do to my sub.
Can you tell use more about the setup, like is that a mono amp just for the sub and what is powering the rest of the speakers? How did you get signal for the amp, PAC unit, Rockford DSP, etc... ?

 

[Paulyester]

Nice! I’m in for more details as well. I’m about to tear into the back of mine, how do you pull those panels off?

 

[Jeff.gt]

I had the alpine amp under the dash, tapping into that with the PAC APH-CH03 for all of the speaker connections was easy. It does suck working under the dash, I didn’t take the seat out. Highly recommend 5 mins to remove the drivers seat!
I’m using a 5 channel alpine amp and the phoenix automotive 7862 head unit. It’s not for everyone, but so far so good. Retains most of your hard buttons, has a ton of functionality but for me I only use it for CarPlay.
I do not think there is a way to pop the back panel without breaking a few of the top clips. I broke 4/6. Glued back on and maybe 2 of them stayed in place. With so many other clips back there, I don’t think it’ll be an issue.

 

[dayusmc]

Is that a 10" sub you put in?

 

[Jeff.gt]

Is that a 10" sub you put in?

8”. 10” would fit if you can find 2.5” mounting depth. It’s a small enclosure for a 10” but could be doable with a custom mounting ring to raise it up. I used weatherstripping to raise this one about 3/8”.

 

[dayusmc]

I know Rockford makes a 10" with 3" mounting depth. I wonder if there is anyway to get that to fit.

 

[Jeff.gt]

I know Rockford makes a 10" with 3" mounting depth. I wonder if there is anyway to get that to fit.

You’d need a custom ring about 1” tall. At the top of the hole where the box slants, there is maybe 1.5-2” clearance. There’s maybe 1/2” of plastic bracing on the back panel I had to cut outta the box too.

 

[Jeff.gt]

Is that a 10" sub you put in?

Use a 10” it’d mount to the plastic and no need for the ring I cut from the oem either. Just need to solve the depth!

 

[willys 41]

I had the alpine amp under the dash, tapping into that with the PAC APH-CH03 for all of the speaker connections was easy. It does suck working under the dash, I didn’t take the seat out. Highly recommend 5 mins to remove the drivers seat!
I’m using a 5 channel alpine amp and the phoenix automotive 7862 head unit. It’s not for everyone, but so far so good. Retains most of your hard buttons, has a ton of functionality but for me I only use it for CarPlay.
I do not think there is a way to pop the back panel without breaking a few of the top clips. I broke 4/6. Glued back on and maybe 2 of them stayed in place. With so many other clips back there, I don’t think it’ll be an issue.

Any issues with the phoenix automotive 7862 head unit.
The reviews are not that great

 

[Jeff.gt]

Any issues with the phoenix automotive 7862 head unit.
The reviews are not that great

It works as it should. Android 12 is pretty smooth. The launcher isn't that great, but you can download Car Launcher and make your own. Doing this, and EQ'ing for good sound takes time. Sounded like shit without an amp, the factory alpine premium system was more powerful...and it just didn't sound good with the head unit output to the factory amp.

With the 5-channel amp however, the sound quality shines. I think the RCA outputs are only 2V...maybe 4V though. So there is some noise when turning the amp gain past about noon.

There is WIFI and a 4K antenna, and a slot for a SIM card. I don't see why anyone would bother with that. Noticeable sound difference w/ wired vs wireless CarPlay as well. I run it wired and it's good to go. May load some .FLAC files onto the HD and see how it does.

You do have to wait for the unit to fully boot up to use the reverse cam. If you put the jeep in reverse while it is booting, the cam shows up zoomed in on the hitch once the boot sequence finishes. Haven't figured that out yet. Once or twice the reverse cam image was upside down too (same situation trying to turn it on while booting). Shifting into reverse when it is fully booted up, it goes to the right view every time.

 

[dayusmc]

Those are some of the reasons I am keeping the stock 8.4".
I did a big system in my last gladiator. It didn't come with the Alpine system that my Mojave has. I don't want to go the way I went before. I justed the Fox duel 10" sub box but I didn't like the raised rear seat.
This time I want to go simpler, just use the factory sub box and add a 5 channel amp in to power everything. Hell I would be happy with just a mono amp on a sub in the factory box ..

 

[willys 41]

It works as it should. Android 12 is pretty smooth. The launcher isn't that great, but you can download Car Launcher and make your own. Doing this, and EQ'ing for good sound takes time. Sounded like shit without an amp, the factory alpine premium system was more powerful...and it just didn't sound good with the head unit output to the factory amp.

With the 5-channel amp however, the sound quality shines. I think the RCA outputs are only 2V...maybe 4V though. So there is some noise when turning the amp gain past about noon.

There is WIFI and a 4K antenna, and a slot for a SIM card. I don't see why anyone would bother with that. Noticeable sound difference w/ wired vs wireless CarPlay as well. I run it wired and it's good to go. May load some .FLAC files onto the HD and see how it does.

You do have to wait for the unit to fully boot up to use the reverse cam. If you put the jeep in reverse while it is booting, the cam shows up zoomed in on the hitch once the boot sequence finishes. Haven't figured that out yet. Once or twice the reverse cam image was upside down too (same situation trying to turn it on while booting). Shifting into reverse when it is fully booted up, it goes to the right view every time.

What about integration with the factory settings
The reason I ask is I have the insane audio JL 4001 in my jeep now and have never been able to adjust all factory settings
A very big concern is day light viewing. How well is the screen in day light

 

[Jeff.gt]

What about integration with the factory settings
The reason I ask is I have the insane audio JL 4001 in my jeep now and have never been able to adjust all factory settings
A very big concern is day light viewing. How well is the screen in day light

Top down sunny day. It is clearer than how you see it in this pic. Camera emphasized the fingerprints, comes with a matte screen protector already installed.
I didn’t use much of the factory settings in the 7.4. What specifically are you looking for?

Sponsored