97 jeep cherokee stereo help

**Bigmanbrainy** · 11-02-2005, 12:39 AM

Ok post number 1! (yeah, im nubby I know)
But anyway, I have a jeep cherokee 1997 and Up till now I have bottom oof the barrel as far as sound systems go. (2 in front doors (5 1/2s?)) My radio is real good, but I have been pokeing at my car for about ...2 hours, and through different methods have tore open every part of the car that wont actually get me to the back of the radio. Cant find my way in need help. (never worked on cars befor...at all). heres some pics.

**DJiK** · 11-02-2005, 04:20 AM

Instead of removing panels in hope of getting to one that actually covers the back of your radio, I'd suggest finding a way to pull the radio out (and then unplug it from the back).
Looks like this is an aftermarket head unit, so you might need to carefully stick two skinny flathead screwdrives in either side of the radio and pull everything out nice and smooth.
Run a

search on taking apart your specific car, and one about your specific radio. Something useful might come up.

**pancit175** · 11-02-2005, 07:10 PM

Its really easy to take apart the front dash to remove your radio to access the wires you need to.
From the look of the pix you got, I dont think that there are any screws that hold on that front dash piece so all you have to do is move the gear selector back and your should be able to remove that front dash. To do that start from one of the bottom corners and just pull gently because it should just be held on by a series of fasteners, or "pops." After that you'll need a 10 mill driver to remove the screws from the radio and you're set.

**Tzuknami** · 11-02-2005, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by pancit175

Its really easy to take apart the front dash to remove your radio to access the wires you need to.
From the look of the pix you got, I dont think that there are any screws that hold on that front dash piece so all you have to do is move the gear selector back and your should be able to remove that front dash. To do that start from one of the bottom corners and just pull gently because it should just be held on by a series of fasteners, or "pops." After that you'll need a 10 mill driver to remove the screws from the radio and you're set.

That is correct. No screws to get the center panel off in the 97. i have one too. The easiest way to get behind there is to grab the bezel at both sides on the bottom and pull. Don't worry, it wont break. It will pop off. It is only held on by like 6 clips. Then it should be easy to see what you are doing.

**Bigmanbrainy** · 11-02-2005, 09:44 PM

*falls face down on the floor.* Ok, thanks so much guys. I cant believe that I actually waisted so much time on that. I litterally spent about 6 hours trying to figure that out, and taking my dash apart from different angles. Actual removal time once properly informed = approx. 3 seconds.

**pancit175** · 11-02-2005, 09:50 PM

I think it took 100 times longer to explain how to do it than it did to actually do it. No worries. rock out with your cock out.

**PatO** · 11-03-2005, 11:33 PM

You CAN fit 6" speakers in the front doors - I used Polk's. The kicker is that you have to drill new mounting holes and deal with a *slight* protrousion of the door liner. Mine still sound good after 2 yrs. I have a 2001 Cherokee (most likely identical to yours). Be wary of the mounting depth - the Polks are within a half inch of the exterior skin of the door - measure.

I haven't messed with the rear sound bar, though (don't know if yours has that). I'd like to fit some 6x9's in there for midrange, but haven't had the time to mod them.

A couple of rear-facing subs are awesome in the Cherokee's. Such an open space is phenominal for sound!

I also went with component speakers up front - 6" in the doors, tweaters modded into the dash. (Although you could mount them in the doors next to the pillars, where they're supposed to go). This is my second Jeep and the components sound far better than singles any way you look at it.