Ok i bought my new pioneer cd deck yesterday and pulled out the clarion that the previous owner put in. But i have a few problems, this is the bracket he used onthe clarion with out a cage screwed into the side of the stereo. So he never had the bezel on the stereo. So my problem is i want to use the stereo cage and not screw into the side of the deck. Is their a dash kit for the xj jeeps? Also the dash cluster bezel wont fit around the stereo bezel, so i do i need to trim some of the dash bezel?

 

More pictures

 

So does any one know where i can get the right dash kit at?

 

I'm going to recommend you use the factory Jeep bracket. It won't require any trimming of the dash and will be more secure. There use to be a bracket for this vehicle, but being the Jeep has been out of production for 17 years I doubt you'll find one

 

Ok but as you can see from the photo the factory jeep bracket is screwed into the side of the stereo. I don't really want to screw into my new deck i want to use the cage that came with it. Also is the stereo bezel suppose to sit behind the dash bezel like this?

 

post a picture of the side of you new radio. Are there mounting holes that are already threaded into the sides (simular to the old radio)?

 

Ok heres the pictures.

 

So your choices are: you can use the mounting holes pre-drilled/tapped into the side of your new radio to mount the Jeep bracket, or you'll need to cut the Jeep dash trim panel and fasten the sleeve to it without using a bracket, from the front side.

The first option can take a bit of patients becasue none of the pre drilled holes in the radio will give you a perfect line up. Because the opening in the Jeep trim panel isn't exactly a standard ISO opening (yes there is a standard size called ISO) I do find it looks better to use the radio's trim benzel behind the jeep dash. I typically take some measurments and drill new holes in the factory Jeep bracket to get the proper alignment.

The second option requires you make a permanent alteration to the Jeep trim panel, opening up the hole so the radio's sleeve will fit through. I would suggest using a file as a dremel tool is too aggressive for the small amount you have to remove. Without a bracket of some sort behind the Jeep trim this mounting option isn't quite as secure. That corner of the dash just clips in, there are no screws, so it's kind of weak.

So, the first option will give you a more secure mounting and in my opinion have a cleaner look (when done right), but will make it slightly more difficult to remove for service of upgrades to the system. Also think - more theft deterent. The second option is probably easier and allows for easy access if you decide to upgrade the system or need to remove it for repair- but from a stand point of theft will be gone from the dash within seconds.

As for mounting the sleeve behind the jeep trim panel I have not done that. It's certainly not out the realm of possibility. You would have to fashion a custom bracket. Thinking about it I imagine if it were me I would cut a flat plate and drill holes to match the Jeep bracket's mounting holes. Mount it in the dash and replace the Jeep trim panel. Then mark the approximate opeing on the flat plate to corrospond with the opeing in the dash. Remove the plate and center the sleeve on the marks you drew. Cut an opening for the sleeve to fit through the plate. I would cut the hole a little small and keep test fitting it, making sure the hole I was cutting was centered perfectly with the opening in the dash trim panel. The only trouble I could see (having not done this before) is that once you cut a plate to fit behind the dash, and then cut a hole out of it for the sleeve to fit through, there won't be much material left to mount the sleeve to. You could experiment with a piece of cardboard (like from the back of a legal note pad) and mock up a bracket. It would be easy to cut and you may be able to use it as a patteren later. *edit* taking a closer look at the pictures of the Jeep bracket you posted I fear that a flat plate might still push the radio out too far, meaning that you might not get the radio's trim benzel on. While this might not be horrible, I'm not sure it's the look you're going for.

 

I just used the stock cage, screwed to that with my Kenwood headunit and it fit perfectly.

 

OK I found a place on the phone locally that day they have a dash kit. But I might just drill new holes in my jeep bracket like you said. But I want my stereo bezel or the trim around the face of the stereo its called to not behind the dash bezel. That's why I want to bring the stereo father out the dash or trim enough a way from from the dash bezel. So it's not covering up the stereo bezel.