Hello all,

My Cherokee came with an aftermarket radio in it, and I'd like to replace it with an OEM radio. My friends think I'm crazy, but I just really like the way the OEM radio looks and feels (also the aftermarket in it right now has tiny buttons that suck to use, let alone while driving).
I've seen several different models of radios with various features for the same model year - are they all cross compatible? I've attempted to research it but was unable to find explicit answers or dimensions, so I figured I'd ask here.

 

Sometimes '97 confuses me being a transition year.
Does your dash look like '98 and up?
If so most Mopar radios will work.
Just have to figure out which one you want cause they come a few different ways.
No cassette, just a cassette, CD and cassette, etc
Browsing Ebay will show you most if not all of the different types.
Make sure the connectors on the radio look like this:

The gray and black ones are the ones you care about.
Also make sure the mounting points are in these positions:

Sorry not the best picture but look close in the lower left hand corner and you can make out that one of the 2 mounting points.
I believe this radio to be out of an older ZJ but not 100% sure.

 

My dash has the digital odometer, so yeah. Glad to know they're cross compatible - thanks for the info!

 

Uses the standard 1.5unit chrysler radio that's been in just about every chrysler since the 80's.

 

Any "Square-Face" Chrysler radio with the mounting tabs in the upper right and lower left hand corners will work, and has gray and black plugs on the back. The '97-'01 XJ's were offered with 3 radios:

* Base A/M-F/M ONLY RAL w/ NO Fader Control and 2 Front Door Speakers ONLY ('97-'99 SE Models ONLY)
* A/M-F/M-Cassette RAS w/ 4 Speakers (Standard Equipment Starting in 2000)
* A/M-F/M-Cassette-CD Combo RAZ w/ 4 Speakers OR 6 Amplified Infinity Speakers (Joystick Balance/Fader Controls and 3-Band Equalizer)

The faceplates differed from early '97 to late '97+ models (namely on the RAL and RAS, with their screens and the cassette deck being integrated into the screen on the older models) but that doesn't matter... it's the same radio.
The RAL and RAS were made in-house by Chrysler's Huntsville, Alabama Electronics Plant, while I believe Mitsubishi made the RAZ. Also, while the RAS was used exclusively with the 4-speaker audio system, it CAN be used with the 6-speaker Infinity system as well (you just don't get that Midrange adjustment control). The Infinity system was ONLY offered on the Classic and Limited after 1999.

Hope this helps a bit.

-Vince

 

Thanks for the all the info, everybody. This all helps a LOT