Hello all, New to the forum but not new to forums in general.

Before I get flamed for this question:

Yes I did search and read a TON of posts/threads. None of them have entirely answered my question though. I have a '98 XJ SE with a crappy sound system. I am upgrading the front speakers to components, and adding an amp and an 8" Sub in the XJ Pod Box.

I however would like a rear sound bar or at least rear speakers without giving up floor space to store 6x9's in boxes.

Apparently some of the Cherokees come with Sound Bars and some come with the speakers integrated into the headliner. I have read conflicting opinions on which mine should have.

Also, I know nobody makes an aftermarket sound bar and when I went to the junkyard here they only had 1 Cherokee and it did not have one in it. Maybe nobody around here ever totals one, or they all get turned into rock crawlers and taken down to MOAB?

So, what I need to know is will any sound bar from any Cherokee fit in my '98? Or will I have to replace the entire headliner with one out of say a '99 - '00...not that either is available right now.

I won't go through the trouble of installing a new headliner. I would like to find a sound bar for a reasonable price (there is one for $80 on eBay right now) and install it.

Or, should I just give up?

Thanks in advance,
KK

FLAME ON!

 

Any XJ soundbar will fit in any XJ.

 

Do you know where the wiring harness is for the sound bar and how it fits in?

When I got my XJ, the sound bar was out of the car. I have never seen one installed so I don't know whether it goes in there crossways or lengthwise and have no clue where the harness is or which wires do what.

Any ideas?

 

It goes across the vehicle, between the two back back windows. As far as wiring, not a clue mine came with bars.

 

I also have a 98 SE and I'm in the process of replacing the headliner. I have the soundbar and it fits under the headliner backboard. So you may need the soundbar headliner backboard as well.

 

Looks like it just gets clipped into the headliner trim. Never heard of a different headliner for one.



Also... I hear that the wiring for it is under the headliner. Most any option is already wired in, though your XJ may not have come with it. (Typical they are missing switches and relays if they are required but the wiring is there)

You should also have speakers in the rear hatch. My XJ has space for 2 speakers in the dash, 2 in the doors, 2 in the hatch, and then you have the other 2 in the soundbar.

 

That's what I needed to know, thanks.

Just like in the pic, and I have read that the wires could be behind the rear side panel on the drivers side...? Unless you just want to send it to me...?

 

thats for old xjs.....
here is mine, its flush with the headliner board
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/98...34916/index12/

 

you could always make your own boxes and hook them up with wire straight from the head unit

 

I think I'll stick it back up there. Just finished the headliner last night and re-installed it. Came out nice but not perfect...never did one before...but I'm not unhappy. One minor wrinkle in it but, by and large, it looks great. A steamer is a must-have for getting out creases before you start. Now I gotta buy some speakers...and a stereo head unit.

 

There's threads here for mounting 6x9's in the rear hatch. And just ran new wire. That's what I did.

 

Here's my build for a custom sub enclosure for the rear. Doesn't take up hardly any space which seems to be a concern of yours. And since you're going with an 8" I don't think all out bass is what you're looking for. My setup with a 10" has all the bass I need.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f58/fi...re-rear-52059/