I would aim for a much newer model (2007+) and the radio will be almost up to date with most aftermarket radios you can get. Idk about you but i dont think i could go back to regular cds after i've been spoiled by data cds and my ipod...

 

questions is, are they plug and play and use the same mounting spots?
i have a suspicion that its not

 

I couldn't give up my USB port. All my songs on a thumb drive and go, but there are mods for hooking mp3 players/phones up to the stock radio if you are handy with a soldering iron.

 

check out nakamichi. They look like a hu that would come stock and sound AMAZING.

 

Could you possibly direct me to one of those threads?

 

Will do thanks!

 

Best buy. They run specials all the time. You know the fm transmitters that broadcast a weak fm signal and the radio picks that up? They are like that but hard wired so it's clean. You tune the radio to an unused station such as like 88.3 or whatever you want and you plug in your aux. it's hard wired as I mentioned so it's nice. I don't have that because I put new speakers and a nice headunit in so I just plug my iPhone into the USB. The kits are like 100 and free install from Best Buy

 

Lol thats wayyyyy too expensive. They sell those that plug into your cigarette lighter at walmart for like $15 bucks at the most. If you really wanted you could modify one of those to run on constant plugless power. Not hard, all you need is to wire a female plug somewhere under the dash plug it up and run it into the dash. A little electrical tape will keep it from slipping out. However i guess the cleaner look would be nice as well but anything can be clean looking if you take your time at it.

 

But they are chit and pickup interference

 

They wont be plug and play but they will wire up. It's about like wiring an aftermarket radio when the stock harness has been clipped.. Simple ones will be obvious and the rest are just guess and check. Mounting points shouldnt be a problem the way our radios mount, as our radios merely screw into the dash. If you can get it to fit then you're basically good to go. When i put a flip out in a 2000 xj we had the wrong mounting bracket ( i think thats what its called, it holds the radio in place and gives you mounting points for the radio) anyways, Neither screw hole lined up so i merely got a new screw around the same size with a new sharp point and screwed two new screws in the dash. So if you can find one that you like and will fit, it wont take much to make it work. Just be sure to not get a long radio.. dont have alot of space to work with in the stock radio spot..

 

They're not that bad as long as you dont get the cheapest one possible. Of course i wouldnt use them for anything that has to do with bass (aka not in my jeep) They do alright for what they are.

 

A good one is the monster one which is60. Spend the 40 more

 

Yeah, only reason i suggested the walmart one is for those who may cross this thread who just need a cheap way to listen to their ipod that arent audio nuts like us

I personally cant stand a stock head unit. I like to have more control over my audio than i'll ever need. And that's why i've never upgraded from the pioneer i have now, because i cant find a radio that has near the control or thats anywhere near as powerful

 

I'm an audiophile (not really) but I like my music. Quality klipsch headphones, kicker speakers, pioneer h/u etc. I agree but I was doing the sane thing incase audiophiles come across this thread :P

 

Lol i've got pretty much the same setup. Pioneer (old school double line display), kicker 6.5"s all around, Two JBL's set up perfectly with one of the older 1400 watt crunch groundpounders (made when crunch was making amazing amps)