I just bought a new Kenwood deck to replace the stock stereo and am definitely thinking buying the extra wiring harness is worth it so I don't have to worry about soldering all those wires. My question is, how does this work (how does the harness eliminate the need to solder/splice)? Also is this it?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JEEP-CHEROKE...-/270825169821


I noticed the ground wire on the OEM stereo is mounted with a clip-on wire connector to the metal of the headunit. The new Kenwood unit however has the ground wire (black) simply going into its wiring harness. So my question is, do I simply cut off the clip of the factory wire and solder it to the free end of the harness wire? Thanks

 

It eliminates the need to cut the factory wiring harness to install an aftermarket stereo.

 

Sorry should have been more specific; I know what it does, but how? From the pictures I've seen the harness still has loose wire ends on one side so how do they then connect to the new stereo harness wires?

 

you still need to connect the wires to the stereo, it just eliminates to cut the stock plug out, it makes it so if u wanna change the strereo later on its easier. u just connect the new harness to radio

 

Ahhh ok I see now thanks, so is that ebay ad the right thing?

 

Looks like it, but I'd go with Metra install kits. You need both the wiring harness kit and the dash install kit.

 

Is that not what that is? I already have the metal mounting bracket.
What about this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAR-STEREO-RADIO-DASH-INSTALL-KIT-INSTALLATION-TRIM-PIECE-w-Wire-Harness-/400403252144?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AJeep%7CModel%3ACherokee&hash=item5d39e4c3b0&vxp=mtr

 

There is a plastic piece that the new stereo bolts to the factory location with since the new stereo is single din and the old one is closer to 2din.
The ebay kit you linked appears to come with it, but I have no idea what the quality is on those parts. I'm going to assume it's ****ty, I have only used Metra kits, I will only recommend those.

 

Right, isn't it that larger plastic piece? haha never mind, you beat me to the edit.

 

it looks right to me. when i installed mine i went to autozone and got the parts i needed for around 25 bucks

 

So on the wiring harness for the new Kenwood unit, there are a few plastic casings covering the bare copper on some of the wire ends, will I need to cut these off or is there a way to slide the factory wires in the other end of the casing?

 

i put the smallest twist on connectors i could find on the wires that dont connect to anything and the taped them off

 

Do you have a picture of those? They might just cap some of the extra wires that are optional so that they don't short out. I put a new Sony CD player in my XJ last month, and I had a wire or two on the new stereo that I didn't need. I used butt crimp connectors to connect all my wires. Please keep the factory wiring harness intact and use the adapter harness instead of cutting off all the wires. It will make it much easier for you or anyone else to change it in the future.

 

The harness I got was at the local pep boys. You have to buy 2 parts: One goes from the jeep to a universal connector, the other goes from the universal connector to the specific brand radio you have. That made it so easy a 4 year old could do it.

 

Yeah I'll put up a picture tonight. One other question; I've noticed a lot of install kits come with an additional plastic piece that looks like it sits behind the bezel with 2 oval-shaped holes in them and a couple side panels as well. Looks like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/JEEP-CAR-STEREO-SINGLE-ISO-DIN-RADIO-INSTALL-DASH-KIT-METRA-99-6501-/200780706901?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1999%7CMake%3AJeep%7CModel%3ACherokee&hash=item2ebf767455&vxp=mtr
My question is, do I NEED these additional plastic pieces or can I simply use the bezel and stereo trim pieces?