i've done a search and there doesn't seem to be clear answers so i'm going to post a new thread. apologies in advance if this stuff has been covered a million times already :facejump:

we are going to replace the headunit in our TJ sports with something aftermarket. i've never done car audio before so i've got two questions:

1) is there a plug-and-play adaptor i can use so i don't have to butcher the mitsubishi wiring harness? a few threads have mentioned the Aerpro adaptors but there's a few different ones (ap7011 and ap717011 to be exact) and i'm not sure which one will fit.
2) what's a good brand for head units to buy? i'm completely new to car audio so i have no idea. we'd be happy with something low/middle end (~$200) and i'm just going to run it on the factory speakers.

cheers all advice welcome :)

What you can do for wiring is use a Mitsubishi->ISO adapter (http://www.aerpro.com.au/list.php?pcode=APP0111&cat_name=harnesses&cat_no=10&product_name=ISO+Connector+to+most+late+model+Mits ubishi&cat_sno=160), and then a ISO-to-headunit (http://www.aerpro.com.au/list.php?cat_no=10&cat_name=harnesses&cat_sno=161) adapter.

If you're only after a basic system, any brand-name unit from a reputable store will do the job. Even budget models these days have AUX/USB inputs. Having said that, I'm a fan of Pioneer, and I've heard that JVC are quite good for the money.

I found a Magna to ISO plug at Repco in North Parramatta when I did mine a few months ago. About $15 to 20 I think it cost.

I then butchered the ISO plug off and soldered the wires to my stereo's loom. It then plugged straight into the Magna.

Next time I'll remember to solder the loom together when all the wiring is still outside of the car - it is a bit easier that way :)

For Head units .. Its personal taste based on looks and options.

JVC = Value for Money
Pioneer = Nice Sound for the $
Eclipse = High end and great sound
Clarion = Nice options and good looks.
Sony = Nice Sound but off putting design on the head units.

Its all down to personal choice.

A Deck Should be chosen on the following

1. Integration into the cars interior : You dont want one that looks aweful.
2. Options : Does the Deck feature Sub Out for running an independant sub channel or Direct MP3 access
3. Sound : Does it have sound adjustment or just pre-set EQ's.

If your not sure on what deck to get... Go have a look round, Grab some model numbers... Post them up and we can assist in narrowing your choice down.

Just one more quick pointer if you plan to do the wiring of the new HU yourself.....

Misti OEM HU's are grounded (earth) through their chassis, and through the mounting brackets in the dash.
This means the loom plugging into the back of the HU has NIL "ground/earth" wire. Most aftermarket HU's have a ground/earth wire - you will need to attach this to a solid metallic screw/bolt under the dash, extending the wire if there isn't enough length coming with the HU.

Aerpro (or other brands) adaptors - make the job very easy and recommended by me for sure. Have a look at these at SuperCheap etc, and you should get the idea.

AP7011 is the part number for a plug connecting to your Mitsi car loom and ending in bare wires - you would use this with the plug wires that come with your new HU. BUT you will need to cross-match all the wires correctly, solder every join and cover the joins carefully. Upside: You only need buy one Aerpro product at $15-$25 approx.

APP0111 is the part number for a plug connecting to your Mitsi car loom and ending in two ISO connectors. You would then buy a corresponding Aerpro adaptor with ISO-connectors going to a plug to suit the brand of aftermarket audio you decide upon. You end-up buying TWO Aerpro products, but have "almost" no soldering (you may have to solder or otherwise deal with the "earth" wire from aftermarket HU as I have mentioned above). The part number of the second adaptor you will need obviously varies accorsing to which brand you buy.

Last tip: If you use crimp-connectors to make joins, or attach fittings to bare wires - it is VERY wise to also solder the crimp things on. I have done OK with crimps in the past, but have also had hassles with seemingly-firm connections coming apart the moment I manhandle the radio and climate panel back into my dash. Several members (TuffTR/Paul amongst them) have always advised soldering, and I have jumped-camp to adopt their point of view now.

If you are not confident, seek the help of other members or your mates.
I also advise asking to see examples of someone's work if you decide to pay for an install - cut-price/fixed-price installs (eg Autobarn etc) have produced horrifying results/damage in some cases!

thanks for the replies guys - some really fantastic information here.

i'll be doing the install myself. i've taken the centre dash apart in the Magna before to try to figure out what's wrong with the factory head unit - occassionally it stops responding to button inputs and i suspect it's due to the wiring between the factory faceplate and the unit, but it's easier just to replace than try to repair! it's fiddly enough to do that i'm hesitant to trust it to someone at autobarn/JB Hi-Fi. can imagine broken clips, stripped screws, poor wiring connections and rattles ahoy. i'm comfortable with a soldering iron so getting an AP7011 and soldering/heat shrinking it onto the new head unit sounds like the way to go.

Magnat, i guess that means that with the factory speakers any of the cheaper units would do, so it's just a matter of personal taste and aesthetics.

would there be any point getting something a bit better that the budget stuff or is it just a waste with the factory speakers? i was looking at something like the Alpine CDE-102 (~350RRP or ~200 off Ebay) - we wandered into JB Hi-Fi today and tried the Alpine units and i honestly couldn't tell the difference between the CDE-100 (cheap) and the CDE-102. the CDE-105 (~500RRP) however was noticeably better but a bit out of our budget.

Lith.. I really do have to emphasis that the stock Magna Speakers are complete Garbage.

There Eurovox 15 Watters and whilst at the moment you may be happy with their sound, a decent headunit is going to expose their major down sides.

For an Entry Level system thats going to Reap you some decent sound Would be to go for an Entry Level Deck and possibly a Set of Entry Level Speakers aswell at least for the Front doors anyway.

just as a follow up for anyone else doing this to a TJ in future. i ended up buying an Alpine CDE-102E from EBay and installed it today. for a 2003 TJ S2, i can confirm that the Aerpro AP7011 is the correct plug and the TL wiring colours/pin locations here:

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32761

also work for a TJ. in fact when soldering the Alpine head unit to the Aerpro connector you just have to match wire colours - very user friendly kit, i was very impressed.

sound quality is definitely better than the stock head unit, however as magnat said above it really exposes the limitations of the stock speakers. there's a lot more treble and unfortunately high frequencies sound bloody awful when coming from the factory speakers, i had to turn the treble right down! some time down the road i think we'll have to invest in decent front speakers with decent tweeters :)

Yes.. The speakers are Dual cone type (Meaning that the tweeter is just a small paper cone glued onto the woofer that is meant to vibrate faster and reproduce the higher frequencies) and as you have experienced, are pretty poor at best.
You dont need to spend a fortune, If you shop around you can pick up a set of Splits for under $200

Clarion SRQ series splits should be around the $170 price point.

If You have a JB HIFI nearby pop in and check out the Cadence and Orion Cobolt Series Splits..

thanks heaps for all the advice mate. under $200 is very reasonable for good quality sound. i'll check it out next time we have money to put into the car! :)