Has anyone installed any aftermarket car audio. I wanted to put my previous cd/mp3 player from my old car. Is it staright forward or should it be done be professionals. Also I have the Boston Acoustic upgrade if that makes a difference. thanks.

Have you checked out Crutchfield?

They are great. Click on the "outfit my car" link. I have bought from them in the past and they give you great step by step installation instructions.

The real reason I am trying to help you out however is because I am looking to buy the upgraded stereo you have. I just have the basic one. So if you wind up pulling yours out - shoot me an email if you want to sell it.

Hi.. i'm interested in having an aftermarket stereo installed in my as well, but the only problem is that when i called a car audio store, they told me that not only do i need the dash kit, which they had. I also needed some kind of module that is not currently on the market, considering the newness of the patriot. He said that alot of the cars built this year are having that same problem. Apparently this module is supposed to make the electrical system such as the keyless entry and everything else that makes the patriot functional, work together. Without it, the patriot wouldn't start up correctly (electrical system).. i.e. keyless sentry, alarm, etc... he said to call back to check periodically...or sometime this summer for this to be available.

oh yeah... forgot to add, i've checked out crutchfield, and they have the dash kit, but unfortunately, if you live in Canada, such as i do, they can't deliver up here, and i've checked the canada sight for crutchfield, but that website kinda sucks, cause they don't have a car audio section. This kit is made by Scosche, and they apparently don't have the kit for the patriot 07 yet... google Scosche and you will see... i kinda wished i ordered the better stereo system now... the current stock isn't bad at all :) but now i just have to wait till they make the kit for my patriot...

Yeah i'm from Canada also and did notice it's a bit harder to source parts. I called Kromer Radio http://www.kromerradio.com/index.html in Toronto and they said they had the module in stock. Cost around $210 dollars. They also have the mounting $25 and antenna adapter $15. So for now i guess this is the best place for me to get work done. I'm going to call around a bit more and try to find a better deal. Although Kromer does deal with certain Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler dealerships in the GTA and they do have a good reputation, so I wouldn't feel hesitant to bring my car there.

Check ebay for these electronic boxes. I know that my cousin has a 07 Dodge Ram and he needed it to allow the dimmer to work on his deck properly as well as a few other lighting issues. He was quoted $125 from a local car audio dealer and ended up buying the kit off ebay for $30 delivered. Has had it for 3 months and no problems with it...

Another problem (possibly) with the new stereo's is the CANBUS. As everything is integrated into the vehicle computer system, I'd imagine that removing the factory radio would render the 9 speaker amplifier useless and that might make some of the speakers in-operative. Crutchfield has a forum where you can ask questions and you might get some more solid advice.

www.community.crutchfield.com

As far as mounting a radio, just remove the center bezel and then the standard 4 screws, harness and then reinstall the new stuff.


Goodluck!

Here's what I have discovered about adding an aftermarket radio to the Patriot.
(Disclaimer: Any or all of this info may be wrong and/or old news)

You will need
1-Chrysler CHYAH05
"The CHYAH05 is designed to allow the replacement of a factory radio with an aftermarket head-unit in select late model Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. Provides a time saving professional head-unit installation while retaining full use of the factory amplifier and speaker system. The CHYAH05 is the perfect plug & Play solution when installing a aftermarket navigation radio.

To retain the factory vehicles steering wheel controls the PESWICAN and a radio model specific PESW series interface is required."

2-Chyrsler PESWICAN
"Steering Wheel Control Interface for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Audi, VW and Mercedes vehicles. Interprets data on the vehicles network to retains factory steering wheel controls when installing an aftermarket radio. Must be used in conjunction with other PESWI series interfaces.

* Retain steering wheel controls when replacing factory headunit

* Must be used with PESWIX, PESWIECL, PESWIPS, or PESWIAKJC steering wheel control interface

* Plug-n-Play installation when used with the CHYAH05 and an accompanying steering wheel control interface "

3-Chrysler PESWIPS (This model will vary with your receiver)
Pioneer and Sony Radios

# Retains the use of factory steering wheel controls
# Works with Pioneer and Sony radios with external
# wired remote control input
# Retains steering wheel heater and A/C controls on
# all equipped GM vehicles
# Easy to Install

I got all this info from peripheralelectronics.com and you can pick up the trio of parts on ebay for around $170-$180 bucks.

fwiw
Jim

i found these pics of aftermarket decks installed , so someone out there has it working in their patriot...:smiley_thumbs_up: oh yeah... check out the component speakers on the door...that's different.

Thanks for the pics!

From what I have read, getting an aftermarket to work in the Pat is as simple as using a Crutchfield kit and plugging it in.

It's if you want to keep all your steering wheel controls and Information center read outs, and not run the risk of turning on your check engine light, that it gets complicated and requires the hook up of the 3 devices I mentioned above.

You can also get a new center console cover(pic attached) without those hideous half moons around the volume and tuner knobs for about $45 bucks.

Personally if I was going thru the trouble of installing an aftermarket kit I would use the new console also. To me, those half moons scream 'I AM AN AFTERMARKET INSTALL!!'

Wow - Thanks to all that have posted the great info and pic's!!! - What a wealth of info to sift through - I think I'll maybe end up keeping the factory unit and pick up a $5 cable and connect my MP3 player to the Aux port instead.

Do you have the link for that dash cover. I have an aftermarket video system on my pat and I need one of those bad.

Scroll to the bottom. (http://justforjeeps.com/aurarecamwcd.html)

Mine just arrived today. INcludes the front bezel and the metal mount.

I am installing a REC unit and iPod integration sometime this week.

Cheers,
Jim

I am going to install a jensen in dash dvd player through circuit city. (Firedog) Do they automaticly install these parts? Are they included in the price? Does cruse control still work without these parts? If I get it through circuit city, do I need to worry about these parts?

A lot of questions, but it will be useful to know the answer to them, since I am planning to install it within a few days. I love my pat!

I am going to install a jensen in dash dvd player through circuit city. (Firedog) Do they automaticly install these parts? Are they included in the price? If I get it through circuit city, do I need to worry about these parts?


You probably need to talk to circuit city about what is included, how they plan on going about installing it, and what it is going to look like afterwards.
I would imagine they are looking to do it as quick and cheap as possible to get the job done. Unless you ask for more.
But I could be wrong.

Does cruse control still work without these parts?

The cruise control is not contingent on these parts being installed.

Cheers,
Jim

hi guys, i've done some research and found that you'll need these...

The C2R-CHY allows for easy connection of an aftermarket stereo or navigation system to many 2004 and newer Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler vehicles. This interface provides Accessory output, Reverse signal, Park light signal, Vehicle speed signal and Parking brake outputs.

The C2R-CHY also will turn on the factory data controlled amplifier if equipped.

If the vehicle has steering wheel controls then use the SWI-CAN interface and either the QWI-X, SWI-ALP, SWI-PS or SWI-ECL to use the steering wheel controls to control the new stereo.

Part Number: C2R-CHY
Now shipping! The C2R-CHY allows you to replace the factory radio in 2005-2006 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles. The C2R-CHY provides Accessory, Parking Brake, Reverse, Parking light and VSS outputs. The C2R-CHY auto detects the factory amplifier in the vehicle and turns it on via the C2R-CHY's remote input wire.
The factory amplifier, if available in the vehicle, has only two channel input. When connecting an aftermarket stereo, only two channels can be used. There will be no fading capability of the aftermarket stereo.
2004 Durango, For 2005-2006 Magnum, 300c, Charger, Durango, Grand Cherokee, 2006 Ram, 2007 Caliber and Jeep Commander.

PAC SWI-CAN

You want to install an aftermarket receiver in your vehicle, but you hate the idea of giving up the convenience of your steering wheel controls. The PAC SWI-CAN interface allows you to use the steering wheel controls with an aftermarket receiver in a variety of 2004-up Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles. Dimensions: 3-5/8"W x 1"H x 1-9/16"D. Warranty: 1 year.

Important Note: The SWI-CAN must be used in conjunction with the optional steering wheel interface module for the specific aftermarket receiver you're installing. Please enter your vehicle information or call a Sales Advisor at 1-888-955-6000 to find out if this model is compatible with your vehicle.

i got this information courtesy of Vinnie Nguyen at www.carstereo.com /NSTALLR
www.myspace.com/nstallr
www.kaossaudio.com
New Orleans, Louisiana

he's also here on the forum...he's been very helpful and he's got that awesome looking red patriot witht the huge wheels and custom paint job, the one that won the pioneer finals... if you have any questions ask him, he has an awesome stereo setup.

i ordered this from crutchfield and just got it today,little package but came in a huge box, but anyways...this is what i found that fits the patriot. The sku number is 142CR1286B and it's found on the crutchfield Canadian site, as well as the American site,but i could only order it from Canada. or it's just called CR1286B. I still need the C2R-CHY and probably the PAC SWI-CAN to finish the connection. I've posted a few pics of how it looks like with the aftermarket stereo in and without.;) notice where the round dials are, they're now half moons to fit the aftermarket stereo. I'm just thinking if i should custom spray paint it to blend in with the silver panel instead of having all that blackness around, so that all you see is only the deck.

Thanks, buying it today!

i just took out the stereo from the bracket to get them spray painted to match the console panel. I'll put it all back together and repost the pictures with the new color (silver/gray) gotta let it dry first :) ...stay tuned...

well, it's all dried now and installed into the bracket, and here's the final product. Just need to get the rest of the gears to get this installed into the patriot and i'll post pics as soon as that's done. :) but for now..here's how it looks...:banana: the last pic is without the faceplate.

Is NAV bezel "double -din" size?

to those in the 'know', I was wondering if there are any additional caveats now in 2012? I'm looking to upgrade the stock unit in 2011 Jeep Patriot (w/ sound and sun group) so obviously i would need a subwoofer in, but I would like to also retain the steering wheel controls, etc.