Aftermarket Radio Installation Information. Quick and easy.

dB-SPL · Mar 30, 2013

All too often I see people either limiting themselves to the stock unit simply because they're intimidated by the thought of installing an aftermarket radio on their own. Or.. They end up shelling out ridiculous amounts of money to have a "professional" do it for them. Using the harnesses available today, you can revert back to the stock radio whenever you please because no wire cutting is needed. If you can twist wires together, use tape and/or wire nuts and turn a screwdriver, this is NOT "out of your league"!

If you're willing to do a small amount of research about your specific vehicle such as:
- The obvious.. Year of Patriot
- If you have/want to retain steering wheel controls
- Do you have a "Premium Sound" and/or Nav package?
You need to know this information so you can buy the correct harness/adapter(s) for your specific application.

I've used PAC for most of the wiring related adapters and it's a breeze.
http://www.pac-audio.com/
Just enter your vehicle information and they'll show you what's available for your 'Riot.

Next, you'll need to figure out which DIN size radio you plan to install so you know what dash kit is for you. Pretty simple here.. Most commonly either a single DIN or double DIN. I've had both single and double DIN's in my 'Riot and the only difference was the metal bracket in the dash you'll need to remove if using a double DIN unit. No biggie.
I found the dash kit, PAC harness and antenna adapter for my vehicle on eBay for $80 total.

Here's a quick video I made to show how to remove the bezel/radio in my 2011.

Hope this helps those who are interested in exploring the lovely world of aftermarket audio. Enjoy!

ElWorm · Mar 30, 2013

Very nice demonstration video. I have to disagree with you about removing the OEM metal bracket, though, I had a heck of a time getting it out.

Excellent video, needs to be in the Knowledge Base

NHPATRIOT · Mar 30, 2013

Helpful video to someone who has never done it before but you should do it with the radio off at the least. I would personally always disconnect the negative cable if removing a head unit.

dB-SPL · Mar 30, 2013

If I were actually wiring anything I would take the precaution, but it was simply removing and poppin it back in. Even when I do wire em up, I usually don't disconnect the battery. Just wire the harness to the radio without the harness being plugged in. Same concept. That way no stripped wires are dangling around while hot.

deejayMB · Mar 31, 2013

Thanks for the great video.

Ericandmandy08@aol.com · Feb 14, 2016

2014 Jeep Patriot latitude help

I am trying to install aftermarket radio on 2014 Jeep Patriot latitude can anybody tell me which face plate and adaptor for steering wheel controls. Maybe also what harness.
Installing a pioneer AVH-X3800BHS double din. Thanks

croat · Feb 14, 2016

dB-SPL

You need to forewarn folks that most aftermarket head units do not fit the Patriot's enclosure. I had to go through a few before I found one that fit, they were too big for the dash opening. I ended up with the Jensen that I have as that was the one that fit.

croat · Feb 14, 2016

Ericandmandy08@aol.com said:
I am trying to install aftermarket radio on 2014 Jeep Patriot latitude can anybody tell me which face plate and adaptor for steering wheel controls. Maybe also what harness.
Installing a pioneer AVH-X3800BHS double din. Thanks

Here is my thread, HU under $300 ..... go for it.

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273218&highlight=jensen&page=3

moparnumber1 · Feb 14, 2016

Please dont use vinyl tape when wiring a radio. use bell-caps and crimp the wires together. It gets really hot behind the radio, and not too long ago we just had 15 cars burn down at an apartment because someone used electrical tape on their stereo install. The adhesive gets gooey and the tape slips off, leaving the wires exposed.

But thanks for the instructions! We get a LOT of repeated questions about radio installs.

dmill89 · Feb 14, 2016

moparnumber1 said:
Please dont use vinyl tape when wiring a radio. use bell-caps and crimp the wires together. It gets really hot behind the radio, and not too long ago we just had 15 cars burn down at an apartment because someone used electrical tape on their stereo install. The adhesive gets gooey and the tape slips off, leaving the wires exposed.

X2, If you have the skills and tools solder and heat-shrink are even better, that is how I've done all my stereo installs and never had an issue, but yes at the very least use crimp connectors, and then use tape over the crimps if you want, but never just tape. If you do use any tape (again only in addition to something else), spend the money (not much, about $5) on scotch super 33+ or super 88+, the cheap "made in China" electrical tape is all crap and won't last long, especially if exposed to high heat.

croat · Feb 14, 2016

I have always used electrical tape for wiring, never had a single issue as it is done properly and there is no way for any of the wiring to be exposed. Also in regards to a car catching on fire .... really! Sounds as something from an email chain letter. Radios and cars have fuses to prevent shorts and a spark igniting 15 cars seems to have the same odds of me wining the Powerball tomorrow.

moparnumber1 said:
Please dont use vinyl tape when wiring a radio. use bell-caps and crimp the wires together. It gets really hot behind the radio, and not too long ago we just had 15 cars burn down at an apartment because someone used electrical tape on their stereo install. The adhesive gets gooey and the tape slips off, leaving the wires exposed.

But thanks for the instructions! We get a LOT of repeated questions about radio installs.

dmill89 · Feb 14, 2016

croat said:
I have always used electrical tape for wiring, never had a single issue as it is done properly and there is no way for any of the wiring to be exposed. Also in regards to a car catching on fire .... really! Sounds as something from an email chain letter. Radios and cars have fuses to prevent shorts and a spark igniting 15 cars seems to have the same odds of me wining the Powerball tomorrow.

I would guess it was more than a simple factory stereo replacement since that should be protected with multiple fuses, but I definitely have heard of fires related to aftermarket stereos, often due to poor amp/subwoofer install. When I got my XJ the previous owner had removed the sub they had added, but left the wiring behind, including an un-fused 4AWG cable directly from the positive battery cable passing through the firewall with no grommet, definitely a fire hazard, which I removed immediately.

I've also never had good electrical (Scotch 33+, etc.) tape simply come undone (in fact I have used in in engine bays subject to plenty of temperature extremes and have had to fight to get it off years later when I needed to get into that wiring again), but I have seen the cheap $1/roll Chinese tape loose anything resembling adhesive properties within a year (don't use that crap myself, but have seen issues on other's vehicles, and "repairs" from previous owners) which it did nearly fall off on it's own and I could see the vibrations of a vehicle knocking this stuff off.

JeepNorway · Feb 25, 2016

Hey, i have a jensen player in. Everything works fine but no sound at all. What can the problem be?

max_ · Dec 29, 2016

thanks for the great video!

how do you remove the metal bracket in the dash (to install a double din radio)?

zettler · Jan 17, 2017

I am having a bear of a time finding a radio wiring harness for my BASIC 2009 Jeep Patriot.

It DOES NOT have controls on the steering wheel.

It DOES NOT have any add-one like navigation or the like.

It is just a simple AM/FM CD radio with an opening for external input (3mm) Jack.

Any suggestions out there as all I am finding are wiring harnesses at Crutchfield and the above for $60- $160+.

Thank you in advance.

factotumer · Jun 11, 2017

I have the same radio, same issue in a 2015 Patriot. Did you ever locate a harness for the basic radio, no steering wheel controls, no blue tooth, etc?

zettler · Jun 11, 2017

factotumer said:
I have the same radio, same issue in a 2015 Patriot. Did you ever locate a harness for the basic radio, no steering wheel controls, no blue tooth, etc?

Not yet as I had to prioritize my tasks BUT I truly would like to get it done as right now I am sitting right next to the Kenwood KDC-BT762HD I bought to replace the stock radio....

alacran60622 · Jun 25, 2017

zettler said:
I am having a bear of a time finding a radio wiring harness for my BASIC 2009 Jeep Patriot.

It DOES NOT have controls on the steering wheel.

It DOES NOT have any add-one like navigation or the like.

It is just a simple AM/FM CD radio with an opening for external input (3mm) Jack.

Any suggestions out there as all I am finding are wiring harnesses at Crutchfield and the above for $60- $160+.

Thank you in advance.

This what u need for a basic install, I used this on mine for the new double din stereo I installed

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

avatarandrew · Nov 21, 2018

HI im new to this, I ordered a harness and it came with a separate Red wire like that one. Where does that need to be routed to and from? The harness i have already has a red wire in with the rest. Any help would be appreciated! I have a 2008 patriot with all the basic things. No steering controls, nav, or amp

Aftermarket Radio Installation Information. Quick and easy.

dB-SPL

ElWorm

NHPATRIOT

dB-SPL

deejayMB

Ericandmandy08@aol.com

croat

croat

moparnumber1

dmill89

croat

dmill89

JeepNorway

max_

zettler

factotumer

zettler

alacran60622

avatarandrew

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