[NOCARRIER]

Hi. I have a 2000 WJ (GCL) it has the Bose system with amp and the volume and other misc controls for the stereo built into the steering wheel.

I'd like to replace the stock deck that is in the vehicle, but I'd really like to keep using the steering wheel controls to control the new stereo head unit.

Is this even possible? Is there a conversion kit or some way to wire the controls up to the new deck?

Also, what about the stock amp - if I get a new deck will that stock amp still work with the 6 speakers in the truck?

Thanks.

Nocarrier

[jcool1985]

Yes there is a way to keep your steering wheel controls. It is made by PAC and it is a steering wheel control adapter. PAC SWI-JACK Steering wheel control interface for Alpine, Clarion, JVC, and Kenwood at Crutchfield.com for Alpine, Clarion, JVC, and Kenwood headunits or this one for Pioneer, Jensen, and Sony PAC SWI-PS Steering wheel control interface for Pioneer, Jensen, and Sony at Crutchfield.com crutchfield is a bit high I got mine on ebay for about $40 but crutchfield will help you with setup and they also send you free wiring and trim pieces if you buy a headunit through them. Just make sure the headunit your looking at will work with steering wheel controls so that it can connect to the pac unit you buy. The pac unit just plugs in to the steering wheel control input on the new headunit you buy. You then wire the pac unit to keyed + power and ground and hook one wire I believe is red/yellow (double check me through its been awhile since I installed mine) under your steering column so that it can get the signal from the steering wheel controls. Then you program it to what steering wheel button controls what on the stereo. Sounds hard but the directions at pac's website make it pretty easy if you just go step by step. Works great in my 2001 WJ. You can keep the factory amp too. The wiring harness you will get to hook up your headunit will allow the factory amp to still function. But you may want to remove it and install a better amp if you plan to upgrade your speakers. The factory amp is pretty low on power. Have fun and good luck!

[hamilton5]

yea talk about a pain in the ***. i just use the remote that came with my deck. the steering wheel buttons were kinda nice. I have way more functionality from my new deck, so im not going to worrie about some buttons on the steering wheel. my deck made that cheep infinity amp clip, to much power, so I bypassed it. the tweeters don't work, but i've got 2 way speakers in the doors. I read those tweets are pretty flimsy and go out anyway.

[fiercePierce]

Originally Posted by hamilton5

yea talk about a pain in the ***. i just use the remote that came with my deck. the steering wheel buttons were kinda nice. I have way more functionality from my new deck, so im not going to worrie about some buttons on the steering wheel. my deck made that cheep infinity amp clip, to much power, so I bypassed it. the tweeters don't work, but i've got 2 way speakers in the doors. I read those tweets are pretty flimsy and go out anyway.

agreed, i don't need these steering wheel buttons with my stereo. but maybe they can control somethinggg...anyone attempted?

and regarding the tweets, mine are blown. disconnected them, now waiting for suitable replacements to come along, what have y'all used up there in the dash for that?

PS.....bump lol
definitely missed the date on this one

[Richd1963]

Well since you are asking. I replaced my stock front infinity system with a pair of infinity Kappa's 5 1/4" components and mounted the tweeter in the A pillar. On the TJ I located them at almost eye level. If they are too sharp for your liking they can be toned down at the crossover with I think a 3db cut. The speakers sound awesome.

[fiercePierce]

Originally Posted by Richd1963

Well since you are asking. I replaced my stock front infinity system with a pair of infinity Kappa's 5 1/4" components and mounted the tweeter in the A pillar. On the TJ I located them at almost eye level. If they are too sharp for your liking they can be toned down at the crossover with I think a 3db cut. The speakers sound awesome.

Nice! i hope i can find a good deal OL for some door speakers and tweets. the stereo shop jew said i should save 300ducklings and he'll set it up. i think not

although he was saying something like the dash speakers were just that, speakers and not tweeters. so i should probably find those 2 3/4 speakers instead of tweets

and again, regarding the steering wheel buttons...maybe they can control somethinggg...anyone attempted?

[Boodyrider]

A competent installer can make those buttons do damn near anything you might want. No, not Best Buy. A shop with talented installers can, though.

[97Formulaws-6]

Originally Posted by Boodyrider

A competent installer can make those buttons do damn near anything you might want. No, not Best Buy. A shop with talented installers can, though.

Not really... it takes some custom circuitry to get them to "make those buttons do damn near anything".

The PAC stuff is nice; the hardest part is extending and running the wires for the IR emitter; the rest is simple. I used the PAC SWI-X unit, and extended the emitter wires, then mounted the emitter in the overhead console with some 5-minute epoxy into a small hole.

The steering wheel buttons only have 2 wires that come out of the column. When you press a button it connects the 2 wires with a resistance, each button has a different resistance. You'd have to make a custom circuit that would read this resistance and then operate a specific output/low current relay or MOSFET. Then use that to drive a normal 12V relay. Sounds simple in theory, but it's not easy or in the capabilities of most shops.