How to Upgrade Your Jeep Wrangler Sound System
Installing a new Jeep Wrangler sound system is a serious upgrade for your off-road experience—but it could also raise your insurance costs.
Written by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The standard sound system on a Jeep Wrangler features eight small speakers with no tweeters or subwoofers. To upgrade the sound system on your Wrangler, replacing the speakers and installing an amplifier are two key steps.
The Jeep Wrangler is legendary for a reason. Originally created for the Second World War, it stood the test of time as a brutally capable, effortlessly cool off-road vehicle. But it’s not without its weak points, from clumsy handling on paved paths to—let’s face it—a downright disappointing audio setup.
If you want to really blast those tunes from the trail, you’ll probably want to upgrade your Wrangler’s sound system. Here to help you do that is
Jerry
, the trusted broker app with the Wrangler specs and car insurance
savings you need. We’ll compare the standard sound systems in all four Wrangler generations, go over some basic upgrades to help you level up your audio experience, and throw out some tips for saving on
Jeep Wrangler insurance costs
. What kind of sound system does a Jeep Wrangler have?
The sound system in your Jeep Wrangler depends on the age and trim level of your vehicle. Here’s how they compare:
- Jeep Wrangler YJ (1987-1996): two speakers plus a rear soundbar (upper trims only)
- Jeep Wrangler TJ (1997-2006): two to four speakers
- Jeep Wrangler JK (2007-2014): six speakers including dashboard tweeters
- Jeep Wrangler JL (2015-present): eight speakers, including mid-range dashboard speakers and rear soundbar
Prior to 2015, the premium sound system available for the Jeep Wrangler was a seven-speaker 368-watt Infinity premium amplified audio system with a subwoofer. In 2015, Jeep introduced a new nine-speaker premium audio system from Alpine. This sound system, which is available as an option on all Wrangler models and standard equipment on the top-of-the-line Rubicon 392, includes a 552-watt amplifier and an all-weather subwoofer mounted in the rear cargo area.
Other audio options in your Wrangler might include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, which is standard on all models from 2017 and up. The optional UConnect infotainment system won’t improve the sound quality in your Wrangler, but it will open up new connectivity.
Whether you’re playing your music via a Bluetooth connection, an aux cord, or the radio, the quality of your music depends on the speakers in your stereo system. If you’ve got a high-quality Wrangler JL audio system, you’re probably all set—but if not, it’s time to start looking at aftermarket options to upgrade.
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How to upgrade a Jeep Wrangler sound system
The exact upgrades your car audio system needs will depend in part on the exact age and model of your Wrangler. In general, though, you’ll want to look at three key upgrades: new speakers, an amplifier, and subwoofers.
Start with speaker upgrades
The simplest way to improve sound quality in your Wrangler is by swapping out the factory speakers with a better version.
Be prepared to spend a tidy chunk of cash on your speaker upgrade—and, if you’re not already familiar with the intricate inner workings of your Wrangler, consider hiring a professional to handle the installation. The Wrangler’s factory-installed speakers are quite small, and many replacements will require some adaptation to install.
You’ll have to decide whether you want to swap out all your speakers, or just focus on one area of the car, such as the front speaker pods or the rear overhead soundbar. You’ll also need to choose between coaxial speakers, which are considerably cheaper, and component speakers, which deliver a clearer sound quality. Aftermarket stereo upgrade options for a Wrangler JL include:
If you own an older (pre-2015) Wrangler, you could even get an
OEM rear door speaker upgrade
from Jeep’s Mopar store. Pump up the bass with a subwoofer
A key component of any car stereo upgrade is a subwoofer. You can install a subwoofer in your Wrangler’s trunk or underneath the seat—either way, just make sure that it’s in weather-resistant housing so it can withstand the elements when you’re out on the trail!
For a Wrangler JK, it’s hard to beat the subwoofer built especially for your Jeep: the
Alpine Electronics SBV-10-WRA Pre-Loaded 10" Subwoofer System
. Or, if you’re looking for something a little smaller, consider the KICKER 11HS8 8" 150W Hideaway Car Audio Powered Subwoofer
. And for the 2018-up Jeep Wrangler JL, there’s the SSV Works 10" Subwoofer Enclosure with Kicker Comp RT Woofer
, which fits neatly in your trunk and delivers clear, powerful sound that’ll rock your world! What’s the difference between a 4-ohm subwoofer and a 2-ohm sub?
As you’re comparing subwoofers, you might wonder, “is 4-ohm better than 2-ohm?” There’s no objective answer—it’s a matter of taste—but what we can tell you is that you’ll get louder, punchier sound with a 2-ohm sub and deeper, clearer sound with 4 ohms.
Boost the power with an amplifier
Finally, it’s time to turn up the dial on your whole sound system with an amplifier.
A good amp will bring even your factory-installed Wrangler stereo to life by unlocking more power. More power means more sound—and with a subwoofer under the seat or in your trunk, you’ll hear the difference immediately! Look for something like this
JL Audio Monoblock Class D Subwoofer Amplifier
. How to protect your Jeep Wrangler sound system—and save on insurance!
One of the only drawbacks of upgrading your Wrangler’s sound system is the effect it could have on your insurance premium. Typically, your
car insurance
policy is only meant to cover your vehicle’s factory equipment, so an aftermarket stereo system won’t be covered. That’s why some insurance companies offer special
sound system coverage
to protect those valuable new parts. Adding sound system insurance to your policy will raise your rate. Even if you don’t choose to insure the stereo, your premium could go up due to the increased risk of theft created by your sweet new audio setup. That’s where
Jerry
comes in. Jerry thinks you should be able to breathe new life into your ride without being punished with unmanageable insurance costs. We’ll help you find a new low rate in under a minute just by answering a few simple questions. “I’ve shaved off at least $50 a month usingJerry. For now, I chose only to pay for state minimums, but I am confident that with Jerry, I can upgrade or change my coverage at any time. The AI-integrated process is really intuitive, too!” —Fred D.
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What sound system does Jeep use?
Jeep’s premium audio system, available as an option on all Jeep Wrangler models since 2015, is a nine-speaker Alpine sound system. Other Jeep models, such as the Grand Cherokee and Grand Wagoneer, feature premium sound systems from McIntosh Automotive.
How many speakers does a Jeep Wrangler sound system have?
The number of speakers in your Jeep Wrangler depends on which Wrangler generation it’s part of. Wrangler YJ and TJ models (1987-2006) have two to four speakers, while third-generation JK models between 2007 and 2015 have a standard six-speaker configuration. If your Wrangler was manufactured after 2015, it likely has the eight-speaker sound system that became standard from that year on.
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