I decided not to get the in-dash CD player as an option on my 1999 Jeep Cherokee. I suppose I could get an in-dash tuner/CD player from Sony, Blaupunkt, Alpine, Nakamichi or any number of other manufacturers, but I really like the controls on the factory tuner/cassette deck. Of course, I’m not going to spend $600 plus labour for a factory stereo with a CD player in it!
Last year I briefly looked for a CD changer that I could mount elsewhere, with the intent of sticking it under the right passenger seat. The seat rails are too close together.
I’m thinking of getting a “gate” to mount the spare tyre on, and mounting a CD changer where the spare is now. There really isn’t anywhere else I can think of that would A) keep the deck from damage when I carry loads; and B) keep the deck out of the way when I want to carry loads.
Jeep Cherokee Owners: Where is a good place in a Cherokee to mount a CD changer?
Well, I am a bit suprised that the seat rails are too narrow for you. My old sony would have fit in it easy.
So, first guess would be: Find a changer that fits and buy it.
If you already own it though, you are more than likely going to have to go in the cargo area, unless you want to go under the back seat where the jack is, but that would probably be too tight.
My idea would be to build a custom little box to mount it in and carpet it so it looks factory, and either bolt it to the side or stick it upright behind the back seat.
Thanks for the comments, bernse. No, I don’t have a CD changer already. I went to Circuit City and said something like, “I’m looking for a CD changer. Where can I mount it?” A guy came out to my Jeep with me and measured the seat rails (we had discussed putting it under the seat) and he announced that the CD changer would not fit. Maybe I should go to a different place.
I did think about a little custom box with grey carpeting, but I have film equipment that I need to move around on occasion, and a box would get in the way. (So does the spare, for that matter.) I’d like to keep the cargo area as clear as possible.
I also thought about putting it under the back seat, but there isn’t much space there. What little room there is has my rope, machete, folding shovel, work gloves, jumper cables, etc. There’s not really enough space for my first aid kit, so that’s hanging on a strap that’s stretched across the spare tyre. (If I’m off-road, I want to be prepared!)
I’ll have one more look for a CD changer that fits; otherwise I’ll have to get a gate for the back, or find some other creative place for it.
(Or use the portable Discman with the cassette adapter.)
In the soon-to-be-resurrected Wagoneer (see sig), I built a plywood center console to hold my changer. You can also buy consoles that one will fit in (unless you have a bench seat–then you’re screwed.).