Alpine’s Ultimate Jeep JL And Gladiator Upgrade
There is no denying that the Jeep JL is a solid step forward over the previous-generation JK. Jeep engineers did their homework and created a new Wrangler that is almost better in every way. Sure, it might not be the complete rethink that some wanted. But it is definitely the best Wrangler yet.
One of the most visible upgrades is the JL’s new interior. Gone is the sea of dark plastic that was the Jeep JK. And, thankfully defunct are the 430 and 130 radio options. Both look like they were designed by a retired Atari engineer in his spare time. If the JK came out in 1997, the 130 and 430 might have been “fresh and exciting” options. Unfortunately, for Jeep, the JK came out a decade later.
All of that is in the past. The Jeep JL is available with either a Uconnect 3 with a 5-inch display, a Uconnect 4 with a 7-inch display, or the Uconnect 4 with navigation and an 8.4-inch screen. Unfortunately, the later is only available on Sahara or Rubicon models. If you are trying to save some money on your new JL by buying a Sport or Sport S, you are stuck with either a 5-inch or 7-inch display. In this era of giant screens, both look a bit long in the tooth.
Thankfully, Alpine has a solution for both the Jeep JL and Gladiator. The new X409-WRA-JL replaces the factory system with a beautiful 9-inch display. And, like the version for the Jeep JK, the X409-WRA-JL comes with a ton of features. It is compatible with Android Auto, Apple Car Play, Sirius XM, Pandora, and is all-weather resistant. Let’s take a closer look.
This Jeep JL Rubicon came from the factory with the 7-inch Uconnect 4 system. The plan was always to upgrade it to Alpine’s new 9-inch X409-WRA-JL. Even though the Uconnect 4 is a 7-inch display, it still seems tiny by today’s standards.
Alpine’s Camera Interface module for the Jeep JL allows the X409-WRA-JL to use the factory backup camera. It is included with the system along with everything else you need for installation. There is no need to install a separate wiring harness or a new camera as the module is plug and play.
If this picture scares you, we suggest leaving the installation to the professionals. There is a lot of wiring behind the JL’s dash that is hard to access. Installing the X409-WRA-JL isn’t necessarily hard, but it is time consuming.
While the installation might take a while, the result is definitely worth it. Compared to the 7-inch UConnect system, the 9-inch Alpine X409-WRA-JL looks amazing. It is fully compatible with Android Auto and Apple Car Play, making integrating with your mobile phone seamless. Navigation is also easier with the larger screen.
The Alpine X409-WRA-JL features several ways to enjoy music. Pandora, Spotify, and Sirius XM are all part of the system. There is also an HD Radio tuner, and you can listen to music straight off your phone as well. If you want that must to sound better, Alpine also offers a new sound system upgrade for the Jeep JL and Gladiator.
One thing we really like about all of Alpine’s systems is they are very customizable. Almost anything else can be adjusted. Even with all of this, Alpine’s X409-WRA-JL is still remarkably easy to use. You don’t need to spend countless hours with a manual. All you need to do is start poking around on its touch screen to enjoy it.
2