Bubbacon

Tremendous sound difference over stock Infinity AMP... (speakers replaced as well).
However - Installation in an '11 is a ROYAL Pain in the A$$. In the '11, Jeep, in their infinite wisdom, moved the amp. It's still under the steering wheel BUT it is now mounted vertically BEHIND the speaker box.

I took photos of the job process and will post this afternoon...

Bubbacon

Why yes... as a matter of fact, I am. Make me an offer.

Bubbacon

Ok, so here are some pics of the install.
1. Remove trim under steering wheel
2. Remove screws on left and lower dash area ( as you do to remove the speaker box)
3. Remove speaker box
4. Amp is mounted vertically - remove the 3 mount screws holding the mount bracket. The speaker harness wires are a bit in the way - and connected to the mount bracket w plastic screws. I left them connected and removed the amp from the bracket 'in place'.
4. Remove the two connectors and then remove the old amp
5. @important@ you will need to tap the new amp screw holes with one of the screws bc the amp holes don't come threaded. It's aluminum and taps pretty easy.
6. Mount the new amp to the bracket - I gave up and only mounted 2 screws... Plenty to hold the amp in place on the bracket... The 2 left side holes are virtually inaccessible bc the new amp is wider than the stock...
7. This also creates a problem when mounting the bracket back in place... in fact, you are barely able to get the mount bottom screw in... The top two screws will NOT line up. But, the fit is so snug, the amp easily stays in place with the one. Also, the speaker box also pushes on the amp and will help hold it in place.

Bottom line, the 77kick46 does not fit as it 'should', and it reported to by kicker-mopar in the 2011. In fact, the only instructions available are for the 2010 and earlier Jk. But - I made do.

In the side-by-side, the 77kick46 is the amp on the right.

tcam93

I'm curious as to whether this is a good upgrade to do before speaker replacement... I mean, will the Infinity speakers sound good with just upgrading the amp?

Bubbacon

Your call... Upgrading speakers definitely helped (prior to amp) but the sound bar speakers and sub were still anemic.

mramos

wow didnt even know i had a amp in my jeep

Bubbacon

The AMP that comes with the Infinity setup is a bit "sub-par". Best thing you can do is immediately upgrade the front 6.5" speakers - best $100 you will spend.

Brick-JK

Which speakers did you replace ?

I am really interested in swapping the amp and sub too while maintaining a factory look

Zroe

So, based on your recommendations, I just installed this amp upgrade. My impressions: meh.. While, I definitely notice an improvement in the fronts (I have the kicker upgraded speakers x4), there is little to no improvement to the rears or subwoofer.

I have followed your comments on other threads, and wonder if you've found a solution to the rears and sub problem without buying a new HU. I have the nav and uconnect, and would hate to give all that up.

I am contemplating buying that 10" Kicker Bass Station, that has the built-in 100w amp and strapping it to the tailgate. I am a auto audio newb, however, and don't know how to convert the 2 cables coming to the stock infinity sub into cables suitable to attach to the Bass Station.

Is this even a good way to do it? Please, I need help!

Bubbacon

The improvement in the speaker bar was ok, not nearly as good as the front. The sub is still weak... it will need it's own amp.

One key issue is the coding/program that Jeep puts into the HU --> Amp. The only way around this is to either replace the HU, or wipe the programming with the aftermarket device (forget the name)... but this has other effects such as not able to balance the L/R, or Fade.