Well it seems it's better to wait and have the factory optioned kicker upgrade rather then purchasing it after market and having the dealer install it. That means I will put my srt8 on hold until this option gets released (crossing my fingers in Jan) I rather have the full warranty from the factory...

didn't you just post about this? Or am I going nuts?

edit, nm

http://www.cherokeesrt8.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7885

Just found some more information on it that the factory option is the way to go that's all.

So, if I get this right, you are going to not get a SRT-8 JEEP until some speaker pak comes out first? You sir do not understand the program.

bigsrtfan: search the forum, the kicker components aren't much of an upgrade, they sound the same as the boston acoustics package. Not Worth Waiting.

bigsrtfan: search the forum

I already tried to help him with that. Realtor put it best, some people just don't understand the program.

Oh well :)

got 3 months left on my current lease and its up in Jan, by that time the upgrade should be a factory option. Yes speakers are a big thing to me, to each his own. I've heard the kickers are day and night and don't want dealer installing it rather it from the factory.

got 3 months left on my current lease and its up in Jan, by that time the upgrade should be a factory option. Yes speakers are a big thing to me, to each his own. I've heard the kickers are day and night and don't want dealer installing it rather it from the factory.

so your willing to give up cargo space? .. from what I've seen, unless the Kicker sub(s) is integrated into existing panel(s), I wouldn't want a sub box mounted to the rear seat backs ..

reduces your ability to fold the seats down on the fly ..

just my personal preference.

losing the space doesn't bother me

got 3 months left on my current lease and its up in Jan, by that time the upgrade should be a factory option. Yes speakers are a big thing to me, to each his own. I've heard the kickers are day and night and don't want dealer installing it rather it from the factory.

And others have said that the "standard" Boston speakers sounded better than the Kickers. It is all matter of opinion. I know that if I was going to wait on something, I would go aftermarket and get even better quality and sound for the money. Any reputable audio shop has warranty on their parts and installation.

I decided to do my own Kicker upgrade today. A pair of L7 SoloBaric 10's in a sealed enclosure with a Kicker 1,000 watt amp should hammer pretty well. :D

Well it seems it's better to wait and have the factory optioned kicker upgrade rather then purchasing it after market and having the dealer install it. That means I will put my srt8 on hold until this option gets released (crossing my fingers in Jan) I rather have the full warranty from the factory...

losing the space doesn't bother me

okay, the funtionality of this SUV isn't a factor..

on another note, as I read it in your first post before your edit you said your 'lease is up in 3 months' -- if so, that would be mid-January.

assuming the factory Kicker option won't be available to order until mid-January as reported.. it will take another 6-8 weeks for production and delivery -- again assuming everything goes as planned, you'll be able to take delivery around late-Feburary, mid-March.

if this is the case, your order to delivery to lease termination appears off ..

have a contingency plan?

got 3 months left on my current lease and its up in Jan, by that time the upgrade should be a factory option. Yes speakers are a big thing to me, to each his own. I've heard the kickers are day and night and don't want dealer installing it rather it from the factory.


I too wanted the Kicker speakers W/amp and subs. and didn't take delivery on a GCSRT8 back in Sept.. Last week I turned around and reordered the same exact GCSRT8 that I didn't want because I heard about the Kicker Speakers. I'm not willing to wait untill God knows when. Lets say they start putting the Kickers in in mid Jan. and thats when you order your GCSRT8, at best you won't get it until mid Feb. or the begining of March. Thats 18-20 Weeks away, you don't want a GCSRT8 that bad. What happens when your lease expires, you will be without wheels.



Jack

I would get the kicker option that the dealer offers, but I didn't want them tearing apart my new jeep. Plus the factory option would be a cleaner job. Hopefully we get some more information on the kicker upgrade soon!!

I would get the kicker option that the dealer offers, but I didn't want them tearing apart my new jeep. Plus the factory option would be a cleaner job. Hopefully we get some more information on the kicker upgrade soon!!
The non-factory installation is EASY and straight forward, it's all plug and play with an identical end result.

Get a reputable audio shop to install a stereo, not the dealer. and if audio is a big thing for you than put a different system than the kicker. go JL or something and have them install it.

From what I've heard personally, the Kicker kit is a DOWNGRADE. ugghh... Boston Accoustics makes a much better speaker.

All the factory audio on these sound terrible. Get the Jeep and buy something aftermarket. Or, just realize that it doesn't matter what you buy because the ****pit noise is loud and buying a "sound system" for this vehicle is a waste anyway.

Dude, Just buy the Jeep...Who cares about a sub box, I listen to the exhaust sound more than the stereo anyway:rolleyes:

lol i hear alot of "i've heard this and that" but how many of you actually sat in a GC w/ the entire kicker package ?

The kicker speakers are still crappy quality speakers. Youre better off buying the higher quality Kicker aftermarket speakers. They fit the same and sound a hell of a lot better. And its not that hard to take the door off of the Jeep, so they aren't tearing the car apart.

The kicker speakers are still crappy quality speakers. Youre better off buying the higher quality Kicker aftermarket speakers. They fit the same and sound a hell of a lot better. And its not that hard to take the door off of the Jeep, so they aren't tearing the car apart.

so you've heard the mopar kicker upgrade system for the gc ?

well if you think about it..how much is the factory kicker add on from the dealer?
for around $1200- $1500 bucks you could have yourself a much better sounding system than factory any day..

well if you think about it..how much is the factory kicker add on from the dealer?
for around $1200- $1500 bucks you could have yourself a much better sounding system than factory any day..

its $1500 installed. Someone also spoke to kicker about the upgrade & they said it was terriffic quality & a great price. They said the standards for an oem upgrade like that are extremely high & have to go through rigorous testing.

its $1500 installed. Someone also spoke to kicker about the upgrade & they said it was terriffic quality & a great price. They said the standards for an oem upgrade like that are extremely high & have to go through rigorous testing.

yes i read your review a while back on this..i'm not knocking this factory option but iv'e heard the kicker system without the subs installed and i wasnt really impressed,but again what sounds good to me might not sound good to you..and for the price point nowdays you can get a somewhat "meaning not top of the line stuff like focal and audison" kickass system for around $1700 installed

yes i read your review a while back on this..i'm not knocking this factory option but iv'e heard the kicker system without the subs installed and i wasnt really impressed,but again what sounds good to me might not sound good to you..and for the price point nowdays you can get a somewhat "meaning not top of the line stuff like focal and audison" kickass system for around $1700 installed

The subs definitly make the difference- w/out them you dont have any midrange or low bass its all really high. Also I wont have to worry about gutting out the system when i get rid of the car since its all mopar/oem it wont hit the value as much.

If you shop it right, you can get the Kicker upgrade for $453.13 (77kick12 powered/fitted sub) and the VES compatible BA amp and BA speakers (6) for $388.45. It is about a 2 hr install, and the sub requires a cut for the wires, so with taxes or shipping, and install, if you don't do yourself, you get to about $1100.00. The install is mostly plug and play if you don't mind pulling your doors and replacing the amp in the rear compartment. If internet purchase, shipping maybe offset taxes, depending on your situation. Dealer accessory coupon and order might make for cheaper purchase.

Mopar supercenter, Quality Jeep . c o m out of Albuquerque is a good place, and my local dealer with a 15% accessory coupon. I think mopar supercenter is another discount location. I am guessing that other dealers have similar deals or will beat the price to make the sale. Oh, and you get little kicker stickers for your grills.

I used to be an audiophile and yes you could get some really whizbang stuff and put it in. I liked the idea of it being what "goes" with the car. The sub does fit well and permit use of the cargo space, etc. It all depends on what you want. On this site they've got everything from etched plexiglass with neon and super custom jobs to a decidedly stock upgrade appearance. The sound is very good for plug and play.

I'm going to get the kicker upgrade and have the dealer install it. It's hard to comment on something you haven't heard but I'm sure the kicker option sounds alot better then stock.

My only confusion is that some dealers are not aware of this option and they don't know what goes with what. I have mopar direct stating that they don't have any information on the 08 but they think they already come with the kicker speakers installed. They also told me the 77KICK18AB Amp upgrade (8 ch./ 368W) does not fit the srt8. This was the number i called 888-528-hemi. I don't think they really know anything..

Not many dealerships have done the upgrade on a cherokee so its tough to get a concrete answer. I see in the last chat from SRT group that these part numbers were compatible with an 08.

77KICK10 Rear 6.5" 2-way (2)
77KICK11 Front 6x9 midbass (2) + 3.5" 2-way (2)
77KICK18AB Amp upgrade (8 ch./ 368W)
77KICK23 Dual 10" square subs - 400W

Just looking for reassurance that this is correct. I don't mean to be a pain with this just want to make sure its right before i spend 1500 for the install and components.

I'm going to get the kicker upgrade and have the dealer install it. It's hard to comment on something you haven't heard but I'm sure the kicker option sounds alot better then stock.

My only confusion is that some dealers are not aware of this option and they don't know what goes with what. I have mopar direct stating that they don't have any information on the 08 but they think they already come with the kicker speakers installed. They also told me the 77KICK18AB Amp upgrade (8 ch./ 368W) does not fit the srt8. This was the number i called 888-528-hemi. I don't think they really know anything..

Not many dealerships have done the upgrade on a cherokee so its tough to get a concrete answer. I see in the last chat from SRT group that these part numbers were compatible with an 08.

77KICK10 Rear 6.5" 2-way (2)
77KICK11 Front 6x9 midbass (2) + 3.5" 2-way (2)
77KICK18AB Amp upgrade (8 ch./ 368W)
77KICK23 Dual 10" square subs - 400W

Just looking for reassurance that this is correct. I don't mean to be a pain with this just want to make sure its right before i spend 1500 for the install and components.

Why don't you contact Don at Championjeep. He is a vendor on here. I believe he can help you out. PM him or call.

Also, there is a long detailed thread on this site with part numbers and order prices by a supporting vendor. The amp should fit the SRT8 unless something changed b/w 07 and 08 for that amp. I would think not and that the amp upgrade would work. Good luck.

I dont care what kind of fancy schmancy factory system it comes with, nothing from the dealership will ever hold a candle to a simple, well-built aftermarket audio system.... and whats ironic.. is that manufacturers have outragous markups for their premium audio system on the window sticker, that many times out-price aftermarket components including professional installation.

just an update from kicker support the current 77KICK18AB Amp upgrade (8 ch./ 368W) it will not work with an 08 srt8. I was told they currently do not have an update as to when they will be done with it but i the new amp might be called 77KICK30. The current kicker speaks will work with an 08. I'm assuming that could be why the kicker audio upgrade from the factory was put on hold.

just an update from kicker support the current 77KICK18AB Amp upgrade (8 ch./ 368W) it will not work with an 08 srt8. I was told they currently do not have an update as to when they will be done with it but i the new amp might be called 77KICK30. The current kicker speaks will work with an 08. I'm assuming that could be why the kicker audio upgrade from the factory was put on hold.

That would make sense, the kicker system was also delayed for the 06&07's because of the amps capability to intergrate to the nav system...now that mygig is the system for the 08's they have to redesign the amp again. That might be a while....so....JUST BUY THE DAMN TRUCK ALREADY !! :D

anyone have pics of what this kicker sub package will look like?

also, any ideas on pricing of it?

as long as the radio turns on am happy:) 5 1/2 weeks and don brings Christmas early:p

just an update from kicker support the current 77KICK18AB Amp upgrade (8 ch./ 368W) it will not work with an 08 srt8...
The KICK18AB WILL work with 2008 models, this is the one going in the 2008 models and the one Mopar will be selling for the 2008 models.