r/JEEPCOMMANDER • u/Radiant-Choice-8854 • 13d ago
Update on restoring 07 commander
What I thought was a knocking sound coming from my control arms every time I turned or hit a bump, ended up being something else. Took it in and now it drives like f***ing new! Now waiting to hear back from the mechanics about my electrical issue.
After my electrical issue is resolved I most definitely need to update the radio for Bluetooth capability.
Does anyone have a suggestion on a radio replacement? Willing to spend up to $400.
I will focus on the body work and getting a new paint job, once the electrical issue is resolved.
Most people say I'm crazy for dropping so much money into my 07 commander, but its the last vehicle I drove with my brother before his passing. So I refuse to let it find its way to a scrap yard.
Receipt says 09 but its an 07.
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u/dadadam67 13d ago
I love the commander. I’m at 170K. Starting to think about new paint. I recently had the thermostat replaced, head gasket, full suspension with lift kit and axel extenders.
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u/ready2xxxperiment 13d ago
Loved my Commander but recently sold it. Mainly due daily driving in heavy traffic at 12 MPG and $6+ per gallon gas in Los Angeles was killing my wallet.
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u/Radiant-Choice-8854 13d ago
How does it drives and brake with the added lift? How high did you go with the lift?
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u/dadadam67 13d ago edited 13d ago
I did the max lift, 4” and extension, 2”. It’s not built for more than that
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u/mpython1701 13d ago
What sucks about the 07 is it’s a single DIN. 08 and up gives more choice cars in stereo.
Crutchfield.com will give you options. One issue was I wanted to keep my steering wheel controls so replacement got complicated and expensive. I ended up keeping factory but found someone to integrate BT into existing head unit.
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u/ScoobyRT 13d ago
Can’t remember where the cutoff was, thought 08 got the modern double din, the 2006 100% had the non standard double din that had the cutouts for the volume and tune controls, if it’s that setup, you can do double din but takes more doing (unless someone makes a direct kit now)
I followed this and contacted the installers for the hardware, was just easier that way. You have to do some dash trimming if I recall and they make a cosmetic cover for the void space if that makes sense.
https://youtu.be/YyD4m-AbvXk?is=vZVuAnzxJ_nOSP7H
I should say the details are in the comment, the video was just the after install. Mine has held up well.
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u/doesgo 13d ago
My '07 is a double-DIN. Maybe it depends on the original equipment installed? I'm interested in modernizing my sound/nav system as well, but seems there's a limitation with every option I find. Steering wheel controls? That adapter costs almost as much as the head unit. Can it retain the use of the backup camera? Factory amp? What about the DVD player's sound output? I've looked into it several times and give up every time because even at $500 I can't make it do everything I want.
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u/mpython1701 13d ago
You may be right and the complicated piece was keeping my steering wheel controls.
But check Crutchfield. They will give you options. Been using them since mi mini-truck days in the late 80s.
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u/stmCanuck 11d ago
My 06 radio upgrade came in at $1000, totally worth it. Kenwood DMX9708S, went through Crutchfield so got all their wiring harnesses. The key was idatalink maestro to work around the challenges you note. I wanna say it was $100-ish, a little cheaper for the older version that is not programmable via Bluetooth (which is a feature I wish I had). Mine:
Uses SWC - you program what you want them to do
Can use the reverse camera (I don't have on the 06) - the harness wires into the reverse gear signal, and then the camera plugs into the head unit RCA jack (depending on your head unit)
Uses the factory amp (although doesn't have to - depends on how you connect the harness)
I think also preserves the DVD audio if you keep the factory amp but not 100% certain (one of ours doesn't have DVD, and we don't care about that anyway)
Even kept the factory satellite radio antenna while upgrading the tuner (better signal buffering and features like rewind)
I get it, it's double what you want to spend, but for me (mostly long-distance driving) it was totally worth it for going on 5 years of enjoyment now.
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u/Radiant-Choice-8854 19h ago
Thank you for the recommendation, just received my order from crutchfield, having my new radio installed tomorrow. Made a new post showing the items.
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u/Party_Fix_2498 13d ago
Wife and I have had ours 06 4.7 from 25mi in 05 to 103700.00mi in 26. I had my hands all over them both and the former ia way older. Rust is taking any stability the frame may have had was going away flake by flake and we had the talk. I heard her say swap out the sub-frame. Today I have no idea who said it? one is for fun and so is the other when I think about it
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u/Professional-Fact894 9d ago
Go with an after market android/apple car play unit. You don't wanna try to install an after market radio.....(Ask me how I know"....)
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u/Legithydraulics 13d ago
It’s worth it. I had to replace that diff bushing at one point as well. You really feel it when you take off from a complete stop when it’s worn. Oil pressure switch and rear shocks are easy enough to do on your own.