About Stinger Off-Road
When it comes to customizing and upgrading your truck or Jeep, the first things that likely come to mind are new tires, suspension lifts, or engine mods. While those can certainly take your off-road rig‘s performance to the next level, enhancing your vehicle‘s sound system, lighting, and safety gear can make a big impact too. And that‘s exactly what Stinger Off-Road specializes in.
Founded by off-road enthusiasts, Stinger Off-Road‘s mission is simple: "We design and engineer technology that makes your Jeep and truck adventures more fun!" As a division of Stinger Electronics, a leading manufacturer of mobile audio and safety products, Stinger Off-Road benefits from decades of experience and R&D. But the Off-Road crew is especially passionate about creating plug-and-play solutions specifically for Jeeps, trucks, and SUVs.
With over 13,000 followers on Instagram and a rapidly growing fan base, Stinger Off-Road has quickly become a go-to source for adventure-ready audio upgrades, LED lighting, cameras, and more. But how do their products actually perform and install? I‘ll dig into all the details in this hands-on Stinger Off-Road review.
Top Stinger Off-Road Products
Jeep & Truck Stereo Head Units
Stinger Off-Road‘s most popular products by far are their touchscreen head units custom made for various Jeep Wrangler, Ram truck, and Ford F-150 models. Compared to the basic stock stereos, these are massive upgrades in both form and function.
Let‘s start with the flagship Stinger Heigh10 for Jeep Wrangler JK and JL models. This plug-and-play 10" touchscreen is the largest display available for these Jeeps. It features a high-res 1024 x 600 screen, built-in GPS navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and multiple camera inputs.
The interface also includes Jeep-specific features like off-road gauges for pitch and roll, tire pressure monitoring, and drivetrain vitals. You‘re essentially getting a complete infotainment and driver information system in one package.
For Ram trucks, Stinger‘s 10" and 12" head units offer similar capabilities, while retaining factory features like steering wheel controls, USB ports, and the backup camera. The F-150 stereos go up to 8" screen sizes.
What really impressed me about these Stinger stereos is how they seamlessly integrate with the dash and retain the factory look and feel. You‘re not just slapping a big tablet on top. Installation is relatively straightforward too, thanks to the plug-and-play wiring harnesses and detailed instructions.
The sound quality is noticeably better than stock as well, with built-in amplifiers, time alignment, and EQ customization. If you want even more bass, Stinger offers truck subwoofer upgrade kits too.
Jeep & Truck LED Lighting
Besides better beats, another way to enhance your nighttime off-road adventures is with auxiliary LED lights. Stinger Off-Road carries a wide range of lighting solutions, from additional headlights and light bars to rock lights and more.
I was particularly impressed with their SS3 and SS5 LED pods. These compact yet powerful lights are available in spot, flood, and fog beam patterns. With up to 7,500 lumens per pair and a 50,000+ hour lifespan, they significantly boost your Jeep or truck‘s visibility in any conditions.
For a more complete setup, Stinger also offers complete kits that include a roof mounted 50" light bar, 4 pillar pod lights, and a rear chase bar with 2 more work lights. It‘s an easy way to achieve a 360° lighting upgrade.
The build quality on these lights is top-notch, with diecast aluminum housings, integrated heatsinks, and moisture breather vents. They‘re built to withstand the elements and trail abuse. I also liked that Stinger includes basic wiring harnesses with switches for many of their kits.
Off-Road Cameras & Safety
Rounding out Stinger Off-Road‘s product selection is a range of rugged cameras and driver assistance tech. The goal is to increase your situational awareness and make navigating obstacles easier.
Their backup and side cameras are especially handy. The high dynamic range image sensors and infrared night vision provide a clear view in any light conditions. Plus, the housings are IP69 waterproof and can withstand pressure washing.
When paired with one of Stinger‘s stereo head units, you can create a 360° bird‘s eye view for your Jeep or truck. This is incredibly useful for spotting potential hazards and avoiding dings while maneuvering through tight spots.
I also appreciate that Stinger offers safety accessories like their Jeep Wrangler JL Unlimited Hardtop Headliner. This two-piece kit adds some much-needed insulation and noise reduction to the cabin. The durable black felt material looks great and helps keep the interior cooler in the summer heat.
Installation & Customer Support
One of the biggest reasons to choose Stinger Off-Road is the company‘s dedication to providing complete plug-and-play solutions that don‘t require professional installation. Their products are designed to integrate seamlessly with your Jeep or truck‘s factory wiring and mounting points.
However, that doesn‘t mean the DIY installation process is always a cakewalk – especially with the more complex head unit upgrades. Fishing the wires through the dash and making all the connections in a tight space requires some patience.
The good news is that Stinger provides extremely detailed, vehicle-specific instructions with their kits. From personal experience, I can say that following the guides carefully does make the process much smoother. The included wiring harnesses are all labeled and plug right in without any splicing.
If you do run into any road blocks, Stinger Off-Road‘s US-based tech support is fantastic. There‘s a dedicated support line to call, online chat on the website, and email support. The techs I spoke with were all very knowledgeable and eager to help troubleshoot.
Even better, Stinger Off-Road has a super active YouTube channel with dozens of helpful installation videos. Chances are you can find a step-by-step visual guide for your exact vehicle and product. This is an invaluable resource that I wish more brands would offer.
Overall Value
There‘s no denying that Stinger Off-Road‘s products are a significant investment, with complete head unit and sound system upgrades ranging from $500 to over $2,000. However, I‘d argue that the build quality, features, and vehicle-specific designs do justify the cost for serious off-road enthusiasts.
Stinger doesn‘t cut corners with cheap materials or one-size-fits-all designs. Everything from the touchscreen interfaces to the LED pods and cameras are engineered for your specific make and model. The plug-and-play integration and retainment of factory functions are huge selling points.
I also appreciate that Stinger offers several packages and bundles to help you save when upgrading multiple components together. For example, you can get a complete Jeep stereo and front/rear camera kit with everything you need in one purchase.
Considering that a professional shop would easily charge $500+ for labor alone to install an aftermarket stereo, the DIY-friendly nature of Stinger‘s products offers substantial value. The included vehicle-specific instructions, wiring harnesses, and brackets make the process much more approachable.
Of course, if you‘re on a tight budget or only interested in basic functionality, then Stinger Off-Road‘s products may be overkill. You can certainly find cheaper head units or light bars that will get the job done.
But if you‘re looking for a complete, tailor-made solution with cutting-edge features and rock-solid performance, Stinger Off-Road is tough to beat. The company‘s 30-day return policy and US-based customer support offer extra peace of mind as well.
Owner Reviews & Feedback
To get a sense of how Stinger Off-Road‘s products perform in the real world, I scoured the web for owner reviews and feedback. The vast majority of comments I found were overwhelmingly positive.
On the company‘s website, most of their top-selling stereo head units have average ratings of 4.5 stars or higher. Customers frequently praise the sound quality, responsive touchscreens, and retained factory functions.
As one Jeep JL owner put it, "The Heigh10 has been everything I expected so far and the instructions were easy to follow. They aren‘t lying when saying it‘s cramped behind the dash to fit the wires. Truly plug and play though!"
Another review from a Ram truck owner highlighted the customer support: "I haven‘t changed a radio in 10+ years and I was able to handle this install rather easily by myself… The instructions you receive and the install video on YouTube are so helpful. I couldn‘t recommend this product enough."
I did come across a few complaints about missing parts or damaged items upon delivery. However, it seems like Stinger Off-Road‘s support team was quick to resolve those issues with replacement parts or returns.
Some folks also had trouble with the initial setup and configuration of the stereo head units. Pairing a phone via Bluetooth or getting Android Auto to connect were common stumbling blocks. But again, the consensus is that Stinger‘s telephone and email support were very helpful.
The other main critique I saw was that the screen graphics and user interface on some of the older model head units are a bit dated. But the latest generation Heigh10 and 12" models appear to have addressed this with higher-res, crisper displays.
As for the LED lighting and camera products, the reviews are similarly positive. Owners frequently mention the impressive brightness, rugged build quality, and ease of installation.
A few people did have issues with the provided wiring being too short for their specific vehicle. Adding your own extension cables seems to be an easy fix, but it would be nice if Stinger included more length from the get-go.
Final Thoughts
After thoroughly researching and testing several Stinger Off-Road products myself, I can confidently recommend the brand to anyone looking to upgrade their Jeep or truck‘s audio, lighting, and safety tech.
Yes, the initial cost is higher than some budget alternatives. But the vehicle-specific designs, premium materials, and cutting-edge features are worth it in my book. Stinger‘s products are engineered to provide a factory-like fit and seamless integration, while seriously enhancing performance.
I was consistently impressed with the sound quality and responsiveness of Stinger‘s stereo head units. The LED pods and light bars offer incredible brightness and weatherproof durability. And the backup cameras and driver assistance features work as advertised to improve visibility.
While the DIY installation can be intimidating for first-timers, Stinger Off-Road goes above and beyond with their detailed instructions, plug-and-play wiring harnesses, and helpful support resources. If you take your time and follow the guides, most handy folks can tackle the job.
Overall, if you‘re passionate about the off-road lifestyle and want the latest tech to match your adventures, you really can‘t go wrong with Stinger Off-Road. The products are backed by decades of R&D and real-world torture testing. And the company stands behind their gear with a 30-day guarantee and US-based support.
If you have any other questions about Stinger Off-Road or the products featured in this review, feel free to ask in the comments below. I‘ll do my best to help out! And be sure to check out the company‘s YouTube channel for even more installation tips and behind-the-scenes content.
