Bombed my Stereo

[Pit Bull]

Got a heck of a buy on a Sony 180 watt stereo with a 6 disk changer at Best Buy. Only cost $200 and sounds much better than the base factory unit. Noticed I get a lot better sound in my new truck with the regular cab then I got in my 2000 with the quad cab. Even though the 2000 had the high end radio. Weird Oh well I'm not the greatest judge since I've been driving CTD's I think my hearing is going south :-laf

 

[zjones]

since I've been driving CTD's I think my hearing is going south

Aint that the truth! I put over 4K in mine & can't hear the huge differance till I kill the mighty cummins. :{

 

[Chipstien]

Here is another option for your stereo. Then you really will be deaf. [/IMG]#ad

 

[Patriot Diesel]

Originally posted by Chipstien

Here is another option for your stereo. Then you really will be deaf. [/IMG]#ad

Chipstien... .



That is one awesome looking stereo system. Are you able to put the seat back in place? Probably not, but I thought I would ask.

 

[Chipstien]

Here's a pic with the seat in place. No modifications at all to the seat. There are some more pics of the installation process in my album. [/IMG]#ad

 

[bighammer]

... and you get the heated rear seat option along with it, eh?

 

[Chipstien]

And don't forget messaging. I don't even have this on my front seats. :{

 

[Mtngoat]

Pit Bull

Did this stereo fit in place of the factory stereo? I would like to have a stereo with more CD capability. I don't want to hack up my dash or have empty spaces showing. I think you know what I am asking.



Robin

 

[Pit Bull]

Fits perfect. Go to Best Buy and look at the Sony Stereo with 6 disk CD changer. It's a package, sells for $199. I paid $98 for them to install it, because electricity and I don't get along.

 

[Devildog]

I was thinking about upgrading my stereo system but, I kind of like the controls behind the steering wheel and I don't think theres an aftermarket stereo that will integrate with those controls

 

[Mtngoat]

Devildog,



I am glad you brought that up! I forgot about the steering wheel controls and I like them also!! Whew!! I bout spent some money I shouldn't have! Maybe there is an add on CD changer that mounts under the seat that will work with the factory stereo. My factory stereo sounds great, I just wanted more cd capacity.



Robin

 

[davidclark]

Originally posted by Devildog

I was thinking about upgrading my stereo system but, I kind of like the controls behind the steering wheel and I don't think theres an aftermarket stereo that will integrate with those controls

This part should let you maintain the steering wheel controls if your new head unit has wireless infrared controls. Most stereo shops would know about these interfaces.

 

[Chipstien]

Thank you for letting us know about this David. I will be getting one soon. Anyone know the price?

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Chipstien's set-up looks the business. It's good to see someone with similar eclectic tastes.

Here's a few pictures on a similar theme from my own truck, details etc. with various weblinks embedded in the profile below.



Front end...



#ad




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Back end...



#ad






#ad

 

[Chipstien]

Hey John, I was tempted to get the in dash DVD player but decided that I didn't need another reason to take my eyes off the road. Like the screens in the seat. I am going with one that drops from the roof soo the kids can watch it ... . even has infrared headphone so I don't have to listen to it.



Curious why you fiberglassed the amp rack in. Good looking setup though. I almost went with the stealth boxes but decided that I wanted more than 2 tens. I am still kicking around the idea of adding a 15 in place of the center console to go with the four 10's. It makes me wonder if I am ever going to outgrow a loud stereo.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Actually the rear wall of the cab has a layer of Dynamat EXtreme which you cannot easily see from these pictures and then the wood mounts to provide a nice mounting area with minimal resonance qualities - it's a combo I've used on various vehicles over the years and it works pretty well. The Fiberglass just makes the actual mounting of the wooden base more of a breeze .



The screen displays all the regular head functions plus DVD and GPS SatNav+. You just need regular willpower and a sense of self-preservation/commonsense and it becomes academic.



Screens in both the rear seats slave off the front master, but the rear LHS one also has independent Playstation playback, through an inverter. Keeps my son really occupied on long journies across Europe too.



And no, you should never, ever outgrow a good, loud stereo.



You might want to rethink about the stealthbox approach for the subs when coupled with a good DD5. 1 sound processor which really delivers... ...



#ad




JMc

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

PAC cables for OEM steering wheel controls

Originally posted by Devildog

I kind of like the controls behind the steering wheel and I don't think theres an aftermarket stereo that will integrate with those controls

Actually there is ... . a US company called PAC makes a variety of interconnect cables which basically make the regular Dodge fingertip controls mounted on both sides of the steering wheel, "talk correctly" to any aftermarket head unit assembly (with a bit of programming). My Alpine head unit has been set up this way for almost 2. 5 years and performs flawlessly from the steering wheel fingertip controls.



BTW , the regular Dodge Infinity sterero FM/CD player unit is a 1. 5 DIN unit and most aftermarket units are 1. 0 DIN. The significance of this 0. 5DIN discrepancy is that if you go for a DD5. 1 or DTS sound processor at some time, there are now conveniently sized 0. 5DIN center channel speakers which blend right in making the whole thing look totally stock/factory. If you don't want/need the center channel configuration, the aftermarket head units will usually mount on a plate which centers the head unit in the 1. 5DIN space - see below.



#ad




BTW, my own center channel is mounted remotely on the dash near to the base of the windshield, out of the way as the 0. 5DIN stealth approach was not available at the time of original install.

JMc

 

[crawler]

More Power

The PAC interface that you want is the SWI-X if I remember correctly. I used one when I had my Eclipse 8000 series head unit tied into my steering wheel controls. I haven't taken the time to program it for my Alpine CVA head unit yet. I managed to squeeze 4 10inch JL W6s under my back seat and face them forward into the front seats. That way I can have massaging seats in the front as well as in the back. Sorry don't have a pic but I'll get one.

 

[Chipstien]

Does this PAC controller convert the steering wheel signal into a infrared signal.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Originally posted by Chipstien

Does this PAC controller convert the steering wheel signal into a infrared signal.

They do various configurations, just from a quick glance through their website. Give 'em a call and get it straight from the horse's mouth!



JMc