2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Changing out Radios

[rchall]

Does anyone know if a stock Radio out of a 2002 Dodge Caravan will fit in to the same slot in my 2002 Dodge 2500? My father-in-law want to trade me his stock radio with CD play, for the stock radio I have in my truck. and are the wiring hook up the same??



THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP

 

[lschultz]

I don't know. I would go/call the parts department and ask them. They should be able to look in there parts book and tell you. But you know how much knowledge is on this site so I'm sure somebody has the answer.

 

[illflem]

Most car audio stores will also tell you and probably have more smarts than a dealer.

 

[Cooker]

Do they both have the rounded corners. I am 99% certain the Caravan does, but I doubt the truck does.



I think you might be out of luck.





Edit: I did a little checking and it appears my assumption about the truck radio is correct:



See here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3293&item=1945412468



The radio out of the Caravans and practically ever other newer Chrysler (Including the '03 2500 and 3500 trucks) vehicle looks like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32815&item=1945359727



Also I think '02 was the first year of the newer wiring harness, otherwise even though it may not have fit it would have plugged right in.



Like I said, I think you are out of luck. Sorry.

 

[kevinthompson]

I put a new radio in my 02 ram and put the one from it in my 98 ram. I then took the radio from my 98 ram and stuck it in my 95 caravan. They were all super easy and everything hooked up perfectly. The trim on the trucks just pulls right off. I made the whole switch in about 20 minutes. It was easier than changing the oil.

Good Luck!

 

[TowPro]

I bet it would switch out. I have owned a 94 stratus, 95 Dekota, 96 1500, 98 2500, and now a 2002 3500.



I had pioneer radios in all of them except the 2002. In fact I had 2 of the same radio that I moved from one to the other as I bought new trucks. I guess what I am getting at is they all were interchangable. I think all the trucks were green lights, but the stratus was Yellow lights. but all the wiring harnesses were the same.



BUT if you have the infinity system, you need to know that the amps are switched on and off by the wire that would power the "power antenna". All the factory radios probably are wired with this lead, but if you buy an aftermarket radio, you will need to remember to hook the power antenna wire up to the harness even though you don't have a power antenna.

 

[Cooker]

After even more digging, I cannot get a definite answer about the wiring harness compatability between these two radios. I would bet that the harness is different because some of the info I came up with points to Chrysler changing to a different harness (on the rounded face models) in the 2001 model year. Even if the plugs are not the same a little cutting and splicing will solve the problem.



The real issue is the fitment of the two radios. As I already mentioned, they are two totally different style radios (I confirmed the new Caravan does have the rounded corner head unit). It appears 1998 was the first year Chrysler started using the rounded corner radios in some of their product line. The Caravan and Ram radios are physically different and will not simply interchange with one another. The shape of the face of the unit is different as well as the mounting of the unit to the vehicle.



I'm sure this swap could be done, as we have many talented individuals here on the TDR, but there would certainly be some fabrication necessary. For all the hassle one would have to go though to make this work, I would by an aftermarket CD player or find a an OEM CD player out of a Ram from 1994-2002 (2001 on the 1500 models).



Hope this sheds some more light on the topic.

 

[rchall]

RADIO CHANGE OUT

THANK ALL OF YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL INFORMATION,

WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO SWAP IT TOMARROW !!



I LOVE THIS WED SITE !!



I GLADE TO BE A CTD DODGE OWNER



2002 DODGE CTD 2500 RED/SILVER

 

[TowPro]

Re: RADIO CHANGE OUT

looking at the 2 ebay pictures, you can see the 2 tabs with holes off the side or bottom of the truck radio, there are bolts go through those to mount the radio. I saw no tabs on the mini van radio.

Originally posted by rchall

THANK ALL OF YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL INFORMATION,

WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO SWAP IT TOMARROW !!



I LOVE THIS WED SITE !!



I GLADE TO BE A CTD DODGE OWNER



2002 DODGE CTD 2500 RED/SILVER

 

[Cooker]

Please let us know how it works out.

 

[jjohannessen]

I know that a radio from a 1999 Dodge Ram fit's in a 1997 Dodge Neon.

 

[Cooker]

jjohannessen,

Welcome to the TDR

 

[Cooker]

rchall,

Did you get a chance to try and swap the radios?

 

[dlauborough]

I just swapped my stock radio/cass player for a DEH7400 Pioneer AM/FM DVD unit. (99 3/4 turbo) This radio is fantastic! Not only does it do the regular stuff, but it's pre-wired for power ant. &

satellite radio, & will play compressed MP3 music. I bought it

from SoundDomain.com along with the adapter plugs and mounting bracket for my year truck. Installation was a breeze. They have plugs & brackets for all sorts of vehicles. I am satified with their service & shipping.



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