2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Factory stereo swap = Plug & Play

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Incase anyone was wondering it appears stereo head units interchange between all '98-'02 2nd Gen trucks. I just swapped the AM/FM cassette non-Infinity unit in my '98 for one out of Big Sur's '02. His is Infinity, AM/FM CD w/cassette. The plugs were all the same and only took 5 minutes to swap the unit (man these stereos would be a snap to rip off). All functions work, including the balance joystick (which my original stereo did not have). There is one connector my unit didn't have, so I am wondering if it's for the steering wheel control option. Can anyone tell me if this was an option at all in '01 or '02 or did it start with the 3rd Gens? Someday I'd like to swap my steering wheel for one from an '01. 5 - '02 especially if there are radio control buttons. I got to really like that on my '03.



Vaughn

 

[Alphacowboy]

Can anyone tell me if this was an option at all in '01 or '02 or did it start with the 3rd Gens? Someday I'd like to swap my steering wheel for one from an '01. 5 - '02 especially if there are radio control buttons. I got to really like that on my '03.



Vaughn

Yes, actually the SLT+ packages had them standard, and others it was an option. my 2000 has them. They are useless to me though, as I have an aftermarket Deck. And actually, my original deck is now in my brothers 95 Dakota, plugged right in and works perfectly! so they actually will work with even some of the older trucks as well, not just 98-02!

 

[WDixon27]

with two adaptor plugs and some dremmel work i bolted in the cd/tape from a buddys 02 durango into my 96 with no cutting of wires, sounds great and looks better then the crappy picture, the oval radio fits behind the square opening pretty good with a trim. i was thinking i could probably plug a rb1 nav right in run the antenna and be cooking if they ever get cheep

#ad

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Aphacowboy I didn't realize they were avail. in '00. Thanks for the info. I wonder how hard a steering wheel swap would be? Shouldn't be that bad I would think.



WDixon that doesn't look too bad. I have a crapola aftermarket deck in my '96 that I'd love to get rid of, so I'm going to keep an eye out for another 2nd Gen unit.



Vaughn

 

[WDixon27]

heres one like mine

i am not sure about these but theres a ton of them on ebay

these are cool but still pricy

WDixon that doesn't look too bad. I have a crapola aftermarket deck in my '96 that I'd love to get rid of, so I'm going to keep an eye out for another 2nd Gen unit.



Vaughn

 

[DonTX]

I just swapped the factory cassette only radio in my 97 for a factory cassette and CD unit I got off EBay like WDixon. As was mentioned, it takes about 10 minutes, very easy swap, and with a little research, no adapter plugs are even needed. If anybody needs a good second gen cassette one let me know.

 

[pwerwagn]

i took the infinity cd player out of my 98 in favor of an alpine unit. we put the infinity unit into my bro-in-laws 1993 ctd, direct swap as well.

The plugs are the same for many years. I used to have the swap list somewhere, If I can find it I will post it.



--Jeff

 

[Sixpack]

Yes, actually the SLT+ packages had them standard, and others it was an option. my 2000 has them. They are useless to me though, as I have an aftermarket Deck. And actually, my original deck is now in my brothers 95 Dakota, plugged right in and works perfectly! so they actually will work with even some of the older trucks as well, not just 98-02! [/Q]



Check Crutchfield for the adapter to make the steering wheel controls still work. It's a Pac-Swi unit ($70). Your deck has to have a wireless remote to work though. I have one and it works fine with my Alpine 9833 deck. .



Phil

 

[VicR]

Hey Vaughn -



Long time no talk. Anyway, I had the same idea with my 99. Steering wheel controls were optional that year too. From the wiring diagram in my shop manual, it appeared to me that steering wheel controls and the cruise control wires are part of the same bundle. I picked up a spare steering wheel from a 2000 a few months ago that has the controls, but between moving, landscaping, 1 year old daughter, etc, I haven't gotten a chance to pull the wheel on my 99 on see if the other connector is there. I'm hoping it is and then I'll get the leather redone on the 2000 wheel and be in fat city.



The only thing I found when I was researching it last winter was a TDR post from a long time ago saying you had to change the clock-spring to make this work, but I don't know if that member had cruise or not so don't know if that is accurate. I recall that I browsed a couple of the on-line parts catalog and I found a different clockspring for cruise or no-cruise, but no mention of audio controls which I hope means they are part of the cruise bundle.



Separate but related question - are your sure your truck didn't have an Infinity head unit at one time? I thought Infinity head units needed the amp's that were part of the speakers to work properly I didn't think you could use non-infinity speakers with an infinity head.



Take care,



-Vic

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Hey Vic! Owner of the mighty rare 1999 6-speed 2-wheel drive



It's nice to hear someone has researched this out a bit. I would think the clock springs would be the same, if the donor and recipient had cruise.



I am sure my truck did not have infinity because I had the local dealer print up an original build sheet from the VIN number so I could be 100% certain exactly what options it had (versus taking the owner's word for it). No Infinity listed. Maybe systems with Infinity have an amp tucked away somewhere? This head unit seems to have more power than the original.



Vaughn

 

[Extreme1]

The Infinity door 6x9 speakers have an amp attached. I bought a complete set of backup Infinity speakers off ebay for $20.



I upgraded my '94 Infinity am/fm/tape player to a 2000 Dakota am/fm/tape/CD player. As loud as this truck is, I can't justify spending more on an aftermarket system. That and the buttons get small and the roads are a little rough around here for that.

 

[CottonJ]

If anybody needs a good second gen cassette one let me know.

I could use a cassette unit. My truck doesn't have a radio at all. How much do you want for it?



Thanks,

Jeff

 

[dieselshu]

Jeff, You have PM

 

[Nate]

Radio controls where available in 99 as well. My buddy's truck has them.

Aphacowboy I didn't realize they were avail. in '00. Thanks for the info. I wonder how hard a steering wheel swap would be? Shouldn't be that bad I would think.



WDixon that doesn't look too bad. I have a crapola aftermarket deck in my '96 that I'd love to get rid of, so I'm going to keep an eye out for another 2nd Gen unit.



Vaughn

 

[greasemonkey]

I have one if anyone is interested...

It could end up on ebay, but it is in great shape...



Infinity, radio, cassette, cd player...



Email me at dan#titancrew_com, substituting the correct symbols if interested.

 

[DonTX]

I missed your response Jeff, it can be yours for $25. 00. Works perfectly. I am heading from the south tip of Texas to Iowa on Tuesday, can deliver along the way even. (travel up Interstate 35)

 

[VicR]

Just one note for those thinking of picking up a cd/cass off of ebay. Some applications used an amber readout (I think it was the 1st gen LH cars- 97 and earlier LHS/Concorde/Intrepid/Eagle Vision - but don't quote me, its been a long time since I looked into this)



Now I'm itching to pull the wheel off the 99 and see if the connectors are there. I might be able to tell just by removing the airbag? I'll let you know.



-Vic

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Vic, I just did the steering column bushing fix on my '96 alongside Dave Ratcliffe who did it on his 01. 5. The steering columns were identical, same electrical connections and all. It was a pretty easy job to R&R the steering column, so if someone with an older truck wanted to upgrade to a newer style wheel it should be a piece of cake.



Vaughn

 

[DODGEDADDIE]

HELLO. .

I have a 98 Dodge Ram with the Infinity system,,of course the front speakers are blown.

I bought a set of INFINITY speakers but they were 4 Pin connectors an mine are 6 Pin.

Any one got any ideas on how to convert?

I had some OLD speaker an tried to jump the contacts to see if I could get to work,,but three differant wires gave me SOUND!!... Just wondering if one pin or color wire is best for hooking up to after market speakers??



THANKS

Mike