Looking for aftermarket radio upgrade

[Royk]

I'd like to replace the clunky, old AM/FM/CD player with something modern with a touchscreen, backup camera capability, Bluetooth, etc. I don't have steering wheel controls, so that's not a requirement. I'd like to have phone mirroring so I can use my iPhone's GPS on the radio display. Any suggestions?

 

[Wiredawg]

There's a lot of choices including installation kits with replacement center dash piece. I bought my niece one on Ebay a couple years ago for around $300. Easy to install, complete kit.

Lots of choices/ brands. Check Crutchfield too.

Cheers, Ron

 

[ScottLewis]

I recently installed a ATOTO A6 in my '06. I'm still learning how to use all the functions since I haven't driven much since the install. It is an Android that can mirror your phone, has rear view and forward view camera inputs and several USB connectors. It also has a steering wheel gadget to control radio volume, etc. as a separate option. I've rigged it up so I can view any one of 3 cameras in reverse (back-up, bed cam and RV rear view) I can also toggle RV rear view wile driving. A kit from Amazon gives it a factory look and modifying the opening to fit the 2 Din radio wasn't too bad. My pictures aren't great but should give an idea of the appearance

 

[jghflys]

Check the Crutchfield site. There are lots of options and reviews there and they have technical support. Here is the radio change I did in my truck.

After much searching, I installed a Kenwood DDX9906XR in my 2005 Dodge 3500. It replaced a failing OEM radio and a GROM audio Bluetooth adapter. Besides the radio, I used Metra 95-6522B DD Dash Kit for Ram, a Metra 70-6502 Wire Harness for Chry/Dodg/Jeep 02-08 Trucks 02-05, and Chrysler/GM/Ford Antenna Adapter Motorola M to OEM antenna. Some pictures a re blurry because I did not know how to work the flash properly. Here are a few pictures and comments:


Old radio removed and half of the plastic support cut out to make room for the larger radio.

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This is the section I cut out.

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This is the bottom of the section I cut out. Notice the internal support ribs that I cut with a hacksaw blade because the blade on my tool was not long enough.
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This is the orbital action saw I used. It worked fast with some melting of the plastic which did not matter. I love these tools.

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Here is the old bezel removed from the console cover. To remove the old bezel, I first drilled the 11 connection points to weaken the connections and popped those loose. There are also three tabs at the top that I just used a screwdriver to break apart.

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Here is the new bezel attached to the console cover with the supplied screws and plastic retainers. It fit perfectly, and so did the ventilation switch pod and the cubby/4WD pod.

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Here is how I installed the supplied brackets. The brackets are installed to put the radio as far out in the bezel as possible to give as much room as possible in the back of the radio for the mass of wires and connections.

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Here are the wire and cable connections including the radio to OEM adapter connector. I soldered the wires and used heat shrink tubing to insulate so save room at the back of the radio. I use mesh covering to protect the cables and wires instead of the convoluted plastic tubing. It is more compact and looks better. Also, tape the USB and video connectors to breve them from pulling apart as the radio is installed. I addition to the USB connectors, I installed an AUX input cable plugged into the back of the radio jack. It is next to the USB cables on the back of the radio. The AUX cable was not included with the radio. Keep the connections as compact as possible there is less than one and a half inch space between the radio and the defroster duct. Tight.




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Here is a not so good picture of the installed radio and console bezel. The bezel and radio fit together as expected. The trim bezel supplied with the radio was not used.

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The hardest part of the install was the wire going to the park brake switch. To play a DVD the radio needs to see the park brake set. I removed the two bolts holding a set of connectors and tied the connectors out of the way as much as possible for acces to the park switch wire. I used a T-tap to attach the Park wire to the park brake switch wire. I also installed a switch to simulate the parking brake being set. Alternately, you may be able to ground just ground the radio park wire. I did not try that.

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Here is the switch I used and the diagram. The switch is a single pole double throw (SPDT) miniature.


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I mounted the switch above the park brake release lever. Lots of room there behind the trim cover. I routed the wires through the square hole behind the cover and mounted the switch on the cover.

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The radio sounds good, Bluetooth audio was a little low on calls and there is an audio offset adjustment to level the various inputs so you do not have to adjust the radio volume on calls. The problem I have is that the radio and my android 8.0 phone will not connect via WI-FI. This keeps me from using Android Auto wirelessly. Android Auto works great through the USB connection. No other issues so far.

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[ScottLewis]

Make sure the kit you buy is correct for the dash in your truck. I THINK the '05 and '06 are different with the '06 having half moon cutouts on the sides. The Amazon kit I bought has the antenna adapter and wiring harness pigtail included and was about $30

 

[MichaelOverfield]

I recently installed a ATOTO A6 in my '06. I'm still learning how to use all the functions since I haven't driven much since the install. It is an Android that can mirror your phone, has rear view and forward view camera inputs and several USB connectors. It also has a steering wheel gadget to control radio volume, etc. as a separate option. I've rigged it up so I can view any one of 3 cameras in reverse (back-up, bed cam and RV rear view) I can also toggle RV rear view wile driving. A kit from Amazon gives it a factory look and modifying the opening to fit the 2 Din radio wasn't too bad. My pictures aren't great but should give an idea of the appearance
View attachment 123572 View attachment 123573

I also have the ATOTO A6, though I do have a few glitches with it (I'm going to try the firmware update today, might fix the glitches). There is a newer S8 From ATOTO that I would recommend for new buyer, has a few more features, but most importantly, double the RAM, and double the processors.. the A6 is a bit slow, sometimes annoyingly so.. but the list of features is extensive and have a Front, Back-up, and RV trailer capability in one unit is a hard find. It does also have that on the S8 version as well. I'll try to get a few pictures when I'm doing the update and post in a later post.

 

[Regcabguy]

Pioneer here but as stated,you'll miss the big buttons. The sound is better,the usb connection delivers better sound out of my IPod but despite HD Radio,my AM reception is not as good. I think before the next multi-week trip I'll buy a short term subscription to Spotify or similar. Crutchfield will advise. great company.

 

[Royk]

There's a lot of choices including installation kits with replacement center dash piece. I bought my niece one on Ebay a couple years ago for around $300. Easy to install, complete kit.
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Lots of choices/ brands. Check Crutchfield too.

Cheers, Ron

Were you able to keep the cubby hole under the radio?

 

[Royk]

I recently installed a ATOTO A6 in my '06. I'm still learning how to use all the functions since I haven't driven much since the install. It is an Android that can mirror your phone, has rear view and forward view camera inputs and several USB connectors. It also has a steering wheel gadget to control radio volume, etc. as a separate option. I've rigged it up so I can view any one of 3 cameras in reverse (back-up, bed cam and RV rear view) I can also toggle RV rear view wile driving. A kit from Amazon gives it a factory look and modifying the opening to fit the 2 Din radio wasn't too bad. My pictures aren't great but should give an idea of the appearance
View attachment 123572 View attachment 123573

That looks pretty sweet! Does it come with NAV or is the photo mirroring your phone? My truck didn't come with NAV, but I'd like my iPhone to display GPS info on the screen.

 

[Royk]

Check the Crutchfield site. There are lots of options and reviews there and they have technical support. Here is the radio change I did in my truck.

I was up until sunrise last night checking Crutchfield! LOL!!!!

 

[Royk]

I also have the ATOTO A6, though I do have a few glitches with it (I'm going to try the firmware update today, might fix the glitches). There is a newer S8 From ATOTO that I would recommend for new buyer, has a few more features, but most importantly, double the RAM, and double the processors.. the A6 is a bit slow, sometimes annoyingly so.. but the list of features is extensive and have a Front, Back-up, and RV trailer capability in one unit is a hard find. It does also have that on the S8 version as well. I'll try to get a few pictures when I'm doing the update and post in a later post.

I never heard of Atoto, but since two of you guys are happy with it, I guess it's pretty good!

 

[ScottLewis]

So far, nearly all the issues I've had with mine are due to my ignorance of the Android features. I can barely use my phone for text and phone, let alone anything more complex. I'm gradually learning but am having a tough time with voice commands. I'm from an era when the onlybvoices on my those were those the person I was talking to

 

[Wayne M.]

So I was back on crutchfield too after over a year. Mine is a 04.5 RAZ and 7 speaker infinity. I really want to keep the SW buttons and the amp. Looks like keeping both is now impossible. They had a patch to feed the amp, but seems that’s gone now. Hmmmm.
I did find a nice kenwood HU for $99. I mainly want to play CD’s and have bluetooth.

 

[ScottLewis]

Does it come with NAV

The ATOTO comes with a couple of map programs and is able to mirror your phone without adding anything. It can download Google and other maps to use offline and uses Google maps via your phone. It's also able to use your steering wheel controls. I added the one they offer although I'm not thrilled with it. I'm not certain about the infinity amp, though. Mine doesn't have it. It does have a number of wires and instructions for features I don't have. It does not play CDs. but has input USBs for DVD or other options. Look it up on Amazon. Gets pretty good ratings there.

Although the company is in "gasp" CHINA, they are responsive to questions and have a help page and their own forum, and usually answer emails within a day or so.

 

[jghflys]

So I was back on crutchfield too after over a year. Mine is a 04.5 RAZ and 7 speaker infinity. I really want to keep the SW buttons and the amp. Looks like keeping both is now impossible. They had a patch to feed the amp, but seems that’s gone now. Hmmmm.
I did find a nice kenwood HU for $99. I mainly want to play CD’s and have bluetooth.

This one has iphone capability with carplay (probably wired, plug your phone in), and can use steering wheel buttons and will play Cd/dvd. More expensive at $279 but looks to have the features you want. Talk with Crutchfield tech, no warranties from me on usability for your application.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_104BV900AC/Boss-BV900ACP.html

 

[Ozymandias]

So I was back on crutchfield too after over a year. Mine is a 04.5 RAZ and 7 speaker infinity. I really want to keep the SW buttons and the amp. Looks like keeping both is now impossible. They had a patch to feed the amp, but seems that’s gone now. Hmmmm.
I did find a nice kenwood HU for $99. I mainly want to play CD’s and have bluetooth.

Wayne there is more then just crutchfield.

But I can tell you that it is a little more expensive to keep AMP and SW as I did when moving to the 2-DIN Pioneer.
You need this >>> https://axxessinterfaces.com/product/CHTO-02
And this >>>https://axxessinterfaces.com/product/ASWC-1

 

[ScottLewis]

That looks pretty sweet! Does it come with NAV or is the photo mirroring your phone? My truck didn't come with NAV, but I'd like my iPhone to display GPS info on the screen.

That's the radio screen without mirroring the phone. Torque is included so you can add a wireless OBDII sender and use it as a code reader. That works well too. It has it's own GPS with separate antennas for it and WiFi. Both work without the phone connected. As will maps if the correct ones are downloaded (free).

 

[MichaelOverfield]

This one has iphone capability with carplay (probably wired, plug your phone in), and can use steering wheel buttons and will play Cd/dvd. More expensive at $279 but looks to have the features you want. Talk with Crutchfield tech, no warranties from me on usability for your application.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_104BV900AC/Boss-BV900ACP.html

I strongly advise against anything BOSS, the first TWO attempts to install an upgrade radio in my truck were BOSS units (yes I should have learned the FIRST time). Both units had major problems. The last one would NOT SHUT OFF, and would drain the car battery.. I had to keep a charger plugged in until I could get around to replacement. It had a goofy radio interface, and the screen was way to bright for night driving, but it it did have a easy screen off function to make it workable for a time.

I did install my firmware upgrade in the A6 ATOTO, it is better several glitches were corrected. The support is pretty good from the OEM on the ATOTO. It has features that I could not find in other units, like 3 camera/video inputs. I have the back up camera, a front camera (good for parking), and a option for the AUX in to be the as yet to be installed RV rear facing camera for when towing. I did not find any other unit with that many inputs.. Oh, and in addition to that it has a DVR dash cam function, as a separate camera.

If I was buying a new one, I'd get the S8, it has the upgraded hardware, double the RAM, double the processors, only slightly more money, but it would be worth it. The S8 was not out when I bought mine in Jan 2019.

 

[MichaelOverfield]

I never heard of Atoto, but since two of you guys are happy with it, I guess it's pretty good!

I have mixed feelings to be honest, but it's way better than the BOSS units I tried previously. The firmware update I just installed seems to have resolved some issues, and that might make me far more happy... The newer S8 has double the RAM and processors, I'd bet that solves all the issues I'm seeing, I would buy it if I were looking, despite the challenges on the current unit. See my prior post, for features, I could not find a unit with more capability. I didn't really need a front camera, but it can be handy parking in tight places. The Dashcam is a nice to have, you never know when that could be quite important. It runs automatically and the videos are stored if you ever need to pull one up. The Bluetooth and WiFi seem to be rock solid on this one, can't say that for the BOSS units.. they had issues with bluetooth. The screen is really nice, display and touch are quality. You just need to be patient at times because the processor seems to be working hard, again, the S8 would almost certainly not have that lag.

The big improvement on the firmware update is fixing the Android Auto glitches. With the A6 you need a dongle to do Andoid Auto and Apple car play, the new S8 upper end units are direct connect, another plus on the S8. In any case, before update Android Auto would cut off the radio audio when it gave any audio, and not come back, and you could not get the radio back, that is no longer a problem, and makes Android Auto the way to navigate for me, which is what my newer GM cars have built in, it seems to work as well now in this unit as it does in those cars. The highest level of S8 can even be made to do cellular and provide car WiFi. That might be attractive for some buyers.

 

[gpintler]

I put in this HIZPO unit [ oem for dodge] I picked it for the 2 knobs, also touch screen. Forward looking camera w/ DVR - rear camera but it is an andriod unit so it even takes the wifi for the camera on the trailer. Nav is in it and phone.

it's face is slightly wider than a double din but I did not have to cut the under-dash to install it, the electronics is a single din.
I did order a dash center piece and went to a junk yard to get a new dash faceia. I like to keep the original parts if I ever want to go back to stock look

note --- you can order the TV tuner kit but I did not see the need to watch the evening news while driving.