Looking for aftermarket radio upgrade

[Wayne M.]

gpintler, exactly what model is your truck? What was the original radio system, and did you need to modify any electrical or bypass the amp?

 

[gpintler]

2004 4door It had the factory unit in it when I got it. Then I moved to a single Din Blaupunkt SanFansico. With the hands free movement happening I needed to upgrade. I decided to get it all in 1 unit. I had a tomtom for nav and a wifi camera system for the trailer and a foward looking camera system.

I elected to get this unit for 1] bluetooth phone 2] wifi camera app 3] my forward looking camera app 4] rear camera 5] USB support for music. [ it does much more ]

I do not use my phone for music or nav. I am old and my phone is used as a communication device. All thou I do use the camera once in a while.

This unit runs an Android system so I loaded both the apps for the cameras. Most any app that is on an Android phone will work on the head unit. I like knobs - buttons wear out - I work in electronics building boards. Volume buttons wear out fast.

I did not want to cut up the substructure of the dash for a double Din unit so this unit has single Din electronics but double Din display. I got the new double Din radio bezel and from a junkyard I got the center dash bezel. If I am going to do mods to my truck I like to keep the original parts in case I ever want to go back. I got the wiring harness adapter and did the install with just a few minor problems.

There were 3 things that I did not like about the unit but were easily fixed 1] every time you turned the key on the unit turn on. If i moved my truck 10 feet the unit cycled on - fix - I put in a power bypass switch. 2] the reflective display is great until the sun hits it - fix - antiglare film I had from my Samsung tablet 3] lack of good documentation - fix - write some good music on a thumbdrive , plug it in and start working your way thru the menus until you have it figured out.

If you need more information on this unit please let me know on this thread and I will put up pics and the steps I took for the install.

2004 4 door 8 foot box
BD valve body
BD extra deep transmission pan
class 3 receiver up front - class 4 and class 5 receiver in the rear
[I thought they only had class 3 in the rear]
Firestone air bags
101K miles

 

[Wayne M.]

gpintler, I want to give this a try, so I went looking, and there’s so many android radios to choose! I think I found yours, but it’s specific for 2009.
Can you please drop the Amazon link here, so I can get to that specific radio? And can you please pop the bezel and post a shot so I can see how you tagged the radio to the dash structure?
I’m going to use my amp, so I’m also plumbing in the metra data module Ozy specifies.
I’ve been contemplating this for YEARS!

 

[gpintler]

Ok we can do this - but I need a few. The file folder on my computer for the Hizpo is 10 gigs long. It contains all the info that I found to do this project with. I also need a few to do the last mod which is moving the Wifi antenna out from under the dash. What I am offering is if you are willing to text me at 208-859-two one two nine, I will take the dash apart and make good photos of everything I did with wiring info, then cut them onto a CD and mail it to you [please put your address into the text so I have it]

Like I said earlier the unit did not come with a lot of info and old IGO nav software. I downloaded the newest software off the internet ----- wait ----- I should be using the word app instead of software -- sorry old computer guy -- I tried to create a folder on my google drive but the upload was 7 hrs.

I did end up buying the latest version of maps from the internet $34

My end of your project can not be completed in 1 night - I am 63 and still have to work 12 hrs a day for 3 days a week but I can get started putting things together on thursday morning and send the CD shortly after that. With my number you can call me if you have a hiccup. I am in Idaho

oh yes this unit will be shipped from hong kong so it will take a few days to get there.

https://m.bonanza.com/listings/igo-...sqcA-zWFbt4Bqq3yqwyJeh7CLIn-0PFxoCmDkQAvD_BwE

My head unit info
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JAzILUKhTTjfACDOaPs6vtvys45mStTP?usp=sharing

Let me know

 

[gpintler]

ebay not amazon

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Android-10...350455&hash=item342f8efa0a:g:skQAAOSwxuNfSHla

 

[MichaelOverfield]

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.
View attachment 123688 View attachment 123689

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.

Is this the one you used:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Android-10...350455&hash=item342f8efa0a:g:skQAAOSwxuNfSHla

How is it with speed, like with Google Maps? It looks like a good unit, but the processor and memory look a bit low, wondering if that has been noticed.

Also, looking at the specifications, it appears to connect to the car CAN bus, did you connect to the CAN bus? Does the car recognize and communicate with the unit via CAN?

 

[gpintler]

Yes I beleive that is my unit. I can not tell you about the Speed because I don't know were I would see speed. I do not use google maps , I use the nav system in it [ I-Go ]. You will have to tell me how to test speed. My 2004 dodge 2500 does not have the CAN Bus system, the wiring harness that you see with the CAN Bus adapter is still sitting in the box.

left over parts [clockwise from top right]
receipt from the wrecking yard for the dash bezel
transport screws
antenna adaptor
usb cable [why does anybody need 3 usb]
antenna adaptor again
blue wire for amp switch on
mounting plates from the Double Dim adaptor
manual for the Hizpo
Double Din instructions
RCA for everything
wiring harness for CAN Bus system

*******************************************************
BIG NOTE -- I did not see RCA OUTs for rear speakers just fronts
there connections for them but they are not shown in the ad.
*******************************************************

We would have to see if we could get you that cable or you would have to use the HIGH SIDE INPUTS on a 4 channel amp

What are you putting this in ?

 

[gpintler]

Just sent them a question about the rear RCA plugs

 

[White2005]

@gpintler Thank you for sharing this radio as an option. I too like to be able to go back to factory original.
Did your truck have a factory amp or did you install an aftermarket version?

 

[gpintler]

Mine did not come with an amp . It was not ordered with Premium sound.

 

[gpintler]

ok here we go
pic1 After the Install

pic2 I bought a used center dash bezel. I like to keep the old parts incase I ever want to go back to stock

pic3 The dash bezel after I put in the double din radio bezel

pic4a Because the unit I got was a bit larger than double din I had to file mine out a bit

pic5 Because mine is a bit taller than stock the mounting holes did not line up a small piece of metal was made

pic6 Double din face but single din body so I did not have to cut the substructure

pic 7a-b-c Using a wiring harness adapter soldered the correct wires together. I did not need all the wire connections for my truck. A is the wires for the unit. B is the GPS, WIFI, and 2 USB cables. C is for the other problem - my unit turns on every time the key is turned on and I did not like that - I ran the power wire to a switch to "bypass switch"

pic 8a-b-c I am not 1 to punch holes in my dash - I like to keep it clean looking [Grampa style not 18 year old style] so I got a floor shifter surround and put all the switches there. Switches for rear looking camera, radio bypass, rear floods, spare, forward looking camera and main power for the FRS radio.

pic 9a-b-c 3 USB ports. 2 from the rear and 1 from the front. I don't use the front [if it dangles you will break it off]
Left side of the unit is micro sd for the NAV maps, and USB Cable connector. Right side is micro sd for all my music. I then load any other music on a thumbdrive and Wife has a thumbdrive for her music. That is enough for any normal human being.

10a-b-c the little bracket s are 1/2 wide and 1 inch long wath a speed nut. Again they just give me a place to use the lower screw points.

Well I hope that covers it for you. Questions --- post them if you got them.
I am really supersized how much I like having an Android system in my truck.

 

[gpintler]

I finished it today. I never understood why you would want the WIFI antenna inside the dash. I bought the correct cables and adapter thingy to put the antenna up on to the dash for better reception. I had to make a small bracket for the antenna and the GPS puck .

 

[White2005]

Mine did not come with an amp . It was not ordered with Premium sound.

Thanks again for the information. Did you notice an improvement in how your speakers sound with the new head unit?

 

[gpintler]

Yes I did. I also enjoy the ease of use as I am traveling.

 

[gpintler]

And now it is done. The last thing to install was the rear camera. I elected to use the one on the tailgate handle so it would look down on the tow ball better. Got it from Amazon. Just because they say it will fit your truck - keep the wire path short. 4 door - 8 foot box and I just had enough to get there. The nice thing about this camera is that it had a sense wire in the wiring loom.
I put a relay behind the driver side tail light . This allows the truck to turn on the rear flood lights with the reverse lights and also I can turn on the floods when I an connecting to a trailer at night. My sense wire was connected to that flood light wiring. I can turn on the reverse camera as I am driving and check the trailer.