need a radio, CD, Navigation combination for my 2005 Ram

[C.E.SMITH]

Anyone have a suggestion as to where I can find a combination radio, CD player, Navigation system for a Ram 3500, 2005 truck.. Not having any luck with dealers in my area because of the age of my truck and they aren't helpful with any suggestions for where to look.. Any help would be appriciated...

 

[lionrampant]

Try Crutchfield, I was looking for something similar for my '06 and they had some things that might work for you.

 

[bigceltic]

Anyone have a suggestion as to where I can find a combination radio, CD player, Navigation system for a Ram 3500, 2005 truck.. Not having any luck with dealers in my area because of the age of my truck and they aren't helpful with any suggestions for where to look.. Any help would be appriciated...

I put a Kenwood unit in my 06 - I did not get the Nav option since it has Android Auto compatibility and I use Waze for navigation. The Kenwood has a single disc player. I got it from Crutchfield. My orig radio was not the Nav one, so I bought a new bezel and it all looks factory.

 

[Ozymandias]

Ebay has also total solution offers that come with everything you need, but Crutchfield is top notch.

 

[White2005]

A double din w/CD player will require you to butcher your sub-dash. I found this helpful when I was looking to change mine- https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/looking-for-aftermarket-radio-upgrade.269799/page-2

 

[Ozymandias]

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DNR1007/Kenwood-Excelon-Reference-DNR1007XR.html?tp=20212

This is one of the coolest units available but it comes with a price.

 

[bigceltic]

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DNR1007/Kenwood-Excelon-Reference-DNR1007XR.html?tp=20212

This is one of the coolest units available but it comes with a price.

This is the Kenwood I used: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-54KrUWjk98i/p_113DDX6905/Kenwood-Excelon-DDX6905S.html
It says "modified fit" but I think that is because I had the non Nav Factory radio - super easy install and with the new double-din bezel there were no modifications necessary. I also bought the Crutchfield wiring harness so it was plug and play and I retained my steering wheel controls.

 

[tjm]

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DNR1007/Kenwood-Excelon-Reference-DNR1007XR.html?tp=20212

This is one of the coolest units available but it comes with a price.

What I have... Love it - Wireless CarPlay for NAV.

 

[Jaysyl]

This Kenwood radio from Crutchfield is nice but the OP wants a CD player along with the navigation. I don’t think this one does?
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DNR1007/Kenwood-Excelon-Reference-DNR1007XR.html?tp=20212

 

[Jim W]

First off, I am cheap very cheap!

I have a 2008, with the factory radio which works ok sound is good but does not have Apple car play nor the Nav package which was not offered when we bought the truck. I am tired of FM talk radio this use to be AM only but since this is now a phenomenon of FM also. The CD is good, but my DW likes to hear various songs from different artist. We haven't used the CD player in over 2 years on the truck.

My solution was to buy a cheap FM transmitter under $20.00 that is paired to my APPLE phone, that can be used with the current radio. We can play either Pandor or Amazon music that we have downloaded to folders, this will also except phone calls on the radio. To me this is expectable since the truck is not a sound stage and I am 75 so my hearing is not the best. My DW says I can't even hear her sometimes. We also have AMAZON PRIME, so the Amazon music is already covered as far as cost and Pandor is free with commercials.

My Nav solution is to use my Garmin RV795 device that has a built in DASH CAM which is on whenever the truck is being used all of the time. I have lifetime map updates which is helpful. need this for my tailer when we tow. The Garmin can be switched from towing configuration to non-towing.

Now I wouldn't go out and purchase the Garmin if I need a Nav package and didn't have the Garmin in the first place. I would simply buy a mount for my APPLE phone and run the map directions on the phone. This is what my wife's Santa Fe 2021 SEL uses with turn-by-turn directions for our NAV directions in her car. Her car has Apple car play as standard.

The maps seem to be updated very regularly compared to manufactures vehicle Nav packages (we had a factory Nav package on our 2001 VW TDI JETTA) which you had to purchase a new map update yearly if you wanted to stay current. Over $100 a purchase for the updated maps.

Just saying there are options that work.

 

[User113]

CD players, particularly in cars, are becoming more and more scarce, but they are still available. Most people nowadays who aren't listening to AM or FM get their music in their cars via satellite, Bluetooth or USB; which many new aftermarket radios support. As a bonus, unlike a CD, there is no mechanical component involved in getting music from a satellite, a phone or a USB drive. And a phone or USB drive can hold way more music than any single CD ever could and don't require a subscription or cellular access.

The frequency of map updates is definitely an important consideration when buying anything with dedicated navigation, because there are many places that don't have cellular reception which is required for Waze, Google Maps or Apple's Maps to work. Not to mention the data fees.

One thing I do like is having plural navigation options. I use my satellite based (no additional fees) navigation most of the time, but if there's weather or traffic I will inquire of Waze (data plan and cellular connectivity required) to see if it recommends a detour.

However, by far my most favorite feature of my aftermarket radio (my truck is a 2004 model) is that I also have four cameras connected to the head unit so I can see around my truck so much better. For me that definitely was worth the effort and expense. (My radio does have a 10 inch screen...!)

 

[Ozymandias]

The frequency of map updates is definitely an important consideration when buying anything with dedicated navigation, because there are many places that don't have cellular reception which is required for Waze, Google Maps or Apple's Maps to work. Not to mention the data fees.

One thing I do like is having plural navigation options. I use my satellite based (no additional fees) navigation most of the time, but if there's weather or traffic I will inquire of Waze (data plan and cellular connectivity required) to see if it recommends a detour.

However, by far my most favorite feature of my aftermarket radio (my truck is a 2004 model) is that I also have four cameras connected to the head unit so I can see around my truck so much better. For me that definitely was worth the effort and expense. (My radio does have a 10 inch screen...!)

I run a Starlink Mini in motion now, so there are not outages anymore. Awesome to run Google Earth as a Nav going down the road to find the best spot for the night.

 

[Grumpy8811]

I'd rather have a separate radio and a traditional GPS that I can store somewhere else because how often do you actually use a GPS let alone "NEED' it?

 

[bigceltic]

However, by far my most favorite feature of my aftermarket radio (my truck is a 2004 model) is that I also have four cameras connected to the head unit so I can see around my truck so much better. For me that definitely was worth the effort and expense. (My radio does have a 10 inch screen...!)

Amen! I put a camera on my front grille and display it on the head unit screen - makes parking so much easier!

 

[Jim W]

I'd rather have a separate radio and a traditional GPS that I can store somewhere else because how often do you actually use a GPS let alone "NEED' it?

I use my GPS a GARMIN RV795 every time I drive my truck. Why for several reasons.

One, the GPS has a built in DASH CAM and this records to a memory card to be use as needed.

Two, the GPS provides real time speed of the vehicle as it is driven. My speed odometer is slightly off due to tire changes between winter and summer tires which have different rolling radius.

Three, the Garmin has a rolling map display which does provide the next intersection and road names. When I am in a local town but not that familiar with all of the cross streets this does help.

Everyone's needs are different.

 

[crispyboy]

Here is a link to the radio install in my 2009 truck. The Kenwood radio (dnx577s) does everything you're looking for. I have mixed thoughts about it because I find the various menu's a chore to get through to get what you want. Changing radio stations is not the easiest as the buttons are small and the truck is bouncing down the highway. I really dislike the push button volume. It needs a knob for the volume. I rarely use the cd player anymore as I subscribe to Sirius XM radio (great for traveling). We have a lot of local radio stations. The navigation works well since it is Garmin based. The tuner seems to work ok in pulling distant stations. I wish it was easier to use. I would have gotten the big screen but it was double the money. It also has Apple CarPlay.
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/new-radio-install.275124/#post-2733456

 

[MSavre]

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DNR1007/Kenwood-Excelon-Reference-DNR1007XR.html?tp=20212

This is one of the coolest units available but it comes with a price.

My vote is for this one have it and love it!

 

[Bobby A]

May I jump in here for a moment, I also am looking to upgrade my Infinity radio in m 07 mega to something a little more modern, I don't use CD's anymore. I would just need a radio that has Sirus radio and a USB port for my thumb drive music, Any suggestions ?? Thank you

 

[MSavre]

I put the DNR 1007 in my 2007 megacab, love the radio and nav, but miss the CD.

 

[Bobby A]

I put the DNR 1007 in my 2007 megacab, love the radio and nav, but miss the CD.

Yea, I use to play a lot of CD's but now it satellite radio and my own thumb drives with music, I really don't need a CD player. I will check into your suggestion, thank you